Friday, March 25, 2011

 STONES AND BONES

These two photographs, taken by Town Councilor Robin Mower yesterday, provide contrasting views in the small wildlife refuge left to the Town by the late Margery Milne. The photograph above shows the inviting steps and path created by our Public Works Department. The photograph below shows one of the many graffiti left recently by vandals.

There's an old Yankee saying: "When you buy land, you buy stones; when you buy meat, you buy bones." Durham did not have to buy the land and its lovely stones--and we don't want any more "bones" on our stones.

This promises to be a sunny and pleasant weekend--a good time for families to visit this lovely site and enjoy the view of the Mill Pond. 

Text courtesy "An old friend of Margery Milne".

Last Friday the Town launched its DCAT video streaming on the Town web site. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://ci.durham.nh.us/ or directly by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

The March 2nd Fire Department C-Lot Charette is now available for viewing, as well as the most recent Town Council and Planning Board meetings. Please take a moment to explore this new service and tell us what you think. Comments welcome at dcat@ci.durham.nh.us.  

AN UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD: THE DISPARATE IMPACTS OF LOCAL AID CUTS TO NH MUNICIPALITIES - POSSIBLE IMPACTS TO DURHAM

In presenting his budget message in February, Governor Lynch proposed several changes to the way the state provides financial assistance to New Hampshire’s cities, towns and school districts. That assistance, known collectively as local aid, takes many forms: public employee retirement costs, school construction, special education expenses, among others.
 
Cuts to local aid are often described as “downshifting,” or the pushing of costs to local taxpayers in an attempt to save money in the state budget. Since the only major revenue source available to cities and towns is the property tax, the shifting of state costs to municipalities often results in higher local property taxes, a trend that has been occurring for the past decade.
 
Given the financial pressures in drawing up the next state budget, some degree of downshifting in the next biennium is highly likely and Durham is working to be prepared. In a newly released report, An Uneven Playing Field: The Disparate Impacts of Local Aid Cuts to NH Municipalities, the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies attempts to measure the various ways that cuts to local aid programs would be felt in communities across the state. 
 
If the primary forms of state aid were eliminated, Durham would stand to lose a total of $1,056,300 in the following areas:  Catastrophic Aid (to school) - $5,800; School Building Aid - $181,700; Teacher Retirement - $391,900; Police/Fire Retirement - $314,800; Fixed Revenue Sharing - $162,100.

To read the Center for Public Policies' publication regarding this matter, which contains a town by town and city by city list of possible cuts, click HERE.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 120 - AN ACT RELATIVE TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS

This week, Administrator Selig, Police Chief Kurz, and resident Peter Smith testified in Concord before the Senate Commerce Committee regarding a proposed amendment to Senate Bill 120, a bill which seeks to elimnate restrictions on "Happy Hour" billboard advertising.

To read the testimony submitted by Administrator Selig to the Committee and the proposed amendment to SB 120 which Durham was instrumental in crafting, click HERE.

To read an article published in The Lobby regarding this proposed bill, click HERE.

The underlying bill, SB 120, ultimately failed by a vote of 2-2 in committee although it will likely be brought forward on the floor of the Senate by its sponsors.

REVIEW OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS IN DOWNTOWN AREA

The Police Department has prepared a report of pedestrian accidents in Durham's downtown area between the years of 1996-2011. To view Police Chief Kurz's memorandum, including this information, click HERE.

The Idea Greenhouse offers office space for professionals looking for an easy, affordable, and flexible place to work and meet in the Seacoast region. Courtesy Tom Elliott  

THE IDEA GREENHOUSE OPEN HOUSE AND INNOVATORS FAIR

Today, March 25, 2011, the Idea Greenhouse will hold an Open House from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Located in the fourth floor of the new building behind Breaking New Grounds, Idea Greenhouse joins two other new businesses in the 8 Jenkins Court block: What a Crock! featuring homemade soups and Clemento's Pizzeria & Brew. The Idea Greenhouse connects the starters who make new ideas grow. It is a membership-based 2,400 square foot office facility for professionals looking for an easy, affordable, and flexible place to work and meet in the Seacoast region. Members share office and events space,  high speed Internet, office equipment, and their collective creative energy.

To learn more about the Open House and to register, visit http://www.ideagreenhouse.biz/news/40-idea-greenhouse-opening-night-a-innovators-fair

 To learn more about the Idea Greenhouse, visit http://www.ideagreenhouse.biz/about

UNH DEAN OF STUDENTS and ADMINISTRATOR SELIG URGE STUDENTS TO ENJOY SPRING AND BE RESPECTFUL OF DURHAM NEIGHBORS

The March 22, 2011 edition of The New Hampshire published a joint message from Administrator Todd Selig and UNH Dean of Students Anne Lawing asking students to be respectful of Durham residents. To read this message, click HERE.

 "A FAMILY LIVES HERE" SIGNS AVAILABLE AT ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE

The sign shown above was created by a Realtor in Plymouth, NH who is also a landlord in the Plymouth community. He has generously provided Durham with 45 of these signs which are available now. Residents interested in placing a sign on their property may pick up a sign at the Town Administrator's Office, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. To read the article published in the New Hampshire Union Leader concerning this effort, click HERE.

SPRING CLEANUP

The annual Spring newsletter will be coming out shortly to inform folks about Spring Cleanup.  Remember this is the curbside collection of bulky waste items that residents would normally need to purchase bulky waste coupons for to bring to the Transfer Station.  Spring cleanup will be taking place beginning on Monday, May 2nd.  All items need to be out by 7am on the 2nd, but can be placed out as early as Saturday, April 30th.  Electronics that require a sticker will still need one but may be put out during this collection as well.  To view the newsletter, click HERE.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT-ACCREDITATION DATE APPROACHING

In preparation for Durham Police Department’s inspection by assessors for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, (CALEA) that will occur from April 30th through May 3rd, approximately one hundred of the department's compliance files were sent to the two assessors for review prior to their arrival. The accreditation process currently has 463 standards in the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program that the Durham Police must comply with or address in some fashion. The files contain Durham Police policies and certain supporting documents which demonstrate that the department adheres to its policies.  By sending the files for review before the assessors arrive in Durham, they are more able to focus their time on observing the officers, administration, and the operation of the department.  From their inspections and observations the team will prepare a report for submission to the Commission recording their findings of the Durham Police compliance with applicable standards.

CHIEF KURZ PARTICIPATES IN OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM CLASS

Annually, Police Chief Dave Kurz visits the Journalism class of Judy Kucera at the Oyster River High School to be interviewed by a number of students. Other officials such as Deputy Fire Chief Steve McCusker participated to provide the students with real-life interview opportunities. The questions from the students are insightful and challenging, and as Chief Kurz stated, “You get a true grasp of the intelligence and thoughtful consideration that the students have put into this exercise as the questions are not simplistic to answer. These kids are asking some very thought provoking questions about law enforcement and how services are delivered in Durham.”  

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

The The Oyster River School Board is searching for volunteers to fill its advisory Sustainability Committee, created by Warrant Article #7 on the ballot that voters passed at the March 8th election.

The committee will meet during the 2011 calendar year and examine the integration of sustainable ecological, economic, and cultural equity policies and practices into school operations and the curricula, presenting its findings and recommendations to the School Board at its first meeting in November 2011. 

Letters of interest may be submitted to the School Board at 36 Coe Drive, Durham, NH or E-mail orcsdsb@orcsd.org. 

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CLASS TO BE OFFERED IN DURHAM

The Strafford County Citizen Corps is excited to be teaming up with the Town of Durham to offer the Community Emergency Preparedness Class (CEP Class) this March at the Durham Police Department. The CEP Class is a comprehensive preparedness training developed by FEMA and used in all 50 States, 3 territories and 6 foreign countries. It is designed to help residents take care of themselves, their families and neighbors during an emergency. Topics include: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Psychology, Safety Strategies involved in a Terror Attack, Light Search and Rescue, Incident Command Systems, CPR and First Aid. Those who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion from the NH Fire Academy, and CPR and First Aid certification from the American Heart Association.

This class completes the core training requirements for the Strafford County Citizen Corps (SCCC), a team of medical and non-medical volunteers who train to support and assist local first responders during emergencies. No commitment to the SCCC is required from those who enroll in the class. Following the completion of Community Emergency Response, participants can continue to attend trainings through the SCCC (such as Traffic Control, Search & Rescue, Basic Disaster Life Support, Fire Rehabilitation, etc.), which are offered every other month.

The Community Emergency Preparedness Class will meet Wednesdays March 23rd – April 27th from 6:30-8:30pm (there will be no class April 13th) AND Saturday, April 2nd from 8:30am-4pm at the Durham Police Department. For more information, or to register, contact Samantha Brann at sbrann@hscstrafford.org or 603-335-0168.

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week  All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham 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.

Economic Development Committee - Monday, March 28, 2011

Master Plan Steering Committee - Tuesday, March 29, 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 & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Easter Egg Hunt, Sat., Apr 23, 2011 - 10 AM sharp at the Town Landing. Bring your basket! Refreshments, a visit from the Easter Bunny, non candy prizes, and a fire truck. There will be two separate egg hunts for younger and older children.

Wellness Seekers Class for Seniors, Tuesdays, 10-11 AM to work on flexibility $40/8wks.
Kid's Yoga, Wednesdays, 5-6 PM at the Durham Parks & Recreation Bldg. $40/8wks
Womens' Pick Up Basketball, Saturdays, 6-8 PM - Free!
 

Watch for Pick up Co-ed Volleyball coming soon!
 

For more information contact Durham Parks & Recreation at 603-817-4074, sdevins@ci.durham.nh.usPARKS.

PARKS & REC IS LOOKING FOR PICKUP RECREATION ENTHUSIASTS

Are you crazy for Croquet?  Wishing for more Wiffleball?  Looking for Ultimate Frisbee?  Missing your old Mountain Bike Club?  If so, contact Parks & Recreation Director Sandy Devins at 603-817-4074, sdevins@ci.durham.nh.us  We are currently looking for volunteers to help coordinate all types of Spring & Summer pickup games.

SESAME STREET LIVE IS COMING TO THE WHITTEMORE CENTER

Sesame Street Live is coming to the Whittemore Center on March 29th & 30th. Through Durham Parks & Recreation residents are offered a discount of $3 off tickets. To order tickets log on to 

http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/8352/1231952. Enter Discount code: 10SCAR

NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBIT: PRESENTATION, MARCH 25, 7;00 PM

As part of the monthly meeting of the Oyster River Watershed Association (ORWA), a presentation on the New England cottontail rabbits is scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2011, 7:00 PM at the Madbury Public Library. Note that this meeting also serves as the ORWA Annual Meeting.

New England cottontail rabbits were recently added to the endangered species list in New Hampshire and are under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.  The presenter will be Emma Carcagno, Wildlife Program Assistant with the UNH Cooperative Extension. 

For more information on the rabbit, join us, or visit

http://extension.unh.edu/Wildlife/Cottontails.htm

Durham residents who have become aware of nearby logging operations related to creating habitat for the New England cottontail rabbits may find this presentation of particular interest.

The Madbury Library address is:  9 Town Hall Road  Madbury, NH 03823. A simple map may be found at http://www.lefh.net/madbury/html/town_map.html 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Preschool Storytime, Tues., March 29th and Thurs., March 31st, 10:30 a.m. - This week:  Art/Sculpture. All are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a craft.

Pajama Storytime, Tues., March 29th, 6:30 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 the library invites you to come and learn about art. Stories will be read about art and sculpture and make a clay sculpture. This is a fun time for kids and networking parents. All are welcome.

Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Weds., March 30th 2:45-4:00 p.m. - This month's book is "The Secrets of Truth and Beauty" by Megan Frazer.  Copies of the selected book are available at the library.  Pizza is served.

Join the Patch Program, the library's 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 March and April.

 Womenade volunteers recapture wayward ducks that floated downriver after last year's QuackFest

Courtesy Loren Selig

 YOU MAY BE ONE LUCKY DUCK!

The ducks are coming back to the Oyster River!  QuackFest, an early evening rubber duck race down the Oyster River at the Durham Landing is scheduled for May 7th at 5:00pm.  Ducks will launch at 6:00pm.   This is guaranteed to be a fun family event with activities, a BBQ and, the Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band. Really stormy rain date – 5/8 (no events).

Buy a duck or a few, and you may win great prizes like a kayak, mountain bike, grill, gift certificates to local businesses including a chance to win $250.00 of free oil, and lots more while contributing to a great cause.  Oyster River Womenade is a local non-profit providing immediate assistance to community members in Durham, Lee, Madbury and Newmarket. To learn more about Oyster River Womenade and the QuackFest go to http://www.orwomenade.org/.

You do not need to be present on race day to win. Chances cost $5.00 per duck or 5 ducks for $20.00.  All proceeds go directly to Oyster River Womenade!  Ducks are sold at the event, and at the Durham MarketPlace service desk.

PARENTING SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN SUPPORT GROUP

Parents in the Oyster River community are invited to join a new group providing information and emotional support to parents of children with special needs (diagnosed or not). This group is open to parents of children (birth-high school) with behavioral, emotional, physical, or mental health needs. 

The group's next social support meetings are Wednesday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 7:00 PM. 

To RSVP or request more information, contact: Jenna Roberts, jennajroberts@yahoo.com or ChrisAnn Wiechert cawdaisy@yahoo.com.

SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 12

Growing Places, a non profit early education and youth recreation agency, offers two different camp programs for children:

Camp Cowabunga for children ages 5-7. This camp offers arts and crafts, games, swimming at the Durham Pool, and a field trip every Wednesday. 

Bridge Camp for children ages 8-12. This camp offers many of the same opportunities as Camp Cowabunga.  Different themes, age appropriate arts and crafts, and sports and games will keep the children engaged and having fun.  Bridge Campers attend the Durham Pool three to four days a week, and go on weekly Wednesday field trips with Camp Cowabunga, including SEE Science Center, and York Wild Kingdom. 

Both camps are housed at Moharimet Elementary School in Madbury.  Camp Directors are professional full-time teacher/directors at Growing Places. There is a 10% discount for full time siblings.  Pay 50% of summer tuition by May 2, and you will receive a 5% discount for the entire summer. Camp Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended care available until 6 p.m.  Part-time or full-time schedules available. Tuition assistance is available for eligible families.  Please contact 868-1335 for more information, or email Director Jen Hayward at moharimet@growingplacesnh.org. 

EARTH HOUR

Earth Hour is an annual international event to raise awareness of the need to take action on global warming. The World Wildlife Fund is asking people to turn their lights out for one hour on Saturday, March 26th, 8:30-9:30 PM. Earth Hour began in 2007 with the World Wildlife Fund in Australia and has gained support throughout the world.  Participants range from individuals to businesses to governments  - all showing their support and commitment to find solutions for global warming.  In 2010, hundreds of millions of people worldwide shut their lights out for an hour – including landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. For more information, visit http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

PC/Laptop Clinic, Sat., Mar 26, 2011, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, Durham Evangelical Church. Bring in your "sick" Windows PC and have some basic diagnostics test performed for FREE. For more information, call Ron Streelman at 603-397-7600.

ORMS Jazz Band Presents A Music Celebration, featuring the ORMS Jazz Band, Tri City Almighty and Fling, Sat., Mar 26, 2011, 5:00-10:00 PM, Huddleston Ballroom, Durham. Live and silent auction. Lite fare, dancing, and fun. $20/person-a benefit for the 2010/11 ORMS Jazz Band. For tickets, email: kayajewelers@comcast.net.

8th Annual Todd's Trot 5K Road Race/Walk, Sat., Apr 2, 2011, Oyster River High School. Registration begins at 8:30 AM with a 10:00 AM start time. For more information, visit http://www.toddstrot.org/.

Museum of Art, UNH, Slide Lecture by Main E Artist Janvier Rollande, Wed., Apr 6, 2011, 12:00 noon in Room A219 Paul Creative Arts Center. Rollande's lecture is offered as part of the Museum's ArtBreak: Brown Bag Lunch series of programs. Her work is included in the Museum of Art's current exhibition, ReView: Recent Work by UNH Alumni. The exhibition and lecture are open to the public free of charge.

2011 USA Jump Rope Regional Tournament, Sat., Apr 9, 2011, Oyster River High School gymnasium. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:00 AM, followed by speed events, single rope and double dutch freestyle, Group Team Show, and concluding with an awards ceremony at 5:15 PM. Admission is free--donations appreciated. Breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks will be sold throughout the day.

Trash 2 Treasure Banquet & Fundraiser Event, sponsored by the UNH Student Environmental Action Coalition, Sun., Apr 10, 2011, 5:00-7:00 PM, Granite State Room (MUB). $10 suggested donation for non-students. For more information, click HERE.

Cuban Historian Speaks on the True Story of Castro's Rise to Power, Sun., Apr 10, 2011, 2:00 PM, Durham Community Church. Professor Emeritus Manuel Marquez-Sterling will speak about his time in Cuba from the beginning of Fidel Castro's rule through the seven years of Cuban Revolution. He will also present his latest book, “Cuba 1952-59, The True Story of Castro's Rise to Power”. This book event is sponsored by the Memorial Fund of the Active Retirement Association and is free and open to the public. Signed copies of Dr. Marquez-Sterling's book will be available. Please contact Carol Caldwell at(603) 343-1004 or ccaldwell57@comcast.net, with questions.

Conservation Options Workshop, sponsored by Strafford Rivers Conservancy and UNH Cooperative Extension, Mon., Apr 11, 2011, 6:30-8:15 PM, Dover Public Library, 73 Locust Street, Dover, NH. Preregistration required. Deadline: Fri., Apr 8th. Call Deb at UNH Cooperative Extension, 603-679-5616, deb.stevens@unh.edu.

UNH May Day Carnival, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, Sat., Apr 30, 2011, 3:00-9:00 PM, C-lot on UNH campus. Featuring rides, live music, games, food for sale, and giveaways. Harry Potter 7 part 1 will be showing as a free Outdoor Movie on the Great Lawn in front of T-Hall beginning at 9:00 PM. The event is free for UNH ID holders, including faculty and their families, non-ID holders: $5 each.

Doe Farm Restoration Work - Volunteers Needed, Sat., Apr 30 and Sun., May 1, 2011, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM both days, Doe Farm. Parking off Bennett Road in Durham. Bring heavy gloves, sturdy boots, long sleeves and pants (possible exposure to poison ivy and ticks). Email Malin Clyde at malinelyclyde@gmail.com to sign up. Click HERE for more information.

WEEKLY POLICE REPORT

Week - 3                                        1 UNH (34%)            2 Other (66%)

*2010/11 Academic Year - 634       351 UNH (56%)        277 Other (44%)

 Calendar Year –142                      83 UNH (58%)           59 Other (42%)

*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

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

“Justices of the Peace, long familiar as the principal local magistrates in England and most of the American colonies, were established in New Hampshire in 1682, shortly after it became a province separate from Massachusetts. A justice of the peace could try minor cases, or bind the accused over for trial by the Quarter Court of Sessions in a serious case. This court was composed of all the justices of the peace in the province and met in different towns four times a year. The county Courts of General Sessions, which tried all criminal cases and heard appeals from the judgments of the individual justices, were a later development." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

Have a good weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, New Hampshire

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us    http://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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