“FRIDAY UPDATES”

August 14, 2009

 

 

A beautiful rainbow, captured by Craig Seymour, appeared over the Town Landing after Tuesday’s torrential rains.

 

 

The final top coat of paving was completed this week on Madbury Road.  Painting and striping is planned for sometime next week. 

 

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON TUESDAY - DOVER ROAD PUMP STATION BOND REFERENDUM

On Tuesday, August 18, 2009, the Town will hold a bond referendum from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Oyster River High School located on Coe Drive in Durham to request authorization for borrowing a low interest loan through the NH State Revolving Loan Fund for the rehabilitation of the Dover Road Wastewater Pump Station in the amount of $1,231,055. The Town has received a Federal stimulus grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act covering half the $1,231,055 project cost or approximately $615,000.  The residual $615,528 will be funded through the Sewer Fund which is shared 1/3 Durham, 2/3 UNH.  The Town Charter currently requires a referendum vote for any bond or loan exceeding $1,000,000. To view the information sheet explaining what a “Yes” or “No” vote would mean relative to this project, please click HERE.

 

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

Monday, September 7th is Labor Day.  All Town offices will be closed for the Labor Day holiday, however, there will be NO CHANGE to the refuse and recycling collection that normally occurs on Monday’s.  As always, please have all items out by 7:00 AM. 

 

NH RANKED NUMBER TEN IN THE “TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS CLIMATE”

Congratulations to the Granite State once again! The 2009 Business Facilities Ranking Report has just been announced and New Hampshire ranked number ten in the "Top States for Business Climate." You may view the latest post at http://blog.nheconomy.com/?p=338

 

ANNUAL MUNICIPAL LAW LECTURE SERIES

Beginning in September, the 34th Annual Municipal Law Lecture Series, sponsored by the New Hampshire Local Government Center and the Regional Planning Commission, will be holding lectures in communities throughout the state. These lectures are intended for municipal officials with an interest in, or responsibility for, any aspect of municipal land use to include members of planning boards, zoning boards, conservation commissions, and councils/board of selectmen, as well as planners, building inspectors, and code officers. All lectures are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM.

 

The schedule of lectures is as follows:  Lecture 1: Constitutional Issues in Land Use Regulation; Lecture 2: The Five Variance Criteria in the 21st Century; and Lecture 3: What Do You Do When They Stop Building? A registration form has been placed in the mailboxes for Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Historic District Commission, and Conservation Commission members. The registration form may also be obtained through the LGC website at: http://www.nhlgc.org/LGCWebSite//PDFDocuments/Flyers/MLLS_flyer.pdf. Board and committee members interested in attending any or all of these lectures are encouraged to do so. Please complete the registration form and return it to Jennie Berry as soon as possible as space is limited. The Town will cover the cost for all registration fees.

 

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO RENTAL PROPERTIES

For the past several years, the Durham Police Department, in cooperation with the Durham Landlords Association, has been collecting data relative to the number of responses made by the police to various rental properties within the community relating to noise complaints, disorderly actions or any other incident requiring police intervention. Although the work involved to compile this data is quite time-consuming, the police believe it is a worthwhile and useful tool that enhances the department’s ability to form conclusions about problematic property, as well as recognizing those that have undertaken initiatives that will improve and negate the need for police response. To view the matrix reflecting police responses to addresses that are rental properties between the dates of April 1-June 30, 2009, please click HERE.

 

Household Hazardous Waste Day - September 12th

This year’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Day will once again be held at the Department of Public Works facility located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive.  As in the past, all hazardous waste will be collected by appointment only.  To register, you must call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578.  Remember, the maximum collected per resident is five gallons. For more information regarding the Household Hazardous Waste Day, please click HERE.

 

DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION “BUSINESS AFTER HOURS” QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

On Thursday, August 20, 2009, from 5:30-7:00 PM, the Holiday Inn Express, 2 Main Street, will host an August DBA Business After Hours Quarterly Membership Meeting. Come enjoy wine and cheeses while Durham Town Council Chair Neil Niman discusses economic development initiatives that are underway in Durham. The evening will include a showing of the recently created promotional film of Durham featuring several members of Durham's business community. Members of the DBA, their guests, and any businesses seeking information about the DBA are welcome to attend. Admission is free.

 

LIBRARIES MIX IT UP

In many cases, libraries provide valuable services for residents of all ages, incomes, and ethnic backgrounds, but they can also inject a healthy dose of vitality into downtowns, main streets, and neighborhood centers. To learn more about the positive aspects of libraries, visit the Libraries Resource Page of the Planning Commissioners Journal website at: http://pcj.typepad.com/planning_commissioners_jo/libraries.html

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS

Durham Energy Committee: Speaker Ken Baldwin, Date TBA  - The presenter has requested that the date of this program be moved to September. The DPL apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

Check out a Museum Pass! Looking for something fun to do before the summer ends?  The Durham Public Library has passes to area museums that offer library patrons discounted admission. Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Strawbery Banke, The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, The Currier Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Boston Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Science in Boston.  You can reserve your pass through the DPL website at: http://durhampubliclibrary.org/museums.html or call the library for more information.  

 

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.

 

Durham Energy Committee – Monday, August 17, 2009

Parks and Recreation Committee – Thursday, August 20, 2009

 

To view the agenda 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, please 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, please click HERE.

 

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

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

 

LISTING OF CURRENT RECREATION PROGRAMS IN DURHAM

On August 3, 2009, Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Mengers, began employment with the Town. As a first step, Michael compiled information on the various recreational opportunities and organizations currently available to the Durham community. To view this information, please visit the Recreation section of the Town web site at http://ci.durham.nh.us/COMMUNITY/recreation.html

 

free ice cream at the parks and Recreation committee’s last ‘picnic in the park’ for the 2009 season
On Thursday, August 20, 2009, at 5:00 PM, please join members of the Durham Parks and Recreation Committee for the fifth and final Thursday night ‘Picnic in the Park’ at Jackson’s Landing. To commemorate a fabulous season of picnics the Committee is hiring an ice cream truck and all townspeople in attendance will receive a free ice cream treat of their choice.  While at Jackson’s Landing enjoy the expansive playground, maintained walking trails, and beautiful waterfront views. Additional games will be provided by the Committee. This is a casual event focused on bringing Durham community members together.  Come alone or in a group and bring along a picnic and any games you might want to share with others. Please contact the Parks & Recreation Committee with any questions you may have. Given the venue, consider the event canceled if it is raining.  Hope to see you there!

 

Parks and Recreation department website updated
Please check out the updated Parks and Recreation Department website. The page now contains listings of recreation programs and cultural events that are all happening right here in Durham.  If you see any programs, events or organizations missing please contact Director Michael Mengers so the listings can be updated. Keep checking back to the Parks and Recreation Department webpage because many more additions will be made soon!

 

Parks and Recreation department looking for adults interested in playing flag football or dodge ball this fall
The Parks and Recreation Department is organizing a coed flag football and dodge ball team to compete this fall in the New Hampshire Sports & Social Club. The flag football season runs from October through November.  Games will be played on Saturday mornings at The Commons in New Castle.  Individual registration will cost $40 for the season. The dodge ball season runs from October through December.  Games will be played on Tuesday nights in Portsmouth. Individual registration will cost $50 for the season. All ages and skill levels are welcome.  Encourage your friends and neighbors to come out and play!  Please contact Parks and Recreation Director Michael Mengers with any questions you may have.  Also check out the New Hampshire Sports & Social Club website.

 

DURHAM DAY 2009

Durham Day 2009 has been set for Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 12:30-4:30 PM at Wagon Hill Farm. Residents interested in assisting with this annual event should contact Durham Day Coordinator, Nicole Moore, at 868-6775 or e-mail durhamday3@yahoo.com.

 

ORYA FALL PROGRAMS

Register today for your ORYA fall programs. Registrations can be done online at www.oryarec.org. Programs offered include: Rec soccer, Preschool-8th grade; Tennis, Grades 4-8; Track and Field, Grades 1-6; Football, Grades 1-6; and Hip Hop Dance, Grades 1-8.

 

NH DIVISION OF FORESTS AND LANDS WILDLIFE HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

On August 28, 2006, the Durham Town Council passed a motion to “approve the contribution of $200,000 to the Nature Conservancy and authorize the Town Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Nature Conservancy for the protection of 140 acres of the Beaudette property located off of Bennett Road, and that the Town retain legal interest in the property by placing a conservation restriction on the land at the time of transfer to the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game. “

 

The Town has been notified by the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands of its plans for a wildlife habitat improvement project on the “Beaudette Tract” with a primary focus on creating suitable habitat conditions for numerous species requiring early-successional habitats, especially New England Cottontail, a state endangered species and a candidate for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act. This project will be a whole tree harvest removing all overstory stems within an abandoned pasture area. An estimated 294 tons of mixed chips will be removed. The project is being planned during the winter of 2009/10.

 

CHINA PALACE RESTAURANT TEMPORARILY CLOSING

Beginning Monday, August 17, 2009, the China Palace Restaurant, located in the Mill Plaza, will be closed for several weeks to begin major interior renovations. Upon reopening, the restaurant will have a new name: Mei Wei.

 

DURHAM CHURCHES HOLD ANNUAL 700-FAMILY YARD SALE

On Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Durham churches of St. George Episcopal Church, Durham Community Church, and St. Thomas More Church will hold the annual 700-family yard sale. Come search for possible treasures in electronics, toys, furniture, house wares, books, and more. Enjoy baked goods and coffee or a delicious BBQ on the lawn. Bring a friend and shop, rain or shine.

 

McGregor EMS Places a New Ambulance in Service
The McGregor EMS (formerly Durham Ambulance) has purchased a new, state-of-the-art ambulance. This ambulance replaces McGregor’s oldest ambulance, which served the community for over 150,000 miles and 13 years. The new ambulance was paid for in part by donations from the community and imposes no additional costs on taxpayers. This ambulance ensures that McGregor EMS continues to have two frontline and one ready-reserve emergency response vehicles.
 
The new ambulance has a different exterior design, intended to enhance safety by making it more visible while on emergency calls.  Additional features on the interior provide for greater patient comfort, safety and care.  Members of the public are invited to stop in at the station at 47 College Road for a tour. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nathan at nduclos@mcgregorems.org.

 

GREAT BAY ROWING OFFERS YOUTH ROWING CAMP

Great Bay Rowing will be hosting its second youth rowing camp from August 17-21 from 11:00am to 3:00pm.  There are still spots available. 

 

GREAT BAY ROWING OFFERS ADULT ROWING CLINIC

Great Bay Rowing is also pleased to announce an Adult Rowing Clinic.  This week long workshop is for adults interested in experiencing the sport of rowing. No experience is necessary. The adult workshop week will end with an evening BBQ with the GBR Master’s (adult rowers) as a meet and greet social event.

Workshop:  August 24 - 28; from 5 to 7pm.  Meet & Greet BBQ: Friday, August 28 at 7pm for master’s and workshop attendees.  More information can be found online at www.greatbayrowing.org or emailing greatbayrowing@comcast.net.

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1930 – For many years the annual freshmen-sophomore rope pulls across the mouth of Beard’s Creek just below the highway bridge were the stellar events of the fall. When the freshmen won, there was no hazing that year. They never won. The pulls were especially spectacular when the tide was 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