“FRIDAY UPDATES”

June 19, 2009

 

Front Row (l-r):  Todd Ziemek, DCAT; Sara Wilson, Parks & Recreation, George Kachadorian, DCAT; Craig Seymour, Pease Airport Noise Compatibility Study Committee  Stairs (l-r): John Parry, Parks & Recreation; Bill McGowan, Planning Board; Jay Gooze, ZBA; Eric Ingelfinger, HDC; Stephen Roberts, Planning Board; Robin Mower, Cons. Commission (current TC member); Wayne Lewis, Planning Board; Leslie Schwartz, HDC

 

On Tuesday of this week, the Town hosted an appreciation evening to honor members of boards and committees whose terms expired in April. The event was held at the Hickory Pond Inn and included thank you comments from Town Council chair Neil Niman. Committee chairs were present to say a few words about each resident being honored. We would like to add our sincere thanks to all of the citizens who have given their time and energy in service to the town. Volunteer efforts are what make small town government tick. Thanks to you all!

 

 

Help choose the new look of our website

Last week’s Updates notified residents about the exciting work going into Durham’s web site redesign.  This week we have glimpses of what the new site could look like.  We are asking for “Friday Updates” subscribers to help us choose the new look. Please visit http://ci.durham.nh.us/vote.php to view two sample designs and vote on which one you would like to see the new site modeled on. You can also leave a short comment about your choice for our web team. Please remember the posted designs are general guidelines. The site’s content, color pallet, and menu items are subject to change.

 

Tax Bill Information

It has been recently brought to our attention that there is an error in the individual tax rate breakdown between the local school, state school, town, and county components of the full tax rate on the tax bill due July 1, 2009. The total tax rate is correct as well as the figures that make up that total for individual properties. All billing information was proofed prior to initial set-up. The error occurred during the actual set-up of the new bill when the labeling of the taxing entities was inadvertently switched by our subcontractor.  We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. The correct labeling with the corresponding individual rate is as follows:

 

                                 MUNICIPAL                  $ 3.26

                                 LOCAL SCHOOL        $ 7.87

                                 STATE SCHOOL         $ 1.13

                                 COUNTY                       $ 1.08

                                 TOTAL                           $13.34

 

This tax bill is the first bill issued using a printing company. Mark Altman & Associates is the company we have chosen to provide this service. Based on the information we provide, they produce and mail our bills. In the future we will also use them for water/sewer billing. The decision to outsource bill production and mailing is an efficiency enhancement made to avoid the need to hire additional staffing.

 

WHY DOES MY PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT GO TO … MANCHESTER?

Many of you have noticed that your bill now includes a return payment envelope addressed to Manchester. In an effort to mitigate the need for additional staffing in the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office, we have begun using a “Lockbox” service. When you mail your payments in the return envelope they go to a centralized processing center in Manchester where they are sorted, processed and deposited. We have chosen Centrix Bank to provide this service. Payments are deposited in the Town of Durham’s account at Centrix Bank and then transferred by ACH deposit to Citizens Bank. The payment file is sent electronically to the Tax Collector’s office daily where the payments are posted to the individual taxpayer accounts. You may use the return envelope and send your payments to the lockbox in Manchester, you can mail your payments directly to the tax Collector’s office at 15 Newmarket Road or you can make your payments in person at the office.  If you have any questions or concerns, please fell free to contact us at 868-5577.

 

dog licenses

Dog licenses were due for renewal in April.  The month of May is given as a grace period and late fees of $1.00/month begun as of June 1^st.  RSA 466:14 requires us to issue a $25.00 Civil Forfeiture on unlicensed dogs as of July 10^th.  We urge all dog owners who have not yet registered their dogs for 2009 to comply as soon as possible to avoid any further action that is required by the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

 

POOL VOUCHERS

There are still plenty of pool vouchers available at the Town Clerk’s Office. The vouchers are for Durham children and seniors and offer a reduction in the seasonal pass rate.

 

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS “LIVE FIRE” TRAINING

On Saturday June 20^th 2009 the Durham Fire Department will be conducting training at 261 Mast Rd. This training will include live fire training of different scenarios and will conclude with the entire structure being burned down. No road closures are expected for this training for any length of time. There may be a short closure on Mast Road during the period of time when the entire building is consumed. Most Fire Department apparatus will be parked in West Edge lot, and any vehicles needed in front of the building will be parked off the road. Please contact the Durham Fire Department at 868-5531 with questions concerning the live fire training.

 

Bicycling in Durham

A recent study in England found that as the interest in cycling increases, bicycling accidents are reduced. Due to the high price of fuel, cycling in London increased by 91% over recent years while accidents and injuries reduced by 33% during the same period.  It would be wonderful if there was a similar phenomenon in Durham where increased use of bicycles and walking, ultimately decreased accidents and close calls. 

 

While we are on the subject of bicycling, there is a bike-friendly way to get to Portsmouth: check out maps and routes at Seacoast Area Bike Route’s Web site http://www.seacoastbikes.org/SABR-Map-Ports-Dover-Durham.pdf. The route takes you from downtown Durham to route 4, which, although busy with traffic, has a nice shoulder that makes for good riding. Once you cross the Scammel Bridge to Dover Point, take the right onto Dover Point Road past Newicks where you can cross the old General Sullivan Bridge over Little Bay where no cars are allowed. On the Newington side you will take a right onto Shattuck Way to Nimble Hill Road. A right onto Nimble Hill leads to great biking in Newington. Take your next left onto Fox Point Road which will lead to a short bike path onto Pease and Arboretum Dr., a left onto Arboretum leads to the Pease Area and access to downtown Portsmouth via a bicycle bridge, or to Portsmouth Hospital area via Sherburne Road.

 

After Action Critique OF LAST WEEK’S ARMED STANDOFF

Durham Police, assisted by UNH and Lee Police Departments as well as the New Hampshire State Police, were confronted with a stand-off with an armed man in close proximity to the Littlehale, Madbury, and Emerson Road neighborhoods. At the beginning of this event, there was not much information immediately available to the officers on location that would provide them with any insight as to why this man wanted to endanger himself. Officers on the scene were initially only aware that his local police department had issued an alert to all New Hampshire police personnel to check on his well-being and that he could be armed. Once he had stopped his motorcycle in Durham after a pursuit by Lee Police, it was abundantly clear to the officers that he was extremely agitated and in-fact, armed with two hand guns with which he was waving and threatening police. 

 

One of our immediate concerns was the closeness of residences to this event, as well as the unpredictability of the man’s behavior.  His proximity to the woods that separates Route 4 and these neighborhoods was of great concern as the potential for his hiding or possibly making his way into one of the residences was very real. Combining all of these known factors, it was decided to ask a number of residents closest to the incident to evacuate their homes for safety considerations. Durham Fire Department personnel did a marvelous job in conveying this concern. 

 

In spite of significant negotiation, sadly the police were unable to sway this man’s determination to end his own life.  At the point of his death, the immediate situation becomes a crime scene and there are a host of subsequent procedures that the police must activate.  It was during this busy and stressful time that Chief Kurz realized that there was no way of notifying all of the evacuated residents it was now safe to return to their homes. Administrative Selig also received this as helpful feedback from a family that had been evacuated.

 

As is the department’s policy in the aftermath of significant events, an after-action critique highlighted this flaw and Chief Kurz has taken steps to ensure that if we are ever challenged with such an event in the future that procedures are in place to acquire a contact number for each individual evacuated. The Durham Police and Fire Departments want to thank you for your cooperation during this traumatic event and hope that the new procedures will never be needed in the future.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE PICNIC – THURSDAY, JUNE 25^TH

Please join members of the Parks and Recreation Committee at Wagon Hill Farm this coming Thursday, June 25^th, for the first “Thursday Night Park Picnic”.

 

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. 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!

 

JACKSON’S LANDING WORK SESSION

On Saturday, June 27, 2009 from 8:30 – 11:30 AM, the Jackson's Landing and Parks and Recreation Committees will have a work session at Jackson's Landing to complete the trail work that was begun last fall.  Volunteers are needed to haul wood chips and cut and clear brush. If you are interested in helping you can contact John Parry at jeparry3@comcast.net, or just meet at the north side of the ice rink anytime that morning.

 

Biology and Management of Ticks in New HampshirE – EXTREMELY USEFUL READING FOR DURHAM RESIDENTS

June is the riskiest time of year for Lyme disease. New Hampshire now ranks 3rd in the nation in the incidence of Lyme disease. This is based on the number of cases reported per 100,000 people. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension has published outstanding new information on tick species in New Hampshire, the diseases they can carry, management options, pesticide choices, and new repellents. This publication, Biology and Management of Ticks in New Hampshire, can be viewed at http://extension.unh.edu/resources/resource/528/Biology_and_Management_of_Ticks_in_New_Hampshire 

 

Oyster River Watershed Association “River Drive”

On Saturday, June 27, 2009 the Oyster River Watershed Association will host a “River Drive” from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. For several years, the Oyster River Watershed Association has hosted monthly “Riverwalks” as a means of becoming familiar with the river and its tributaries, and to better understand the challenges of protecting and managing the watershed. Now that the river is going through the nomination process for inclusion in the New Hampshire Rivers Management Program, it is appropriate to help stakeholders learn about some of the major features of the river and the land through which it flows. The “River Drive” will involve car pooling to visit several spots along the main course of the river and tributaries to see the range of terrain and flow characteristics of the river, as well as the water quality and quantity challenges. There are seven years of water quality records that have been produced by volunteer monitors, and these results will be discussed in terms of the locations along the river. A fact sheet about the watershed and the river will be distributed and discussed.

 

As part of the New Hampshire Rivers Management Program application, the core group will need to resolve whether to include only the fresh water portion of the Oyster River or to include the entire watershed, including the salt water portion.

 

Meet at the lower end of Market Basket Shopping Plaza at the Lee Traffic Circle, close to Pizza Spinners. All are welcome. Prior registration is not necessary, but it would be helpful in terms of managing the logistics of the tour. Call or contact Dick Weyrick, 868-2862, dweyrick@comcast.net for registration, additional details, or information about possible weather postponement.

 

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.

 

Planning Board – Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Economic Development Committee – Friday, June 26, 2009 (7:30 PM)

 

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. 

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

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

 

UPCOMING DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS

2009 Summer Reading Program, for ages birth through 18: Registration begins the week of June 22^nd. Read books, (or be read to,) record your titles or minutes read on your reading log, and turn in your logs to win free books!  Write book reviews of your favorite books and be entered in a drawing for even more prizes. The program will run from June 23 through August 1.  DPL Summer Reading Program events and programs flyers are available – fun for kids, teens, and families.  DPL will also have reading lists with suggestions of great books to read if you’re looking for something new and exciting, or just want to keep up on your academic reading list.  Special thanks to the Durham Library Friends of the Library for an excellent selection of Summer Reading Program book prizes. 

 

A History of Quilts, Wednesday, June 24, 7:00 PM: Quilt Historian Pam Weeks will present a quilting program as part of the Library’s “Picturing America” grant.  She will explain the stories of some of the quilts featured in the “Picturing America” poster.  You are invited to bring your family quilt and share stories as well.

 

Geocaching for Families, Saturday, June 27, 1:00 PM: Geocaching is a fun, high-tech version of a treasure hunt, and is growing in popularity with the development of personal GPS devices and the increase in these devices being installed in cars. Durham resident and Geocaching enthusiast, Larry Vannata, will present a brief power point on several Geocaching trails that are available in the Great Bay area. After the presentation, you are invited to find a walkable geocache to experience what this fun, family-friendly activity is all about.  If you have your own GPS device, you are welcome to bring one.  Please call the Library at 868-6699 to RSVP.

 

STRING SEXTET TO PERFORM AT ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

On Tuesday, June 23, 2009 beginning at 8:00 PM, Durham native Ben Rous and his Boston-based musician friends will perform an evening of string sextet music at St. George’s Episcopal Church. Currently serving as Assistant Conductor of the Phoenix Symphony, Ben has dusted off the violin and teamed up with members of the Arcturus Chamber Ensemble and A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra (appearing soon on the UNH Celebrity Series) to perform works by Brahms and Strauss along with music from the Renaissance. Admission is free (donations accepted).

 

Oyster River Youth Association (ORYA) Golf Tournament

Final reminder that 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.

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1917 – The Student Army Training Corps consisting of 1,269 men from N.H. and New York City took over the campus and town. Townspeople fed, transported, entertained and comforted them. The Barracks (dismantled in 1973), concrete sidewalks and flagpole were memorials to them.”

 

“1917” – A small pipe-fenced area is found just east of route 108 below Broth Hill. Enclosed is a 18” granite slab, inscribed ‘Bennie Flanders, June 17, 1909, Sept. 11, 1917. Gone but not forgotten.’ It has been determined that this is the grave of the Flanders’ pet dog.”

 

Have a nice weekend. Don’t forget…Sunday is Father’s Day.

 

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