“FRIDAY UPDATES”

November 20, 2009

                                                                                       

  

 

On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, approximately 30 participants attended an unveiling ceremony of the official US Government bronze plaque given to the Town by The National Parks Service (NPS) recognizing the Spruce Hole bog as a unique geological occurrence. Deb DiQuinzio, National Natural Landmarks Program Coordinator NPS Northeast Region, presented the plaque to the Town. Courtesy Todd Selig

 

There will be no publication of “Friday Updates” next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The next edition of “Friday Updates” will be sent on Friday, December 4, 2009. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

 

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR Thanksgiving Holiday

A final reminder that all Town Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28, 2008.  All offices will reopen for business on Monday, December 1^st at 8:00 AM. Residents whose regularly scheduled pickup day for trash and recycling is Thursday should put their items out on Friday morning by 7:00 AM instead.  There will be no commercial pickup of recyclables on Friday.

 

   

Rev. Congreve Hamilton Quinby and wife Connie   Rev. Congreve Hamilton Quinby, Doug Bencks,

visit Durham’s Historic Museum.                         And Andrea Bodo at T-Hall on the UNH campus.

Courtesy Andrea Body                                        Courtesy Andrea Bodo

 

48 HOURS WITH CONGREVE HAMILTON QUINBY

The beginning of this week, Historic District/Heritage Commission member Andrea Bodo arranged for the visit of Reverend Congreve Hamilton Quinby and his wife Connie to visit Durham. Congreve (Con) is the youngest son of Alice Hamilton Onderdonk, grandson of Edith Onderdonk, and great grandson of Hamilton Smith. To read Andrea’s report of the Quinby’s visit, click HERE.

 

Got an energy link?

The Durham Energy Committee is compiling a list of helpful energy-related websites for the Town’s new website. Currently, the categories include carbon emissions, global warming, green building/sustainability, energy use and conservation, peak oil, and alternative energy resources. If you are enthusiastic about a reputable site that provides good information, advice, or referrals, please send that website address (link) and the category to which it should be added to dec@ci.durham.nh.us. 

 

           

Town Engineer David Cedarholm begins the process         A view of the Mill Pond upon completion of

of draining the Mill Pond. Courtesy Andrea Bodo               draining. Courtesy John Kraus

 

OYSTER RIVER DAM CONCRETE INVESTIGATION - DRAINING OF MILL POND

The Oyster River Mill Pond was drained this week in preparation for an investigation of the dam’s concrete issues. The Town’s dam consultant, Stephens Associates, and UNH Professor David Gress who is the leading expert on all aspects of concrete, have both been retained by the Town to assess the concrete deterioration problems identified during the dam inspection.  The investigation will include obtaining core samples from various faces of the dam’s concrete, analyzing the cores for strength and composition, and providing recommendations for the dam’s repair.   The cores will be filled with quick setting high strength cement that will be stronger than the original concrete.  The core sampling was supposed to be conducted today, however was delayed until Monday due to the rain.

 

Wiswall Bridge Construction Update

Progress on the new Wiswall Bridge was temporarily put on hold this week.  The subcontractor constructing the sheet pile coffer dam ran into difficulty after last weekend’s heavy rain raised the water level in the Lamprey River to a point where they could not access their work.  Hopefully they will be able resume work next week.

 

    

 

Beard’s Creek Sewer Manhole Repair

The repair of a sewer manhole in Beard’s Creek was completed without complication and on schedule this week.  The manhole, which resides in the impoundment north of Route 108 and south of Coe Drive, sits on the outside edge of a large stand of cattails.  It was necessary to drain the impoundment to gain access to the site.  The manhole was damaged from years of ice pushing against it requiring that the upper concrete manhole section be replaced.  The top of the manhole structure also needed to be raised as it would frequently become submerged during big rain storms.  The contractor, CGH Excavating of Newmarket, did a fabulous job of accessing the manhole using large interlocking fiberglass mats which were placed on the ground allowing the heavy equipment to maneuver out to the manhole without disturbing the roots of the wetland plants.

 

ANNUAL FALL CLEANUP - COMPLETED

This week the Public Works Department concluded the annual Fall cleanup of brush and leaves.  A “thank you” is extended to everyone for their cooperation during the cleanup process. For those who may have missed the collection, please bring leaves and brush to the Transfer Station along with the regular permit on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 7:30 AM and 3:15 PM. 

 

US ROUTE 4/MORGAN WAY INTERSECTION

The Department of Public Works has begun discussions with NHDOT officials regarding the safety improvements to the US Route 4/Morgan Way intersection. The Town will be applying for a program called State Highway Aid which allows municipalities to make improvements to locations that intersect with state highways.  The program would fund 2/3 of those improvements and the Town would pay 1/3.  Because the project has been moved forward to 2010, the Town will have to proceed with paying 100% of the project up-front with the state reimbursement portion to be paid back in the years to come.  The improvements will include an eastbound (Portsmouth bound side) left-hand designated turning lane into Morgan way. 

 

DPW SNOW FIGHTER’S TRAINING WORKSHOP

The Department of Public Works will hold its annual snow fighter’s training workshop on Monday, November 30, 2009. This workshop is to review and refresh drivers on procedures and operations for the winter season, which is right around the corner.  Notice to residents: plow drivers may take a test run in their trucks to make sure they are aware of any changes on their routes.  

 

 

PARKS & RECREATION DOE FARM CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

On Sunday, November 15^th, Parks and Recreation held its Doe Farm Centennial Celebration to celebrate the generosity of Olinthus N. Doe, a prominent Durham resident who bequeathed his family homestead to the Town of Durham one hundred years ago. Guest speakers Suzanne Peterson, Lamprey River Advisory Committee, and Dick Lord, Durham Historic Association, provided the history of the Doe family, the property, and the surrounding area as well as the conservation issues pertinent to the Doe Farm and the Lamprey River to the 35 people in attendance. Courtesy Dick Lord.

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

There are no public meetings scheduled for the week of Monday, November 23 – Friday, November 27, 2009.

 

Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, please click HERE. 

Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.

DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE

 

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS

§         Sunday, November 22, 2009, 12:00 noon - 2:00 PM, Oyster River Middle School Athletic Field: Pickup Ultimate Frisbee. Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly game of pickup ultimate Frisbee.  Bring a light and dark colored shirt.

§         Thursday, November 26, 2009, 9:30 AM, Wagon Hill Farm:  Turkey Trot. Start Thanksgiving Day off right with this annual event put on by Oyster River Parents & Preschoolers and the P&R Committee.  Head to the water at WHF for apple cider, donuts, the turkey feather gathering, and more.

§         Saturday, December 12, 2009, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Churchill Rink:  Holiday Carol Free Skate. Bring the entire family for a free skating event featuring sounds of favorite holiday carols.

You can sign up for P&R classes at the P&R office, 2 Dover Road, or at the Town Clerk’s Office located in Town Hall. Contact Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, for more information or to register. Follow the Town of Durham Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook. Search “Town of Durham Parks”. 

 

Display Your Art at Parks & Rec:  The new P&R Activities Room has bare walls!  If you would like to display your art work, photography or other art medium on the walls, please contact P&R Director Michael Mengers. Art work can be returned to the owner at their request. 

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Friday, November 20 & Saturday, November 21, 2009, 7:30 PM, Oyster River High School:  ORHS Presents Our Town

§         Friday, November 20 or Saturday, November 21, 2009, Stillings, 20 Ballard Drive: Simply Southern – The Heart of Hospitality, hosted by the UNH Department of Hospitality. Cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 PM, followed by a six course gourmet dinner. For tickets, visit www.wsbe.unh.edu/gourmetdinner.

§         Saturday, November 21, 2009, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Mast Way Elementary School:  Mast Way School Holiday Shopping Bazaar featuring 30+ local craftsmen and area at-home businesses (including jewelry, apparel, crafts, and homemade pies). The PTO will be selling a variety of refreshments. For more information, contact amberpuppy@aol.com.

§         Sunday, November 22, 2009, 9:00 AM, St. George’s Episcopal Church:  Public forum featuring Professor Deborah Kinghorn, “When You Walk, Do You Feel Like You Are Dancing?”

§         Thursday, November 26, 2009, 12:00 noon – 4:00 PM, Three Chimney’s Inn:  Thanksgiving Day Buffet. For more call 868-7800, or visit http://www.threechimneysinn.com.

§         Saturday, November 28, 2009, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Durham Market Place: Fresh Cut Local Christmas Trees. Durham Boy Scout Troop 154 will again be selling fresh-cut local Christmas trees.  Trees will be on sale each Saturday & Sunday throughout December until they sell out.  All trees come from a farm in Farmington NH, loaded with the assistance of the Scouts. 

§         Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 6:30 – 8:00 PM, Durham Public Library: Noted musicians Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen perform a free program based on the painting “The Sources of Country Music” by Thomas Hart Benton.

§         Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 7:00 PM, Durham Public Library: Survival This Way: Contemporary Native American Poetry With Cheryl Savageau.

§         Thursday, December 3 – Saturday, December 5, 2009: Annual “Light Up Durham” Event

§         Saturday, December 5, 2009, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM:  Annual Christmas Fair Day - Community Church of Durham, St. Thomas More, St. George’s Episcopal Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will participate.

§         Sunday, December 6, 2009, 4:30 PM, Community Church of Durham: Resources and Support for Parents Caring for Teens, sponsored by Oyster River Teen Initiative (ORTI). For more information, contact ORTI Chair, Mary Westfall, 868-1230.

§         Sunday, December 6, 2009, 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Mill Pond Center for the Arts:  Seacoast Repertory Theatre Grand Opening Holiday Festival. For more information, visit www.seacoastrep.org or email info@seacoastrep.org.

§         Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 6:30 PM, Durham Public Library:  Jane Cowen-Fletcher: A Visit With a Children’s Author/Illustrator.

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week – 16	7 UNH (44%)	9 Other (567%)
*2009/10 Academic Year – 477	294 UNH (62%)	183 Other (38%)
Calendar Year – 1023	591 UNH (58%)	432 Other (42%)

*Commenced September 1, 2009 

 

Historical data for the same week

This data represents the 2009/10 Academic year report which begins anew each August

when UNH students begin arriving in Durham.

Year	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Week	26	21	25	13	16
Academic Year	589	416	381	402	477
Calendar Year	1148	919	952	917	1023

 

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1962 – Following years of Puritanical conservatism and the injury and death of numerous students returning from Dover with internal cargoes of beer, the Town voted to permit the sale of beer. This has now been extended to the Student Union. It not ‘wet’, Durham is at least ‘moist’.”

 

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

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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