Friday, May 13, 2011

This photograph of a Barred owl was taken by resident Brian Turnbull in his backyard last weekend.

Another academic year is coming to an end at the University of New Hampshire as students were busy with finals this week. The UNH Commencement Ceremony will be held next Saturday, May 21st, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Residents may want to seek other routes if traveling around Town prior to and immediately following the ceremony.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY

The Durham Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2011 in observance of Memorial Day. All Town offices will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. There will be no change to the regularly scheduled Monday refuse and recycling collection schedule.  Please have all refuse and recycling out by 7:00 AM as normally required.

MASTER PLAN SURVEY PROCESS

On Monday, we will be sending out a separate list server broadcast asking residents to participate as part of the Master Plan update survey process.  Please stay tuned for more information.

“VOICE OF THE CITIZEN” SURVEY RESULTS FOR DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS
In April 2011, graduate students from the UNH Political Science Introduction to Statistical Analysis course conducted a “Voice of the Citizen” survey for the Town to gauge residents’ satisfaction with the Department of Public Works.  The survey was similar to surveys of public perceptions of the Durham Police Department conducted between 1997 and 2009, and was designed to be easily replicated for other town departments in future years.

The survey was administered in two forms, electronic and paper.  The electronic version was delivered to the 1900-plus addresses in the Town’s “Friday Updates” list server data base via email.  Additionally, 24 surveys were administered in person by members of the statistics class.  Interviews took place outside the Durham Marketplace, and participants were selected at random.  This resulted in a combined total of 233 survey responses that were analyzed for the study.

The 233 survey respondents were represented by the following characteristics:

- 67% were over 51 years of age;
- 94% were homeowners;
- Only 2 respondents listed themselves as UNH students.

Survey Results…

Nearly 38% of respondents reported that the overall quality of service provided by the Public Works Department was excellent and 46% reported it was above average.  12% reported it was average.  3% rated the quality of service as below average and 1% rated it as poor. 

A number of survey questions were designed to determine whether or not respondents believed the services currently offered by the department met their needs.  Interestingly, the survey results show that a significant majority of respondents across all age categories believe the public works department is providing a sufficient number of services.  Nearly 75% say that they do not believe any additional services are needed, and 85% say that they do not believe any current services should be cut. 

Of the minority who expressed a desire for changes to the number or type of services offered by the department, 61 respondents called for additional services and 35 suggested cuts.  Enhanced recycling was the most popular item for those requesting additional services.  Respondents who asked for enhanced recycling (25% of the total who called for additional services) gave suggestions that included “better electronic waste recycling,” “pick up plastic and paper recycled items every week,” “single-stream recycling,” and “compost service.”

Enhanced waste removal and improved road maintenance were the two most popular responses after enhanced recycling (18% and 16% respectively).  Comments from those asking for enhanced waste removal included, “weekly yard waste summer and fall,” “more frequent hazardous disposal days,” and “dump open more often.”  There were several requests for longer hours for the transfer station as well.

Road maintenance was cited by those wishing for additional services as well as those who wanted cuts. 

“Eliminate seasonal clean-up” and “reduce/eliminate curbside waste removal” were the next most popular areas where residents suggested cuts.  Comments from respondents indicated the belief that the town could save money by reducing or eliminating these services and that the dump and/or private pick-up services could be utilized by those who desires such services.

SPRING CLEANUP

Department of Public Works crews concluded the 2011 Spring Cleanup this week.  Residents who did not get their items out on time may bring them up to the Transfer Station and Recycling Center tomorrow during operational hours, 7:30am- 3:00pm.  Remember you must have a valid 2011 permit to enter the facility.  Thanks to all for their cooperation.

BIDDING OUT CURBSIDE REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION
Durham is one of the very few communities remaining that has continued to handle curbside solid waste and recycling collection with in-house personnel.  Every several years the Public Works Department has gone out to bid for solid waste and recycling collection services but to date the department has been able to undertake the collection process more cost-effectively and at a higher quality than outside contract providers. 

DPW staff know local residents by name, consistently manage routes without interruption or incident, carry dog biscuits for long-time four legged friends, and generally do a terrific job providing quality citizen service. 

Given the very high likelihood that the State of New Hampshire will be downshifting additional costs along to local municipalities in an effort to balance its own budget later this year to include additional retirement system costs for public employees, Administrator Selig has asked the department to move forward with a bid to once again ascertain whether Durham continues to be able to handle solid waste and recycling curbside collection more cost-effectively than the private sector, and if not, what the cost differential would be between the in-house versus contract out option. 
 

ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS CONDUCTED BY DURHAM POLICE
The Durham Police Department routinely conducts compliance checks of vendors who are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in Durham.  During the first week in May, another such check was performed with an underage student, working in conjunction with the Durham Police Department, who attempted to purchase alcohol at every location where alcohol is served in Durham including The Three Chimney’s Inn as well as convenience stores such as Irving’s, Store 24, and Gibbs.  The young person is trained to provide her/his personal NH driver’s license which indicates s/he is in fact under the age of 21. This should result in an immediate refusal. The goal of the undertaking is to confirm that the businesses in Durham are properly requesting the young person’s identification and when provided, ensuring that the identification confirms the person is in fact of legal age to purchase alcohol. 

Virtually every criminal action the Durham Police Department investigates has some foundation in alcohol consumption.  Consequently, it is critical the department works to ensure that businesses are properly confirming the age and identity of those persons attempting to purchase alcohol in our community. 

The results of the compliance checks revealed that all fourteen locations in Durham passed. 

SALE/REDEVELOPMENT OF GRANGE – PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY
In September 2010, the Town advertised a Request for Proposal for the productive reuse/redevelopment of the parcel and structure known as the Grange (H.A. Davis building) located at 37 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824 (Tax Map 5, Lot 1-5).  One proposal was received by the deadline from Mr. Peter Murphy on November 12, 2010.
 
Since that time the redevelopment project has been brought to the Historic District Commission/Heritage Commission, the Economic Development Committee, and on several occasions, the Town Council for discussion and refinement.  The parties have reached general agreement on terms consistent with Council dialogue and a public hearing on the proposal to solicit public input prior to taking further Council action is set for May 16, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. during the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
 
Proposed sale price:  $240,000.  Assuming a price $240,000 paid over 5 years secured by a subordinate 7% mortgage to primary debt, the town would receive an annual loan payment of $58,533.77. In addition the town will receive approximately $45,000 in property taxes annually based upon an assessed value in the $1,700,000 range. This transaction would include the following items:

1. Move Grange building forward to sidewalk per request of HDC;
2. Three workforce housing units as part of redevelopment w/ associated covenants;
3. Retail/commercial use on first floor front part of Grange w/ associated covenants;
4. Restore and preserve outside historical look and materials of Grange w/ associated covenants;
5. Pedestrian enhancements along side of bldg with ROW access for general public with maintenance and upkeep the responsibility of the new property owner;
6. Student housing to rear of Grange structure that is convertible to adult housing when the market permits; and
7. One universal access (handicapped) apartment included.

PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION ON ORDINANCE #2011-03 CREATING METERED PARKING FOR THE 21 NEW PARKING SPACES ALONG PETTEE BROOK LANE
This ordinance will formalize the control of parking on the southerly side of Pettee Brook Lane between Madbury Road and Main Street by allowing metered fee parking.  In addition, it will allow for the use of automated pay and display, pay by space, or pay by plate parking meters within the downtown core versus the present coin operated meters.

Upon passage of this ordinance change, the Master Fee Schedule will be revised by the Administrator to include a $1.00 per hour rate for newly created parking spaces on Pettee Brook Lane.

As you will recall, the B. Dennis report encouraged the Town to create more parking options throughout the downtown business district.  In the area of Pettee Brook Lane, the reconfiguration to one lane maintained the one-way traffic while adding parking as well as a bike lane. 

This plan involved implementation in addition to monthly reviews by the Traffic Safety Committee continuously reviewing citizen and staff critiques of the parking configurations.  After multiple adjustments and enhancements, the current alignment has been in place for over six months allowing a thorough assessment during winter conditions, academic calendars, and the ultimate realization of traffic calming that has resulted in the absence of any reported vehicular collisions since implementation.

A public hearing is scheduled for the Council meeting on this Monday, May 16, 2011. 

WISWALL DAM FISH LADDER INSTALLATION PROJECT -- SUMMER 2011
On Monday evening, May 16, 2011, the Town Council will be asked to award the construction contract for the Wiswall Dam Repair and Fish Ladder Project to Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich, ME and authorize the Administrator to sign the associated documents.

Conditional problems with the Wiswall Dam led to an administrative order from the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) in January 2005 to address a list of deficiencies with the Wiswall Dam.  Meanwhile, various state and Federal agencies, river advocacy groups, and the Town have been working toward adding some form of fish passage capability at the Wiswall Dam for as many as 25 years.

The final decision to install a Denil fish ladder and move forward with the much needed dam repairs was ultimately made in September 2008 when the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded the Town a grant of $1,045,000 to install fish passage facilities at the dam and help with the dam repairs. The Town Council formally authorized and accepted the expenditure of the grant from NRCS for the design and construction of fish passage facilities at the Wiswall Dam and associated dam repairs and improvements. The NRCS grant requires at least a 25 percent match from the Town, and since the dam repairs are integral with the fish ladder installation, the Town can satisfy this match by funding the repair portion of the project. Additional funds have also been provided by NRCS for to pay for a percentage of the engineering.

The construction project is intended to satisfy all NHDES concerns associated with the Administrative Order in addition to constructing the long awaited fish passage facilities.

The primary components of the project include replacement of the left abutment (looking downstream) where the fish ladder is to be constructed, installation of a downstream fish migration notch near the right abutment, miscellaneous repairs to the dam spillway, raising the elevation of dikes at both abutments, and preservation of the historic and cultural resources at the site. 

The 2005, 2006 and 2010 Capital Improvement Budgets included appropriations for engineering and repairs to the Wiswall Dam.  The project construction contract was prepared by the Public Works Engineering Division with assistance from Stephens Associates. Bids were opened on May 9, 2011 and Reed & Reed, Inc. was the low bidder with a total price of $1,420,700.  The other bids received were from New England Infrastructure, Inc. ($2,163,600), Wyman & Simpson, Inc. ($1,523,420), and R.M. Piper, Inc. ($1,765,479).

This will be a very beneficial project along the Lamprey River and illustrates the Town’s commitment toward being a good steward of our natural resources.

2011/12 TOWN COUNCIL GOALS LIST
On Monday evening, May 2, 2011, the Town Council finalized and approved its annual list of goals for 2011/12. To view this list, click HERE.

LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
Qualifying individuals are eligible to apply for tax relief for this year’s statewide property tax. The application filing period is after May 1, 2011 but before June 30, 2011. Application forms and additional program information is available by going to the NH Department of Revenue Administration website at http://www.revenue.nh.gov/forms/low_mod_program.htm

Applications will be mailed upon request by contacting the Department's forms line at (603) 271-2192 or (603) 271-2191.

ORHS PRINCIPAL SELECTION PROCESS

 The ORCSD is looking for volunteers to serve on The Parent/Community Search Committee for a high school Principal. Send your letters/E-mails of interest to the Board by noon on Tuesday, May 17th. The committee would be formed at the school board meeting on May 18th.

Persons interested in serving on this committee should send an e-mail to: Wendy/School Board at orcsdsb@orcsd.org.

On Wednesday evening, May 11, 2011, the Oyster River School Board met and discussed the principal selection process for the high school.  To read a Foster’s article on the topic, go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110513/GJNEWS_01/705139898/-1/FOSNEWS0102&template=GreatBayRegion .    

 Courtesty Durham Fire Department

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT - ROPE RESCUE TRAINING
This week (and next), members of the Durham and Hampton Fire Departments are participating in a rope rescue training class. The class, “ Introduction to Technical Rescue Skills”, is an intense, hands-on, four-day class that includes training modules on air monitoring, ropes, rigging, jacking, and heavy lifting. Pictured above are Durham Firefighter Artie Boutin (left) and a Hampton Firefighter (right) rappelling down the wall at the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gym. 

MILL ROAD - PARTIAL ROAD CLOSURE

Weather permitting, a portion of Mill Road close to the downtown area is scheduled to have asphalt shim coating done on Monday, May 16th.   Minor delays in traffic could occur, Thank you in advance for your caution and cooperation. In the event of rain, work will be rescheduled at the earliest possible time.

HYDRANT FLUSHING

As of early this morning, the semi-annual flushing of the water system was completed by Durham Water and UNH staff.  System flushing went well and on schedule. 

PUBLIC MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND

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.

VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. 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/.

Town Council - Monday, May 16, 2011. To view the complete packet for this meeting, click HERE.

Capstone Development Corp. Sewer Extension Public Hearing - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 (4:30 PM)

Rental Housing Commission - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 (4:00 PM)

Lamprey Water Management Planning Area Committee - Friday, May 20, 2011 (9:30 AM - 12:00 noon)

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.

VOTER CHECKLIST VERIFICATION PROCESS BEGINS - AN UPDATE FROM THE SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST

Every 10 years in the year ending with the number 1, the Supervisors of the Checklist in every community in New Hampshire are required by RSA 654:39 to verify their checklists. Any person on the checklist who has not voted in the last four years (unless they have registered since November 2, 2010) will be sent a letter informing them that their name will be removed from the checklist. Those removal letters will be mailed out soon.

In order to stay on the checklist, persons receiving a removal notification letter may re-register at the Town Hall until June 29, 2011.  After that date, the remaining names will be removed permanently from the checklist.  At that point, anyone wishing to vote in Durham must re-register either at the Town Hall or at any election, just as if they are first-time voters in Durham.  When re-registering, prospective voters should bring proof of identity and domicile.

Most of the people who have not voted in four or more years are UNH students who have moved on.  Since the implementation of the statewide voter checklist, the removal of such students has become much more thorough.  If a person moves to another town and registers to vote within the State of New Hampshire, that person is automatically removed from Durham’s checklist.  However, other states are not as good as New Hampshire about informing previous domiciles about a change in voter status.  If your household receives a letter from the town addressed to an adult child who has moved away and registered to vote elsewhere, or addressed to the previous occupant of your home, please do not forward the letter. Those persons whom the supervisors have not heard from by June 29 will automatically be removed from the checklist.

COMMUTE GREEN NH CHALLENGE

Get ready to commute another way! Next week (May 16 – 20) marks the state’s week-long Commute Green NH Challenge, which closes with the Seacoast’s ninth annual Bike/Walk to Work Day on Friday, May 20. Once again, all alternative commuters are invited to a breakfast at the wildcat statue in front of the Whittemore Center (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.), hosted by the UNH department of kinesiology.

If biking isn’t realistic, commuters can try Wildcat Transit for free Friday, May 20 (Wildcat Transit is always free with a UNH ID). For information and schedules on routes from Dover, Portsmouth and Newmarket to Durham, go to

http://www.unh.edu/transportation/wildcat/index.htm.

Bike/Walk to Work Day breakfast activities across the Seacoast are being sponsored by Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes, Rockingham and Strafford Planning Commissions, COAST, and local businesses. To learn more about other Seacoast breakfasts, or to find bicycle routes around the Seacoast, go to http://www.seacoastbikes.org/.

For more information on Commute Green NH activities, go to http://www.commutegreennh.org/.

ORCSD SUMMER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The ORCSD offers summer enrichment opportunities for children, and there are still plenty of camps available. A new YOGA camp has been added for students in grades 1 through 5 for the first week of August. For more information about Yoga, click HERE.  The deadline for registration is is June 3, 2011.

Updated camp listings can be found on the district website at http://www.orcsd.org/.

Please contact the district office at 868-5100, extension 11 for more information.

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Annual Memorial Day Parade.  Every Durham resident who ever served in the  military is invited to participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade, Monday May 30, 2011. Preparations are underway by the Memorial Day committee, who  encourage as many groups as possible to march or ride in the parade. Groups are encouraged to show support for all who served in the military services. If you or someone you know would like to take part in the parade, please email sdevins@ci.durham.nh.us or call Sandy Devins at (603) 817-4074.

Beaver Ponds at Bayou NH (246 Packers Falls Road, Durham). On Saturday, May 14th, from 10am – 2pm residents are invited to tour several beaver ponds at Bayou New Hampshire (246 Packers Falls Road, Durham). Guided tours begin each hour on the hour.  Children and friendly dogs are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested to benefit York Center for Wildlife, an organization which rescues and cares for injured wildlife. A few live animal ambassadors will be on site for viewing. Refreshments will be served.

Music by the Bay. The Parks & Rec Department is very excited to kickoff the summer on June 22nd  featuring  “Bliss” from 5-7pm at Wagon Hill Farm. Bring the whole family while taking in the view of the bay. Friends and families are encouraged to bring picnic dinners, lawn chairs, and blankets. “Bliss” is an all female local four-piece string band that plays folk music, blues, a little country, and some original songs. Event is free. Check out their web site at http://www.bliss4.net/.

For more information please contact P&R Director Sandy Devins at 603-817-4074 or sdevins@ci.durham.nh.us Also check out our new Facebook account on “Durham Rec”  

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Preschool Storytime, Tues., May 17th and Thurs., May 19th, 10:30 a.m. - This week:  Alligators.  All are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a craft.

Geocaching with Families, Sat. May 14th, 10:30 a.m. - Join ORPP for this fun family event.  Meet at the library and Larry Vannata will teach you how to geocache.  After, he will take you outside to start geocaching.  Sign-up at the front desk of the library and all are welcome.  Bring your own GPS if you have one.
The Harry Potter Phenomenon, Tues. May 17th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Excited for the final Harry Potter movie in July? Before you see it, all Muggles are welcome to attend UNH Professor of English James Krasner's talk on the literary and cultural roots of the boy wizard's popularity.  This presentation looks both at the literary lineage of the books in 19th-century fiction and the current cultural and technological forces that have brought it to the forefront of popular culture.

Getting the Lowdown on Downloads with Nancy Miner, Weds. May 18th, 7:00-8:00 p.m. - Join other patrons that are using the Audio and E-Book Downloading services. Share your expertise and bring your questions, along with your charged-up iPad, Nook, Smartphone, iPod – whatever device you use to download. No registration necessary, but it would be helpful to have a general headcount, so let someone at the desk know if possible.

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. The patch program ends May 31st for this year, but will start again Sept. 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Oyster River High School Drama Presents Once on This Island, Thu., May 12 through Sat., May 14, 2011, 7:00 PM. Tickets are $9/adults and $6/students and seniors.

The 20th Annual Lee Church Congregational Plant Sale, Fri., May 13, 2011, 4:00-7:00 PM and Sat., May 14, 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Over 2,000 perennials, trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and shade plants will be offered. A beef stew, macaroni & cheese salad bar supper during Friday evening sale from 5:00-7:00 PM. Breakfast available on Saturday morning. For more information contact Marianne Banks, 603-659-2792.

Seacoast Choral Society Presents Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cecile, Sun., May 15, 2011, 4:00 PM at the Durham Community Church. Open to the public. Optional donations accepted at the door. Refreshments will be served after the concert.

Computer Repair Fund-raiser, Sun., May 15, 2011, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM, ORHS Multipurpose Room - To raise funds for a ORHS student going to India to build a school. The student is part of a youth volunteer group called MetoWe(.org).

Great Bay Rotary Club Breakfast Meeting, Wed., May 18, 2011, 7:30 AM at the Three Chimney's Inn. Rosamond van der Linde, author of A Piano in Every Room, will speak.

Meeting of Oyster River Taxpayers, Tue., May 24, 2011, 7:00 PM, Durham Town Hall, Council Chambers, 15 Newmarket Road.

FREE MAC Computer Users Group - Second Tuesdays of the month, Rye Junior High, 501 Washington Road, Rye, NH. Mentors at 6:15 PM (ask any questions).Main topics are 7:00-8:30 PM. Open to all levels.

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

“Business: The college used Ben Thompson's homestead, at the east corner of Main Street and Madbury Road, as a dormitory for a few years and was counseled by Ephraim Jenkins, a concerned citizen, to 'take the Oyster River Tavern [across from the Town Hall on Main Street and Newmarket Road] under its protecting wings.' He said the trustees should 'not run it themselves but as an investment, and then - for a certainty RUM would be forever prohibited; as we know from the past, if any individual owns it, it will have to be watched with a shot gun to keep it out.' Unfortunately, these two buildings burned in 1896 and 1897, and it was left to individual members of the faculty (hardly 'monied men') to finance several large structures for use as student housing until the college was able to build its own dormitories." 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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