“FRIDAY
UPDATES”
February
12, 2010
Courtesy Andrea
Bodo
Families enjoyed a day of skating
and eating a variety of chilies during the Winter Festival and Chili Cook-off
held at the Mill Pond on February 6, 2010
We had a great response to last
week’s “Friday Updates” photograph caption contest. Some people had SO much fun
with it that they provided several captions! After reviewing all of the entries,
we selected the caption “Fish Smog”, submitted by Ben and Jane Hillyard, as our
favorite. Thank you Ben and Jane, and to all of those who participated in the
contest. To view all of the captions that were received, click HERE
and enjoy.
The
2010 Winter Olympics Begin Tonight
A reminder that the opening ceremony
of the Vancouver Olympics begins tonight at 7:30. For more information, go
to http://www.nbcolympics.com/.
RESIDENT/TAXPAYER
STICKERS – RED IS THE NEW YELLOW
Last week’s “Friday Updates”
contained information regarding the 2010 Durham Resident/Taxpayer Permit
Stickers. The color noted for the 2010 stickers (yellow) was incorrect. The
stickers for 2010, as shown above, are RED. The Town Clerk’s
office would also like to remind residents to please bring their registrations
with them when coming in to pick up their 2010
stickers.
Amazing
Turnout for the Winter FESTIVAL and Chili Cook off at Mill
Pond
On February 6th,
CHILI
COOK OFF TO BENEFIT SMITH CHAPEL REPAIRS – RESULTS FROM THE WINTER
FESTIVAL
At the Chili Cook Off, the public
was asked to donate $5.00/cup of chili to taste as many chilies as they liked.
The total amount raised was $1,150.00 with proceeds donated to the repairs of
the Smith Family Chapel. Above,
The Chili Cook off Planning
Committee -
Andrea Bodo, Jean Olson, Karen Meyer, and Mike Mengers met weekly to put
the chili event together.
Entries from
Businesses
–The Bagelry, “Vegetarian Chili” ; Ballard’s , “Ballard’s Chili” ; Franz’s Food,
“3 Alarm Carnivore Chili “ ; Three Chimneys Inn, “Three Chimneys’ Chili” ; UNH
Dairy Bar’s, “Vegetarian 4 bean chili” ; UNH Dining Services’ ,“Hearty Beef
Chili” ; Village Pizza, “Village Pizza’s Chili”; Young’s Restaurant ,“Young’s
Portobello Chili”; Young’s Restaurant, “Young’s Chicken Chili”.
Entries from
Residents/Boards/Departments - “HDC/Heritage Chili” – Andrea Bodo ; “Healthy
Vegetarian Chili” - Mark Layden ; “Hot Stuff”, Library – Frank
Windsor; “Dr Smith’s Kansas Chili” – Dr Malcolm Smith ; “Ladder Belt Chili” -
Durham Professional Fire Fighters Association ; “Lone Star Chili”
DCAT – Diane Thompson ; “Steve’s Chili” - Steve Burns and friends ; “Susan’s
Chili” by Susan Fuller ; “Vegetarian Chili” – Hans Heilbronner ; “Vegetarian
Green Chili (Santa Fe Chili)” by Lisa Sabella, Kevin Hanley, Jean Olson and
Henry Smith. Special thanks to Pam Weeks for making the spoon awards. A special
thanks to our Judges who graciously/courageously came out and tasted 18 chilies
– Jerry Needell, Julian Smith and Mike Sievert from the Town Council. State
Senator Amanda Merrill, Johanna Knight , president of the DBA and Katie Muth,
Director of the DBA.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE WINNERS!
The Judge's Choice
Winner:
(Durham Resident) Dr. Malcolm
Smith – “Dr Smith’s Kansas Chili”
The
The Three Runners
up: Vegetarian Green Chili (
THE
2009 ANNUAL TOWN REPORTS ARE HERE!
The 2009 Annual Town Reports have
been delivered from the printer and are available at the Town Clerk-Tax
Collector’s Office and the Durham Public Library for residents who desire to
pick up a copy. The Town Report may also be viewed on the Town’s web site (www.ci.durham.nh.us) by navigating
“Departments”, “Administration”, “Town Administration”, on the far right-hand
side of the page, or at: http://ci.durham.nh.us/generalpdfs/2009/Durham%20An%20Rpt%2009.pdf.
options
for limiting property tax information published on the web
site
Property owners may request that
their property tax card information be completely removed from the Town website
OR to have only the photograph of their property removed. This can be
accomplished by contacting the Assessing Office at
868-8064.
Zoning
Enforcement Efforts -- 21 Violation Letters Issued this
Week
The Town has been monitoring
rental properties in
For residents with concerns over the
impact of rental property on their quality of life, the next meeting of the
Durham Rental Housing Commission is on March 16th at 4 p.m. in the Town Council
chambers.
Proposed
Action on the
The owner of Ionian Properties LLC,
John Kostis, approached the Town about purchasing a 0.079 acre parcel of vacant
land located in the Pettee Brook parking lot behind the former Don Thompson Real
Estate building. Ionian Properties plans to tear down the existing Don Thompson
building and the connecting “crew house” and build a new apartment building. The
0.079 acre tract that will allow Ionian Properties to construct four additional
apartments per the existing Zoning Ordinance.
The Town does not have a use for
this parcel, but wants to retain its interests in the property relative to the
following: 1) A 20-foot wide easement across the northeasterly corner of
the property being conveyed for the location, maintenance, repair, and
replacement of a municipal sewer line; 2) An easement for the location,
maintenance, repair, and replacement of a storm water drainage pipe and catch
basin; and 3) The public right of pedestrians to travel over the property
conveyed to reach adjoining properties.
In keeping with the Town Council’s
goal of creating economic development in the downtown area,
Administrator Todd Selig entered into discussions with Mr. Kostis.
Consequently, the Town and Mr. Kostis agreed to equally share the cost to have a
fair market value established, as well as an appraisal prepared.
The Council was provided with an
appraisal prepared by Appraiser Peter Knight, and two estimates of present value
incremental property taxes also submitted by Peter Knight. One estimate was
based on the assumption that the assemblage of the subject land with the
adjacent lot would allow the owner of the adjacent lot additional density in the
form of four apartment units. The second value opinion was based upon the
assumption the parcel could only accommodate four surface parking
spaces.
At the December 21, 2010 Council
meeting, after receiving a detailed description regarding the proposed transfer
from the Town Administrator, the Council entered Nonpublic Session to discuss
and provide guidance to the Administrator relative to an appropriate selling
price. Since that time, the Administrator has had a number of conversations with
the owner and has negotiated a selling price of $22,000 for the property.
The Administrator also negotiated as part of the agreement that if after five
years Ionian is unable to develop the property, the Town will have the option of
demanding reconveyance to the Town upon repayment to Ionian of the amount of the
consideration for this conveyance. To view the proposed Warranty Deed
reflecting this arrangement, click HERE.
All appraisal information is and has been available for public review relative
to this project.
Residents
Spoke -- We Listened!
Until recently, municipalities have
been unable to accept credit/debit cards as a form of payment for municipal
billings such as taxes, water, sewer, and vehicle registration due to the fees
associated with their use. For many years, members of the public have
expressed a desire to be able to use credit/debit cards as a form of payment of
municipal bills. In response to this, legislation was passed (RSA
80:52-c), effective July 14, 2009, that addressed the issue of electronic
payments. With the enactment of this law, municipalities are now able to accept
credit/debit cards as a form of payment. The fees associated with the use of the
cards (2.75% or $1 minimum) must be clearly stated and those fees will be passed
on to the cardholder as a service charge. Set up costs of $3,000.00 were
approved in the Durham 2010 Town Clerk-Tax Collector budget and include the
purchase of “swiper” machines and related set up fees and monthly charges.
On Monday, the
Council will be asked, upon recommendation
of the Town Administrator, to allow the Town of
Zoning
Amendment to Chapter 175 within the “Courthouse
District”
On Monday evening
the Council will hold a public hearing and take action on proposed amendments to
the Zoning Ordinance resulting from discussions about how to amend the
zoning in the Courthouse District to enable the redevelopment of properties in
the district. Outside of a property owner or agent for the property owner
requesting and being granted a variance, the district does not presently
allow for parking between the front wall of the principal building and the front
property line. The proposed zoning changes are intended to remedy this
situation.
The amendments being proposed were
first discussed by the Planning Board at its October 14, 2009 meeting. At
that meeting the Planning Board agreed to post the amendments for a public
hearing at the October 28, 2009 meeting. The Board opened and closed the
public hearing on the amendments at the October 28, 2009 meeting. There
were no members of the public in attendance to speak to the amendments.
The Planning Board unanimously recommended that the Town Council approve all of
the amendments.
The amendments were not moved on
First Reading by the Town Council at its November 16, 2009 meeting. The
Council requested that the Planning Board take another look at the
amendments. Specifically, the Council was concerned by the language that
made parking in the front a Conditional Use as well as the requirement for the
five (5) foot Landscaped Streetscape Strip. The Planning Board again
discussed the amendments at its December 9, 2009 meeting and made additional
changes. The Planning Board held a Public Hearing on the proposed
amendments at its January 13, 2010 meeting. The Board opened and closed
the Public Hearing without any comment from the public. The Planning Board
unanimously recommended that the Town Council approve the proposed
amendments.
On February 1, 2010, the Town
Council moved Ordinance #2010-03 on First Reading, without amendments, and
scheduled a Public Hearing for the February 15, 2010 Council meeting. to
view proposed Ordinance #2010-03 recommending amendments to Chapter 175
“Zoning”, Article XII “Zone Requirements”, Section 175-45(F)(2)(3)(4)
“Courthouse District” of the Durham Town Code, click HERE.
Update
on Discussion With the Trust for Public Land for Preservation of the 171
Acre Spruce Forest Area and Potential Development Opportunities for the
Central Business District
Continued Council discussion is
scheduled to occur relative to this topic at the February 15th Council
meeting. To view the TPL proposal for this property, click HERE,
or visit the Town web site at www.ci.durham.nh.us.
A
Resolution Requesting that the ORCSD School Board Provide Adequate Documentation
Regarding the Expenditure of Surplus Funds From the 2009 Fiscal Year
Although the
Council had planned to discuss this matter at its February 1st meeting, there
was inadequate time available to thoroughly do so as a result of extended public
comment relative to The Trust for
Comcast
to Begin Doing Business in
Beginning February 12th,
Comcast is changing the names of its video, internet and voice services in
SAVE
GAS, REDUCE EMISSIONS: BUDDY UP WITH GOLOCO
Are you aware of GoLoco? If
you want to save money on gas and help reduce emissions at the same time,
consider the ridesharing program GoLoco, part of UNH’s multiple transportation
offerings for faculty, staff and students. The Web-based GoLoco matches people
who are traveling to the same destination and want to share the ride. And it’s
not just for commuters. People who want to spend time in
For information on other UNH transportation options visit http://www.unh.edu/transportation/index.htm.
Town
Election - March 9, 2010
The 2010 Town Election will be held
on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the
What
is the census and why is it important to
The decennial census takes place
once every ten years. The census data collected is used as vital information for
community improvement, transportation planning, educational services, and even
emergency preparedness. It is also used to determine
LOOKING
FOR A FEW GOOD
The 2010 Census is fast approaching,
and the U.S Census is now taking applications for temporary part-time
employment. Census takers, or enumerators, will make $15.00 per hour with
.50/mile mileage reimbursement. The Census Bureau seeks
STREET
SWEEPING
The Department of Public Works has
been taking advantage of the mild temperatures and conducting some street
sweeping in a few areas. Street sweeping helps to reduce winter sand and salt
draining into our waterways. The department has also worked on opening site
distances via roadside cutting of dead brush in various areas of Town.
Typically these are projects that are done in the spring, however because of the
lack of snowfall crews have had more time to get a head start on them.
PURCHASE
OF Compost Bins and Rain Barrels
The Department of Public Works is
participating in the Northeast Resource Recovery Association’s (NRRA) annual
compost bin sale. Within the past year, the DPW has received many
inquiries regarding the rain barrels, so the department agreed to also offer
this product to interested parties. A sample compost bin and rain barrel
can be seen in the lobby of the Town Hall and have information sheets attached
to them. Anyone desiring to purchase one of these items can complete an
order form and either drop off or mail both the forms and a check to Durham
Department of Public Works,
Wiswall
Bridge Construction
The construction of the new
Spruce
Hole Production Well
The installation of the production
well was completed last week when the 12-inch diameter stainless steel screen
was installed at the bottom of the 18-inch diameter 135 foot deep bore hole. The
drilling contractor is developing the well, which involves pumping the well for
a few days until the water runs clear. The next step after the well
development is complete will be to prepare for the 5 day pumping test which is
scheduled to occur in later March.
Oyster
River High School Lock-down Exercise
This past week the Durham Police
worked with the High School administration and coordinated a “lock-down”
exercise at the High School. In our changing world, the old fire alarm
drills must now be accompanied with strategies whereby the entire school
population will not be placed in danger. Jointly designed contingency
plans have been established that attempt to practice preparedness in the event of an
intruder or criminal act. These exercises are calculated to detect
problems or strategies that may not be as effective as originally planned so
that adjustments can be made ensuring a safe educational environment.
Overall, the lock-down was successful with many of the observations made by the
police and school administration deemed to be
outstanding.
Vacancies
on Various Town Boards
The Durham Town Council is seeking
interested residents of the Town of
Economic Development Committee (1
alternate vacancy)
Parks and Recreation Committee (1
regular vacancy)
Planning Board (1 alternate
vacancy)
Rental Housing Commission (1 tenant
representative; 1 neighborhood representative)
Durham Cable Access Television
(DCAT) Governance Committee (1 alternate vacancy)
Durham Energy Committee (3
vacancies)
Integrated Waste Management Advisory
Committee (1 regular vacancy; 1 alternate vacancy)
Lamprey River Management Advisory
Committee (3 vacancies)
PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE
The following public meetings are
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office. To view the agendas for the meetings listed below, please click HERE.
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library
for checkout and viewing.
Town Council – Monday, February 15,
2010
Zoning Board of Adjustment –
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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
Stay up-to-date on all of Park &
Recreation’s current classes and programs. Click HERE to view the February 2010 Reminder. Check
out a new class being offered starting in February: Introductory Art – Drawing
& Sketching.
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
§
Friday, February 12, 7:00 PM, 7:00 PM, Community
Church of Durham: “An Evening of the
Arts for Haitian Relief” For more information, contact (603)
743-1813, brynb07@comcast.net.
§
Saturday, February 13, (storm date: Feb 20), 4:00 PM,
Jeremiah Smith Grange, Lee: Afternoon
of Traditional Native American Stories hosted by the Lamprey
River Advisory Committee. Free to the public and all ages are encouraged to
attend. For more information, contact Suzanne Petersen, rgrims@gwi.net,
749-7552.
§
Saturday, February 13, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM,
§
Monday, February 15, 2010, 1:30 PM,
§
Wednesday, February 17, 12:00 noon,
§
UNH Office of International Students and Scholars: Cultural Connections Schedule of
presentations by international students. Open to the public. For more
information, contact Leila Paje-Manato, 862-3491, Leila.Paje-Manalo@unh.edu.
The
McGregor CPR Safe Program and McGregor Memorial
On Friday February 19, 2010 at 7:30
PM, WMUR’s New Hampshire Chronicle will air a story about the McGregor CPR Safe
program. The story focuses on the CPR Safe
program and how the training and confidence that it provides to schools has
helped save lives. One of those lives saved through the program is highlighted
in the film. CPR Safe™ is a school-friendly program designed to assist schools
in training and certifying teachers and staff in American Heart Association CPR
and AED use. Many schools are now equipped with defibrillators (AEDs), but
few teachers and staff are trained to use these life-saving devices or perform
the life-saving steps of CPR. The CPR Safe™ certification recognizes a
school's commitment to children's health and safety and makes the school and
community a safer place for all. Filming took place during a CPR
certification class of over 250 school staff; one of the largest classes ever
held in
MARCH
IS “RED CROSS MONTH”
The month of March is “Red Cross
Month”. The Great Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross services
Weekly
Police Arrest Report
|
Week –
13 |
10 UNH
(77%) |
3 Other
(23%) |
|
*2009/10
Academic Year – 583 |
360 UNH
(62%) |
219 Other
(38%) |
|
Calendar Year
– 40 |
26 UNH
(65%) |
14 Other
(35%) |
*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
Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Week |
15 |
30 |
9 |
17 |
13 |
|
Academic
Year |
746 |
581 |
491 |
540 |
570 |
|
Calendar
Year |
84 |
78 |
50 |
63 |
27 |
“Noted food
scientist Robert Decareau (1926-2009) helped to invent the processes necessary
to develop the microwave oven. A longtime resident of Amherst (pop. 10,769),
Decareau began his career in 1953 as a research and development scientist for
Raytheon Corp. in neighboring Massachusetts, where he developed methods to cook
food with microwave energy.” AmericanProfile Magazine –
First appeared: 8/9/2009
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day and
Presidents Day 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