“FRIDAY UPDATES”

May 8, 2009

A rainbow stretches over Durham at the intersection of Route 4 and Back River Road/Cedar Point Road last week following an early evening rain shower.  While there has been much rain this week, the grass and water tables appreciate it.

GOV. LYNCH ORDERS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF

Governor John Lynch has directed all flags to half-staff Today, May 8, 2009, to mark New Hampshire Law Enforcement Memorial Day in New Hampshire.

DURHAM PLANNING BOARD SELECTS NEW OFFICERS                   

The Durham Planning Board held a special work session on Wednesday evening in which a new slate of officers was selected and committee assignments were made as follows:

Chair—Lorne Parnell

Vice Chair—Susan Fuller

Secretary—Stephen Roberts

Planning Board Rep to the Conservation Commission—Stephen Roberts

Planning Board Rep to the EDC—Susan Fuller

A sincere thank you is extended to William McGowan for his service as past Planning Board Chairman.  The Planning Board also discussed a Request for Proposal for Master Plan services as we move forward with updating the 2000 Master Plan.  State statue suggests updating a community’s Master Plan every 10 years.  In 1998/1999, the Town last embarked upon a Master Plan update.

DOWNTOWN HOTEL/CONFERENCE CENTER DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE

On Thursday afternoon, Administrator Selig and Council Chairman Neil Niman met with representatives from ProCon Construction and The Kane Company to continue discussions relative to the development of a hotel/conference center facility in downtown Durham.  Both ProCon and The Kane Company indicate that there is still interest in this project and the development team continues to evaluate strategies in which to bring the project to fruition.  When additional information becomes available, we will endeavor to keep the community informed.

UNH BUSINESS SCHOOL To BE BUILT DOWNTOWN

Foster's reported on Thursday that the UNH Business School is likely to be built in the downtown area along Garrison Avenue.  The probable site of the school would be at the corner of Garrison Avenue and Rosemary Lane, across from Stoke Hall. 

For more information, go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090507/GJNEWS_01/705079798/-1/FOSNEWS0102.  

To review a story in today's The New Hampshire regarding the location of the new business school, go to:

http://www.tnhonline.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&uStory_id=ff294690-5817-4ae7-85dd-4049090f9e95.

DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FORUM WITH DAVID MAY, UNH ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS

On Wednesday morning of this week, the Durham Business Association coordinated an extremely useful and productive meeting with the University and the Town to discuss on-campus business operations and potential impacts, both positive and negative, that these practices may have upon Durham's downtown business district.  David May, UNH Assistant Vice President of Business Affairs, candidly discussed the various dining opportunities and business services offered on campus to UNH students. 

The University works hard to remain competitive with its peer institutions to attract and retain today's "Generation Y" students and to that end, Mr. May provided an overview of the kinds of on-campus amenities offered by its peer institutions.  Mr. May also outlined a number of strategies which have been implemented on campus to support local businesses, one of which several years ago was to allow students to utilize their Cat's Cache cards off campus in downtown Durham. 

Last year, the UNH Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department also designed a web site on Black Board (the on campus web site utilized by students and faculty for a variety of purposes) that allows Faculty to communicate their assigned booklists electronically.  Mindful of its partnership with the community, CIS designed the site so that the Durham Book Exchange would also get the lists.  UNH did not want to create a competitive advantage for Barnes and Noble.

Mr. May also outlined the fact that his dining/housing staff conduct regular surveys of students in an effort to better understand the kinds of services today's college students demand in order to most effectively meet their needs.

During the meeting, University representatives offered to:

·        Investigate the feasibility of placing a VTS machine (a machine that allows students to add funds to their Cat’s Cache card; several are located around campus) somewhere off campus in the downtown area. Status: Underway now.

·        Add some questions about students’ perceptions about downtown Durham and their use of downtown Durham to the focus groups his dining/housing staff do with students in residence halls every fall. Status: Start of fall 2009 semester.

·        Durham: It’s Where U Live (DIWUL) will explore ways to have its Web site be seen as more of a “one-stop site” for the community to learn what is happening on campus so that residents can take better advantage of these activities. There are currently links to the Town, a list of businesses, calendar, UNH resources, etc. This will be a good place for a comprehensive UNH calendar to exist as well for links to sports schedules and activities at the Paul Creative Arts Center. There is also a link to the Durham Business Association. The DIWUL site can be viewed at: http://www.diwul.org/. Status: Discuss at next several DIWUL meetings.

·        MUB Manager MaryAnn Lustgraaf, the Durham Business Association board, and DIWUL will work together to explore the possibility of developing a survey over the summer. The survey would go to Town residents, UNH students, and UNH faculty and staff to find out what they know about downtown, what they like/don’t like, what they would like to see, etc. Status:  Discuss at the next DBA board meeting and with the Durham Economic Development Committee.

The meeting was very productive with an air of cooperative spirit on the part of all attendees. A thank you is extended to the Durham Business Association, UNH, Erika Mantz, and David May for working together in this regard.

A bulletin board within the UNH Woodside residential community promoting

things to do around Durham for students.

Fall 2009 UNH Enrollment Update

A total of 3,200 students have sent in their deposits to be part of the Fall 2009 UNH entering class.  To view a link to President Huddleston’s latest communication with the campus on enrollment, go to: http://www.unh.edu/president/markhuddleston/speeches/huddleston_enrollment0509.htm.  This information may be of great interest to business owners and professional landlords within the Durham community.

DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FORUM ON CODE/ZONING ENFORCEMENT

On May 1st, The Durham Business Association (DBA) and the Town coordinated a forum for DBA members to meet with Code Enforcement Officer Tom Johnson to discuss code/zoning enforcement in Durham and ways in which we enhance the business climate that is present within the community.  Attendees were able to listen first-hand to the problems and opportunities as perceived and experienced by the DBA members. 

Several ideas emerged from the meeting, including the opportunity to help Durham business owners with some much needed signage directing people to the downtown area.  To this end, the Planning Office has reached out to the N.H. Department of Transportation to discuss the possibility of locating signage along Route 4 directing motorists to our downtown business district.  In addition, we have dusted off a kiosk proposal from 2001/2002 to tastefully provide better information at the corner of Jenkin's Court and Main Street to let motorists and pedestrians know what businesses are located along Jenkin's Court.  Finally, we are evaluating whether the Town might utilize its downtown island informational signs to promote the entire downtown area on an ongoing basis. 

Tom Johnson provided a helpful overview of the codes that are in place in Durham, encouraged business owners to meet with him early in the development process to discuss how to move projects forward efficiently and effectively, and explained that the year in which projects were initially constructed often has a bearing on the zoning regulations which are applicable for that structure. 

A great deal of discussion also took place centering around the interest of business owners relative to issues surrounding student housing and the opportunities for increased density and changes in the zoning requirements in the downtown area that could benefit their businesses and help address housing issues throughout the town.  Attendance at this forum was limited so it may make sense for Mr. Johnson to provide an overview of this issue to the Town Council to answer questions that Councilors may have regarding efforts presently under way to promote development to broaden the tax base in Durham.  In this way, we hope to increase affordability for residents while also maintaining quality of life issues so important to the community.  A thank you is extended to the Durham Business Association and Tom Johnson for participating in this useful forum.

DURHAM TRAIL MONITORING PROGRAM

The Parks & Recreation Committee is looking for people interested in taking part in a trail monitoring program to begin in late May.  Details will follow, but basically the committee is looking for people who enjoy Durham's trails and would like to help ensure that the trails remain in good condition.  Citizens interested in having their names added to the information list are asked to please send an email to durhamtrails@yahoo.com and someone from the Parks & Recreation Committee will be in contact with more information.

DURHAM RECEIVES TREE CITY USA AWARD FOR 31st YEAR

The Town has been recently notified that it has won the Tree City USA award for the 31st consecutive year.  The award is presented annually by the Arbor Day foundation to honor communities that have committed to the health of trees.  Being the 31st year, Durham is the longest running Tree City award recipient in the State of New Hampshire.  The Town will be presented with the award at a future date.   

JACKSON’S LANDING WINS NEW HAMPSHIRE BEAUTIFICATION AWARD

Last Friday, members of the Jackson’s Landing committee, Robbi Woodburn and Dwight Baldwin, as well as Public Works Director Mike Lynch, traveled to the Governor’s office to receive the New Hampshire Beautification Award.  The award is sponsored by the New Hampshire arbor association for an outstanding community landscaping project.  Durham earned the award in honor of the recent renovation of Jackson’s Landing to eliminate erosion and enhance water quality in the Oyster river.  If you haven’t been down to Jackson’s Landing since the renovation, please go check it out!

NEW GRANITE BENCH AT MEMORIAL PARK

Town resident Joan Drapeau graciously has donated a granite bench to the Town.  After review of a few sites, Joan and Town staff settled on placing it in Memorial Park.  Memorial Park is in the traffic island at the intersection of Main Street and Mill Road.  We extend thanks and appreciation to the donation

SEWER EXTENSION WORK ON OLD CONCORD ROAD

You may have recently seen construction activity out in the west end of town near Technology Drive.  This is the sewer extension for the new Rivers Edge apartment complex.  The work includes some open excavation as well as some underground directional borings.  Work should be completed in the next two weeks. 

WAGON HILL COMMUNITY GARDENS PROGRESS REPORT

Progress is being made in preparing the land identified for a pilot community garden program at Wagon Hill Farm.  Committee and community member Fil Glanz reports that because the sod was so deep it became clear that it was necessary to turn it and harrow it. Last Sunday, Chuck Cox brought his plow and harrow out and in about two hours he had turned the sod and harrowed it. It is reported that the soil smell was very encouraging as was the texture and color of the soil. No Durham Marine clay was found. Chuck said that the soil looked very good but it needs to dry out for a few days.  Yet we have had rain for the last five days. After the ground has dried out, Chuck Cox will do another pass to help smooth things out. The group found a few rocks in the far end of the 60' x 60' plot, most of them small but a few larger and one they did not get out - it seemed to be down over a foot.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY’S SPRING BOOK

On May 8 and May 9, 2009 The Library will have over a thousand donated books, audios and videos for sale, most between 50 cents and $2.00.  A special Preview Sale was held on Thursday, May 7th from 6 – 8 pm, with a $10 admission fee.  The Public Sale will be Friday, May 8th from 10-5 and Saturday, May 9th from 10-2 (admission for the Public Sale is FREE!)

BOBCAT BOLT 5K/10K AND OYSTER RIVER FESTIVAL

A reminder that this coming Saturday, May 9, 2009, the inaugural Bobcat Bolt 5K/10K and Oyster River Festival, presented by Gault Builders, will be held at the Oyster River High school where the race will begin. Residents should expect traffic delays; especially in the area of the Oyster River High School.

DURHAM GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE

On Saturday, May 9th, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM the Durham Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale at St. George's Episcopal Church. Look for perennials, annuals, a few bushes and small trees, and a variety of vegetable and herb plants. Regulars know to line up before 9 AM so as to get the best selection when the doors open. As usual, Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Funds raised from this sale support two $1,000 scholarships for UNH students pursuing a gardening-related major, as well as community projects such as the Joe B. Parks Public Garden in Dover. One of the scholarships is named for Marjorie Milne, a long-time Garden Club member. Indeed, later this spring the Garden Club will be creating a wildflower garden on the Milne land bequeathed to the Town, as Marjorie proposed.

SPRING CLEANUP

Starting tomorrow, May 9th, folks can begin putting things out for the annual bulky waste collection, which will be held starting Monday, May 11th, all items out by 7AM.  This is the Spring Cleanup where residents may put out their bulky waste for collection instead of bringing it up to the Transfer Station with a coupon.  Remember that electronics will still need to have their stickers attached in order to be collected.  The details for the collection were in the Spring Newsletter which residents should have received by mail about a month ago. 

SEACOAST LYME DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP

On Tuesday, May 12, 6:00 pm Come and learn about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases - how to protect yourself and what to do if you are infected.  May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and the Durham Public Library will be hosting a viewing of “Under Our Skin,” the award-winning.  A dramatic tale of microbes, medicine & money, this eye-opening film investigates the untold story of Lyme disease, an emerging epidemic larger than AIDS. Each year thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, told that their symptoms are "all in their head." Following the stories of patients and physicians as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, the film brings into focus a haunting picture of our health care system and its inability to cope with a silent terror under our skin.

ANNUAL CHURCHILL RINK PLANNING WORKSHOP

On Wednesday, May 13th at 6PM, the Churchill Rink Committee will be having their annual workshop at the Public Works building, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, to plan out the following year.  If you are interested in learning about how the rink is run or if you have any comments, this meeting would be a good time to do it.  Feel free to join if so. 

NH HUMANITIES COUNCIL PROGRAM

On Monday, May 11th, 7 p.m. at Oyster River High School Library Scandals in business, governments, and schools have become commonplace, but has it always been so?  Is the societal moral compass spinning out of control, or do we merely have a “different” value orientation?   These questions and more will be addressed by Aine Donovan, Associate Professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and Executive Director of the Ethics Institute, a consortium of Dartmouth faculty concerned with teaching and research in applied and professional ethics.  The program, From Honor to Integrity: An Exploration of What it Means to Adhere to the Common Good, will be held on Monday, May 11, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Oyster River High School Library in Durham.  The presentation examines the notion of “honor” as an element of social cohesion and explores whether “honor” exists in the 21st century.  It’s a timely program organized by the New Hampshire Humanities Council and open to the public.  Sponsors include the PTO of the High School with cooperation from the public libraries in Durham, Lee and Madbury.  All are welcome to attend what should be a lively discussion.  Refreshments will be served.  The high school is located at 55 Coe Drive in Durham, NH; for more information, call 603-868-2375, x1150.

WALK NH 2009 EVENT

On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and Durham will celebrate Walk NH Week 2009 with a 3-mile walk around the UNH campus and the Town of Durham. New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has proclaimed June 1-7 Walk NH Week as a way to promote walking and help keep New Hampshire residents on a healthy path. The goal of Walk NH Week is to inspire participants to continue walking as part of a healthy lifestyle long after the June events end. For more information and to register online, visit http://www.unh.edu/hr/walkNH2009.html.  Questions regarding the walk can be addressed to Christina VanHorn at 862-0519, Chris.VanHorn@unh.edu.  

MADE IN NEW ENGLAND PRODUCTS SOUGHT FOR FIRST SEACOAST PUBLIC MARKET

Do you make a high quality product that is made in New England and are struggling for an affordable way to promote or sell your goods in this economy? Tastes of New England in Durham is seeking local manufacturers of food, gifts and art to sell their wares at Seacoast, New Hampshire’s first-ever public market at the Frank Jones Center in Portsmouth. The event starts on Saturday, June 6, 2009 and three additional June and August dates are planned. The cost to participate on all four dates is $100. The deadline for space reservations is May 19, 2009 and is first come, first serve. Specialty, gourmet, and prepared food vendors must be appropriately licensed and will need to apply for a temporary permit with the City of Portsmouth. To apply or for more information, contact Tastes of New England at (603) 762-4155 or via email at info@tastesofnewengland.com.  

ONE WORLD LANGUAGE SCHOOL @ MOHARIMET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Early language education provides a lifetime of opportunities.  The One World Language School will hold a Registration and Information Night on Wednesday, June 10th from 4:30-6:30 at the Mohariment Elementary School.  Learn about and register for our French, German, Spanish, and Chinese classes for children ages 3 and up. Classes are held Wednesday afternoons at Moharimet.  The 2009-10 academic year starts in September.  Classes fill quickly so register soon!  For more information, please contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org or 866-0364.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTANT

The Town has sent out "Request for Proposals” for professional services (Consultant) for the review of the zoning in the Central Business District (CBD) and recommendations for amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The Town seeks a Consultant to assist with strategic planning in the CBD and downtown commercial core and for planning services on an “as needed” basis to potentially include an upcoming Master Plan update process. Proposals are due no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, May 29, 2009 at which time all proposals received will be opened. To view the document, go to http://ci.durham.nh.us/generalpdfs/RFP%20for%20Zoning%203.pdf.  

GROWING PLACES SUMMER CAMPS

Growing Places, a non profit early education and youth recreation agency, offers three different camp programs for children!  Camp Cowabunga is for children ages 5-7 and offers arts and crafts, games, swimming, and a field trip every week. Bridge Camp, for children ages 7-9, offers a more active day with team building games, sports, and enrichment activities, daily swimming and field trips.  At Adventure Camp, for ages 10-14, children are involved in more challenging activities, including outdoor adventures, service projects, water sports, and camping trips. All programs are licensed by the state of New Hampshire and have low staff to camper ratios.  Programs run for 8 weeks starting on June 29.  Part time, full time and extended care is available.  Tuition assistance is available for eligible families.  Please contact 868-1335 for more information and a registration packet.

2009 UNH OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL VOUCHERS

The Town is assisting the University once again with the cleaning of the outdoor pool in preparation for the 2009 summer season. 

Pool pass vouchers will be available at the Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office, 15 Newmarket Road beginning Tuesday, May 26, 2009. The Town Clerk’s Office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. This year there will be 447 pool vouchers available only for Durham youths ages 2-17 and senior citizens 62 years and older to receive a $45.00 discount off the full price of a season pass. This is an additional $10.00 discount over last year. Vouchers are issued on a first come, first served basis. Pool pass vouchers must be picked up BEFORE purchasing a pool pass, and are sold at the Front Service Desk at the Hamel Student Recreation Center, located next to the Whittemore Center on the UNH campus.   

More information as to when pool passes will go on sale and when the UNH outdoor pool will open for the season may also be obtained by calling the UNH Campus Recreation Department at 862-2031 or visiting their website at http://campusrec.unh.edu.

Concerned about pool parking?  See the next “Friday Updates” item …

FREE PARKING FOR THE UNH OUTDOOR POOL AVAILABLE

A reminder to residents utilizing the UNH Outdoor Pool this summer that free parking is available.  UNH annually makes its Woodside Lot available to Durham residents.  A parking permit is required and may be picked up free of charge to Durham residents at the UNH Transportation Services located at 295 Mast Road.  (From Route 4 West take the exit for Route 155A. At the bottom of the ramp take a left. Follow Main Street approximately 3/4 mile. Take the second left on to North Drive. At the first intersection along North Drive take a right onto Mast Road. The Visitor Information Center is the second building on your left (white with green trim), 295 Mast Road.)  Residents can also park for free during the summer months at the Town-owned Depot Road Lot located behind/next to the UNH Dairy Bar.  

COMPUTER TOURING ON TUESDAYS WITH THE EMILY’S

The Durham Public Library is fortunate to have two volunteers, Emily and Emily, who will be available on Tuesdays from 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm to assist patrons with their computer questions.  Need help with E-mail?  the Internet?  Word processing…? No question is “wrong”.  Patrons are gently reminded that Emily and Emily will not be able to offer advice regarding finances, health, legal issues or other such matters that you are researching on the Internet; please abide by the Library’s computer and Internet usage policy, which can be found in full on the Library’s website at  http://durhampubliclibrary.org/internetuse.html. 

BICYCLE HELMETS

McGregor Memorial EMS is pleased to be leading a coalition of Oyster River community members in an effort to promote the wearing of helmets.  Working with Safe Kids NH McGregor is able to offer brand new Bell helmets to the public for $7.50 through bulk purchasing.  Through McGregor's partnership with the Brain Injury Association of NH we are able to offer free helmets to those who can not afford them.  Please contact McGregor EMS via e-mail at nduclos@mcgregorems.org to find out how to obtain a helmet.

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meeting is scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated below.

Lamprey River Management Advisory Committee – Tuesday, May 12, 2009 @ Lee Safety Complex 7:00 – 9:30PM

Zoning Board of Adjustment Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Planning Board – Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Durham Conservation Committee Meeting – Thursday, May 14, 2009

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

To view a listing of the DCAT programming schedule, go to http://ci.durham.nh.us/COMMUNITY/channel_22/calendar.html. 

WEEKLY POLICE ARREST REPORT

Week - 84                                          53 UNH (63%)           31 Other (37%)

*2008/09 Academic Year -855         545 UNH (64%)         310 Other (36%)

Calendar Year –378                         239 UNH (63%)         139 Other (37%)

*Commenced September 1, 2008 

HISTORICAL DATA FOR THE SAME WEEK

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1911 – The railroad tacks were moved west to eliminate a curve.  The station at Lynn, Massachusetts was dismantled and reconstructed here, serving the town and campus until 1964.  Bamboo poles, used to convey messages to the passing train engineers are still in existence.  E-7 & M

Have a good weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham

15 Newmarket Road

Durham, New Hampshire 03824

Tel (603) 868-5571

Fax (603) 868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us

www.ci.durham.nh.us

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