Friday, August 6, 2010

 

Bales of hay being wrapped in a field located along W. Arthur Grant Circle

Courtesy Jim Hornbeck

 

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR PRIMARY ELECTION – SEPTEMBER 14^th 

The New Hampshire State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at the Oyster River High School located on Coe Drive. Polling hours will be from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Absentee ballots for the September 14^th Primary Election are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Residents who will be out-of-town during the Primary or who are physically disabled or observing a religious holiday, may request an absentee ballot. Ballot requests may be made in person at the Town Clerk’s Office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or with a written request by mail. Written requests must contain your name, residence address, address to mail the ballot (if different from the residence address), and a signature.  This is a Primary, so you will receive a ballot for the party of which you are currently registered. If you are undeclared (a.k.a., independent), you will need to specify a Democratic or Republican ballot.  No party changes can be accepted until after the election. To view a copy of the Republican absentee ballot, click HERE. To view a copy of the Democratic absentee ballot, click HERE.

 

100 YEARS OF DURHAM FIRE

The committee is firming up the celebration of the 100 years of Durham, NH Fire Department.  The celebration will feature a plaque ceremony at the site of the first Fire Station which was in the “Pettee Block” specifically where the Red Carpet flower shop is built.  The second part of the celebration will be a day-long event consisting of a fire truck parade, Fire Department Muster, childrens’ activities, food, and displays.

 

A special patch has been designed for Fire Department personnel to wear for the 100^th year and tee shirts will be made available for anyone to purchase.  Please send an email if you would like to pre-order your shirt.  It will have the logo and information on the front and fire trucks on the back of a gray tee shirt. 

 

We are still looking for old photographs/items particularly for events before WW II.  Periodic progress reports will be published in future “Friday Updates”.  We welcome your ideas and help, so please contact Melissa at 862-1426 or fire@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Economic Development Committee Business Visitation and Outreach Project
The Town of Durham Economic Development Committee (EDC) is beginning a comprehensive outreach to Durham business owners to learn more about their businesses and their experiences doing business in Durham.  There are four objectives to this project:
 

1.      Shape the Town’s business and economic development policies through a deeper understanding of current business segments and their unique needs.  We will report back to the Town Council on our findings and work with the market analysis consultant to conduct a ‘gap analysis’ between current supply and forecasted demand for local goods and services.

2.      Build relationships and trust between Town, business community, and engaged citizenry.  We will employ a respectful, learning-oriented approach with an emphasis on confidentiality.

3.      Ensure business community’s opinions and concerns are reflected in Town activities.  This includes a survey on housing, parking, commercial development, and related topical issues.

4.      Provide useful resources to business owners, including support around RSA 79-E and ER-Z tax incentives and small business assistance.

Our goal is to conduct 110+ interviews by the end of September and to complete the summary report and recommendations by Thanksgiving.  To date, 22 volunteer interviewers (including 7 Councilors) have signed up to interview 106 of Durham’s ~135 businesses.  Community members who wish to learn more or serve as interviewers, and business owners with questions or suggestions, should contact Yusi Wang Turell at yusiwang@gmail.com or 397-5608.

 

DEADLINE LOOMS! 30 RESPONSES TO DATE! 

PACE Energy Efficiency Program: Do You Want To Participate?

In the last few weeks, the Friday Updates has introduced readers to the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, which allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements using low‐interest bonds arranged by the municipality. The Energy Committee must hear from you by August 25 if you wish to participate in Durham's first round of the program, anticipated for this fall. Thirty enthusiastic residents have already expressed interest.

Here is the background: Durham is not there yet, but the Energy Committee is working with the Town Administrator to make it happen.

This is how it works: Residential and commercial property owners may opt in to the program to receive long-term financing (up to 20 years) for improvements. They then repay the loan through a separate property tax assessment. This arrangement spreads the cost of clean energy improvements – such as energy-efficient boilers, upgraded insulation, new windows, solar installations, etc. – over the expected life of the improvement. The program also allows for the repayment obligation to transfer automatically to the next property owner if the property is sold.

Here's an example of how this would work. Let’s say a homeowner receives PACE funding for a solar photovoltaic installation. For a typical system of 3 kW, the net cost would be on the order of $8,400 (assuming $6/watt installed, a $6,000 rebate from NH, and a 30% tax incentive from the federal government). This system would be expected to produce approximately 4,800 kW-h per year -- or about $720 of electricity per year, assuming a constant electricity cost of 15 cents per kW-h. (This example uses a 3 kW system that produces about 13 kW-h per day, which is enough to run an energy efficient house.) The loan repayment over 20 years would amount to approximately $610 per year, depending on the interest rate on the loan. 

 

You do the planning and the math for your property under PACE. We would do the setting up of the program for the town. 

Interested in participating? Please send a brief note to the Chair of the Energy Committee via this link dec@ci.durham.nh.us. Describe what kind of energy efficient improvement you are considering. (Note: This is just a feeler, to get a sense of community interest. Details on your anticipated installation cost will be required before we proceed to the next step of setting up such a fund.)  

 

Responses must be received by August 25, 2010 for this first round.

 

Vacancies on Various Town Boards

The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to serve on the Town boards and/or committees listed below that currently have vacancies. Citizens interested in board appointments should contact the Town Administrator’s office at 868-5571, or email Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us and request an application form. Interested residents may also stop in at the Town Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road, and complete an application. Applications are also available on the Town’s web site at: www.ci.durham.nh.us under the heading “I want to” on the right-hand side in the blue box. Completed applications may be mailed to the Town Administrator’s office, or submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Parks and Recreation Committee (1 alternate vacancy)

Rental Housing Commission (1 tenant representative)

Durham Cable Access Television (DCAT) Governance Committee (2 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)

Durham Energy Committee (2 vacancies)

Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (3 vacancies)

Strafford Regional Planning Commission & MPO Policy Committee (1 vacancy)

 

Cable Franchise Agreement Renewal Process – An Update

The Town of Durham is currently in the process of negotiating a renewal of its cable franchise agreement with Comcast, the incumbent cable operator. The renewal process is an opportunity for the Town to ascertain the future cable-related needs and interests of the community and to negotiate with Comcast to meet these needs in the renewal franchise agreement. As part of the process, the Town will be holding a public hearing a public hearing to ascertain the future cable-related needs and interests of the community on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 beginning at 7:00 P.M. The hearing will be held in the Town Council Chambers at the Durham Town Hall located at 15 Newmarket Road.

 

CIVIL FORFEITURES FOR UNLICENSED DOGS

Civil Forfeitures (a fine and summons to court), will be issued August 13th to owners, or keepers, of dogs that remain unlicensed per RSA 466:1.  There are still 80 residents that have not responded to our attempts urging them to comply with this State law.  If you have received notification from us and you no longer have the dog or have moved from town, you must contact us so that we can update our records.

 

Durham Police Officer – Top of the Class

At last week’s graduation from the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council academy, Pamela Donley, one of Durham’s newest officers, graduated academically number one in her class consisting of 67 police officers from all areas of New Hampshire.  Officer Donley is currently working with her Field Training Officer, Jennifer Kelly, on the 9PM to 7AM shift.

 

Report Suspicious Activity

The Seacoast region has been experiencing similar suspicious activity where a man and woman team appear to be approaching homes with concocted stories of being lost, looking for a resident or a home somewhere in the area, etc.   Last week a vehicle with out-of-state plates approached a home with a “For Sale” sign and a female approached the house but left rapidly when a pest control service entered the driveway.  Similar activity has occurred where Lee Police observed a vehicle parked at the end of a driveway with a male behind the wheel and a female walking down the driveway towards the vehicle. The officer scrutinizing the situation was advised by the female that she knew the homeowner from work. As they drove off, the Lee police officer was simply not comfortable with the situation and decided to stop the vehicle.  Ultimately, it was discovered that the out-of-state driver was under suspension in New Hampshire and he was arrested.  After further investigation later in the evening, the female’s story about knowing the homeowner was discovered to be untrue.  The homeowner had no knowledge of either person.  In all likelihood, the actions of the officer prevented a burglary into the vacant home.

 

Given these situations, Durham residents are urged to contact the Durham Police if any activity appears to be unusual and/or suspicious.  It is an easy task for the police to verify the veracity of the situation while ensuring the security of the community.  With your alert partnership, the Durham police will be significantly more effective in deterring crime.

 

TRAINING FOR TRANSITION TWO-DAY COURSE

August 14-15, Transition United States (www.transitionus.org) is offering the two-day Training for Transition course as developed by the Transition Network in England.  It will be held in room 119 Nesmith Hall on the UNH campus. The course is an in-depth experiential introduction to Transition for those considering community change toward sustainable, productive and happy lives after peak oil.  The course describes how to catalyze, build, and facilitate a successful Transition Initiative. It is packed with imaginative and inspiring ways to engage your community, and delves into both the theory and practice of Transition that has worked so well in hundreds of communities in the U.K. and around the world. This course is affordable by all. Cost is normally $200.  If you can give extra money, your generosity will help those with lower incomes to attend.  If finances are stretched, but you care about your community and want to attend, then please contribute whatever you can afford. Contact Robert Eckert r.eckert@unh.edu for more information.

 

UNH OUTDOOR POOL EVENTS AND INFORMATION

§         Swim under the lights at the UNH Outdoor Pool and enjoy some BBQ on Wednesday, August 11^th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  Membership or day pass required.  Hamburgers, chips, and soda will be available for purchase.

§         Pool hours change to Noon – 6:00 PM on Monday, August 16^th until September 1^st. The pool will have modified hours after September 2^nd.

 

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE

Due to the upcoming Labor Day holiday, the Town Council meetings in September will be held on Monday, September 13 and Monday, September 27.

 

Council meetings in October will be the normal first and third Monday schedule with meetings to be held on Monday, October 4 and Monday October 18.

 

DURHAM ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 9^TH - CANCELLED

The Durham Energy Committee meeting, scheduled for Monday, August 9, 2010, has been CANCELLED. The next meeting of the DEC will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the Council chambers at Town Hall unless otherwise posted.

 

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. 

 

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Planning Board – Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Conservation Commission – Thursday, August 12, 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

         

Reggae Night at Wagon Hill Farm – Friday, August 20^th – 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Join Roots, Rhythm & Dub and the Parks & Recreation Department for Reggae Night at Wagon Hill Farm on Friday, August 20^th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.  Roots, Rhythm & Dub is a reggae band from Southern Maine.  Their music touches on Jazz, Blues, Latin Rock, R&B and Folk all the while staying true to their Reggae roots.  Bring a picnic, blanket and lawn chair and be prepared to enjoy beautiful views of the Little Bay, great music and the company of family and friends.  Free admission. 

 

Two New Adult Fitness Programs beginning at Parks & Rec in September

Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce two new adult fitness classes with instructor Pam Faltin beginning in September.  On the Ball, a stability ball based class, offers low impact training in a high energy cardio burning class.  On the Ball will meet on Tuesdays at 6pm at Durham Parks & Rec starting September 14^th.  The 8 week program is $64.  For more information, please click HERE.

 

Walking to Wellness is a traditional walking program mixed with periods of high intensity interval training.  Walking to Wellness will meet on Saturdays at 9am at the Durham Town Landing starting September 18^th.  The 6-week program is $50.  For more information, please click HERE.

 

Preregistration is required for both programs.  Contact Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Family Dragonfly Day – Saturday, August 21^st – 2:00pm – John Hatch Park

Join Suzanne Petersen of the Lamprey River Advisory Committee for a day of dragonfly fun.  This free program includes a lesson on dragonflies, catching and releasing specimens, species identification and more.  The program is for children entering 3^rd through 6^th grade, but the whole family is encouraged to attend.  Please RSVP Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

The Parks & Recreation Nature Note – Adams Point

Perhaps because it is managed by the NH Fish & Game Department or maybe due to its remote location, many Durham residents do not know that Adams Point is open to the public and offers a wealth of nature trails and stunning views of the Little Bay. 

 

Adams Point, located off of Durham Point Road, offers over 2 miles of well maintained nature trails with minimal changes in elevation.   The main trail follows the shoreline of the Little Bay offering plenty of open water views.  Creatively constructed benches dot the trail and offer relaxation and photo opportunities.  With just a little bit of searching explorers can find a hidden rope swing and an impressive obelisk that is a memorial to the Adams’ family who lived on the expansive property dating back to the early 1800s.  There is also a lookout platform close to the parking area that offers panoramic views of the Bay during the winter.

 

Adams Point offers water access during high tides with a boat ramp.  The area is also home to Jackson Estuary Laboratory, a marine program at UNH.

 

The area is open daily from dawn to dusk and admission is free.  To find Adams Point take Durham Point Road south.  After approximately 4 miles on your left you will see signage for Jackson Estuary Laboratory/Adams Point Road.  Follow this road to its end where you will see various parking areas once you are inside the recreation area.  For a map of Adams Point, go to: http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/COMMUNITY/recreation/adamspoint.pdf

 

(Every week in the Friday Updates the Parks & Recreation Department will be highlighting a Durham natural area to make residents aware of all of the great natural areas right here in Town.  If you have a spot that you think should be highlighted email mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us with your location.)

 

DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

§         Wednesday, August 11^th – Free Yoga at Wagon Hill Farm – Noon to 1:00pm

§         Wednesday, August 11^th – UNH Outdoor Pool Night Under the Lights – 7:00pm

§         Friday, August 20^th – Reggae Night at Wagon Hill – Roots, Rhythm & Dub – 6:00pm

§         Friday, August 21^st – Family Dragonfly Day – 2:00pm at John Hatch Park

§         Wednesday, September 15^th – Sound Beginnings youth music program starts

§         Sunday, September 26^th – Durham Day – 12:30pm to 4:00pm – Wagon Hill Farm

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Aug. 2-6 and Aug. 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.

§         MUB Summer Series.  Everything is FREE and OPEN to all! For more information and to view schedule of events, go to www.unhmub.com or call Dave at 862-1586.

 

FROM “DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY – 1900-1985”

“At article in the 1923 town meeting asked for the appointment of a district supervisor and surveyor of town highways to control town services better, but the vote was postponed. At the time, Durham had a road agent system, which had started when Ed Chesley was hired as road supervisor in 1912; he served in that capacity almost continuously until his death in 1947. His characteristic drawn-out “w-e-l-l n-o-w”, when addressed on any subject, is well remembered. His farm, situated on the corner of Main Street and Mill Road (land later occupied by the Durham Shopping Plaza), extended along College Brook almost to Mill Pond Road. His barns (and later garage buildings) leased to the town were the base for all town operations while Ed worked for the town.” Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

 

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

 

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