“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday, October 15, 2010

 

 

Courtesy Andrea Bodo

 

A flood watch is in effect for sections of New Hampshire, including Strafford County, until tomorrow. A flood “watch” means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.

 

PLACEMENT OF POLITICAL SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

The Town has received reports from some residents that the political signs they have allowed to be placed on their property are being removed. Residents are asked to be respectful of other property owners who choose to allow political signs to be placed on their property.

 

Political signs are allowed on private property as long as they meet the requirements of Section 175-133 of the Durham Zoning Ordinance noted below:

 

175-133.  Permitted Signs, by District.

A.  Total Sign Area.  Each business establishment will be allowed a total of forty-eight (48) square feet of signage.  This can be composed of any combination of signs in accordance with this ordinance. Each business establishment in the Central Business District is permitted one additional Sandwich Board sign or Reader Board sign.

 

B.  Snipe Signs. The use of snipe signs is permitted on private property only for non‑commercial events and elections.  Such signs are limited to a period of 45 days preceding and seven (7) days after the relevant event, provided:

 

1.   The size of any snipe sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet; nor be more than five (5) feet above the adjacent finished ground level.

2.   The number of such signs is limited to one per lot in Residence A and B Districts and to two per lot in other districts; provided that this provision does not apply to signs that express political speech such as an endorsement of a candidate for office or an issue on an election ballot.

3.   Such signs are not permitted on public property.

4.   Signs within a public right-of-way must be within the NHDOT or Durham DPW approved twenty-two (22) foot area for a private driveway, and extend no more than two (2) feet above the ground surface so as not to restrict vehicle sightlines.

 

   

 

                                                Photos courtesy Wiswall House Antiques

 

Wiswall House Antiques Celebrates 35 years in Durham This Weekend

It was 35 years ago, on October 15^th, when Joan and Frank Carter opened their antique shop in Durham after their shop in Portsmouth outgrew its space.  They had been searching for a home and barn in the country when they fell in love with the old Wiswall House at 28 Wiswall Road.   Taking the name for the historical significance, their new shop became Wiswall House Antiques.  The house and property are especially breathtaking in autumn.

 

Frank has a knack for furniture and lighting restoration. There is a large selection of dressers, dining room tables, chairs, country end tables, and accessory pieces filling their shop.  There are also hundreds of lighting fixtures that include chandeliers from all eras, floor lamps, wall sconces, and table lamps.

 

Joan has a passion for fine needlework and linens, and displays a wide variety of linens from formal tablecloths to casual runners.  There are also teapots, fine china, depression glass, and everything in between.

 

Wiswall House Antiques was recently featured in The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles.  Joan also contributed to Country Home Magazine’s recent “What’s Hot Now” feature about antique Motto Samplers that included pictures from her collection. 

 

The shop hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, and most Sunday afternoons.  They are having a sale this weekend to commemorate their 35 years in Durham. Mulled cider is offered on cool autumn and early winter days to keep the chill away. Some of their stock may also be viewed at www.wiswallhouseantiques.com.

 

RESCHEDULED - MAIN STREET WEST RECREATION PATH RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

The ribbon cutting ceremony of the new UNH and Town of Durham Main Street West Path, originally planned for Friday, October 15, 2010 has been rescheduled to Monday, October 18^th at 12:15 PM due to heavy rainfall that is being predicted for Friday. The ceremony will be held at the entrance to the new path located in the West Edge-Lot S parking lot. Please join representatives from UNH Energy & Campus Development, Healthy UNH, Busby Construction, NHDOT, and Town of Durham in celebrating the completion of his new gateway path from UNH West Edge to downtown Durham. For more information, click HERE.

 

DURHAM DIALOGUE – WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Durham: It’s Where U Live and UNH Community Leadership students invite members of the community to contribute their thoughts about ways to strengthen our shared community. We all share a common goal of increased respect and understanding between University of New Hampshire students and their surrounding community, and this collaborative project will get people talking. Everyone is invited -- Durham residents, businesses owners, town officials, UNH students, university administrators, faculty and staff – to identify what we all appreciate about our lives together and how we can build on positive experiences to improve our community.

 

We want to hear from you! To join the dialogue, please register at www.diwul.org. On the registration form, let us know if you would prefer to participate in person through a focus group or interview. 

 

OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL FIRST^TM ROBOTICS COMPETITION TEAM #3499

Local parents, students, and school administrators at the Oyster River High School have started a FIRST^TM Robotics Competition Team. Students work in teams with adult mentors to design, build, and program robots from a standard set of parts, in a specific period of time, to meet a common challenge. They then compete in a regional tournament with winners advancing to the World Championship.

 

Because of budgetary constraints, it was determined that the FIRST team would be set up as a Booster Club and that the majority of funds for the team would be raised by parents and students. The goal is to raise $10,000 by December. Those interested in making a contribution to the team may do so by sending a check payable to:  Oyster River High School with “FIRST team” on the memo line, 55 Coe Drive, Durham, NH 03824.

 

The team has mentors from the Space Science Center, UNH; the Lunabots, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UNH; and Turbocam in Barrington.  You can also volunteer as a mentor – even if you don’t have engineering skills.  The team is also looking for mentors who have marketing, public relations, and web-site development experience and other volunteers who are willing to help with the team. For more information about the Oyster River High School FIRST Team, call Carolyn Singer (603) 868-3859.

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION

The New Hampshire General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at the Oyster River High School located on Coe Drive. Polling hours will be from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

 

Residents who plan to be absent from town on election day, are not physically able to go to the polls, or will be observing a religious holiday on November 2^nd, may obtain absentee ballots at the Town Clerk’s office.  Residents must request absentee ballots in writing via letter stating that they are registered voters, the reason they are requesting the ballot, the address to mail the ballot to, and a signature. Request forms are also available at the Town Clerk’s Office

 

ELECTION VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are a vital part of any election.  Residents interested in volunteering should contact Lorrie Pitt, Town Clerk, 868-5577, lpitt@ci.durham.nh.us or Chris Regan, Town Moderator, 868-2414.

 

Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC)

There are still opportunities for citizens to be part of the MPAC.  If you would like to join the Committee, or have any questions, please contact  Jim Campbell, Director of Planning & Community Development, 868-8064 or email jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us.  The full MPAC has set the following as their upcoming meeting dates: November 16 and December 14, and January 18, 2011. 

 

The MPAC members will also be on one of two subcommittees.  The first is the Forum Subcommittee and the second is the Public Survey Subcommittee.  The Forum Subcommittee is charged with organizing the Public Visioning Forum that is tentatively set for Friday, December 10, 2010 from 6-9 PM either at the ORMS or ORHS.  The first Forum Subcommittee meeting will be held at Town Hall on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 1 PM.  The Public Survey Subcommittee is charged with the creation of a web-based survey (hardcopies will also be made available).  They are working on setting the date for their first meeting.  Please come help us as we undertake this exciting process.

 

Planning Board

Stephen Roberts, a long-time Planning Board member, has resigned from the Board to pursue a project that will not afford him the time to spend on Planning Board matters. A hearty “thank you” is extended to Stephen for his many dedicated years of service to the Town of Durham.  He will be missed. 

 

It is anticipated that Peter Wolfe, currently an alternate on the Planning Board, will be appointed by the Town Council to fill the remainder of Stephen Robert’s term as a regular member.  This will leave two alternate positions available on the Planning Board.  If you are interested in being an alternate on the Board please contact Jim Campbell, Director of Planning & Community Development, 868-8064, or email jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us for more information. 

 

Board application forms may be obtained by:

 

Ø      Going to the Town web site, www.ci.durham.nh.us, under the heading “I WANT TO” on the right-hand side in the blue box.

Ø      Emailing Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us and requesting an application form.

Ø      Stopping in at the Town Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road and completing an application form.

 

Completed applications may be mailed to the Town Administrator’s office, or submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

      

            T-shirt front                                   T-shirt back

 

100 YEARS OF DURHAM FIRE – PROGRESS REPORT

The committee is firming up the celebration of the 100 years of Durham, NH Fire Department which will occur near March.  The celebration will feature a plaque ceremony at the site of the first fire station which was located in the “Pettee Block”, and now houses the Red Carpet flower shop.  Sometime in late July the second daylong part of the celebration will occur and consist of a fire truck parade, a fire department muster, activities for children, food, and displays.

 

The fire department has designed a special patch that department personnel will wear for the 100^th year. A T-shirt has been designed for interested parties to purchase (see above). All sizes are available, including children. The cost will be $20 for adult sizes and $15 for children.  To preorder the shirt, please call/email Melissa at 862-1426 or email fire@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Durham Police Arrest Procedures

The uniqueness of the Durham community with such a large young population attending the University of New Hampshire creates some unusual challenges for the Durham Police.  In most communities where the population is relatively stable, police can interact with the younger generation and their parents as they progress through adolescence.  With a dynamic population that literally changes by 25% each year as freshmen arrive and seniors graduate, the Durham Police do not have opportunities to interact with parents of young people who may be engaging in risky behavior.  Consequently the Durham Police must engage in a number of tactics that are relatively unusual for most municipalities as they attempt to work collaboratively with parents proactively preventing disorderly behavior in the community. 

 

One of those initiatives involves sending a letter to the home address of anyone arrested who is under the age of 21advising of the arrest.  While the demographic information of persons over the age of 17 who have been arrested is considered public information, sending letters is extremely uncommon in law enforcement but necessary for Durham police due to the out-of-town addresses of parents.  Almost every letter sent prompts a telephone call from a parent thanking us, or in one interesting example, ultimately defining why this extra step is necessary.  In a telephone call to the Durham police, a father having received one of the letters expressed concern that his daughter had never been in Durham as she is a student attending the University of Massachusetts. Sending a booking photograph to the father via a fax, the father quickly called back thanking the police for this information assuring the department that he would be addressing this issue immediately and his daughter would never be a problem in Durham again.

 

Each week, a list of all persons arrested in Durham is sent to the University of New Hampshire where it is determined which persons are registered students, what college they are entered into, and their year of education.  That list is distributed to each Dean of the colleges within the UNH system who then schedule a personal meeting with their respective students. Additionally, if the matter involved alcohol in any way, the student is required to attend an alcohol counseling course to maintain their status at UNH. 

 

Collectively, each of these initiatives is designed to instill responsibility for the students’ individual actions and reinforce that while attending the University of New Hampshire they are guests in Durham and are encouraged to act like responsible guests.

 

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 Town Council – Monday, October 18, 2010. To view the complete Council packet for this meeting, please click HERE

 

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

 

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 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.

 

6-Week Yoga Session Starts Thursday, October 28^th, 5:30pm

A new 6-week Yoga session with Abby Gaul is being offered by Parks & Rec.  Class will take place on Thursday nights from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the Durham Parks & Rec Building.  Class begins on October 28^th and will meet on 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9.The class is $30.  Contact P&R Director Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074 to register.  .

 

The Parks & Recreation Nature Note – East Foss Farm

East Foss Farm is a 164 acre recreation area managed by the UNH Office of Woodlands & Natural Areas.  The property was donated to the University in 1923 by George H. Amazeen, but it was an active farm used for cattle grazing up until the 1960’s.  East Foss Farm now has an extensive trail system perfect for hiking, jogging, mountain biking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.  The area offers three loop trails.  The shortest loop heads to the west and runs past an impressive graveyard.  The loop to the south is the longest and most strenuous trail.  The loop to the east is very well maintained and travelled frequently by hikers.  This eastern trail also connects with the MacDonald Lot, a Town owned natural area.    For a look at the East Foss Farm trail map CLICK HERE. http://durham.nh.us/COMMUNITY/recreation/eastfossfarm.pdf.  East Foss Farm is located off of Foss Farm Road.  The trails begin on a gravel road on the right hand side of the road, just past Ryan Way.

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY – FABULOUS FALL BOOK SALE

The Fabulous Fall Book Sale will take place at the Durham Public Library in the Mill Road Plaza, Durham, on Thursday, November 4, 7-8:30pm; Friday, November 5, 10-5pm; and Saturday, November 6, 10-2pm.  Early bird shoppers may come to the sale on Thursday, November 4, 6-7pm, for a $10.00 admission.  About 1500 gently-used books, DVD’s and videos will be available at the book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Durham Public Library.  All proceeds benefit the Library.  For more information, contact the Library at 868-6699.

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

§         Preschool Storytime Tues. Oct. 19th and Thurs. Oct. 21st at 10:30 a.m. - This week: Owls and Bats! Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft.

§         An Aspiring Author Revisits Spies in Time, Tues. Oct. 19^th 7-8 pm - Given the massive size and diversity of the literature of spy history and mythology, how does an author who aspires to write a cogent history of this form of 'international intrigue' organize a book on this topic for the general public? What format makes sense? Lecture will include illustrations. Douglas Wheeler has taught the history of espionage since 1969 and has been associated with the History Dept. of UNH, Durham for 45 years. He has authored, co-authored or co-edited nine books on specialized historical topics and has published a dozen articles in periodicals on the history of international spying. This program is made possible by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

§         Oyster River High School Poetry Night, Weds. Oct. 20^th, 7:00-8:00 pm - Join Oyster River High School Students for a night of creative poetry readings as well as the announcement of the new Oyster River High School Poet Laureate.

§         Granite Earth “Healthy Child, Healthy Planet” 7 week series meets again on Tues. Oct. 19th, 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 Tales for tails.  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. There will be a new session in November and another one in December.

§         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 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.

§         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.

§         Tuesday, October 26^th, 7:00 PM, Durham Community Church – A lecture by author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, “What Seamen or Fishermen Called a Chowder: A Mormon Diarist in Maine”. This event is free and open to the public

§         Saturday, October 30^th, 5:00 – 7:30 PM - Durham Trick-or-Treating

§         Saturday, October 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.   

§         Saturday, October 30^th, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Oyster River Middle School – Annual Greek Life Pancake Breakfast. Admission is $5 with all proceeds going to the Durham Public Library.

§         Friday, November 5^th, 7:00 PM, Fellowship Hall, Lee Church Congregational – Dr. P.T. Vasadevan will present “Energy-the-not-so-Bottomless Oil Well and the Alternatives”. Free and open to the public. Questions and discussion are welcome. For more information contact Sid White, 659-2883.

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week – 82                                         38 UNH (46%)           44 Other (54%)

*2010/11 Academic Year – 298     169 UNH (57%)         129 Other (43%)

Calendar Year –724                         418 UNH (57%)         129 Other (43%)

 

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

“Responding to citizen interest, Durham’s Historic District was recognized formally by vote at the 1974 town meeting, and the historic district commission was formed. Voters were concerned with floodplains and insurance ramifications in 1975, and a special town meeting was held to discuss them. A recycling committee was formed in 1976. Another sign of the time was that some of the town employees were unionized in 1977.” 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.