“FRIDAY
UPDATES”
Friday,
April 2, 2010
Views of
Courtesy Diane
Gallant
Department
of Public Works crews have been doing road patching today in the downtown
area. Several locations have been delaminated by winter weather in which a
layer of pavement is peeled up from the under layer. These areas will
be cold planed (or grinded down) and re-patched. The sudden surge of mild
weather is allowing public works crews to give attention to these
projects.
On Friday, March 12, 2010 at 2:00
PM, Durham Town Administrator
Durham
Trails in Census
Challenge - Can It Be So?
10
Questions, 10 Minutes
The Town Managers from
Unfortunately, as of Friday, April
2, 2010,
State of
If residents have not already
completed and returned their Census forms, please take 10 minutes and do so at
your earliest convenience.
About $85 million is saved for every one percent
increase in mail participation. Data from the Census is used to
reapportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, for redistricting of
state and local governments, and to determine how more than $400 billion
annually in Federal funding is distributed.
Census
Happenings on Campus - 10 Questions, 10 Minutes
Starting Monday, students who live
on campus are going to be given an envelope by their Resident Advisors addressed
to them from the U.S. Census Bureau. The majority of off-campus students have
already received theirs in the mail. Historically, there has been
confusion among college students as to where they are supposed to be counted, at
home or at college. However, the Census Bureau states that students should be
counted where they live when they are at school - whether it be in an off-campus
apartment, a residential hall, fraternity or sorority - because that is the home
where they probably spend the majority of their time. To view an article
on the topic in this week's TNH, go to: http://www.tnhonline.com/census-2010-at-the-u-solving-problems-avoiding-issues-1.1293000
FEMA
Declaration
This week the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) declared
Addressing
Recurring Flood-Related
It has become very clear that the
100-year storm events of yesteryear are no longer the 100-year storm events of
this week, two weeks ago, four weeks ago, last year, two years ago, etc.
Allowing sections of
Spring
Cleanup
Spring Cleanup will be held on
Monday, May 3, 2010. All items should be out curbside no earlier than Saturday,
May 1st and no later than 7:00 AM on Monday, May 3rd.
There will be a flyer in the mail to all residents detailing the cleanup within
the next week.
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
25th. All sealed bids are due by 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April
6th. 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.
Cedar
The gravel section of
2010/2011
Town Council Goal Setting Process
The annual Council goal setting
process is now under way. At the March 15, 2010 Town Council
meeting, Councilors began the process of reviewing the goals list that was
adopted for 2009/10 considering whether or not to amend the current goals
list. After some discussion, the Council decided to have each individual
Councilor provide suggested amendments they may have to be incorporated into the
document for further discussion. On Monday evening, the Council will
be provided with an updated draft goals list with updated suggestions from
Councilors as of March 30, 2010. The Council will discuss major trends
identified through the process to date, areas for prioritization, and will then
work toward building consensus within the listing. As part of the process,
it will be important to consolidate major themes and initiatives such that the
goal statement remains manageable and useful for the community.
Mast
Road Water/Sewer Extension - Bryant Park West Project
On Monday evening, April 5th, the
Town Council will be asked, upon recommendation of Administrator Selig, to
award the construction contract for the Mast Road Utility Extension Project to
American Excavating Corp. (AEC) of
The Mast Road Utility Extension
Project is a collaboration between the Town of
Although the development only
required a 6 inch diameter water main and a 8 inch diameter sewer to meet its
needs, the water main was upgraded to a 10 inch diameter pipe and the sewer was
upgraded to a 12-inch diameter pipe to provide additional capacity for future
development farther west on Mast Road. The additional capacity
provided by these upsized utilities will be a benefit to both the Town and
UNH.
In accordance with the Town of
Durham Sewer Ordinance (Chapter 106 of the Town Code) Park Court Properties is
responsible for all costs related to the sewer extension, but only to the extent
required to service the development. Administrator Selig and Park Court
Properties worked out an agreement to include the upsizing of both the
water and sewer pipes in the project with the Town essentially contributing
in-kind services, and UNH agreeing to a financial compensation arrangement with
Park Court Properties. It was agreed that the Town would manage and bid
out the construction of the project to compensate for its share of the pipe
upsizing, and Park Court Properties would reimburse the Town for the bidding,
construction costs, construction phase engineering, and construction
oversight. Prior to signing the contract, Park Court Properties will
remit to the Town its share of the total project amount which will be held
by the Town and used solely for the project
costs.
In accordance with
Section III of the Durham Sewer Ordinance (Chapter 106 of the Town Code) for all
sewer extensions, a public hearing was held on September 15, 2009 and public
comments were received from
The project was first bid in October
2009, but only 2 bids were received and both bids exceeded the budgeted amount.
Potential
Library Future Site -
The Board of Library Trustees and
Administrator Selig are presently evaluating the possibility of the Town
purchasing Dr. Arthur DiMambro's property at
Students
Asked to Respect
In last week's The New Hampshire (TNH), UNH President
Mark Huddleston asked UNH students to be respectful of their host
community. To view President Huddleston's letter, go to http://www.tnhonline.com/letters-huddleston-asks-students-for-respect-to-community-1.1282161.
Appropriate
Role of Town Councilors, Council Chair, Chair
Pro-Tem
On March 15, 2010 at 6:00 PM, prior
to the first Town Council meeting following the annual Town election, an
orientation was held with new Council members to discuss the responsibilities of
Council members, explain the annual budget and CIP process, and other general
functions of the Town Council. Although this orientation was given to new
Councilors, on April 5th there will be a discussion amongst the entire
Council to review and talk through the appropriate role of Council members,
the Council Chair, and Chair Pro Tem. To view sections of the Town Charter
that address these topics, go to: http://ci.durham.nh.us/GOVERNMENT/charter/article3.html.
For information on Conflict of Interest, go to: http://ci.durham.nh.us/GOVERNMENT/charter/article7.html.
For information dealing with Non-Interference with Town Administration go to
section 4.7 at http://ci.durham.nh.us/GOVERNMENT/charter/article4.html.
Update
from Rental Housing Commission
Since problems began to surface with
student rental housing properties in 1995, ultimately resulting in the
establishment of a Rental Housing Commission (RHC), the Town and the RHC have
periodically been faced with challenges associated with student rental
properties located within residential neighborhoods throughout the community.
This issue arose again in the fall of 2009. Since that time, the
Commission has met regularly and has been working with Town departments, the
Durham Landlords Association (DLA), and affected residents to research
innovative strategies to address these challenges. On Monday evening, April
5th, RHC Chair Paul Berton will provide Council members with an
update on the Commission’s progress to date relating to this matter.
Initiatives under consideration include a new disorderly house ordinance, a
large gathering ordinance, and amending the existing noise ordinance to have it
go into effect at 10:00 p.m. rather than at 11:00 p.m. The RHC has also
considered over the last several months the possibility of developing an annual
licensing program for single family, non-owner occupied rental properties
focusing on health and safety issues and whether it is possible to distinguish
between this classification of rental property versus all others in town to
include multi-units as well as singe family, owner-occupied
rentals. The RHC will need to continue to evaluate how it desires to
proceed in this area.
On Monday evening, the Town
Council will be asked to schedule a public hearing for the acceptance and
expenditure of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awarded to the
Town of
The Office of Energy and Planning
had available $6,600,000 of funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Black Grant program and received 270 grant applications totaling over
$21,000,000. The grant will reimburse the Town 100% of the cost for replacing
the existing 175 watt, Metal Halide Lighting and accessories with a Light
Emitting Diodes (LED) retrofit kits within our current municipal street lighting
fixtures. The benefit of this energy grant will be the
following:
§
Replacing inconsistent lighting patterns of multiple
colors
§
Upgrade 234 less efficient street
lights
§
Projected savings of 70.2 metric tons of
CO2
§
Avoid future energy and lamp costs of
$239,089
§
Estimated MMBTU savings
18,053
§
Proposed Energy Savings 1,756,212 (kWh)
§
Simple payback is 4.5
years
§
Estimated 650 hours of jobs
created
§
Lower operating fixture wattage from 175 to
38
§
Increase longevity of lamp from 2.8 years to 12 – 15
years
Public Works Director
New
Town Engineer
The Department Public Works is
pleased to announce that its new Assistant Town Engineer, April Provost, E.I.T,
started this past Monday. April is a 2006 graduate of UNH Civil Engineering.
She’s comes to the Town from Hoyle, Tanner, & Associates, where she focused
primarily on Transportation Engineering and Stormwater Design. During her
first week April began working on the EPA stormwater permitting process for the
Durham Transfer Station/Recycling Center, and she helped document the impacts of
the recent storm events around town. April is excited about helping DPW
and the Town Engineer with a variety of construction projects this summer in
addition to doing more in-house engineering design.
Be
Careful What You Flush!
This past week the Town was notified
by a resident who discover raw sewage flowing from a sewer manhole in a remote
area off
AUTOMOBILE
BREAK INS
The Durham Police Department has
received an unusually high number of reports about cars being broken in to in
residential areas this week during overnight hours. Electronic gadgets are
being stolen from the cars. In each case, the items taken were from cars
left unlocked in the owners' driveway. Your best defense against this type
of theft is to lock your car and store your personal items in places where they
cannot be seen. If your car has been broken into, please contact the
Durham Police Department at 868-2324 to make a report. Even if the item
stolen from your car may seem inconsequential to you, it is important to the
Durham Police Department. By making a report, the police department may be
able to develop a pattern and stop this outbreak.
New
Police Officer
Under normal
circumstances, the police department would have been exceedingly challenged to
fill the void left by the resignation of Officer Sean Dolliver on such short
notice. Due to the recent hiring process and the identification of a
number of outstanding candidates, Chief Kurz is able to announce that Jonathan
Lavoie has accepted employment. Jonathan has completed a demanding
selection process that included several written exams and exercises, physical
agility testing, medical examination, psychological examinations, polygraph, and
an extensive background investigation including a financial analysis. A thank
you is extended to Councilor Robin Mower and newly elected Councilor Jay Gooze
for their participation as representatives of the community at the oral board
segment of the selection process. Community insight and opinions are critical in
identifying the police officers who are best suited to serve the
Jonathan Lavoie grew up in
New
Pick-up Truck for Parking Enforcement
A 2010 Ford
LXT 4X4 pick-up has arrived at the police department and will be routinely used
by the parking enforcement staff. This vehicle replaces the 1997 Ford
Ranger, which has been passed on to the Department of Public Works where it will
be used for summer mowing tasks. The police were able to obtain the truck
under a State of
From
the Supervisors of the Checklist
On September
14, 2010, there will be a State Primary Election. All registered voters
may vote at this election whether Republican, Democrat, or Undeclared, unlike in
some states. However, if you are registered as a Republican or a Democrat,
you must vote within that party at the Primary. If you are registered
Undeclared, you may choose which ballot you want at the Election. June 1 is the LAST day you can change your party
affiliation before the Primary. There are currently two checklists
available to check your status – one in the Durham Post Office on a table near
the mailboxes and one at the Town Hall (kept behind the desk). An updated
checklist will be available in those same places on or about May 21. You may
change your party affiliation up through June 1 at the
OYSTER
RIVER Kindergarten and First Grade Registration
The Oyster
River Moharimet and
PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE
The following public meetings are
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
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, April 5,
2010
Historic District Commission –
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Conservation Commission – Thursday,
April 8, 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
§
April Parks & Recreation
Reminder: Stay up-to-date on all of Park & Recreation’s
current classes and programs. Click HERE
to view the April 2010 Reminder.
§
Saturday, April 3, 10:00 AM,
§
Mondays & Thursdays starting April 19, 6:00 –
6:45 PM, Durham Town Landing: HIIT
Walks. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an exercise
strategy that focuses on improving performance with short training
sessions. Less time at higher intensity equals more fat burned, more
muscle created, and more cardio benefits. 8 week program
for $75. Instructor: Pam Faltin.
§
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.
§
Wednesdays starting April 28, 4:00-5:15 PM, Durham
Parks & Recreation: Broadway
Bound is for kids ages 8-12 who love to perform. Using popular
Broadway music, the program will introduce the basics of vocal technique,
choreography and stage presence. The program will culminate with a
performance for family and friends. 8-week program for $75.00. Instructor:
Linette Miles.
§
Saturday, May 8, 9:30 AM – Noon,
§
Youth Summer
Safari – Registration Now Open. The focus will be on fun as participants
explore a diversity of natural habitats right here in
To register for any of the above
classes please contact Durham P&R Director
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
§
Wednesday, April 7,
§
Thursday, April 8, 7:30 PM,
§
Thursday, April 8, 7:00 PM,
§
Saturday, April 10,
§
Saturday, April 24, 10:00 AM – Noon, Great Bay
Wildlife Management Area at Crommet Creek: Celebrate the Sweet Trail for Earth Day
hosted by the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership. Come join us for field
trips and the official trail opening in honor of Earth
Day.
§
The Durham/Madbury/Lee Republican Committee
meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM at the
Weekly
Police Arrest Report
Week –
33 |
32 UNH
(97%) |
1 Other
(3%) |
*2009/10
Academic Year – 690 |
433 UNH
(63%) |
257Other
(37%) |
Calendar Year
– 147 |
97 UNH
(66%) |
50 Other
(37%) |
*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 |
19 |
31 |
24 |
24 |
33 |
Academic
Year |
850 |
707 |
616 |
660 |
690 |
Calendar
Year |
188 |
204 |
175 |
183 |
147 |
“The Scarlet
Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel of sin and love set in 17th century Puritan
New England, might never have made it to novel form had it not been for friend
and publisher James Fields of Portsmouth (pop. 20,784). Fields convinced
Have a good weekend and a Happy
Easter and Passover.
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