“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday, October 1, 2010

Grill masters Neil Niman, Bill Cote, Jerry Gottsacker, and Doug Clark were hard at work during this year’s Durham Day event at Wagon Hill Farm.

Courtesy Todd Selig

Durham Day at Wagon Hill Farm was held on Sunday, September 26^th, and despite a rather chilly day, was well attended. To read the Foster’s Daily Democrat article on the event, go to: http://fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100930/GJNEWS_01/709309689

Courtesy Jon Coulp-yu

UNH CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS HELP WITH Thompson-Valentine Stream Restoration Project

On September 17^th and 18^th, ten UNH Civil Engineering students from the UNH Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers volunteered to assist the Department of Public Works in completing a stream restoration project near the corner of Thompson Lane and Valentine Hill Road. The stream’s flow had been blocked for years by a failed culvert that would regularly cause a number of back yards to flood during heavy rains. The DPW crew removed most of the old culvert and then created a new stream bed with a natural like meander around the old culvert. The volunteer students put the finishing touches on the job by hand placing a variety of large and small river stones to reinforce the new stream banks, and then installed live dogwood and red maple stakes that will hopefully re-vegetate the area in next Spring. The same volunteers also helped DPW restore another culvert outlet at the head of the same brook near McGrath Rd.

Update on Durham’s Section 401 Water Quality Certificate, Lamprey River Protected Instream Flows, and the Status of the Town’s and UNH’s Water Supply and Demand

At the Town Council meeting on Monday, October 4, 2010, Town Engineer David Cedarholm will provide information relative to continued concerns by citizens involving the Town’s Section 401 Water Quality Certification (§401) and give a presentation on the status of the UNH/Durham Water System’s (UDWS) drinking water supply and demand and the Lamprey River Protected Instream Flows (PISFs). Bureau Chief Paul Currier of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) Watershed Management Bureau will be in attendance to provide details on New Hampshire's §401 program and answer questions about Durham's §401, as well as the PISF.

Since the §401 was originally required as part of a wetlands permit associated with the Lamprey River Transmission Main project in 2000, it has continued to generate questions and concerns from Administrator Selig, residents, Board members, and Town Councilors about its legal applicability and appropriateness and its impact on the UDWS. The complex circumstances that originally brought about the §401 and the very confusing federal and state regulations that make it nearly impossible to understand why it was required, are further complicated by 10 years of the seemingly unresolved questions.

In response to queries from the Town regarding the applicability of the restrictions on the water system, Town Counsel Walter Mitchell concluded on October 4, 2006 “. . . we see no valid legal objection to the condition imposed through the [401] Water Quality Certificate, nor do we see any legal basis upon which to challenge this condition. The town certainly may attempt to modify the condition by providing evidence that it is unnecessary to protect the environment, as I understand it is attempting to do at this time.”

All these factors have severely clouded the fact that the §401 will very soon expire. The §401 will become null and void when the Lamprey River Protected Instream Flows (PISFs) are finalized in the coming months. What is most important today is that the Town and UNH remain engaged in the review and comment process involving the PISF Water Management Plan that is actively being developed today.

The basis of most of the controversy over the has §401 revolved around specific conditions that limited the allowable drawdown of the water in the Wiswall Reservoir to ½-inch per day and a total drawdown of 6-inches. Town and the UDWS has since amended as part of a flow monitoring plan that DES recently approved allowing the UDWS to draw the reservoir down by a total of 18-inches (increased from 6-inches) and up to 1-inch per day (increased from ½-inch per day). The amendment allows for more than 35 to 40 days of continuous use of the reservoir during extreme low flow conditions. The UDWS successfully implemented this flow monitoring plan during the withdrawal from the Wiswall Reservoir over the recent drought this year.

To view the complete Council packet material with detailed information and backup concerning the 401 Certificate, PISF, and Supply and Demand information, click HERE.

If residents have questions they would like to see addressed during Town Engineer David Cedarholm’s presentation, please email jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

DISORDERLY HOUSE ORDINANCE ENACTED

On Monday, September 27, 2010, the Town Council, after a lengthy deliberation, adopted the Disorderly House ordinance. To view the adopted Disorderly House document, click HERE.

To view the Foster’s Daily Democrat article, go to: http://fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100928/GJNEWS_01/709289877.

The Town of Plymouth is also facing issues associated with disturbances and disruptive behavior of college-aged individuals within residential neighborhoods around Plymouth State University. To view the Manchester Union Leader article on this subject, go to: http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=PSU+partying+gets+new+twist+with+texting&articleId=eaea3428-ccc4-45fe-9585-759f87670898

Discussion Regarding the Concept of Developing a Property Maintenance Code

At a recent Rental Housing Commission meeting, members of the Commission discussed the idea of developing a property maintenance code to address neglected/deteriorated properties throughout the community. It was agreed that discussion for such an ordinance would be more appropriate at the Town Council level.

A property maintenance code could establish minimum maintenance standards for residential and non-residential structures, basic equipment, light, ventilation, heating, sanitation, fire safety, and external aesthetic issues such as grass, weeds, etc.

Administrator Selig does not recommend moving forward with such a program for Durham.

Discussion Regarding Police Enforcement Efforts Relative to Student Behavior and Stepped-up Zoning/Trash EnforcemenT EFFORTS in anD Around Durham’s Central Core

Councilors had asked that this item be placed on the September 13^th Town Council agenda for the Council’s general discussion with regard to the Durham Police Department’s efforts in the downtown area relative to student behavior. However, due to the lateness of the hour, this item was moved to the September 27^th Council meeting. Subsequent to September 13^th, it was also requested that the Town Council discuss the Town’s efforts, undertaken at the request of the Rental Housing Commission, residents, and Town Councilors, to more actively enforce the zoning and trash regulations presently in place.

This item was placed on the Town Council agenda for the September 27, 2010 meeting, however, due to the lateness of the hour, it was postponed to the October 4, 2010 Town Council meeting.

Police Chief David Kurz and Code Enforcement Officer Tom Johnson will be present to give the Council an overview of efforts undertaken to date this fall.

DESIGN STANDARDS FOR DURHAM?

On Thursday, October 7, 2010, the Durham Historic District Commission will be reviewing its design standards and discussing how this could be incorporated into guidelines for the Downtown Core Business district of the Town of Durham. The beginning of this meeting will be OPEN TO THE PUBLIC for comment. To view the design standards of the historic district contained within Article XVII “Durham Historic Overlay District” of the Durham Zoning Ordinance, click HERE.

Budget Advisory Committee Composition and Charge

Purpose: The purpose of this committee is to become educated about the ORCSD budget and provide a budget recommendation to the School Board that meets the needs of the students and is fiscally responsible to taxpayers.

Charge:

1. May conduct an in-depth analysis on spending and best practices in specific areas such as technology, transportation, facilities maintenance/management, insurance etc. and make recommendations on cost savings.

2. May serve as a resource to the School Board on budget issues.

3. May recommend methods to improve financial reporting.

4. May recommend process to communicate the budget to the community.

Committee Composition:

• Minimum of five members and a maximum of seven members

Community members will be selected by the School Board, at least one each from Madbury, Lee and Durham respectively. Lists of possible interested candidates can be supplied by the selectmen or town councils of the three towns.

• Members should attend most budget deliberation meetings of the District and the School Board Meetings.

• Committee may meet as an entity on select occasions with the Superintendent and/or his designate to discuss expenditures in a specific section of the budget.

• A chair will be elected by the committee at the first meeting.

• All meetings are open to the public and will comply with current Right to Know Laws.

a Council-Initiated Zoning Ordinance Change That Would Amend Article XIX “Conservation Subdivisions”, Section 175-107 (B) “Applicability”, to Add ORLI and MUDOR Zoning Districts to the List of Zones to Which Conservation Subdivision Regulations Apply

On July 12, 2010 the Durham Town Council approved a motion (6 to 2) to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow single family-homes and duplexes in the Office, Research & Light Industry (ORLI) Zone as a conditional use and to allow single-family homes in the Multi-Unit Dwelling/Office Research (MUDOR) Zone as a conditional use. (The amendment addressed Article XII, Zone Requirements, Section 175-53 “Table of Uses.”)

Immediately thereafter, a unanimously approved motion followed, stating that any new single-family homes in the ORLI and MUDOR zones should be subject to Article XIX of the Zoning Ordinance: Conservation Subdivision Regulations. The motion included the recommendation that this change be forwarded to the Planning Board for its consideration.

The Planning Board held discussions and a Public Hearing on this suggestion and on September 15, 2010 voted 5 to 2 not to support the zoning change which would extend the Conservation Subdivision Regulations into the ORLI and MUDOR Districts.

As of July 10, 2010, Conservation Subdivision Regulations were applicable only in the Residence A, Residence B, Residence Coastal, and Rural Districts. However, Article XIX 175-107. Conservation Subdivisions begins with the statement: "The Town of Durham’s Master Plan 2000 recommends that conservation subdivisions, in which a substantial portion of the site is set aside as permanent, common open space, be the primary form of residential development in the community.”

It has been argued that the intent of the community is for Conservation Subdivision Regulations to be applicable to residential subdivisions wheresoever they are allowed. Indeed, these regulations have been required in all zones where single-family subdivisions were allowed by the zoning ordinance. Now that ORLI and MUDOR allow single-family homes, this proposal argues that it is a reasonable conclusion that single-family home subdivisions in these districts, albeit they are commercial districts, should also be subject to Conservation Subdivision Regulations.

On October 4^th, the Council will review and consider a proposed Council-initiated ordinance amending Article XIX Conservation Subdivisions, 175-107 (B) Applicability, to add ORLI and MUDOR zoning districts to the list of zones permitted to be developed as conservation subdivisions.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program – A Presentation for the Town Council by Chair of Durham Energy Committee on October 4th

Earlier this year, the New Hampshire State Legislature adopted House Bill 1554 (one of whose sponsors was Senator Amanda Merrill at the Town of Durham’s request), “allowing municipalities to establish energy efficiency and clean energy districts.” Among other measures, the Bill authorizes “a procedure for enabling property owners, on a voluntary basis, to finance such improvements and make repayments in the form of special assessments on their property tax bills or municipal service bills.” Thus, it enables New Hampshire communities for the first time to consider the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE) a viable potential public policy. PACE allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, whether retrofits or new technology, using low-interest bonds arranged by the municipality. The bonds are repaid through separate property tax assessments paid over the life of the improvement—15 to 20 years—by whomever owns the property during that assessment period. (Property tax obligations transfer with property when it is sold.)

If Durham adopts this program, it will become the first town in New Hampshire to do so. The Energy Committee believes that this pioneer move could be the first in a number of initiatives to brand Durham as forward-thinking vis-a-vis energy resources.

To learn more about the PACE program, tune in to Monday’s Council meeting.

Administrator Selig to Attend ICMA’s 96th Annual Conference in San José, California

Administrator Selig will be attending the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) annual conference this year in San Jose’, California from October 16 – 20, 2010. Each year, ICMA continues its tradition of offering an array of educational, information-sharing, and networking tools to help city manager’s across the country address challenges within their communities in today’s complex environment.

In addition to four daily keynote sessions, more than 60 concurrent educational and Solutions Track sessions, 30 roundtable discussions, 32 ICMA University workshops, 6 forums, and field demonstrations, there will be numerous demonstrations of technology applications which can be used by communities.

Specific courses Mr. Selig will take include: Baldrige: A Model for Excellence and High Performance in Local Government; Engaging Citizens in Selecting Public Art; Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability - Adobe Systems; Inspiring Creativity - a tour of Googleplex (Google’s offices); Toward Sustainability – a tour of San José’s LEEDing City Hall.

Mr. Selig departs October 15^th and returns early in the morning on October 21^st. During his absence, Business Manager Gail Jablonski will serve as “Acting Administrator.”

To learn more about ICMA, go to www.icma.org.

Pettee Brook Pilot a Success in Calming Traffic

The reconfiguration of Pettee Brook Lane has received an official stamp of approval from the Traffic & Safety Committee. Over the summer and early fall, the pilot evolved in response to residents’ feedback into its current design, which will remain in place for the near future. (No, we haven’t forgotten about the two-way traffic pattern recommended by B. Dennis Town Design.) Tweaks may yet occur. For example, the Durham Public Works Department is evaluating different options to better delineate the roadway.

Residents may recall that a primary goal of the reconfiguration, consistent with the B. Dennis Report, was to calm traffic. Speeding along Pettee Brook Lane has, indeed, been reduced, as data shows.

The Strafford Regional Planning Commission conducted “before” and “after” speed and volume measurements along Pettee Brook Lane. The first series of measurements were made in June 2010 before Pettee Brook Lane was reconfigured to one lane. The second and third series of measurements were made in early and late September 2010 while UNH was in session. The data shows that the peak traffic hours on Pettee Brook lane while UNH is in session occur between 9AM and 8PM on weekdays. The traffic volumes range between 400 and 700 vehicles per hour during this “Peak Period.”

The Traffic & Safety Committee reviewed the data and reached the following conclusions:

Ø Excessive vehicle speeds have been reduced considerably – The percentage of vehicles exceeding 25 MPH during the Peak Period decreased 43% during the trial. (45.5% of vehicles exceeded 25 MPH before the trial and 25.9% exceeded 25MPH during the trial. The percentage of vehicles exceeding 30 MPH decreased nearly 60% during the trial.)

Ø Traffic has not been impeded – The data showed that the average speed during the trial decreased only slightly. During the Peak Period it takes the average motorist only four additional seconds to traverse Pettee Brook Lane. Additionally, no traffic back-ups or significant delays have been noted even during the most challenging periods (including UNH move-in day).

Ø Added parking spaces – Consistent with the recommendations of the B. Dennis Report, the Traffic & Safety Committee concluded that the traffic-calming effects of the single lane plus the parking spaces were very positive outcomes to this experiment.

Ø Encouraging Bicycle use – The new designated bicycle lane supports the Town Council goal of making Durham more bicycle-friendly.

Ø Pedestrian-friendly – The corridor has become more highly utilized by users of the downtown core.

DURHAM Police Department Almost Back to Full Complement

This week, the Durham Police Department took a big step toward having all vacant positions filled and being ready once again to respond and more fully meeting the needs of the community. The three officers hired in April completed the 12-week police academy and have been in Field Training (FTO) status since their return in August. While successfully completing the New Hampshire Police Academy curriculum grants them certification to be a police officer in the state, Durham’s structured FTO program provides the officers with specific training on the nuances and uniqueness of policing in Durham. The department’s policies, procedures, computer and radio systems as well proper completion of police reports are all part of the focus of the FTO training.

During this period the new officers accompany more senior officers who are specifically trained and certified to accomplish this phase of instruction. Each trainee is guided and evaluated daily regarding their progress. The Durham police administration has long recognized that well-trained officers are generally better prepared to act decisively and correctly in a broad spectrum of situations. Secondly, training results in greater productivity and effectiveness of personnel and finally, a comprehensive training program fosters cooperation and unity of purpose throughout the entire organization and with the broader community.

As they approached the conclusion of their FTO period, each of the three officers, Nick Glowacki, Pam Donley and Jonathan Lavoie, have successfully passed a written examination and have now been assigned to a patrol shift to work by themselves.

Alcohol Compliance Checks – ALL DURHAM PURVEYORS PASS!

Many citizens may not be aware that the Durham police routinely conduct “compliance checks” of business establishments that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in Durham at least three times annually. The department is fully aware that it must remain vigilant regarding the sale of alcohol, especially within a community where there is such a young population.

Chief Kurz has stated many times that virtually every criminal action the Durham Police Department investigates has some basis in the consumption of alcohol. Consequently, it is critical that the department ensures that businesses are properly confirming the age and identity of those persons attempting to purchase alcohol. Each alcohol vendor in Durham is acutely aware of the problem illegal alcohol possession, consumption, and intoxication poses to this community and it is the goal of the department to confront this issue on multiple levels. While summons are issued to those vendors failing to comply with the laws governing the sale of alcohol, the Durham Police go one step further by sending “congratulations’ letters to each business that is found to properly reject the illegal attempt to purchase alcohol.

Last Friday evening another exercise was performed with an underage student working in conjuncture with the police. This underage person is trained and certified by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to ensure that there is consistency and that no deception is being used that would or could be construed as involving trickery. The young person uses his/her own credentials if asked to produce identification from the clerk that confirms they are in fact under 21 and he/she does not lie about their age if asked. Additionally the Durham police provide all funds that are used for the purchase. Ultimately, it is the police department’s goal to confirm that the business is properly requesting the young person’s identification and when provided, ensuring that the identification confirms they are in fact of legal age to purchase alcohol.

The Police Department is pleased to report that last Friday evening’s compliance checks revealed that all thirteen establishments were attentive in verifying identification and appropriately refused sale to the young person. Congratulations to our business community for their diligence and alertness to this community issue.

Volunteers Needed for the Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC)

The Town of Durham is preparing to update the Master Plan and we need of help. We are looking for five (5) citizens to volunteer and join the Master plan Advisory Committee and help get the visioning process underway this fall. The visioning process will be the first step toward updating several chapters of the Master Plan including the Commercial Core chapter, Land Use Regulations chapter, Environmental/Cultural Resources chapter, Tax Stabilization (Economic Development) chapter, and a new Energy Chapter. This effort will be led by the MPAC in conjunction with the Planning & Community Development Department and we will be working with the UNH Cooperative Extension. The Town was successful in securing a grant from the Extension and their staff will be helping facilitate the Master Plan visioning process.

To help those interested in volunteering, it will be helpful to explain meeting/time commitments. We are hoping to have a kick-off meeting of the MPAC in early to mid October. The full MPAC will then meet once a month through the beginning of next year, which would be around four (4) meetings. These meetings will most likely be around two (2) hours long. The MPAC members will also be asked to work on one of two subcommittees. The first subcommittee will be working on setting up the visioning forum. The visioning forum will be a public forum that will allow citizens to provide their vision for a variety of topics that will be related to the chapters being updated after the visioning process has been completed. The second subcommittee will be working on the citizen survey. We would like to create a user-friendly web-based survey (hard copies will also be available) to allow for citizens to provide their opinions on a variety of topics helpful for planning the future of Durham. These subcommittees may meet biweekly and will meet until about mid November. You should estimate another 6-8 meetings for the subcommittees and these meetings may be an hour or two (2). All meetings are open to the public.

This is going to be a very exciting process that will eventually lead to the updating of the Master Plan chapters and we will be hiring a consultant to help in that next phase. If you have any questions, would like any additional information, or would like to volunteer, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Planning & Community Development, Jim Campbell, at 868-8064 or jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us so we can get the visioning process underway.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED - COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY

All Town offices will be closed for the Columbus Day holiday on Monday, October 11, 2010, and will reopen for business on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 8:00 AM. Please note that there will be NO CHANGE to the refuse and recycling collection. All items must be out by 7:00 AM.

DUrham Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-Treating in Durham will be held on Saturday, October 30^th, between the hours of 5:00 and 7:30 PM.

Wood Chips

The Town has a surplus of wood chips due to the past year of storms. Due to this excess of material, residents will be given the option of having some wood chips delivered to their address or picked up with the help of DPW personnel loading their vehicle. This event is offered to Durham residents only.

Residents will have the option to have either a 5 or 10 yard load delivered to their residence. Someone must be home to accept the delivery and the delivery location must be in a dry stable area easily accessible by the Town’s dump truck. The Town will not be responsible for any damage caused by the delivery, and the actual location and safety of area will have to be approved by the driver.

This will be a first come first served scenario as only so much can be delivered in one hour. There will be two delivery slots of time, an AM slot between 8:00 AM and noon, and a PM slot between 1:00 and 4:00 PM. Residents are strongly encouraged to come to the Transfer Station and Recycling Center themselves on October 8^th to pick up chips in their own vehicles. DPW staff will load the chips. Residents who will be picking their own chips may do so between the hours of 9:00 AM to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Residents desiring to have chips delivered must call the Department of Public Works on or before Wednesday, October 6^th, at 868-5578.

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Stage 2 Water Conservation Alert Continues

The managers of the UNH/Durham Water System are closely watching the remnants of tropical storm Nicole, but unfortunately most of the rain has skirted to the west of the New Hampshire seacoast. The local rivers remain at critically low levels, and the water level in the Wiswall Reservoir (upstream from the Wiswall Dam) has dropped about 1 foot since the Water System began drawing from the Lamprey River 16 days ago. We are hoping for at least some of Nicole’s remnants to drop the rain needed to bring the rivers back to their normal flows. Until that happens, the UNH/Durham Water System remains at a Stage 2 water conservation alert. Stage 2 calls for mandatory water conservation measures which includes a ban on vehicle washing and filling of swimming pools (the UNH Outdoor Pool is now officially closed), and shut-down of non-essential water cooling systems. Limited watering of lawns and gardens is allowed only between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm. Thank you for your assistance with helping to provide adequate water supplies during this unusually dry spell.

Green Buildings Open House: Saturday, October 2

Get a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable technologies and renewable energy solutions, and see how they’re saving your neighbors lots of green. The New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association’s annual Green Buildings Open House (GBOH), part of the largest sustainable energy event in the Northeast, will take place on October 2, 2010 from 10 AM to 4 PM. On this day, homes, businesses, and schools invite the public inside to investigate the renewable technologies and green building features being employed on site. Last year, more than 16,000 people toured some 500 sites in the Northeast, and this year’s event is expected to be even bigger.

Durham will showcase three very different houses, including those of two Durham Energy Committee members—Kevin Gardner and Peter Ejarque. The third is the home of Melinda Salazar and Kevin Beane, the first Durham participants in SEAREI's volunteer cooperative solar panel "raising." To get a list of locations in our area (or to learn more about building features or fuel types) go to http://www.nhsea.org/gboh and search the NHSEA GBOH database.

At host sites, participants will be able to talk with homeowners, ask questions, and see how their renewable energy technologies actually work. GBOH also connects building owners and managers with professionals who can provide them with sustainable energy services or energy efficiency retrofits.

As host sites register, detailed information and photos of the buildings' innovative energy features are posted, providing an ongoing educational tool. If you’re thinking of investing in energy efficiency and/or clean energy measures, this event may be the one to get you going.

University of New Hampshire - Thompson Hall

UNH HOMECOMING WEEKEND

UNH Alumni Association invites all alumni, family, and friends back to campus for Homecoming Weekend 2010, October 8-10, 2010. The weekend will be packed with a wide range of events and activities for everyone. Kick off Homecoming Weekend by wearing UNH blue and white to show your spirit. UNH Almuni Association and CommUNHiversity will be on the prowl to award prizes for creativity. For an updated list of activities, visit www.alumni.unh.edu/homecoming.

TWO NEW BUSINESSES OPEN IN DURHAM

The Douglass Group at Keller Williams recently opened an office at 1 Madbury Road, Durham. The Douglass Group will hold a Grand Opening on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. For more information, call 603-610-8900.

Health Spirit Center. Janna Stevens recently returned to Durham with her wellness business, Health Spirit Center, located at 13 Jenkins Court, Suite 220. Her business supports proactive and preventative health care through therapeutic massage, Nutraceuticals (supplements), and weight management. For more information, call 603-868-1555.

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, October 4, 2010. To view the complete Council packet for this meeting, please click HERE

Historic District Commission – Wednesday, October 7, 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

ORCSD ADVISORY BUDGET COMMITTEE – SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

The ORCSD Board of Education is seeking volunteers to fill up to seven positions on the board’s Advisory Budget Committee. Listed below is the charge of the committee. The volunteers are asked to attend as many of the board’s budget session as they can. The dates 10/13/10, 10/27/10, 11/5/10, 11/10/10 and 12/8/10 are budget meeting attentively set. Other dates will be set in the near future. Please send an email or letter of interest and background information to the school board: orcsdsb@orcsd.org or 36 Coe Drive, Durham, NH 03824.

The volunteers will be selected at the Oct. 18^th meeting. The members will have staggered terms up to three years in length.

Tour Bayou New Hampshire on Saturday, October 9th

Join the Parks & Recreation Department for a guided nature tour at Bayou New Hampshire. Bayou New Hampshire, the name Town Councilor Julian Smith has given to the property he and his wife purchased in 1968, contains meadows, woods, marshes, spring-fed swimming holes, beaver ponds, and a brook with a series of granite waterfalls. On Saturday, October 9th at 10:00am, Smith will be having an open house on his property and invites Durham residents and visitors to join him as he gives a guided tour of his trail system. On the tour you will see many ponds and the huge glacial erratics known as the Handkerchief Rocks. Those participating should arrive at 246 Packers Falls Road by 10:00am or slightly before. For more information contact P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us. (Rain date is Saturday, October 16th at 10:00am.) For a map of Bayou New Hampshire, click HERE.

The Coyote Club is coming to Durham Parks & Rec

The Coyote Club is a youth recreation program focused on “instilling a sense of wonder, responsibility and stewardship for the natural world through ecological studies and primitive skills exploration.” The Coyote Club already has programs established in Stratham, Exeter, Newington, North Hampton and Greenland. Program content focuses on naturalist studies, survival skills and environmental education. This 6-week program will meet on Monday afternoons at Wagon Hill Farm from 3:45pm to 4:45pm, starting November 15^th. The program is open to children in grades 1sth through 5^th. The cost is $55 per participant. For more information, click HERE. Contact P&R Director Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074 with questions or to register.

The Parks & Recreation Nature Note – College Woods

College Woods is a 250 acre outdoor recreation area managed by the UNH Office of Woodlands & Natural Areas. The land was donated to UNH by Benjamin Thompson, Jr. upon his passing in 1891. Today, College Woods is used for many purposes included academic instruction, orienteering competitions and cross-country races. The designated Natural Area (see map) is perfect for hiking, jogging and bird watching. Outside of the Natural Area high impact activities such as mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed. The trail system is well maintained and offers several crossings of the Oyster River. Durham residents without a UNH parking permit will find it is easiest to access College Woods via a small dirt turnout on Mill Road right across the street from Hemlock Way. For a map of College Woods, click HERE.

Durham Public Library Programs and Events

Special Storytime this week during Fire Prevention Week, Tues. Oct. 5th and Thurs. Oct. 7^th at 10:30 a.m. - The Durham Fire Department will visit with their Fire Trucks. Come meet our Firemen, hear stories, climb aboard the fire trucks, and make a craft.

Join the Ripped up Rat Readers, a book discussion group for 2^nd-4^th graders on Tues., Oct. 5^th at 6:00 p.m. This month’s book is “Chasing Vermeer” by Blue Balliett. We will discuss the book, solve some puzzles and mysteries, and make a craft.

Granite Earth “Healthy Child, Healthy Planet” 7-week series meets again on Tues. Oct. 5th, 7:45-9:15 pm.

The patch program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years has started. 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.

Registration for UNH Reading Buddies through Seacoast Reads has started. Would your child in grades 1^st through 3^rd benefit from a UNH Reading Buddy? Then sign up at the library for your child to be partnered with a student trained by the UNH Education Department’s Seacoast Reads program.

Registration for Tales for tails has started. Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child. Sign up now at the library for 4 week sessions beginning in October.

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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§ Saturday, Oct 2^nd - UNH’s first-ever Know the Coast Day. This is a free open house at UNH’s three marine labs. Two of the facilities are in Durham – Jackson Estuarine Laboratory at Adams Point and the Chase Ocean Engineering Lab on campus. For more information, visit: http://www.unh.edu/news/cj_nr/2010/sep/bp20ktc.cfm. The event Web site is at www.unh.edu/knowthecoast.

§ Sunday, Oct 10^th, 1:00 PM, Museum of Art, Paul Creative Arts Center - A new series of public programs, the Sunday Salon Series, will begin. The programs will examine the past development of the Department of Art & Art History at UNH, current exhibitions, and future initiatives of the Paul Creative Arts Center. The first program, Embracing the Past: The Birth of the Art Department, UNH. For more information, visit: http://www.unh.edu/moa.

§ Wednesday, Oct 13^th, 1:00 PM, Museum of Art, Paul Creative Arts Center – Gallery Talk presented by three exhibiting studio facility artists from UNH, Department of Art and Art History. The artists, Richard Fox (painting) and Maryse Searls McConnell (sculpture) will discuss their works currently on view in The Artists Revealed: 2010 Studio Art Faculty Exhibition. The presentations are offered as part of the Museum of Art’s ArtBreak series of programs and are open to the public free of charge. For more information, visit: http://www.unh.edu/moa.

§ Saturday, Oct 16th, 6:00 – 10:00 PM, The Barn at Winecellar Farm, 21 Winecellar Road, Durham – ORYA Live and Silent Auction. This adult only event will raise much needed money for programming, coach’s training, equipment, and scholarships. For more information, contact Nick or Mike at ORYA, 868-5150.

§ Saturday, Oct 30^th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and Oct 31^st, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Durham Community Church – Fair Trade Products Sale. You can make a difference in the lives of families in developing countries that under extremely harsh conditions make high quality, distinctive arts and crafts in order to support their families. By purchasing these handmade items, one can support micro-economic businesses which provide income to families who have no other means of support. Unique items will be for sale from Afghanistan, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Nepal, Niger, Panama, and Uganda. Fair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolate will also be available.

§ Friday, October 22^nd, 8:00 – 11:00 PM, Jessie Doe Hall, UNH Campus - Haunted House. Admission is $3, or 3 canned goods, or some combination thereof. Monetary proceeds and canned goods will go to Cornucopia Food Pantry at Waysmeet Center and towards the holiday food baskets.

ON BELAY – UNIQUE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PROGRAM

On Belay, a Durham-based non-profit, is hosting its first Family Day Program for children at YMCA Camp Lincoln on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On Belay offers youths (ages 9 to 19) who are living with or who have lost a family member to cancer or other life-threatening illness. Every program is free for participants. For more information, please contact On Belay at 1-866-44-BELAY or email info@on-belay.org. To register a child for a program, please visit the On Belay website at www.on-belay.org.

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week – 31 14 UNH (45%) 17 Other (55%)

*2010/11 Academic Year – 182 113 UNH (62%) 69 Other (38%)

Calendar Year – 608 348 UNH (60%) 246 Other (48%)

*This data represents the 2010/11 Academic year report which began August 27th when UNH dormitories officially opened and students begin arriving in Durham.

Historical data for the same week

	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Week	65	39	42	21	35	31
Academic Year	350	222	199	178	256	182
Calendar Year	909	725	770	693	802	608

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

“Although the first zoning ordinance was passed in 1934, the importance of zoning became particularly apparent in the 1950s and 1960s, as can be seen from the following activities. In 1950 the town adopted one of the first zoning and subdivision control plans in New Hampshire. The zoning ordinance was revised in 1952, and the subdivision regulations adopted that year were revised in 1965 and amended in 1966. In 1958 the building regulations were amended. A mobile home ordinance was adopted in 1963; a sewer ordinance in 1966.” 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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