“Friday Updates”

(On Thursday)

January 14, 2010

 

Making way for construction of a brand new single span bridge on Wiswall Road, the old two span Wiswall Bridge is officially gone, including the small island that acted as a center pier for more than 150 years. Courtesy David Cedarholm

 

NO PLANS TO DEMOLISH UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY BUILDING – An Anthrax Update

Durham fire, police, health, and UNH officials continue to work in close support of the state's investigation of a confirmed case of gastrointestinal anthrax at the United Campus Ministry’s Waysmeet Center on Mill Road in Durham

 

To date, the state-Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has confirmed three positive test samples for low levels of naturally occurring anthrax at the facility; one from electrical outlets and two from drums stored at the ministry building and used during a Dec. 4, 2009, drum circle. 

 

Further test results are pending.  Based on those results, the USEPA, N.H. Department of Environmental Services, and DPHS will develop a clean-up recommendation for the building. 

 

Unfortunately, there are growing rumors within the community that the Campus Ministry building will be demolished or torn down, and also that the organization is closing.  This is not accurate.  The building is not condemned and there are no plans for it to be demolished.  In addition, the United Campus Ministry has no plans to close and is presently operating from temporary offices until it can re-occupy the building.

The United Campus Ministry can be contacted at 862-1165 or by email at waysmeet@comcast.net.  Students who comprise the residential community at the Waysmeetcenter will have alternative housing until the center re-opens.  In addition, the Cornucopia Food Pantry will be re-opening at an alternative location and will have its regular hours on Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. starting next week.  More information on the food pantry will be posted at cornucopia.unh.edu.  The United Campus Ministry students, staff, board members, volunteers and residents sincerely appreciate all of the care and concern to date expressed by the community.

The Strafford County resident hospitalized with gastrointestinal anthrax is reported to be out of intensive care and showing signs of improvement.

 

There have been only 11 cases of naturally occurring anthrax in the United States since 1957.  The last cases of anthrax that were diagnosed in New Hampshire were in 1957 when there were 9 cases (four cutaneous and five inhalation) in employees of a textile mill in Manchester.

 

For more information about anthrax, visit www.emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/ or www.dhhs.nh.gov. Anyone with questions about anthrax can call DHHS’ Division of Public Health Services at (603) 271-4496 or the Centers for Disease Control at 1-800-CDC-INFO

 

2009/10 TOWN COUNCIL GOALS – STATUS UPDATE

On May 18, 2009, the Town Council adopted its goals for the 2009/10 year. During the Town Council meeting scheduled for February 1, 2010, the Council will continue its review of the current status of those goals as provided by the Town Administrator.  To view the Town Council’s goal list, with updated status for each goal, please click HERE

 

New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies - Durham Remains Involved

The New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies is an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization that pursues data-based research on public policy matters, develops options, informs policy makers and advises them about choices for action. The Center’s mission is to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire’s future. To advance its mission, the Center actively identifies issues, collects and analyzes data, publishes reports and special papers, holds briefing sessions for elected and appointed policy makers and stakeholders, and participates in public discussion of policy topics through the print and electronic media. The Center is governed by a bi-partisan Board of Directors, which continually strives for balance. Members are sought from among those who have interest and experience in state and local policy questions, who have broad contacts among key policy makers, and who represent a variety of political and policy perspectives.  To view the biography for each Board member, visit http://www.nhpolicy.org/index.php?id=11.  On Wednesday of this week, Administrator Todd Selig, who has served on the Board for many years, was named Chair.  Mr. Selig succeeds Donna Sytek, former Speaker of the N.H. House of Representatives, as Chair.

 

Martin Luther King/Civil Rights Day Holiday

The Town will be closed on Monday, January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King/Civil Rights Day.  Although all Town offices will be closed, there is NO CHANGE TO THE TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION. 

 

WANTED – PHOTOGRAPHS FOR ANNUAL TOWN REPORT, FRIDAY UPDATES, DCAT BULLETIN BOARD

Each year, we wrestle with the decision of what will be placed on the cover of the Town Report. If residents have a photograph or photographs that they think might be suitable for the Town Report, we would appreciate receiving them. If you are out-and-about and find a scenic or landmark area of Durham to take a photograph of that you feel might make an attractive cover, we would like to hear from you. Please email digital (jpeg) files to Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. In order for photographs to work on the cover, they must be taken as vertical photographs (not horizontal) and the camera should be set at its highest resolution. Also, please do not alter the size of the photograph once it is taken.

 

In addition to the Town Report cover, we also need photographs for the “Friday Updates” and DCAT bulletin board. Photographs of scenery, events, historic moments, etc. are welcome. As mentioned above, please email digital (jpeg) files if available. Photographs (originals) may be dropped off at the Town Administrator’s office during regular hours, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday which will be scanned and returned to the owner once they are used. Please indicate how you would like to be credited for your photograph and how you would like the credit to be worded.

 

Durham Supervisors of the Checklist

The Durham Supervisors of the Checklist will meet at the Town Hall twice in January to accept new voters and to make corrections to the checklist:  Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM and Saturday, January 23 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM. Changes in party registration can also be made at this time.

 

Prospective voters are required by law to show proof of identity, age (18 by the Election Day), domicile/residence in Durham, and US citizenship. A driver’s license and a birth certificate or passport are useful. Affidavits of domicile and citizenship may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking.

 

FREE RADON AIR TEST KITS

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Radon Program is offering free radon air test kits (while supplies last) to New Hampshire residents during the month of January in honor of National Radon Action Month. Did you know radon gas kills more people in New Hampshire on an annual basis than anything else that the Department of Environmental Services deals with? Many people ignore the warnings about radon gas. Maybe because radon has no color, taste, or odor people do not think about it.  Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can build to high levels in residential homes. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Testing is the only way to know if your home or well water has elevated radon levels.  Equipment is available for homes that may need to reduce elevated radon levels.

 

To get a free radon air test kit go to: www.des.nh.gov, search for “radon”, and fill out the application form. Call (603) 271-6845 for more information or assistance with the application process. For more information please contact the New Hampshire Radon Program at (603) 271-6845 or Owen.David@des.nh.gov 

 

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)

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meeting is scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town Office. To view the agenda for the meeting listed below, please click HERE.  All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing. 

 

Parks and Recreation Committee – Thursday, January 21, 2010

Economic Development Committee – Friday, January 22, 2010 (7:30 AM)

 

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 AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Stay up-to-date on all of Park & Recreation’s current classes and programs with the all new Parks & Recreation Reminder.  Click HERE to view the January 2010 Reminder. Inside you will find information on Kathy Kerrigan’s new 2010 schedule, On the Ball Fitness Classes, Tai Chi, after school child programs and special events.  Please check it out!

§         Saturday, February 6th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Mill Pond & Smith Chapel: Winter Carnival and Chili Cookoff. Recent additions to the Winter Carnival include snow bowling and children’s activities and crafts provided by the Durham Public Library and Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers.

The Chili Cookoff will be held at Smith Chapel from 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM.  For those interested in submitting a chili into the Chili Cookoff, please read the official entry guidelines and complete the registration form by clicking HERE. All registrations must be received by Friday, January 20th. Contact Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074 with any questions.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Tuesday, January 26, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, The Riverworks, Newmarket, NHBusiness After Hours - Celebrate Community Partnerships, hosted by the Durham and Newmarket Business Associations and the Greater Exeter Chamber of Commerce. Hearty Appetizers and one beverage. $10 per member/$15 per guest. For more information please contact the Durham Business Association at durhambusinessassociation@gmail.com by Tuesday, January 19.

§         Thursday, February 11 and Thursday, April 8: 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, at (603) 862-1634.

 

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We have once again exhausted all of the wonderful Durham historical tidbits published in the History in an Oystershell, a Brief History of Durham, New Hampshire, 1600-1976. Beginning next week, the weekly Friday Updates will close with New Hampshire trivia obtained from the magazine AmericanProfile which we hope readers will enjoy.

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1976 – Fishing preceded colonization in New England by many centuries, and fish and fishing have continued to be important to Durham. In May, a fish ladder over the Mill Pond dam was dedicated. This structure is remarkable in the seacoast region in that it was partially financed by the town.”

 

And from Mr. Selig’s 4.5 year old daughter…

 

Q:  What do cows do on a Friday night?

A:  They go to the moovies.

 

Have a good 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.