“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Thursday, August 26, 2010

 

 

The US Navy Blue Angels will appear at the 2010 Boston-Portsmouth Air Show at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease this weekend. Heavy traffic is expected for this event. To read the Foster’s Daily Democrat article, go to: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100824/GJNEWS_01/708249896

 

 

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

Monday, September 6^th is Labor Day.  All Town offices will be closed for the Labor Day holiday. However, there will be NO CHANGE to the refuse and recycling collection routes during the holiday week. As always, please have all items out by 7:00 AM. 

 

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. 

 

New voters may register (and choose their party) any time up through September 7.  That evening there will be a registration session at the Durham Town Hall (as well as all other communities in New Hampshire) between 7:00 and 7:30 PM.  New registrations will also be accepted at the polls on Election Day.  However, NO PARTY CHANGES CAN BE MADE until after the September 14 election.  If you enter the polling place as an Undeclared voter, you may sign a form at the Supervisor’s table on your way out requesting to be changed BACK to Undeclared.  Other party changes may be made at the Town Hall any time after September 14.

 

 

WATER CONSERVATION STATUS

Although we received a small amount of rainfall in the past few days, it has only made a small impact on the drought situation.  Town and UNH officials met on Tuesday and agreed that we are still in need of keeping the Stage 1 water conservation alert active.  The UDWS is operated jointly by the Town of Durham and UNH, and the system maintains a Water Conservation Plan with 4 Stages of water conservation measures.  Stage 1 is primarily about informing the System’s water users that the water resources are beginning to be stressed and to be cautious about how and when water is used. These are common sense measures such as watering your lawn or garden early in the morning rather than the middle day, waiting until your dishwasher is completely full, or doing only full loads of laundry instead of partial loads.  The message of the day is to conserve water whenever possible and don’t use water unnecessarily. 

 

To read the article published by the University of New Hampshire, go to: 

http://www.unh.edu/unhedutop/dont-let-rain-fool-you-stage-1-drought-conditions-remain-effect

 

To read the article published in the Foster’s Daily Democrat, go to: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100826/GJNEWS_01/708269769

 

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY

Household Hazardous Waste Day has been added to the fall agenda once again.  This year it will be held on Saturday, October 9^th at the Public Works Facility.  Remember that this is for residential household hazardous waste products only.  In order to participate in the event, you must call the Public Works Department, 868-5578, and set an appointment time.  Appointments will be set between 8:30 and 11:30 AM. There is a five gallon maximum per household.  Remember that latex and oil based paints DO NOT come to Household Hazardous Waste Day since they can be brought to the Transfer Station throughout the year, latex dried out first to bring up, oil based paints can be brought up to the Transfer Station as is.  Please call with any questions and to set an appointment.  To view details/instructions, please click HERE.

 

 

NEW STREET SIGNAGE AT MAIN STREE/PETTEE BROOK LANE

Despite Wednesdays heavy rain the Department of Public Works was able to install the new main street signage located on Pettee Brook Lane. This signage replaces older signage that was outdated. The new signage was designed to give clearer directions to the downtown business district and UNH campus.

 

 

NEW OBSERVATION PLATFORM AT JACKSON’S LANDING

Pictured above is the new observation platform located off one of the trails at Jacksons landing. This platform allows increased viewing of the salt marsh area of the Oyster River. The observation platform was an Eagle Scout project completed by Kyle Mullaney of Boy Scout Troop 154. Kyle worked in conjunction with the Public Works Department and the Conservation Commission to create the design and determine the location of the platform. This project was the final piece of the two year long rehabilitation of the Jacksons Landing recreational area.

 

 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…Refurbish!

While each Town department is responsible for the purchase of its own vehicles specific to that department’s needs, the Department of Public Works is responsible for the routine maintenance, reallocation, resale or trade of those vehicles. The DPW is consistently asked by the Town Administrator to reuse equipment and maximize its usable life. The DPW recently replaced the old fleet services 1995 GMC 3500 with the 1998 Dodge 3500 Primary Rescue Truck from the Fire Department. The 1998 Rescue vehicle was outdated and no longer able to be relied upon for rescue operations. After the transmission was rebuilt, rusty fenders replaced, and substantial body work completed (including a new coat of paint) this vehicle was able to become the “newest” refurbished addition to the DPW fleet—a good illustration of how the department is  keeping with the philosophy of reduce, reuse, recycle, and…refurbish!

 

More Suspicious Activity

It is really too bad that criminals could not put their ideas to legal enterprises but sadly, Durham citizens must remain vigilant to scams of all kinds.  This week the Durham Police was alerted by a resident that he had received a telephone call from a person who identified themselves as an employee of the US Department of Finance and Treasury.  This “employee” told the Durham resident that he had been awarded a $25,000 grant for his family and that all he had to do is provide some personal information and a check would be dispersed immediately.  Our alert resident hung up immediately on the “employee”.  Residents are reminded NEVER to provide personal data to anyone who calls you.  No reputable company works in that matter.  Obviously if you call them, that is a different situation as you know who you are talking too. 

 

Residents should immediately hang-up and advise the Durham Police so that we may stay current with these scams and the methods utilized so that we may share the latest scam techniques with our citizens. 

 

 

ARREST DATA

The Durham Police maintain arrest data of all persons arrested within Durham by Durham, UNH and other law enforcement agencies.  The graph above depicts 2010 through the first three weeks of August.  While seemingly commonsensical, it is important for the police administration to provide the Town Administrator and the Town Council with reliable data from which plans and operating strategies can be developed.  The visual graph demonstrates what most understand about the impact of the University of New Hampshire’s academic calendar has upon the resources of law enforcement in Durham.  Additionally, it is important to note that cold rainy weather is the police officer’s friend!

 

Thefts from Parked Vehicles

The police also responded to numerous reports of thefts from vehicles parked in and around the Wiswall Dam, Packers Falls, and Doe Farm recreation areas.  Consequently the Durham Police Department initiated an investigation designed to be preventative while making an arrest/s if possible. While patrol officers have been directed to be highly visible in these areas during hours of peak activity, Detective Sergeant, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire Police Department, deployed a "decoy" car in these areas in an effort to identify and apprehend suspects.  While the initial decoy vehicle did not attract attention, the Durham Police plan to continue the patrols and decoy car operations throughout the remainder of the summer.  Residents again are urged to report suspicious activity so that police can respond and address the situation.

 

Cha, cha, changes are coming to Durham Marketplace this fall!

This coming fall at the Durham Marketplace, the frozen food cases are going “green” with new LED lighting and 25% more space, so customers can expect to see more quick-fix meal options and specialty frozen items. 

 

The Durham Farmers’ Market continues outside Durham Marketplace throughout the harvest season with a bountiful assortment of local products, and plans are already in the works for the Market to return in the spring of 2011. Customers can welcome back the Marketfresh Meat department at Durham Marketplace beginning September 7th, featuring all the old favorites – rolled rib roasts during the holidays, sirloin tips, stuffed leg of Easter lamb, and of course, Stonewood Farms all natural, free-range turkeys this Thanksgiving.

 

ANNUAL MUNICIPAL LAW LECTURE SERIES

Beginning in September, the 35th Annual Municipal Law Lecture Series, sponsored by the New Hampshire Local Government Center and the Regional Planning Commission, will be holding lectures in communities throughout the state. These lectures are intended for municipal officials with an interest in, or responsibility for, any aspect of municipal land use to include members of planning boards, zoning boards, conservation commissions, and councils/board of selectmen, as well as planners, building inspectors, and code officers. All lectures are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM.

 

The schedule of lectures is as follows: 

 

Lecture 1: Cell Towers: Managing the Approval Process to Protect Municipal Interests and Comply with Federal Law

Lecture 2: Conflict of Interest, Disqualification and the Local Land Use Board Decision-Making Process

Lecture 3: Administrative Decisions in Planning and Zoning: How They’re Made, How They’re Appealed

 

A registration form has been placed in the mailboxes for Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Historic District Commission, and Conservation Commission members. The registration form may also be obtained through the LGC website at: http://www.nhlgc.org/attachments/trainingevents/MLLS_flyer.pdf. Board and committee members interested in attending any or all of these lectures are encouraged to do so. Please complete the registration form and return it to Jennie Berry as soon as possible as space is limited. The Town will cover the cost for all registration fees.

 

Parking at UNH on AugUST 27 and 29

Every year more than a dozen cars have to be towed from parking lots on campus so the lots can be used for move-in. The university does not want to have to do this and makes every effort to notify people, including posting signs in the affected lots.

 

PLEASE NOTE the following lots WILL BE CLOSED: B-lot, E/E1 Lots, Forest Park South Lot, C-lot (off Mill Road), Health Services Lots, Brook Way Lots, U-Lot, D-lot, H-Lot, Q-lot, and Ballard Loop. (These lots will all re-open after 4 p.m. Aug. 27 to standard Friday parking rules.)

 

Vehicles will be towed from the above designated parking lots starting at 5 a.m. Friday August 27, 2010, and on Sunday morning August 29, 2010.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FALL RESEARCH ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE

Several dedicated volunteers are needed to help with field research in New Hampshire monitoring climate change and sea level rise. The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is putting out the call for volunteers to assist in an intensive six-week period of field work set to begin September 4, 2010. 

 

The research is possible because the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is loaning the reserve an "RTK" (real time kinematic) GPS unit for a period of six weeks, beginning September 4, 2010. 

 

The data collected with this unit will be used to generate digital elevation models of three salt marshes. These models will be used as part of a national monitoring project measuring ecological impacts of relative sea level change associated with climate change.

 

Two volunteers are needed to help run this equipment each day. One individual is needed to sit with the base station of the RTK unit. This is a non-physical volunteer role. The other volunteer will accompany a staff member in the field (extreme field conditions in a salt marsh environment) as they operate the roving unit. This project is weather-dependent and will involve full field days. 

 

If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about this project, please contact the Reserve by emailing Jay.Sullivan@wildlife.nh.gov or calling 603-778-0015. 

 

The work is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System's Habitat Mapping and Change initiative, which allows for long-term monitoring of ecological alterations, particularly those associated with climate change. Integrating geodetic and tidal data with habitat information will allow the Reserve to function as a sentinel site for climate change research and provide tools to improve coastal resilience. It establishes a framework long-term data set on which to rest multiple research and monitoring activities, such as modeling effects of tidal inundation on local habitats and human infrastructure.

 

The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is a cooperative federal-state partnership between the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Visit http://www.greatbay.org.

 

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.

 

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. 

 

Historic District Commission – Tuesday, September 2, 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

 

Zumba – Pilates – Circuit Training – 20/20/20 – New Fall Schedule

Registration is now open for Kathy Kerrigan’s fall adult fitness classes at Durham Parks & Rec.  For a current schedule, please click HERE. Some class times and locations have changed, so stay up to date.  Classes are open to all ages and ability levels.  Come and join us at class and have fun while getting fit!  Please contact Kathy (kerrigan6@comcast.net) or P&R Director Michael Mengers (817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us) with questions or to register.

 

Durham Day Volunteers Still Needed

Durham Day is scheduled for Sunday, September 26^th from 12:30 to 4:00 PM at Wagon Hill Farm.  The Parks & Recreation Department is still looking for volunteers to help cook/grill and serve the community barbeque.  Those interested in volunteering or needing more information on Durham Day should contact P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

The Parks & Recreation Nature Note – Milne Property

A gift to Durham from the Keepers of the Swans.

 

There isn’t a resident in Town who hasn’t visited Mill Pond Park, but how many of you have visited the Milne Property just down the road?  Margery and Lorus Milne, affectionately known around Town as the Keepers of the Swans, bequeathed this parcel of land to the Town of Durham to be preserved as an area for quiet reflection.

 

The Milne Property sits at the convergence of the Mill Pond, Oyster River and College Brook.  It is an excellent spot to relax, bird watch or catch a glimpse of the beautiful swans.  In the middle of the Park is the Milne Remembrance Stone, a large granite monolith which serves as a memorial to the Milne’s.   The garden surrounding the Stone is maintained by the Durham Garden Club.

 

Milne Park is now more accessible to visitors with the Department of Public Works just completing a sidewalk that connects Mill Pond Park and Milne Park.  The trails have also been covered with woodchips making them easier to traverse.

 

The Milne Property is located just south of Mill Pond Park on Mill Pond Road.  Ample street parking can be found.  The Property can be visited from dawn to dusk.  It is asked that this area is only used for quiet reflection.

 

(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.)

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Aug 23 – 27, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth:  Kid Filmmakers Summer Shoot 2010 (ages 10-15—child must be at least 10 years old by Aug 23). For more information, contact Marianne Bornkessel, 603-534-3934, or kidfilmmakersnh@yahoo.com.

§         Sep 11, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Durham Churches Hold Annual Family Yard Sale. The Durham churches of Durham Community Church and St. Thomas More Church will hold the annual family yard sale. Come search for possible treasures in including clothing, ketch ware, furniture, sporting goods, books, vintage items, linens, tools, and toys. Enjoy barbecue foods. Bring a friend and shop, rain or shine.

 

Durham Public Library Programs and Events

§         Beginning Sep 7^th, Storytime, rat readers ( 2^nd-4^th grade book group), tales for tails, pajama storytime, and the middle school book group bookeaters.  Check the library calendar and website for details coming soon.

§         Beginning Sep 1^st through May 31^st, The patch program (reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years). Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag.  If new to the program, stop by and register.

§         Young adults interested in writing a review of a book, play, movie, event?  Email the children’s librarian at ekleinmann@ci.durham.nh.us  or stop by the circulation desk and we’ll put you in contact with our partner, YA author Megan Frazer, who is helping us with this blog. Visit our website at www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.

 

DURHAM GARDEN CLUB SEEKING NEW MEMBERS

The Durham Garden Club is looking for new members to attend its first monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. The topic for this meeting will be CREATING BEAUTY WITH PLANTS AND STONE BY THOMAS BERGER, STONE SCULPTOR. He will give some ideas for incorporating art into your garden settings.  The Garden Club invites residents for socializing and refreshments at 6:30 PM at St. George's Episcopal Church, Main Street, Durham. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.   We look forward to seeing some new faces.  Please call Joanne Young at 659-8055 if you have any questions.

 

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

“A study of the town’s water supply was begun in 1924, and by 1929 the selectmen were authorized to arrange terms with the university for the distribution of water from the university’s system to town mains. Water was obtained from the university pumping station, which brought the supply from a reservoir located northwest of the college barns. Residents considered both the town and the college water supply superior to the shallow wells formally used because they did not stain as did the high iron content water of the latter.” 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

 

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.