“Friday Updates”

(On Thursday)

December 31, 2009 

 

On Tuesday afternoon of this week, a pine tree fell across Pettee Brook Lane in downtown Durham blocking the roadway and interrupting power to many local businesses.  Residents Ron Streelman and Nick Isaac caught the image on film. 

 

Inclement Weather Approaches the Seacoast – Be Prepared

The N.H. Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reports that there is a significant winter storm predicted for this weekend.  Here is their outlook as of Thursday morning, 12/31/2009:

 

o       Predictability of snow amounts and winds is still somewhat confused due to models – a very confusing storm

o       Light snow today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) with not much accumulation.  May see 2-4” by Friday night.

o       Heaviest impact of the larger storm will be felt late Saturday night into Sunday.

o       5-10” of snow throughout much of the state with more in the higher terrains and mountains.

o       No significant winds predicted throughout most of state with the exception of the Seacoast.

o       Concern still expressed by National Weather Service for the seacoast area on late Saturday night (midnight high tide) and, more importantly and more concerning is the high tide expected around noon on Sunday

o       The highest astronomical tides will be the one around noon Sunday, combined with wind gusts up to 40 mph (possibly higher) may push the tide 1 to 1 ½ feet ABOVE FLOOD STAGE.  Some coastal flooding and surge should be expected.

o       Combined with wind, may see some power outages on coast during Saturday night/Sunday.

o       By Sunday night/Mon. a.m. tide the winds will have shifted, the tides will be lower.

 

We have coordinated with the Oyster River Cooperative School District regarding utilizing the High School on Coe Drive as a shelter if needed should extended power outages impact Durham, Lee, Madbury, or the region.  If necessary, the community is prepared.  As in the past, residents should tune in to the Town’s list server to obtain information in the event of extended power outages. 

 

Anthrax in Durham – An Update

Durham Fire, Police, Health, and UNH officials have been working in close support of the state's efforts relative to the Anthrax public health concern at the United Campus Ministry’s Waysmeet Center here in Durham at 15 Mill Road.  Despite its good faith best intentions, the state, which is operating a multi-jurisdictional public health task force (including state, Federal, and local officials), has become highly bureaucratic by necessity.  We recognize this phenomenon and as such throughout the incident our staff has endeavored to ensure individuals impacted in Durham are treated with courtesy and respect. 

 

The Town has also worked to improve information flow to Durham Fire and Police officials so that they can anticipate state actions within the municipality relative to this Anthrax incident so our staff does not find out about events in Durham via the news. 

 

UNH has been highly supportive of our combined efforts, and I am pleased to indicate that cooperation between Durham and UNH is outstanding. 

 

It is also important to note that the United Campus Ministry has been immensely cooperative as part of this very difficult public health investigative process, and on behalf of the Town I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Rev. Larry Brickner-Wood and the United Campus Ministry at this challenging time.  Durham is at its heart a community and it is at times such as this that we come together to offer assistance and support. 

 

Comcast Franchise Agreement “Ascertainment” Hearing Scheduled

On Monday, January 11, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at the Durham Town Office, the Town Council will conduct and initial “ascertainment” hearing regarding the cable services provided by Comcast as part of its regularly scheduled Council meeting.  The purpose of this hearing is to begin the process by which the Town will gather information for the negotiations the Town will soon engage in with Comcast for renewal of the cable franchise in Durham. 

The Durham Cable Access Television (DCAT) Committee will ultimately take the lead as part of franchise negotiations with Comcast with the assistance of Mr. Selig and Attorney Robert Ciandella who specializes in cable franchise negotiations.  The focus of this hearing is the future cable-related needs and interests of the Town. 

 

As the ascertainment process moves forward, the Town will solicit input from its administration, public library, public schools, those interested in PEG (Public, Education, and Government Programming – Channel 22 (DCAT)) Access, and the police and fire departments, as well as the future cable-related needs and interests of the business community, other institutional elements of the community such as UNH, and Town residents.  The renewal standard requires a look backwards, to determine whether Comcast has materially performed under the terms of the existing agreement which runs through 2012, as well as a look forward toward future cable related needs of Durham, taking into account the costs of meeting those needs.

 

All interested parties are invited to attend the initial January 11th hearing at which time the overall cable franchise renewal process will be outlined for the Council and the community.  If you are unable to attend, please feel free to submit any comments you may have in writing to the Town Council, Town of Durham, Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824.  The ascertainment hearing record will remain open until further notice.

 

Durham Police Officer Ann Champagne to Retire

The Town is sad to announce that Officer Ann Champagne has tended her resignation as a patrol officer at the Durham Police Department, effective January 14, 2010.  Ann is moving to Delaware with her husband who is employed there.  She has secured a position as a civilian police officer at the Dover United States Air Force Base.   Ann has served the community admirably since March of 1998 as a patrol officer, detective, and DARE instructor.  She has made many good friends and acquaintances especially during the day shift when she frequently visits with our senior citizens.  She also has extended her sincere compassion and understanding to many children in Durham over the years who think of her as a role model and refer to her respectfully as “Officer Ann.”

 

Town Report Preparation Well Under Way

The Town Administrator’s Office is working busily these days on pulling together the Annual Town Report for 2009.  If residents have photographs that they would like to submit outlining key events in Durham’s history for the last twelve months, please forward these along to Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. 

 

Public Meeting Schedule

The following public meeting is 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, January 4, 2010 (4.30 p.m.)

Historic District Commission – Thursday, January 7, 2010

Economic Development Committee – Friday, January 8, 2010 (7:30 a.m.)

 

 

Durham Parks & Recreation Offerings

Michael Mengers, Durham’s new(ish) Parks and Recreation Director and the members of the Parks and Recreation Committee are doing a terrific job developing a host of new programs intended to appeal to the entire community.  A listing of some upcoming programming follows.

 

Winter Carnival at Mill Pond & Chili Cookoff

 Saturday, February 6th – Mill Pond & Smith Chapel

From 10:00am to 2:00pm 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 to 2:00pm.  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. 

 

Free TAI CHI

Monday January 4th, 6:00 pm at the Durham Parks & Rec Building.  Join instructor Lin Lin Choy for a free introductory Tai Chi class.

 

January Early Release Movie

Wednesday, January 13th: Free Early Release Movie: Imagine That

Movie begins at 12:45 pm at the Durham Parks & Recreation Department.  Imagine That - Rated PG, starring Eddie Murphy, runtime 107 minutes.  Free popcorn provided.

 

New Churchill Rink Program - Beginner Youth Hockey Stick Hour

Starting Sunday 1/10/2010, Churchill Rink will be offering a Beginner Youth Skill Hour Sunday mornings from 10:00 am – 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.

 

New Kathy Kerrigan Classes

Along with Zumba and Pilates, Kathy will now be teaching Core Fusion, Circuit Training, Kick and Core and 20/20/20 at Durham P&R.  New classes start in mid-January.  Please contact P&R, 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us for more information.  Examples of class offerings follow:

 

Classical Mat Pilates: Traditional Pilates exercises that promote core strength, muscular balance and improved flexibility.  By incorporating Pilates into their training programs many professional athletes have found they can hit harder, run faster and jump higher.

Mon: 9am @ Durham P&R

Wed: 7pm @ ORMS Cafeteria

Sat: 10am @ ORMS Multi-Purpose Room

 

Zumba: Cardio dance fitness.  An exhilarating hour of easy to follow, calorie  burning cardio dance moves set to hypnotic Latin rhythms such as salsa, cumbia, merengue and flamenco.  No dance experience or coordination required.  Class is open to all ages and fitness levels.  Join the fitness phenomenon that has swept the nation!  www.zumba.com  Check it out!

Wed: 6pm @ ORMS Cafeteria

Thurs: 3:15pm @ ORMS Multi-Purpose Room

Sat: 9am @ ORMS Multi-Purpose Room

 

Core Fusion: Pilates and fitness core exercises infused with yoga inspired poses and stretches.  An invigorating class that will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Mon: 10am @ Durham P&R

Fri: 10am @ Durham P&R

 

Kick and Core: Kick, punch, jump and jab.  Kickboxing drill and intervals followed by core conditioning.

Thurs: 4:30pm @ ORMS Multi-Purpose Room

 

20/20/20: Upper and lower body strength training/core work/deep stretch.  Multi-muscle exercises for maximum efficiency.

Wed: 10am @ Durham P&R

 

Small Group Interval Circuit Training: 1 hour of cardio/ strength intervals.  Burn fat.  Build muscle.  Bump up your metabolism.  Small group training provides the benefits of a personal trainer at a fraction of the price.

Wed: 6:15am @ Durham P&R

Wed: 9am @ Durham P&R

Thurs: 5:30pm @ ORMS Multi-Purpose Room

Fri: 9am @ Durham P&R

 

To register for any of the above classes please contact Durham P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074 or mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us

 

For All and Sundry – A Lovely Submission by Resident Diane Freedman

“Thanks to the Mill Pond Impoundment, which enables enough water to be retained to create a giant winter skating rink and/or ski area, there have been folks enjoying ice skating up and down the river and backwater since last Friday. Today: nine people and three dogs on one hockey-size rink on the  backwaters and several by the Schidlovsky home. I saw two more boys skating, through the snow, up the river from the Mill Pond end to the end of Laurel Lane (Schwartz and beyond). There are many ski tracks. Cindy Cooper (Mill Pond Road) and I (Laurel Lane) met on the frozen pond with our dogs (I came from one side, she from the other) for a neighborly  visit. Fox footprints are all over the upper reaches of the impoundment.  Please come join in the fun.”

 

New Year’s Humor

Q: Why are fish easy to weigh?

A:  Because they have their own scales.

 

Q: Where do fish get their petrol?

A: Shell

 

Q: Why didn’t the skeleton go to the New Year’s Eve party?

A: He had no body to go with.

 

Please have a health, happy, and joyous New Year’s!

 

Todd