“FRIDAY UPDATES”

(on Wednesday, December 23, 2009)

 

Town Landing during the first snowfall of 2009

Courtesy Katie Paine

 

 

Please have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!

 

2010 Town Budget Process Concludes

The Town Council approved a budget for FY 2010 late Monday evening. The approved 2010 budget is quite similar to that which was proposed by Administrator Todd Selig, with the exception of the restoration of a 19th police officer position which the council voted 5-3 to add to the budget, as well as the addition of $30,000 for master plan/zoning revision work within the Planning Department budget which will be paid for with UDAG economic development designated funds.  The Council ultimately opted not to add $200,000 to the budge to increase the undesignated fund balance or an additional $200,000 (paid for 50% by UNH) as a contribution to the Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund -- both of which had been informally added in to the budget by the Council at the Council's last meeting.  

 

During the budget deliberations and after considerable discussion, the Town Council did not vote to include $4,500 for the Household Hazardous Waste Day program in the 2010 budget (Mr. Selig had recommended moving it to an every other year program as a cost savings measure) -- BUT there is an alternative that was discussed and around which general consensus was reached. Mr. Selig will work with the Public Works Department and the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee to find a way to deal with hazardous household waste this year -- and in the future. Perhaps $4,500 will be found once the year gets under way if there are ultimately under expenditures within other areas of the Public Works budget or maybe another workable strategy will by identified and implemented in order to make the present program more user friendly.  For example, one point that came up for discussion is that our current program of dealing with household hazardous waste may be inadequate (i.e., only once a year, and not available when people are moving, etc.).

 

A thank you is extended to members of Durham's staff, committee members, and department heads for working hard once again to control municipal costs.  Special recognition is extended to Business Manager Gail Jablonski for her outstanding work as part of the process.  To view the Foster's article covering the approved budget, which includes projected tax rate implications, go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091223/GJNEWS_01/712239926/-1/FOSNEWS

 

 

Feedback on Recent Durham Planning Charrette

During the November 5-9, 2009 timeframe, residents of the Town of Durham had a unique opportunity to plan for the future as part of a collaborative multi-day “charrette” intended to assist in developing a collective vision for our future.  The design team was lead by B. Dennis Town Design who facilitated the process and is now working to translate the community’s goals and interests into an action plan to be presented to the Town Council in the New Year.  We have received some very positive feedback concerning the charrette process including a letter from Durham resident and Rochester City Planner Michael Behrendt. To view Mr. Behrendt’s letter, please click HERE.

 

Town Office Filing Period for March 9, 2010 Town Election

The filing period for Town offices for the March Town Election is Wednesday, January 20, 2010 through 5:00 PM, January 29, 2010. The following positions will be available for citizens who might choose to become involved in Durham Town government: 

 

Town Council                         - 3 positions (3-year terms)

Library Board of Trustees    - 3 positions (3-year terms)

Town Moderator                    - 1 position (2-year term)

Supervisor of the Checklist - 1 position (6-year term)

Trustee of Trust Funds          - 1 position (3-year term)

 

TOWN OFFICES HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE

Thursday, Dec 24th, Christmas Eve            -           Closed

Friday, Dec 25th, Christmas Day                -           Closed

Thursday, Dec 31st, New Years Eve           -           Early closing at 3:00 PM

 

All Town offices will reopen for regular business on Monday, January 4, 2010.

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE

Thursday, Dec 24th, Christmas Eve            -           Closed

Friday, Dec 25th, Christmas Day                -           Closed

Saturday, Dec 26th                                                     -           Closed

Friday, Jan1st, New Years Day                   -           Closed

 

Christmas Holiday Recycling and Refuse Collection

The Public Works office will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th for the Christmas Holiday.  There will be NO CHANGE TO THE REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION ON THURSDAY; however, there will be no commercial recycling collection on Friday, December 25th.  The TRANSFER STATION WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26TH

 

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SEEKING PART-TIME HELP

Public Works is looking for part-time help on weekends (approximately 6 hours).  If interested, stop by the Public Works Department at 100 Stone Quarry Drive or contact Doug Bullen at 868-5578.

 

Surplus vehicle/equipment bids

The Department of Public Works will be holding a closed bid for surplus vehicles/equipment this year for the items listed below. These vehicles/equipment are to be sold as is.

 

1999 Ford Crown Victoria -VIN# 2FAFP71W5XX174388

1987 Blanchet Snow Blower Model A90 – previously mounted on a John Deere 544     

                    

Interested parties must submit a sealed bid to the Town of Durham, Department of Public Works no later than 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 6, 2010.  The envelope must be clearly marked “SURPLUS VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT BID, VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT #” indicating the corresponding number, above, for each bid.  Use only one envelope for each vehicle/equipment item and each corresponding bid.  All items can be viewed at the Department of Public Works, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, M-F 8AM- 3:30PM. Bids must be at least $100 to be considered.  The Town of Durham reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to investigate the qualifications of any bidder, and to waive or not waive any and all informalities in any bid when making an award.

 

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE IN JANUARY

The Durham Town Council will hold only one regular meeting in January on Monday, January 11, 2010. The Council will resume its regular first and third Monday meetings in February.

 

DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

§         Monday January 4th, 6:00 PM, Durham Parks & Recreation Department:  Free Tai Chi. Back by popular demand in 2010.  Join Lin Lin Choy for a free introductory Tai Chi class. 

§         Wednesday, January 13th, 12:45 PM, Durham Parks & Recreation Department:  Free Early Release Movie: Imagine That, rated PG, starring Eddie Murphy, runtime 107 minutes.  Free popcorn provided.

§         Saturday, January 16th, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Churchill Rink:  January Free Skate. Bring the entire family for free ice skating.

§         Saturday, February 6th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Mill Pond & Smith Chapel:  Winter Carnival and Chili Cookoff. Mill Pond will be turned into a winter wonderland.  There will be free ice skate and snowshoe rentals, pickup hockey and family skating areas, a community bonfire with smores, free hot chocolate, winter arts and crafts and much more.

 

The Chili Cookoff will be held at Smith Chapel from 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM.  For a $5 donation you get an opportunity to sample the best chili that Durham has to offer and you get to judge which is best!  Get a chance to tour Smith Chapel, one of Durham’s oldest and most historic landmarks.  All proceeds of this event go directly to renovating the Chapel.

 

If you would like to donate a chili, volunteer at the event or if you would like more information, contact Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074. 

 

New Churchill Rink Program

Beginner Youth Hockey Stick Hour. Starting Sunday January 10th, Churchill Rink will be offering a Beginner Youth Skill Hour Sunday mornings from 10:00 - 10:50 AM.

This skill hour is to give children 8 and under and their parents an opportunity to practice hockey skills in a low-key pond hockey-type environment.  It is specifically for beginners and younger kids that may be uncomfortable with older hockey players.

Children must be accompanied by a skating adult and helmets are required.  The fee is $5 for an adult and child.  Additional children are $3 each.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Three Chimneys Inn, New Year’s Eve Overnight Celebration. Click HERE to view menu. Packages start at $220. Stay two or more nights and enjoy a lower rate.

§         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. 

§         Thursday, February 11 and Thursday, April 8, 2010: Cultural Excursions to the Boston Symphony Orchestra Open Rehearsals. Sponsored by the UNH University Office of Sustainability. The cost of $48 per person per performance includes one BSO performance ticket and round trip bus transportation from Durham to Boston. All performances will be at 10:30 AM. The bus departs from the Community Church of Durham at 7:00 AM. Following the performance, the bus drops participants off at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and departs the MFA at 3:30 PM. The bus arrives back in Durham at approximately 5:00 PM. For program details, and online registration please go to:  https://www.events.unh.edu/RegistrationForm.pm?event_id=6253. For more information, please call Kate Donald, UOS Cultural Excursions Coordinator, (603) 862-1634.

 

Holiday and Bobcat Invitational swim meet fund-raiser

The ORHS swimming and diving team is selling ads for its Holiday and Bobcat Invitational swim meet programs as a fund-raiser. The meets will be held on January 2 and January 31. The ads are selling for $25 for a quarter page, $50 dollars for a half page, and $100 dollars for a whole page. This is for putting an ad in both programs.  If you are interested in purchasing an ad, contact Kenny Rotner at tlsinnh@aol.com.

 

“1975– Spruce Hole was purchased by the Conservation Commission for the Town. This fine example of a glacial pot hole was formed when a huge block of ice was covered by sand and gravel. When the ice melted the hole remained, and its biologically unique environment will be protected.”

 

 

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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