“FRIDAY UPDATES”

JUNE 12, 2009

 

 

Durham Patrol Officers Jennifer Kelly and Stephen Misek, Sergeant Kathryn Mone, and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Johnson participated in today’s Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Police officers from across New Hampshire have been working all year to raise funds that support the Special Olympians. They will compete in a variety of venues at the UNH athletic facilities this weekend. Police officers perform a number of chores to raise funds that will support the Olympians. One of those events occurred last Sunday as Durham police officers pumped gasoline at the Irving station on Dover Road. The year-long fund-raising is culminated by police officers running into Durham from all areas of the state, joining together to light one torch from numerous torches as they run into Cowell Field cheered on by the Olympians. At the conclusion of the Torch Run, the Durham Police provide showers and host a cookout for all the officers, family, and friends before the cruiser parade and fireworks that occur at dark surrounded by hundreds of cheering Special Olympians.  

 

 

Administrator's Plan for Reducing the Risk to Durham Residents of West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis

The State of New Hampshire saw a growth in activity in both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) during the 2005 mosquito season.  Despite an aggressive state-wide education campaign, seven New Hampshire residents developed serious illness following infection with EEE, two of whom died. Once present in an environment, both viruses will likely continue to surface to some extent every year.  In response to this situation, the Town Administrator has provided information concerning WNV and EEE, prevention and control strategies, and his planned response in 2009. To view the Administrator's plan in detail, please click HERE.  Some helpful suggestions also follow in terms of reducing the risk of exposure to mosquitoes around one's home.

 

What can residents do around their homes to help reduce exposure to mosquitoes?

·        Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.  Repair or replace all screens in your home that have tears or holes.

·        Remove all discarded tires from your property.  The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito-breeding habitat in the United States.

·        Do not allow water-holding containers.  Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers.  Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation. 

·        Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left out of doors.  Drainage holes that are located on the sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in.

·        Make sure roof gutters drain properly.  Clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.

·        Tightly screen “rain barrels” to ensure mosquitoes cannot deposit eggs in or on water.

·        Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and outdoor hot tubs.  If not in use, keep empty and covered.

·        Drain water from pool covers.

·        Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.  Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito breeding grounds if they are allowed to stagnate.

·        Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.  Both provide breeding habitat for domestic mosquitoes.

·        Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.  Use landscaping as needed.  Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.  Mosquito larvae look like tiny shrimp and are not recognized for what they really are by most people.

·        Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.

 

 

What can residents do to reduce their risk of becoming infected with WNV or EEE? When mosquitoes are active, take the following precautions:

·        Wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks if outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours, the time when mosquitoes are most active, and at other times when mosquitoes are biting.

·        If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours, or whenever mosquitoes are biting, consider the use of an effective insect repellant.

·        Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.

·        Use repellants according to manufacturer’s directions.

v     Repellents containing DEET have been proven effective.  No more than 30% DEET should be used on adults or children.

v     The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated recommendations for use of DEET products on children, citing:  “Insect repellents containing DEET with a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels.”  AAP recommends that repellants with DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old.

v     Repellents containing Picaridin (KBR3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus (a plant based repellent) provide protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.  Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of three years. Do not allow young children to apply repellent themselves.

v     Do not apply repellent directly to children.  Apply repellent to your own hands and then put it on the child’s exposed skin.

v     Avoid putting repellent on the hands of children or near their eyes or mouth.

v     Do not spray directly on the face, spray into the hands first and then apply to the face.

v     Do not apply to cuts, wounds, or irritated, skin.

v     Do not use under clothing.

v     Do not spray repellent containing products in enclosed areas.

v     Avoid prolonged or excessive use of repellents.  Use sparingly to cover exposed skin and clothing.

v     Wash all treated skin and clothing after returning indoors.

v     Store repellents out of reach of children.

v     Research has shown that repellents based on natural oils or herbs are less effective than products based on Picaridin or DEET.

v     Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.

Lyme Disease Prevention

In addition to WNV and EEE, summer also brings the increased threat of the tick-borne infectious disease known as Lyme disease. Citizens are urged to take precautions to prevent the potential for becoming infected with tick-borne diseases by performing frequent, thorough tick checks, wearing light-colored clothes, tucking pants into socks, and placing clothes in the dryer for 30 minutes to kill ticks.  More information may be obtained by contacting the Lyme Disease Association, Inc., PO Box 1438, Jackson, NH 08527, or calling Toll-free (888) 366-6611, or by E-mail: Lymeliter@aol.com. You may also visit their website at: www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org. 

 

Natural Protocols for Treating Lyme Disease

Wendy Snow Fogg, Sr. Herbalist at Misty Meadows Herbal Center located on Wednesday Hill Road in Lee, offers alternative treatment for people with Lyme disease, ranging from early to late chronic stage.  Misty Meadows is open Wed-Sat, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Sun, 12:00 noon-5:00 PM. For more information, please contact Wendy Snow Fogg at 659-7211 during business hours. 

 

World Health Organization DECLARES A PHASE 6 INFLUENZA PANDEMIC ALERT

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the Influenza Pandemic Alert from Phase 5 to Phase 6. To view this organization’s official statement concerning this matter, please visit http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html

 

EDC Seeks Public Input

As part of the Economic Development Committee’s (EDC) efforts to support the Town Council's goals of strategic planning and revisiting a long-term vision for Durham, the EDC is seeking input from the community regarding other towns that may provide a community planning model for Durham. In identifying other communities that share a similar vision as Durham, the EDC hopes to identify the strategies and tactics that have made that community successful. If you know of a town that we may want to investigate, please contact Town Planner Jim Campbell at jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us. For further information about the Town Council vision and goals, click HERE.

 

Seacoast Repertory Theatre INTEREST IN MILL POND CENTER

The Seacoast Repertory Theatre is seeking to acquire the former Mill Pond Center property which will allow the organization to expand programming.  The organization believes this venue would be ideal for expansion of its youth theater workshops, classes, and summer day camps.  In addition, it would enable the organization to perform smaller black box style productions, to temporarily house performers, and construct production sets. The Repertory Theatre desires to work with the Town of Durham to preserve the Mill Pond Center property and ensure it will continue to serve the greater Seacoast community. Representatives from the Seacoast Repertory Theatre are scheduled to make a brief presentation to the Durham Town Council on Monday evening, June 15th, regarding their plans for the property.

 

2008 Revaluation Review by NH Department of Revenue Administration

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) has completed its final review of the Town of Durham's 2008 Revaluation Update. The DRA reports that Durham has met all of the required guidelines as recommended by the N.H. Assessing Standards Board.  The report is very complimentary with respect to the work conducted in Durham in the final three paragraphs of the May 7, 2009 letter.  To view the letter from DRA, click HERE

 

RFP For the Productive Reuse of The Grange (H.A. Davis Building)

The Town of Durham, New Hampshire is soliciting proposals for the productive reuse/redevelopment of the parcel and structure known as The Grange (H.A. Davis Building) located at 37 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824 (Tax Map 5, Lot 1-5).  Proposals must be received by Todd I. Selig, Town Administrator, at 15 Newmarket Road, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, no later than 4:00 PM on June 30, 2009.  To view the RFP, click HERE.

 

 

HOME ENERGY ALTERNATIVE TOUR

On Saturday, June 27, 2009, from 9-10:00 AM, the Durham Energy Committee will host a home energy alternative tour to visit four examples of local solutions to energy conservation and alternative home energy. Meet at 9:00 AM in the Durham Public Library parking lot for carpooling, or pickup a map at the library and go on your own power, at your own pace. For more information call or email Nat Balch, natster3413@comcast.net, 868-6355. More information about the tour will be provided in next week’s “Friday Updates”.

 

THURSDAY NIGHT PARK PICNIC HOSTED BY DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE

The Parks & Recreation Committee will host a “Thursday Night Park Picnic” for townspeople throughout the summer.  Every other Thursday, a location will be selected where people can bring a picnic and any games, etc., they would like to play or share. The first location will be along the waterfront at Wagon Hill on June 25th. Games will be set up in advance, but feel free to bring your favorites along as well.  It is intended to be a very casual event, with no specified times or requirements beyond getting together after 5:00 PM and meeting more of the members of our great community.  You are encouraged to come individually or in groups and join in the fun. Please contact the Parks & Recreation Committee at durhamparksandrec@yahoo.com with any questions or suggestions for other locations you would like to see utilized for these gatherings. Given the venue, consider the event canceled if it is raining.  Hope to see you there!

 

PAVING AT JACKSON’S LANDING

Paving has been completed at Jackson’s Landing.  Additionally, the rain garden has been installed and planted.  We encourage people to check out the new changes. 

 

FACULTY ROAD/THOMPSON LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

As a continuation of Faculty Road/ Thompson Lane drainage improvements project, the Town Engineer will be meeting with residents of Valentine Hill Road and McGrath Road this afternoon to discuss permitting and future improvements. 

 

       

 

A Campaign to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at Oyster River High School

The Durham Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a local student-led organization with over 80 student members, has been very active within Oyster River High School this past year with a campaign they created called the Campaign to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. They helped their school switch over to a new recycling program, worked with their cafeteria to switch from individually wrapped plastic silverware to reusable metal silverware, and they promoted environmental awareness through posters and displays. Since the start of the school year, they have saved $3,500 and reduced their school's waste by half!

 

The Durham SDS got together and created a display in the ORHS cafeteria in February to show students that ORHS goes through on average 475 bottled drinks everyday. The display consists of a 6-foot tall tower, in the shape of a bottle, made entirely from bottled drinks, and a sign that says "ORHS goes through 475 bottled drinks every day". There are also three 5-gallon buckets that say "OIL" on them, and two signs that say, "It takes 15 gallons of oil to make 475 bottles", and "ORHS uses 75 gallons of oil a week, and 2700 gallons a year on Bottles Alone."

 

This display is now in the Durham Town Office foyer for all who would like to come and see it.

 

One of Durham SDS's goals for next year is to get their cafeteria to switch to drink dispensers and reusable cups, and to stop selling individual, bottled drinks. For more information, please contact Durham SDS at durhamsds@gmail.com.

 

A Bicycle-Friendly Community: Could Durham be next?

Town Engineer David Cedarholm reports that Durham has been approved for Part 1 of an application to gain status as a Bicycle-Friendly Community. He is beginning to work on Part 2 and could use the help of volunteers. Here’s a link to learn more:  <http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/bfc_five-Es.php> If you can help out with information gathering and documentation, please contact David at the Department of Public Works, 868-5578, or email him at dcedarholm@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Its’ Bicycle Season

With warmer weather, more bicycles will be encountered on Durham roadways. The Durham Police want to remind everyone that New Hampshire law now requires drivers of motor vehicles to provide at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists.  The law also requires motor vehicle operators to provide an extra foot of clearance for every 10 MPH over 30 MPH. Ultimately, the goal is to have drivers slow down around vulnerable road uses such as bicyclists and pedestrians, thereby allowing for more reasonable sharing of our town roads. As the Town of Durham desires to be known as a bicycle-friendly community, the Durham Police will be closely monitoring this new law.

 

Police Chief Telephone Solicitation

Several residents have received telephone solicitations from persons identifying themselves as representing the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association (NHCPA). Chief Kurz is an active member of this association, and while he believes the NHCPA to be an outstanding advocate for a variety of issues related to providing professional law enforcement services throughout the state, he does not support this method of solicitation.  Although the soliciting is legitimate, none of their contributions go directly to the Durham Police Department.  Additionally, Chief Kurz wants to assure residents that when funding is needed for the Durham Police; he will justify those needs through the budgetary process and not via a telephone solicitation.  

 

Residents should feel no pressure whatsoever to contribute to any telephone solicitations, and when in doubt about whether the caller is from a bona fide group rather than a scam, they should not hesitate to contact the Durham Police Department at 868-2324 to report the solicitation.

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are 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.

 

Conservation Commission – Monday, June 15, 2009 (site walk at 196 Piscataqua Rd) (12:00 noon)

Durham Energy Committee – Monday, June 15, 2009 (4:30 PM)

Town Council – Monday, June 15, 2009

Parks and Recreation Committee – Thursday, June 18, 2009

 

To view the agendas for the meetings listed above, please click HERE.  All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing. 

 

To view the Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, click HERE

 

The Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meet every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Durham Public Library.  All are welcome to attend. To view the Trustees meeting schedule, click HERE.

 

The Friends of the Durham Public Library is a non-profit group of volunteers from the community who are passionate about the Library and all it has to offer our town.  Friends meet every third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM at the Durham Public Library. The next Friend's Meeting will be held on June 17.

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

To view a listing of the DCAT programming schedule, click HERE 

 

Oyster River Youth Association (ORYA) Golf Tournament

The ORYA Annual Golf Tournament fundraising event is scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2009, beginning at 7:30 AM at Wentworth by the Sea. This represents an opportunity to be a part of ORYA's major fund-raiser of the year. Contact family or friends and play on one of the more prestigious and difficult to get onto courses in the area. Register through the ORYA office at 868-5150, or Click here to register.

 

Music for Youth at UNH

During the mornings from July 6-July 10, 2009 the Paul Creative Arts Center at UNH will feature a “Music for Youth” summer band program for students going in to grades 5 and 6 in the fall. This week-long camp offers students daily group lessons on their band instrument, ear training and musicianship classes, two band rehearsals, as well as a snack and recess break. Instruction will be provided by Dr. Mark DeTurk, Sarah DeTurk, and experienced UNH Music Education students. The $100 tuition includes sheet music, instruction, t-shirt, snack. For questions or registration information email Sarah DeTurk at sarah.deturk@gmail.com.

 

New Hampshire Humanities Council Book Discussion: Yankee Crime Series, Primary Storm, facilitated by the author, Brendan Dubois 

On Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM, award winning author Brendan DuBois will lead a discussion of his mystery novel, Primary Storm. The discussion is the last in the Humanities' mystery series and the only one led by the author. You can visit Mr. DuBois’ website at www.brendandubois.com. The discussion is sponsored by The Friends of the Library and will be their last book event before September. Please come and discuss the book with the author. Your copy of Primary Storm awaits you.

 

 

Public Invited to Report Stands of Invasive Japanese Knotweed

The Lamprey River Watershed Association (LRWA) and the Lamprey River Advisory Committee (LRAC) are asking for assistance with identifying places in the Lamprey River watershed where the highly invasive plant, Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), is spreading.  The two groups have recently developed an online map that can be used by the public to report knotweed.  Go to www.lampreyriver.org and follow the simple instructions for making your report on the map and in words. Your information will greatly enhance the efforts to eradicate this noxious weed. 

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1916 – Search began for property suitable for a town cemetery. Committees appointed, money voted but nothing accomplished until 1925 when 6 acres were bought from Karl Woodward for $1,200. Under the supervision of 3 trustees, area as cleared, graded, surveyed and 20’ by 20’ lots laid out.”

 

Have a nice 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

 

The Town of Durham has developed a list server. The server provides interested individuals with updates and announcements concerning the community. Individuals interested in subscribing should send an email to Town_of_Durham@ci.durham.nh.us and type the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line