“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday, January 21, 2011

A panoramic view of a winter sunset on Great Bay. Photo courtesy Fred Meissner

Snow, snow, snow!  Currently we are experiencing the 3^rd storm of the week. DPW crews are quite tired, but up to the challenge. Hopefully we have a clear weekend and the road crew can get some rest before the next round of snow. Thanks to all Durham residents for complying with parking and for their patience with trash and recycling routes. 

Vehicle Burglaries ON FFROST DRIVE AND CUTTS ROAD

Yesterday morning the Durham Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle burglary from a resident of Ffrost Drive.  As the police officers began to canvas the neighborhood to determine if anyone heard unusual noises or noticed anything amiss, the officers detected that eleven more vehicles had been entered and several others showed signs of attempted entry.   More vehicles were burglarized in a number of driveways on Cutts Road also. The officers have determined that the thefts occurred between 12:00AM and 6:00AM on Thursday morning.   All of the vehicles entered were unlocked!  The Durham Police Department urges that all residents lock their vehicles, hide all valuables inside their vehicles and contact the Durham Police Department if they witness or hear any unusual or suspicious activity.  If anyone has any information regarding the recent motor vehicle entries in the Frost Drive and Cutts Road area, please contact Officer Michelle Montville at (603) 868-2324.

Update on The Grange RFP – Redevelopment Ideas for Consideration

The Grange is located within the heart of downtown Durham on the southerly side of Main Street at the Madbury Road intersection directly across from the U.S. Post Office.  It was originally constructed as a single-floor structure around 1880, with a second level added in 1897.  It has a gross building area of approximately 2,945 +/= s.f.  Of that total, 1,674 +/- s.f. is first floor space and 1,271 +/- s.f. is on the second level.  The unfinished basement consists of 1,271 +/- s.f.  The construction is wood framing. 

Over the last ten years, there have been discussions locally of selling the land and improvements outright, moving the historic Grange structure to an alternate location, or entering into a lease with a prospective new tenant to preserve municipal ownership of the parcel while at the same time allowing long-term productive reuse/redevelopment flexibility on the site and preserving the historic character of the structure. 

The location of the Grange site has been envisioned as part of the 2000 Master Plan and 2008 Mill Plaza Study Committee Report as a possible vehicular/pedestrian access point to the Mill Plaza area located directly behind the Grange and as such the building and/or building site could play a future part in the redevelopment of the Mill Plaza or potentially part of a redevelopment of the older structures to either side of the Grange.  There currently exists a paved walkway that connects the Mill Plaza with Main Street allowing foot traffic only. 

The Grange most recently housed the Durham Art Association and the infant and toddler site for Growing Places Daycare, a non-profit organization, for many years until it was vacated in February 2007.  It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure in the Durham Historic District. 

From the perspective of the Administrator, the Grange presents an opportunity for the Town and a potential private development partner to fully utilize a downtown municipal property resource in an effort to enhance Durham’s downtown, spur economic development and retail activity, and enhance Durham’s sense of community at no cost to Durham taxpayers.

One Durham property owner, Peter Murphy, responded to the Grange RFP in a timely manner.  His initial proposal suggested transforming the structure into two floors of student housing, however, Mr. Selig did not believe this approach to be consistent with the Town’s goals and with this feedback, Mr. Murphy worked to develop a revised proposal to invest approximately $275,000 into the property to create two high quality student apartments (which could later be turned into workforce housing) and a 1,200sf commercial/retail space on the first floor under a 15-year lease (three 5-year options) and where the Town could opt out of the arrangement at 5 year intervals in case redevelopment around the property occurs and it is deemed necessary to include the Grange.  The Economic Development Committee will discuss this project on January 31, 2011, and the Historic District Commission/Heritage Commission on February 3, 2011.  To view Mr. Murphy’s most recent proposal, click HERE.

2010 Town Report

The 2010 Durham Annual Report has been delivered to the printer. Once the published reports are received back from the printer, copies will be placed in the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office and the Durham Public Library. The report will also be placed on the Town web site at www.ci.durham.nh.us. Click on “Departments” at the top of the page, then “Administration”, “Town Administration”. The 2010 report, along with previous reports, will be located on the far right-hand side of the page. Production of the Annual Report is a major undertaking. A thank you is extended to all contributing writers and Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry who coordinates the production of this annual publication.

Downtown Tax Increment Finance District – An Idea to be Discussed by the EDC

At its meeting scheduled for January 31, 2011, the Economic Development Committee will receive a general presentation from Director of Planning and Community Development Jim Campbell regarding Tax Increment Finance Districts (TIFs), what they are, and how they are used in New Hampshire. 

Durham presently has one TIF district which was established in 2007 for Stone Quarry Drive.  Unfortunately the Town was unable to secure an adequate surety from the developer with whom the Town worked at the time in order to protect the interests of the community as part of this project.  The Town Council therefore did NOT approve a Development Agreement with the developer which is a prerequisite for this project to move forward.  The Town has NOT issued any debt as part of this project and all phases are presently ON HOLD until a Development Agreement is in place.  No additional taxable value has been developed within the Stone Quarry Drive TIF to date. 

In late-2012, Administrator Selig suggested the EDC might want to consider the merits of talking about a TIF for Durham’s downtown commercial core to fund public improvements and infrastructure (parking structure, roadway, traffic, sidewalk improvements, etc.) necessary to retain, attract and advance desirable mixed use development and private investment in the downtown / central business core. This particular area of Durham has tremendous potential to contribute much more significantly to the Town’s tax base, employment base, and quality of life through expanded positive economic growth & development. The area has remained largely unchanged over the past several decades and has experienced some decline consistent with national trends for the commercial retail and business office sectors to shift away from downtown centers. Stimulating mixed use development and reinvestment in this area could provide needed taxable assessed valuation, business revenue, employment opportunities, and public amenities within the boundaries of a TIF district.  To learn more about TIFs, go to http://durham.nh.us/DEPARTMENTS/planning/pdfs/eco.dev/Tax%20Increment%20Financing.pdf .

Energy Efficiency Systems RFQ Issued

The Town of Durham, New Hampshire is soliciting qualification-based proposals (RFQs) for a firm or firms to assist the municipality in providing assessment and consulting, system design and development, financing and procurement, installation, and maintenance of potential energy efficiency systems, as well energy procurement, for all aspects of its municipal infrastructure utilizing best available technologies to meet desired outcomes. 

In summary, Durham desires to:

§ Reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions within municipal infrastructure;

§ Improve energy efficiency in buildings, infrastructure, and other areas as determined by the community;

§ Procure energy commodities as cost effectively as possible.

RFQ proposals must be received by Todd I. Selig, Town Administrator, at 15 Newmarket Road, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, no later than 4:00 pm on February 4, 2011.  Finalist(s) will be invited to review their proposals in a meeting with the Town Administrator and other representatives of the Town.  To view the RFQ, click HERE.

2011 MARCH TOWN ELECTION WARRANT AND OFFICE FILING PERIOD

The 2011 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at the Oyster River High School.  Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  Individuals interested in running for positions within Town government may do so during the filling period beginning Wednesday, January 19, 2011 and ending at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 28, 2011. For more information, please contact the Durham Town Clerk's Office at 868-5577.

The following positions will be available for citizens who might choose to become involved in Durham Town government: 

Town Council                                     3 positions (3-year terms)

Library Board of Trustees                2 positions (3-year terms)

Town Clerk/Tax Collector                 1 position (3-year term)

Town Treasurer                                 1 position (3-year term)

Trustees of the Trust Funds             1 position (3-year term)

As of today, the following individuals have signed up for the vacancies:

Town Council

Julian Smith

Katherine A. Marple

Town Clerk-Tax Collector

Lorrie Pitt

Town Treasurer

Karl Van Asselt

Trustees of the Trust Funds

Bruce Bragdon

Durham Master Plan Visioning Forum - January 28th

The Town of Durham in conjunction with the Planning & Community Development Department and the UNH Cooperative Extension is preparing to update the Master Plan. 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.

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 planning process needs input from the entire community.  

Please plan on joining us Friday, January 28, 2011 at 5:30 P.M. at the Oyster River Middle School.  The evening will begin with a free community spaghetti dinner hosted by Durham Marketplace followed by small group workshops on each chapter being updated. Children’s activities and childcare will be provided. 

To view more information, please click HERE. Please contact Jim Campbell, 868-8064 or jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions.

We hope to see many people at the Master Plan Vision Forum. We would also like people to visit our Google Group, “Durham, NH Master Plan Update”, before, during, and after the visioning forum as we begin the process of updating the chapters of the Master Plan.  This is an exciting time for Durham!   Go to http://groups.google.com/group/durham-master-plan-update and start a discussion or respond to a discussion already begun – it’s really easy!

Mini-Charette on Combined Fire Department/Structured Parking Site Feasibility Study on UNH C-Lot

On Wednesday, March 2, 2011 beginning at 7:00 PM, the Town of Durham will hold a Mini-Charette in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall. The charette will be on a Site Feasibility Study on the UNH-owned parking lot currently known as ‘C Lot’, located at Mill Road across from Mill Road Plaza. This charette was originally scheduled for December 16, 2010, but because the lead architect had a sudden death in her family and was not be able to attend, the charette was cancelled.

Discussion will center on developing the parcel with a new Fire Department building and parking garage. This meeting is open to the public and the Town is looking for input from all interested parties.  We are hopeful that members of Durham’s downtown business community will attend to provide input.

    Courtesy Craig Seymour

Selective Cutting Scheduled at Doe Farm 

The Trustees of the Trust Funds and the Durham Public Works Department, working with Forester Charles Moreno, have updated the forestry management plan for the Doe Farm.  Selective cutting and harvesting operations are set to begin later this month or in early February, which will help improve the forest, remove many of the snags and hanging trees caused by last year’s wind storm, and provide income for the Olinthus Doe Trust, under the terms of which the Town was given the land.  Since the harvesting operations involve the use of heavy machinery, the forest will be temporarily closed to recreational uses during the 5-12 week time frame that will be required to complete the process.  The Trustees appreciate your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience; however the work being done this winter will result in a healthier and more productive forest for the future.  For more information, please contact the Trustees at cemetery@ci.durham.nh.us.  To view a map of the Doe Farm, click HERE.

2011 Road Program

DPW staff opened bids yesterday afternoon for the 2011 road program.  It was a busy bid opening with a record of 8 competitive bids this year.  These are the most bids ever received for this project, which is good for the Town.  The bids ranged from $423,667.50 to $468,162.5 which will allow us to stay on track with our planned road program, but not do additional work. DPW staff will be reviewing the proposals for Council action on February 7^th.

CLEAR SNOW FROM SECOND EXIT DOOR – A SAFETY REMINDER FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Following the recent snowfall and in anticipation of more snow this weekend, the Durham Fire Department would like to remind residents and business owners to clear snow from your SECOND exit door.  Typically, homeowners pay attention to the entrance door that is most often used.  In the event of a fire emergency where smoke or fire prohibits access to the primary door, building occupants would need to utilize the “other” less used door.  Since storm doors open out, even a light accumulation of snow could hinder the occupant’s ability to open the door.  Additionally, this entrance may be the best way for emergency personnel to access your home or business if there is a medical emergency. 

Exits should be cleared at least the width of each exit door and the exit path should lead to the driveway, street, or sidewalk.  Also, be sure to check the operation of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Early warning is a critical component to surviving a fire or carbon monoxide incident.

If you have any questions please call the Durham Fire Department at 868-5531.  As always, thank you for helping us help you. 

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT - 100 Year Anniversary Shirts for Sale!

The tee shirts are now in and they are going fast. They are available in sizes from triple X to youth medium.   The adult sizes are $20.00 each and the youth sizes are $15.00 each. Please make checks payable to Durham Call Department. Please call, stop by, or email Melissa at the Durham Fire Department to get yours today: 862-1426, fire@ci.durham.nh.us.

A Nice Opportunity for Oyster River Band Students through UNH

Band students in grades 5-12 are invited to join the New Hampshire Youth Band at the University of New Hampshire. This enrichment band is directed by UNH Professor and Durham resident Mark DeTurk and Cooperative Middle School (Stratham, NH) Band Director Eric Kobb with the assistance of UNH music students. The New Hampshire Youth Band meets Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Paul Creative Arts Center at UNH. The first meeting of the new semester will be January 26, 2011. Tuition is $50 for the rest of the academic year. Interested students or their parents should call Prof. DeTurk at 862-3244 or e-mail him at mark.deturk@unh.edu.

Home energy audits: Advice from NHDES

The bitter cold days of January and February—and the monthly heating bill—might be turning some homeowner's thoughts to energy audits. The January issue of “GREENWorks: Ideas for a Cleaner Environment,” a newsletter from the NH Department of Environmental Services, focuses on just this topic. “Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Choices” covers the range of options, from DIY to hiring a professional auditor, with links to additional resources. The newsletter may be downloaded from the NHDES site at http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/newsletters/greenworks/documents/201101-greenworks.pdf

UNH Police Department Citizens Police Academy

The command staff of The University of New Hampshire Police Department, Chief Nicholas Halias, Deputy Chief Paul Kopreski, and Deputy Chief Paul Dean, will be hosting the 5^th Session of the Citizens Police Academy, beginning Wednesday, February 9, 2011 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Dimond Library, Media Room 231.  This class is open to all, students, faculty, staff, and citizens in the community.  If you are interested in attending the academy, please click HERE for more information and click HERE to access the Prescreening Questionnaire.

SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST

Durham Supervisors of the Checklist will meet at the Town Hall twice in January to accept new voters and to make corrections to the checklist. Supervisors will me on Saturday, January 22 from 10:30-11:30 AM. Changes in party registration can also be made at t his time.

Prospective voters are required by law to show proof of identity, age (18 by the Election Day), domicile/residence in Durham, and US citizenship. A driver’s license and a birth certificate or passport are useful. Affidavits of domicile and citizenship may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking.

Meeting RegardING Agriculture and Aquaculture in Durham

The Town of Durham is updating the community’s Master Plan in 2011, with the first public “visioning” session scheduled for January 28^th.  The “visioning” session provides a great opportunity for residents to express its support for policies and land use regulations that enable and support the production and sale of local vegetables, flowers, garden plants, compost, maple syrup, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, hay, fiber, and other agricultural and aquaculture products.

A meeting will be held on Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 3:00-5:00 PM (snow date Thursday, January 27^th, 7:00 PM) at in the Community Meeting Room at the Durham Police Department to discuss making Durham a more sustainable community through supporting and encouraging locally grown and raised products. Interested residents are invited to attend this meeting and provide their perspective on ways in which Durham can better support and sustain local production and learn what other towns are doing to promote sustainability and economic development by supporting local agriculture. For more information, contact Dave Langley, 868-5650,

Team_Hill_Studios@comcast.net or Theresa Walker, 534-3913, theresawalker@comcast.net.

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. 

Master Plan Forum Committee – Monday, January 24, 2011 (5-6:00 PM)

Town Council – Monday, January 24, 2011.  To view the complete Council packet for this meeting, please click HERE. 

Master Plan Survey Subcommittee – Tuesday, January 25, 2011 (5-6:30 PM)

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Planning Board – Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, please click HERE. 

Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.

DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE

DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

§ Winter Carnival & Chili Tasting, Feb 12^th from 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the Mill Pond. Residents and businesses are welcome to provide a crock of Chili to share. Please contact the Parks & Recreation Dept. at 817-4074 for more information.

The Parks & Recreation Nature Note – Sweet Trail

The Sweet Trail twists and turns through lands protected, owned and managed by the town of Durham, the Nature Conservancy, New Hampshire Fish & Game, Society for the Protection of NH Forests and private landowners. From downtown Durham, take route 108 south and turn left onto Longmarsh Road. The trailhead is located 2 miles down the road with parking on the left side just before the gate. The Sweet Trail is open to the public and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. The many habitats spied through binoculars include: Wood Duck, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, and Belted Kingfisher to name just a few. The winding nature trail is for pedestrian use only and links a pathway from conservation land to the sea.

Durham Public Library Programs and Events

§ Pets are Purrrfect Friends, Cocheco Valley Humane Society visit, Sat. Jan.22^nd 10:30 a.m. - Learn about pets and pet care! Cocheco Valley Humane Society will visit with one of their favorite pets. Don't miss this fun and informative visit about pets for children and families of all ages.

§ Preschool Storytime  Tues.  Jan. 25th and Thurs. Jan. 27th at 10:30 a.m. - This week: Space and Astronauts!  Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft.

§ Pajama Storytime, Tues. Jan. 25^th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. -  Join ORPP -  the Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers group – for the library's monthly night-time storytime. Come wearing your pajamas! This month we invite you to come and learn about outer space! We will read stories about space and astronauts and make a space craft. This is a fun time for kids and networking parents. All are welcome!

§ Beyond the Eiffel Tower:  An Interactive Look at the Beauty of Paris, Weds. Jan. 26^th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Dreaming of the romantic streets of Paris? Take a photographic and musical trip through the City of Light and Love with UNH Professor Henry Smith, who has found "art in the streets" during his extensive adventures in France's beautiful, history-soaked capital city.

§ Town of Durham Master Plan Update Forum at the ORMS, Friday, Jan. 28^th, 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. - The Durham Downtown Master Plan will be discussed. The library will be at the event with stories and a craft for children during the meetings and there will be a free community dinner. All residents are invited to participate in the forum to help structure the updating of Durham’s Master Plan. Questions?  Call the Durham Planning Office.

§ Join the patch program, our 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.

§ 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 a 6 week session in January and February.

§ Registration for Seacoast Reads Second Semester has begun.  Sign-up for a UNH reading buddy for your child in grades 1^st through 3^rd.  Sessions will begin in February.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

§ Friday, January 28^th, 7:30 PM, Community Church of Durham – Winter Organ Concert featuring Organist Jim Bullock. Mr. Bullock will be playing Bach, Liszt, and Alain among others.

§ Saturday, January 29^th, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Durham Evangelical Church – PC Clinic. Bring in your “sick” PC and the DEC tech team will run basic diagnostics tests for FREE. For more information, visit www.decITSupport.com.  

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

“During 1956, 9 feet 8 inches of snow fell on Durham requiring the removal of 44 million cubic feet of snow from the highways. The size of the job: Every time it snowed there were 35 miles of road to be plowed; 35 miles of road to be sanded; 20 miles of road to be treated with salt; 30 private driveways to be plowed; 15 dead-end streets to be negotiated; 347 driveway entrances not to be filled; sidewalks to be plowed; areas on congested streets where snow had to be trucked away. To get the job done: The town used 4 three-ton trucks; 1 road grader; 1 caterpillar tractor; 150 tons of salt; 400 tons of sand; 1 three quarter ton truck. The cost of the job: Manhours required – 3,798; payroll - $4,523.86; equipment maintenance - $2,219.31 (Town Report 1956).” 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.