“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday, March 26, 2010

 

 

A duck takes off from a large temporary backyard pond created by the recent heavy rainfall.

Courtesy Stephen Roberts

 

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SEEKS FLOOD DAMAGE INFORMATION

The N.H. Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is seeking the public’s help in identifying uninsured damage to private property caused by the recent flooding in the March 14 rain storm. That includes property that was destroyed or suffered major damage. The information will be used to support the state’s application for federal disaster aid. Property owners should report damage to the state by calling 211, New Hampshire’s information and referral hotline, 24 hours a day. The information should be reported no later than Friday, March 26, 2010.

 

Wind Storm Brush and Woody Debris Collection

The Department of Public Works finalized and mailed the bid request for tree companies to conduct a town-wide residential curbside brush collection due to the wind storm on February 25^th. DPW worked with FEMA preparing the bid package should FEMA decide to reimburse communities for damages caused by this event. It is anticipated that collection will begin on April 12, 2010 and be completed by April 30, 2010. The bid opening is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:00 PM.  The bid invitation was advertised in the local paper on Thursday, March 25^th and reads: 

The Town of Durham invites qualified bidders to submit sealed bids for Curbside Residential/ Roadside Brush/ Debris/ Hazardous Tree and Hanger Removal resulting from the February 25-26, 2010 Wind/Rain Storm.  Request for Bid Proposal 2010-02 is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 AM -12 Noon and 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM at the Durham Department of Public Works, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham NH  03824. Questions should be directed to Doug Bullen, Assistant Director of Operations, at (603)868-5578. To be eligible for consideration, all bid proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly marked "RFP 2010-02 CURBSIDE RESIDENTIAL/ROADSIDE/BRUSH/ DEBRIS/ HAZARDOUS TREE AND HANGER REMOVAL and include contractor’s complete name and contact information, by 2:00 PM, EST, Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

 

Spring Cleanup

Spring Cleanup will be held on Monday, May 3, 2010. All items should be out curbside no earlier than Saturday, May 1^st and no later than 7:00 AM on Monday, May 3^rd. There will be a flyer in the mail to all residents detailing the cleanup within the next two weeks.

 

LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE 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, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham NH 03824, no later than April 1st, 2010.  Checks must be made out to NRRA.  Compost bin:  $42 - Rain barrel:  $60.  A pickup will be scheduled for late April once it has been coordinated with the NRRA.  Order forms can be requested via e-mail at publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us, picked up at the Town Hall and Public Works buildings, or obtained by clicking HERE.

 

UPDATE ON THE Waysmeet Center of the United Campus Ministry to UNH

The Waysmeet Center of the United Campus Ministry to UNH (UCM) at 15 Mill Road is undergoing the remediation process as a result of finding low levels of bacillus anthracis (the bacteria that produces anthrax) in the building in late December.  The process and post testing will take 2-3 weeks, and it is expected that the UCM to UNH, its organization, services, and residents will be able to reoccupy the building after this is completed.  The work is being done by CYV Environmental Services of Stoughton, Massachusetts, and Dover, NH, and being overseen by the NH Department of Environmental Services.

The costs of the remediation are being borne by the UCM, and will be approximately $52,000.  In addition, they will lose about $15,000 in valuable books, artwork, furniture, piano, guitars, and computers, and also have some testing and legal expenses.  The total process will cost in excess of $90,000.  Unfortunately, the insurance carrier, Church Mutual Insurance, has denied coverage of any aspect of the situation or loss.  The UCM is currently fund-raising to meet the expenses of remediation and related costs.

The UCM currently has temporary offices on campus, and the Cornucopia Food Pantry which it operates, currently has a temporary location at the Church of St. Thomas More at 6 Madbury Road, and is open from 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.  For more information about UCM and/or the situation, you can contact the UCM Chaplain and Executive Director, Reverend Larry Brickner-Wood, at 603-862-1165 or Larry.Brickner-Wood@unh.edu. 

 

FY 2009 Audit

Auditors from the firm of Plodzik and Sanderson will be conducting the FY 2009 audit for the Town of Durham during the week of April 5-9, 2010. A presentation will be made to the Town Council once the final audit report is received.

 

           

Courtesy Todd Selig

 

Durham’s Kaizen Initiative – LEAN TRAINING COURSE

As part of Durham’s Kaizen (continuous quality improvement) initiative, Durham Police Chief David Kurz, Public Works Director Michael Lynch, Deputy Fire Chief Steve McCusker, and Administrator Todd Selig spent this week in Augusta, Maine at an intensive five-day training course organized by the State of Maine enabling participants to more effectively work with leaders, managers, supervisors, team leaders, work teams, work units, etc., interested in moving their organizations to Operational Excellence using Lean/Total Quality Management principles, methods, and interventions.

The training is intended for those individuals interested in and committing to actively working with groups engaged in various system/process improvement activities; coaching sponsors, managers, and team leaders in appropriate continuous improvement and problem-solving methodologies, tool selection, implementation, and oversight strategies; ensuring appropriate documentation, measurement, and reporting of results; and providing broad Bend the Curve (BTC)/Lean expertise and consultation.  

Entering this training constitutes a minimum 24-month commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities of a Continuous Improvement Practitioner, including periodic regularly scheduled day-long development work sessions and the active development, facilitation, and follow-up of improvement interventions in conjunction with the Maine State Department of Labor. 

 

      

                                                            Courtesy Detective Frank Weeks

 

DPOA PANCAKE BREAKFAST A SUCCESS

Despite having to be rescheduled due to the power outage in February, the pancake breakfast fund-raiser held by the Durham Police Officers’ Association (DPOA) on March 20^th at the Durham Evangelical Church was very successful. The fund-raiser helped to raise money for the Chief Ray Burrows Scholarship Fund, offered every year to an Oyster River High School Senior who is interested in a career in public service.  The scholarship is in memory of Chief Ray Burrows, Durham’s first full-time Police Chief from 1960 to 1979. The DPOA was able to raise enough money to fund the scholarship for two more years.  Thank you to everyone who attended for their support; especially the Durham Fire Department and their families for their assistance.   

 

ORCSD Strategic Plan Oversight Committee Update

The ORCSD Strategic Plan Oversight Committee has been working through several phases of developing a strategic plan for the district.  The pre-planning phase has been completed which included defining the process, creating a website, identifying the Working Group responsibilities, and creating toolkits for each group. The Working Groups have been in the data collection process since October and have collected a variety of data as well as completed surveys. The Working Groups are Community, Physical Plant and Operations, and Student achievement, and they anticipate finishing data collection by April 8, 2010. The Oversight Committee is finalizing ideas to gather community input for the Situation Assessment phase. This input may be a survey, focus groups, or a forum.  Please stay tuned for upcoming details regarding your participation in this important piece of the process.  Also, if you would like further information about the committee’s work, please contact co-chairs, Jocelyn O’Quinn (board member) or Paula Roy (Teacher, ORMS) or, please visit http://orcsdstrategicplan.wetpaint.com/. The final phases of the process include Analysis, Strategy Development and Commitment and the Oversight Committee is seeking to have a completed plan by July 2010.

 

Tour the First LEED Designed Building in Durham: Saturday, April 17

An 18-month renovation of UNH’s elegant but aged James Hall has produced a striking building that is Smart, LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) (certification expected to be granted in 6 months) and uses energy, water and other resources wisely and innovatively.

Durham residents are invited to tour the building with the Project Manager, Brenda Whitmore, who has worked on this renovation from the first ideas brought forth to the move in of faculty, staff and students and who will continue to be the point person for the building.

There is so much to see, learn and experience from the basement to the green, garden rooftop that there will be 2 different tours given:

9:00 – 10:30 will be a general tour of how the building works

10:30 – 12:00 will be a technical tour for those who want to learn how the specific technologies work

To sign up for the tour, please email jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. To learn more about the James Hall renovation, please click HERE.

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meeting is scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town Office. All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below. 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. 

 

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Tuesday, March 30, 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

 

DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

§         March Parks & Recreation Reminder: Stay up-to-date on all of Park & Recreation’s current classes and programs.  Click HERE to view the March 2010 Reminder.

§         Saturday, April 3, 10:00 AM, Durham Town Landing: Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Durham Parks and Recreation Committee and Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers will hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt. There will be free refreshments, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and much more. Bring your basket and be prompt…the eggs will go fast.

§         Saturday, April 24, 10:00 AM – Noon, Great Lawn at UNH, near Thompson Hall: World Tai Chi Day Event. Join Durham Parks & Recreation and instructor Lin Lin Choy for a morning of Tai Chi demonstrations and instruction.  This free event is FREE.

§         Saturday, May 8, 9:30 AM – Noon, Durham Parks & Recreation Building:  Introduction to Digital Photography Program. Professional documentary photographer Audrey Gottlieb is coming to Durham P&R to teach you how to take that perfect photo with your digital camera. The class is $25 per person or $40 for a family. 

§         Youth Summer Safari – Registration Now Open.  The focus will be on fun as participants explore a diversity of natural habitats right here in Durham!  From small to sensational to scientific, the Summer Safari is perfect for youth interested in science and the outdoors.  All experiences will be hands-on and interactive.  Ages 8-10 and 11-14. 

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.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Saturday, March 27, 8 – 11:00 AM, Moharimet Elementary School: Moharimet Pancake Breakfast. Come celebrate the maple sugaring program at Moharimet with a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and (of course) maple syrup. The Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band will perform from 9:45 to 10:30 and the Moharimet sugar house will be open to visitors throughout the breakfast.  $3.00 per adult, $2.00 per child, with a maximum of $10.00 per family.  Please join us for music, mingling and merriment with your friends and neighbors.  All are welcome!

§         Wednesday, March 31, 7:00 PM, Durham Public Library: Race and Remembrance: The Shaw Memorial Monument by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Standing on the edge of Boston Common, the Shaw Monument depicts a Civil War scene of the men of the 44th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first regiment of free black soldiers recruited in the North, and their commander, Colonel Robert Shaw. Art historian Rebecca Schwartz discusses this iconic piece of American Sculpture by Cornish, New Hampshire artist St. Gaudens.

§         Wednesday, March 31, 7:10 PM, 115 Murkland Hall, UNH Campus:  Water Rights Activist Maude Barlow To Speak. Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians and chair of the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch, will present a lecture called “The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water,” is part of “Tap In,” a series of events exploring water issues sponsored by the UNH Office of Sustainability and Food & Water Watch.

§         Wednesday, April 7, Museum of Art, Paul Creative Arts Center, Noon: ArtBreak: Discussion Al Porsche, M.Ed., counselor, Vet Center, Manchester, NH, discusses mythical vs. sensory issues associated with warfare. Offered in conjunction with the current exhibition, War and Remembrance. Free. For more information, please contact (603) 862-3712, www.unh.edu/moa.

§         Thursday, April 8, 7:30 PM, UNH Elliott Alumni Center:  Panel on Iraq, "Iraq after the Election: A Discussion", sponsored by the NH Chapter of the Fulbright Association with the support of the World Affairs Council of NH. Free and open to the public. Refreshments. For more information, call (603) 868-5294 or go to www.fulbright.org and click on "chapters," then "NH.

§         Saturday, April 10, 2010, Oyster River High School: 7^th Annual Todd’s Trot 5K Road Race/Walk. Registration begins at 8:30 AM/ Race/walk begins at 10:00 AM. This event was organized to commemorate Peter Todd Heuchling, an Oyster River High School graduate who succumbed to heat stroke while running with the Marathon Team at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The proceeds benefit an annual high school scholarship in his name. The race is hosted by Friends of Oyster River Track, is sanctioned by USA Track and Field, and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The course map, sponsors, and online registration are available at www.toddstrot.org.

§         The Durham/Madbury/Lee Republican Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Oyster River High School. All interested parties are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the committee chair, Warren Smith, for more information at 674-2227or warren.smith@comcast.net.

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE TRIVIA & TIDBITS

“The annual snow-sculpting contest in Jackson (pop. 835) is a qualifying event for national and international snow-sculpting competitions. Over three days in January, sculptors perform their artistic magic in teams of three on columns of snow 8 feet tall and 4 feet in diameter.”

AmericanProfile Magazine – First appeared: 11/16/2008

 

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.