“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday, May 7, 2010

 

 

Community Garden at Wagon Hill Farm

Courtesy Dianne Thompson

 

On Saturday, May 8^th, a short video showing the development of the community garden at Wagon Hill Farm will air on Durham’s cable Channel, Channel 22, beginning at 6:30 PM.

 

Leave your car at home and commute another way on Friday, May 21, national Bike/Walk to Work Day. Join other bikers, walkers, and public transportation-takers for a free commuter breakfast at the wildcat statue at the Whittemore Center (corner of Main Street and College Road) from 7:00-10:00 AM, hosted by the Town of Durham, Durham: It’s Where U Live, and Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes. If you live in Durham and commute elsewhere, check out www.seacoastbikes.org for information on breakfasts in Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter, Lee, Pease, Stratham, and North Hampton.

 

Risks Come with Regulating Risk Pools

Durham and the Oyster River Cooperative School District purchase their various insurance products (health, dental, disability, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, property-liability) through PRIMEX and/or the Local Government Center, two of the three pooled risk management entities (the third of which is SchoolCare) which provide insurance products to the vast majority of towns, cities, school districts, and counties in New Hampshire. At the present time, state legislators are looking into how these public insurance risk pools are managed for the first time since their creation over 20 years ago. Proposed legislation would cap how much reserve the pools could keep on hand.  The measure would also redistribute surplus premiums back to cities and towns and give state regulators greater oversight over the pools.  On Tuesday and Thursday of this week Administrator Selig participated in public hearings in Concord before the Senate Commerce Committee regarding the topic.  To view an Op Ed submission from Mr. Selig regarding this issue, visit http://fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100506/GJOPINION_0102/705069736/-1/FOSOPINION.  To listen to NHPR's coverage of the issue, go to http://www.nhpr.org/node/32315. 

 

Rental Housing Commission - Several Important Draft Ordinances Being Considered

On Wednesday, May 5, 2010, the Durham Rental Housing Commission met and discussed a variety of student housing-related topics including present enforcement efforts and review/discussion relating to draft copies of four pieces of legislation requested by the Commission:  A Large Gathering Permit Ordinance which would limit the assembly of persons in excess of 50 between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. throughout the town without a valid permit; a Disorderly House Ordinance which would create financial sanctions for the owners of properties upon which multiple disorderly events occur to include boisterous parties, loud music, fights, intoxication, etc.; a Rental Housing Licensing Ordinance requiring all owners of any rental property in Durham regardless of type to register those properties with the Town to include physical inspections at least once every five years to ensure minimum state health and safety standards are being met; and an update to the Town's existing Noise Ordinance by moving the effective time ahead one hour from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

 

The Commission plans to meet next on May 19^th at 4:00 PM to talk more about the Large Gathering and Disorderly House ordinance drafts. On June 23rd the Commission will discuss the Rental Housing Licensing Ordinance as well as the idea of developing a Property Maintenance Code for Durham.  The Commission hopes that members of the Durham Landlords Association will have had an opportunity to provide feedback relative to the Licensing Ordinance draft by that time.  In addition, Durham resident Sam Flanders of the Cowell Drive neighborhood was elected Chair of the Commission for the coming year.  A thank you is extended to outgoing Rental Housing Commission Chair Paul Berton for his hard work in endeavoring to address rental housing issues facing the community.

 

          

 

Round-about crazy!                                                    B. Dennis Charette vision for downtown

 

Main Street two-way traffic Discussion

On Tuesday, May 4th, Town staff and representatives from UNH and the Strafford Regional Planning Commission met from 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Town Office regarding the idea of turning the one-way loop the downtown Durham into a two-way road setup.  We also included local landscape architect Robbi Woodburn as part of the discussion.  This analysis focused on the two-way ideas brought forward as part of the B. Dennis Strategic Plan discussion.  Maps were created in anticipation for brainstorming which occurred during the meeting.  As part of the discussion, round-a-bouts, square-a-bouts, traffic calming measures, parking strategies, landscaping, bicycles, and pedestrian activity were all covered.  While the conversation will continue later this month such that the participants have time to further analyze and develop the ideas discussed, a number of short-term pilot projects for this summer were considered.  One of these is to transform Pettee Book Lane, which many characterize as a raceway, from a two-lane traveled way to a one-lane shared vehicular/bicycle roadway with on-street, head-in parking on the left-hand side of the road.  Another potential location for a pilot change during the summer months is the stretch of Madbury Road from Main Street to Pettee Brook Lane by narrowing this area utilizing paint from two-lanes to one to calm/slow traffic flow, making it more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.  Consideration is presently being given to a pilot implementation date as soon as June 2010 for the summer months.

 

2010/2011 Town Council Goals

On Monday, May 3, 2010, the Town Council approved its list of goals for 2010/2011. To view the Council’s goals, click HERE.

 

Oyster River School Board Discussion on Council Resolution 2010-02 Dealing with 2009 District Surplus Funds

On Wednesday evening, March 17, 2010, the Oyster River Cooperative School Board (ORCSB) discussed with Town Administrator Selig Town Council Resolution 2010-02, a resolution requesting that the school board direct the Oyster River Cooperative School District administration to provide adequate documentation regarding the expenditure of surplus funds from the 2009 fiscal year. After discussion, the board asked that a response to the Council resolution be drafted for review at its next meeting. To view the School Board’s response to the Durham Town Council regarding the resolution click HERE. To view Resolution 2010-02 click HERE. To view the specific DCAT/Channel 22 broadcast of the school board discussion regarding this item, visit http://vimeo.com/10281695.

 

It’s Prom and Graduation Season

During this time of excitement and transition, nearly 50 teenagers will be killed in car crashes throughout the United States each week.  Many teens, and sadly some parents, consider alcohol/drug use as normal adolescent rite of passage. 

 

As parents, we have the obligation to guide and encourage our teens to celebrate safely without alcohol or drugs.  We can help them make the right decisions to avoid putting themselves at risk by asking questions about our teens’ plans and having conversations with them about some of the realities of illegal possession, abuse, and other dangerous situations.  While it all may seem a little redundant it’s okay for us to say that we love our kids and simple acts of saying “no” does not negate the opportunity to still have fun. 

 

Keeping out of vehicles with anyone who has been drinking and wearing seatbelts are simple statements but may be incredibly important. Tell your teen that you want them to call you if they can’t get a safe ride home.  Emphasize that you want them to call even if they have been drinking or using drugs while reassuring them that, while you do not support or condone this behavior, their safety is your first concern. 

 

If you decide to host a party for teens, do not allow them to drink alcohol or use drugs.  Check on them regularly to be sure that no one is sneaking alcohol or other illegal substances into your home. The consequence of allowing underage drinking and the use of drugs in your home is severe, especially if a guest is injured or killed during the party or after leaving your home. 

 

We are the parents!  We owe it to our children to be good role models and not send mixed messages like renting hotel rooms for after prom parties which could lead to criminal charges and/or civil litigation.  Keeping our kids healthy is one of our primary jobs and we should never forget our powerful positive impact when we are limiting our children’s activities by drawing reasonable boundaries.  It has been said that successful parenting combines both the warmth of boosting & saying “Yes!” with the firmness of limiting and saying “No!”

 

SPRING WATER AND SEWER BILLS

The spring water and sewer bills will be mailed out today. Payments will be due on June 7, 2010.  

 

Work has resumed on the Main Street-West improvement project 

The collaborative Durham/UNH project, bringing significant Federal money to Durham, will result in reconstruction of Main Street west of the rail bridge, development of sidewalks/multi-use path from campus to West Edge, a roundabout at the junction of Main Street and North Drive, and continuation of the Main Street bike lanes west to NH 155A and Old Concord Road.  Reconstruction of Main Street itself will not begin until Monday, May 24^th after UNH Commencement.  The entire project should be substantially completed by the end of August. Drivers may experience temporary delays, and after May 24, detours during weekday construction.  The full corridor investment is projected to cost $1.3 million with the majority of funds coming from the Federal Highway Administration and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Local funding is provided cooperatively between the Town and UNH.  The project is being managed by UNH Energy and Campus Development.  For more information, please visit the project website http://www.unh.edu/ecd/designmainstwest.html.

 

 

Engineering Truck

The Public Works Department rehabilitated the old traffic control truck from the Police Department this spring.  The spiffed up truck will serve as the main mode of transportation for the Engineering Division. 

 

Reminder- Hydrant Flushing

The Town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire began the flushing of water mains on May 3^rd and will continue through Friday, May 14^th.  Flushing will be done at night between the hours of 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM.  These procedures are necessary to eliminate the buildup of sediment in the water mains and to allow for easy isolation of water shut off during any leaks or breaks.  Flushing of the mains and gate valve exercising may cause temporary discoloration of the water; however, the water remains safe for drinking.  This discoloration will disappear with normal household use.  It is suggested that sensitive laundry not be washed if the water is obviously discolored. Try not to draw water if you observe flushing in your area. Please call the UNH Water Supply at 862-1390 or the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 with questions and/or concerns.

 

Storm debris update

The roadside collection of large storm debris has been completed.  The Packers Falls Gravel Pit will remain opened from 8-4:30 until May 15^th for larger storm-related debris and will then be closed to the public after that time. If residents attempt to bring brush to the pit over the weekend or before the 15^th and there is a problem with the gate being closed, please call Stafford County dispatch at 749-4968 and they will contact an on call person to open it up.  After May 15^th, there will no longer be access to the pit and materials can be brought up to the Transfer Station as usual.  Remember that all brush that comes to the Transfer Station can be no longer than 5 feet in length and no wider than 5 inches in diameter to be accepted. 

 

Right-to-Know Law Educational Session Scheduled for Board Members & Community

The members of the Town of Durham’s boards, committees, commissions, town council, and library board of trustees serve as members of public boards and are therefore responsible to act in accordance with the Right-to-Know law in the State of New Hampshire. The Preamble of the Right-to-Know law reads:  “Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people.”  In order to ensure that the members of Durham’s public boards are given the resources they need to act in accord with RSA 91-A, a Right-to-Know law educational session has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 25, 2010 beginning at 7:00 PM in the Town Council chambers.  Attorney Christine Fillmore from the Local Government Center will be present to provide an overview of the law and to answer any questions that board members may have. The general public and Town department heads are invited and encouraged to attend the session, or to view it on Durham Community Access Television (Channel 22).  Oyster River School Board members are also invited to attend, as well as board members from the communities of Lee and Madbury.

 

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 Durham Town Hall during regular business hours or on the evening of June 1 between 7:00 and 7:30.  New voters may register (and choose their party) any time up through September 7. New registrations will also be accepted at the polls on Election Day, but no changes to party can be made on that day.

 

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. 

 

Durham Energy Committee – Monday, May 10, 2010 (7:30 PM)

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Planning Board – Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Conservation Commission – Thursday, May 13, 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

Stay current with all Durham P&R programs by viewing the April Recreation Reminder, please click HERE.  Also, visit our website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/COMMUNITY/recreation.html or on Facebook - search ‘Town of Durham Parks.’ 

 

To register for any of the classes below, please contact Durham P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, or visit the Town Clerk’s Office.

 

§         Friday, May 7 (and every Friday!), 6:00 PM, Oyster River Middle School Field – Pickup Ultimate Frisbee

§         Monday, May 17, 7:00 PM, Durham P&R:  Monday Evening Yoga Begins

§         Wednesday, May 19, 6:00 PM, Durham P&R: Women’s Self-Defense Course.  FREE, but space is limited.

§         Saturday, May 22, 10:00 AM, Wagon Hill Farm: Green Thumb Gang – Youth Gardening Introduction Meeting

§         Monday, May 31, 10:00 AM, starting at Town Landing – Memorial Day Parade

§         Saturday, June 12, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – The Durham Bazaar. Reserve your spot today!

§         Want to join the Durham P&R Softball Team?  All games will be played on week nights at UNH, starting June 1^st.

 

PARKS & RECREATION ADOPT-A-TRAIL – LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers have done an incredible job clearing Durham trails of debris left from the numerous winter storms that hit the area.  The Parks & Recreation Committee is now looking for volunteers to join the Adopt-A-Trail program to continue maintaining Town trail systems.  Do you have a favorite trail?  Are you an outdoor person?  Contact Gregg Moore at durhamtrails@yahoo.com if you would like to volunteer.

 

THE DURHAM BAZAAR

The Parks & Recreation Committee is organizing Durham’s strangest event: The Durham Bazaar.  For $10 anyone can get a spot in the Churchill Rink to sell their wares.  Baseball cards, plants, antiques, baked goods, artwork, etc. All are welcome.  The Bazaar is on Saturday, June 12^th from 9am – 1pm at the Churchill Rink.  Spend the day at the rink shopping, playing on the Jackson’s Landing Playground, listening to live music by Fling and much more.  Proceeds go towards the Churchill Rink.  Contact P&R Director Michael Mengers to reserve your spot, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         May 6, 7, & 8, 7:00 PM, Oyster River High School:  Bye Bye Birdie. Tickets: $8 students/Seniors $5

§         Saturday, May 8, 9:00 AM, St. George’s Church:  Durham Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

§         Saturday, May 8, 12:00 noon, Town Landing: Oyster River Quackfest sponsored by Oyster River Womenade – a rubber duck race down the Oyster River. Ducks will launch at 1:30 PM. To learn more about Oyster River Womenade and the Quackfest, visit: www.orwomenade.org.

§         Saturday, May 15, 8:00 AM, Oyster River High School:  Bobcat Bolt 5K/10K Race and Oyster River Festival. Registration can be completed online at www.bobcatbolt.com. Following the race, the Oyster River Festival will commence with live music, art exhibitions, and food vendors on-site. For more information, contact Race Director Christopher Jerard at cj@bobcatbolt.com or Festival Director Anita Mathur at orhs92@yahoo.com (or anita@bobcatbolt.com). Residents should expect traffic delays; especially in the area of the Oyster River High School.

§         Wednesday, May 19, 7:00 PM, Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, 89 Depot Rd., Greenland, NH:  Public Meeting of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. For more information, call Reserve Manager Peter Wellenberger at 603-868-1095. Read more at http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2010/News_2010_Q2/Great_Bay_Hrg_2010.html

§         Wednesday, May 26, 4:30 – 6:00 PM, Moharimet Elementary School:  One World Language School Registration and Information Night. Classes are for children 3 to 15 years of age and are held Wednesday afternoons at Moharimet. Classes begin September 29, 2010. For more information, please contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org or 866-0364.

§         August 2-6 and September 9-13, Museum of Art, UNH Paul Creative Arts Center:  Summer Art Camp. For complete description of classes or to register on-line, visit www.unh.edu/moa or contact Catherine A. Mazur at Catherine.mazur@unh.edu, 862-3713.

§         Raffle to Benefit UNH Sailing Centre. For more information, visit www.unh.edu/sailing-club/ or contact Coach Diana Weidenbacker at 868-5189, dianaw46@comcast.net.

§         ORYA Travel Soccer Tryout pre-registration forms are due by 5/30 for all players interested in playing travel soccer next fall and spring. Please return these to the ORYA office no later than 5/30.  Tryouts will be held starting June 9^th for the girls and June 10^th for the boys. To access a registration form, please click HERE.

§         9^th Annual ORYA Golf tournament is being held at Wentworth by the Sea Country Club on Monday June 21^st.  Registrations forms are available at www.oryarec.org.

 

Durham Public Library Programs and Events

Visit our website at www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.

 

§         Fri., May 7, 10 AM-5 PM; Sat., May 8, 10 AM-2 PM, Durham Public Library: Durham Library Spring Spectacular Book Sale. For more information, contact Beth Newkirk at bnewkirk@comcast.net.

§         Tue., May 11 – 7:00-8:00 PM – Pastures of Plenty:  The Future of Food in New England

§         Wed., May 12 – 7:00-8:00 PM –  Power of One Public Awareness Night

§         Thu., May 13 – 6:30-9:00 PM – Film:  Where Do the Children Play?

§         Tue. & Thu., May 11 & 13 – 10:30 AM – Storytime. This week, Pigs!

§         Mon., May 31 – Annual Treasure Hunt & Picnic immediately following the parade and ceremonies. Sponsored by the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees and Durham Parks and Recreation. Click HERE for more information.

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

 

Week – 46	23 UNH (50%)	23 Other (50%)
*2009/10 Academic Year – 822	513 UNH (62%)	309 Other (38%)
Calendar Year – 279	154 UNH (63%)	79 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 Durham.

Year	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Week	45	49	54	84	46
Academic Year	1005	854	841	855	822
Calendar Year	343	351	400	378	279

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE TRIVIA & TIDBITS

“The crumbling remains of the 1814 Walbach Tower in New Castle (pop. 1,010) still are visible near Fort Constitution. Built during a British blockade of Portsmouth Harbor, the tower was named for Col. John de Barth Walbach, a German native who joined the American Army in 1799.” AmericanProfile Magazine – First appeared: 6/1/2008

 

Have a good weekend and a Happy Mother’s Day.

 

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.