Pictured above is a postcard sent to us by Mary Salvati. Her daughter, Emma, bought it from an antique dealer. The back of the postcard reads: "MAIN STREET, DURHAM, N.H. This attractive community is the home of the University of New Hampshire."

An important reminder that Father's Day is this Sunday...

FARMER’S MARKET RETURNS TO PETTEE BROOK PARKING LOT
We are happy to report that the Farmer’s Market will be returning to the Town’s Pettee Brook Parking Lot beginning this Monday, June 20th, from 2:15 PM – 5:30 PM. 

UNH EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

During the bout of severe weather we had two weeks ago, the University of New Hampshire sounded its outdoor emergency notification system. A number of residents heard the alarm and, not realizing what was happening, dashed into the Durham MarketPlace for safety and cover. We also heard from a few residents that they had difficulty understanding what was being relayed over the notification system. 

As noted above, this is a UNH notification system that includes using a siren, a “canned” message, and a recording signaling at the end of the notification. Sirens are located on the roof of the Memorial Union Building, the roof of Morse Hall, A-Lot, and the dirt parking lot near the equestrian facility. The system reaches a distance of nearly a mile in all directions. Although some residents may be able to hear notifications when the system is being utilized, please be aware that it is only intended and designed to alert the campus community in the event of a potential emergency, not the entire Durham community - although as in the case of the storm, the danger was shared by persons on and off campus.

To receive a text or email message from the University's emergency notification system, residents may sign up at https://alert.unh.edu/index.php?CCheck=1. 

Questions concerning the UNH emergency notification system may be directed to Paul Dean, UNH's coordinator for emergency preparedness, at (603) 862-1427.

CAPSTONE STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT UPDATE
On Thursday of this week, Strafford County Superior Court heard arguments regarding the appeal of the Planning Board’s decision with regard to the 619 bed Capstone student housing development located off Technology Drive.  To view a N.H. Union Leader article on the topic, click HERE .

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ACQUISITION OF BEAUDETTE 2 PROPERTY

The Nature Conservancy has begun discussions with the Durham Conservation Commission relative to the fee simple acquisition of approximately 66 acres of property known as the Beaudette 2 project, with approximately 1,405 feet of frontage on Bennett Road and 2,840 feet of frontage on Route 108.

The property is to be acquired by The Nature Conservancy on behalf of the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership. $45,000 is being requested from the Town of Durham in the form of a grant similar to the grant between the Conservancy and the Town for the first Beaudette project in 2006. The Town's funds would be put toward purchase price and acquisition costs. The Durham Conservation Commission will hold a site walk for the proposed Beaudette farm conservation project on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at 4:30 P.M. The public is welcome to attend.

The property is located along Bennett Road and is shown as Map 15, Lot 6 on the Durham tax maps. Those who wish to attend should meet in the driveway at the unoccupied farmhouse near the intersection of Bennett Road and Route 108S.

In accordance with the Town's "Guidelines for Acquiring Legal Interest in Conservation/Open Space Land" the Conservation Commission would then give its recommendation to the Town Council who "shall schedule the proposal for discussion at a regular meeting and determine whether to move the project forward to public hearing."  The Council may also request a site walk of the parcel at any time during this process.

To view the background information on this project, click HERE. To view the map of this property, click HERE.

SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT REACH AGREEMENT ON CONTRACT BUYOUT

The Oyster River School Board and the Superintendent of Schools have reached an agreement regarding a buy out for the remainder of the contract for the Superintendent of Schools, who will be leaving the position with the district as of June 30 of this year.  Information is not available from the parties until June 30 because of an agreement between them.

To view a Foster’s article on this matter, go to: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110617/GJNEWS_01/706179945. 

Two blogs focusing upon the Oyster River School District have been established by interested local residents.  These may be viewed at http://forenh.org/  and
http://oysterrivercommunity.blogspot.com/. 

DURHAM ENDEAVORS TO EVALUATE ACCURACY OF ASSESMENT RECORDS AS PART OF UPCOMING 2013 ASSESSMENT UPDATE

The Town has requested that the N.H. Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) conduct a random sampling of property record cards in order to ascertain their accuracy.  As noted earlier this summer, we are working to weigh the need to undergo a full measure and list or a statistical update of assessment records in 2013.  The result of the audit will help in the budgetary process as it will indicate to staff what monies should be set aside in anticipation of the assessment update required by the state in 2013. 

To this end, a sample of property record cards from Durham that have not had a recent visit will be forwarded to the DRA monitor so that notices may be sent to the owners of those properties selected as part of the random sample.  Durham residents may receive a call from the DRA monitor to schedule an inspection of their property at some juncture in the future.

 
MADBURY ROAD BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND TRAFFIC SAFETY IMROVEMENTS BEING EVALUATED FOR SUMMER 2011 IMPLEMENTATION
The Town has been in the process of evaluating whether the success experienced along Pettee Brook Lane last summer in which two lanes of traffic were reduced to one to enhance bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic safety can be replicated along Madbury Road between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane in late-July/August of this year. 

We hope to have firmer information on the plan, which is intended to extend a dedicated 4 foot bicycle lane along the East (Post Office) side of Madbury Road from Main Street to Garrison Avenue, as well as a 4 foot bicycle lane on the West side of Madbury Road from Garrison Avenue to Pettee Brook Lane, by the beginning of July.
 
TWO WAY TRAFFIC MODELING FOR DOWNTOWN LOOP
The Traffic Safety Committee continues to evaluate the feasibility and implications of transforming part or all of the downtown one-way loop system into two way traffic in conformance with the recommendations of the B. Dennis Report.  When the modeling is completed, we will be bringing forward a presentation to the Council for general discussion.

WISWALL BRIDGE UPDATE
The administrative Traffic Safety Committee met Thursday morning of this week at the Durham Police Department to discuss whether stop signs at either end of the Wiswall Bridge should be installed per the request of residents with cautionary “If pedestrians present motorists to honk horn before entering the bridge” signage.

A number of residents from the Wiswall Road area attended the meeting and provided feedback to the committee expressing concern about the idea of installing stop signs and the requeted cautionary horn signage.  It was their perspective that the roadway was primarily intended for automobiles and that large numbers of young people on the bridge was problematic; particularly when adolescents sun bathed on the roadway asphault, left coolers in the roadway, or were reluctant to move out of the way of motorists using the road.  Honking horns when pedestrians were on the bridge, it was felt, would disrupt the quietude of the neighborhood for residents in the area.  They felt the onus should be on the pedestrians on the bridge to remain constantly vigilant of oncoming vehicles crossing the river along the public roadway.

Other items discussed included:

• The one lane bridge serves to naturally calm traffic as motorists can only pass one at a time and must pause to observe whether there is oncoming traffic;
• Sometimes motorists do cross too fast across the bridge;
• Whether a "no loitering" ordinance would be appropriate on the bridge to prevent large numbers of people from gathering there;
• The fact that state statute does not allow for the enforcement of less than 25 MPH in such a location and any speed limit postings less than this number would be strictly advisory;
• Whether existing cautionary signage at the site is adquate;
• The fact that construction at the Wiswall Dam & installation of the new fish ladder adjacent to the bridge will serve to make the site less attractive this summer for recreational uses;
• Installing only one stop sign at the bridge on the Durham side.

After lengthy discussion, the Traffic Safety Committee suggested the Police Department intensify enforcement of the NO PARKING ordinance in effect along Wiswall Road.  It is possible the topic will be raised by individual Town Council members at an upcoming meeting. 

JULY 4TH HOLIDAY REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE AND TRANSFER STATION HOURS

The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Saturday July 2nd for the 4th of July Holiday- normal business hours will continue on Tuesday, July 5th.  Town offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th.  There will be NO COLLECTION OF REFUSE AND RECYCLING ON MONDAY, JULY 4TH, instead your trash day will be delayed by one day- For example if you normally have your trash picked up on Monday, it will be done on Tuesday instead, normally collected on Tuesday, will be done on Wednesday instead, and that will continue for the rest of the days of that week as well.  The Holiday schedule is also in the annual newsletter on the back page for reference. 

DURHAM’S FRIDAY DEALS
This is a new pilot program addition to the "Friday Updates" intended to give local merchants an opportunity to encourage residents to shop locally. 

Wildcat Fitness
Use us 4 Free on Fridays (Exp 8-31)
Located in the Mill Plaza next to the Public Library
 

Red Carpet Flower Shop

$5 Bouquets of Flowers every Friday    
 

Village Pizza

$5 Wraps or Large Salad w/Steak or Chicken add $2      

Money spent locally stays local, support Durham businesses.

If your business has a Friday special to offer please send it to Ken Entz at Wildcat Fitness who is coordinating this effort.  The phone number is 603-661-2907.

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, June 20, 2011. To view the complete packet for this meeting, click HERE.

Rental Housing Commission - Wednesday, June 22, 2011 (4:00 PM)

Planning Board - Wednesday, June 22, 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.

GREAT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE (GBNERR) WORKSHOPS

June 29, NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup is hosting its third in a series of adaptation workshops. This one will focus on 2 local economic case studies and will take place at the Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth NH. This is a no fee workshop, but registration is required as a light dinner is provided. For more information, click HERE. 
July 25 to August 5, NH Fish and Game is offering its Watershed Ecology Institute once again. Join fellow coastal decision makers, teachers, and resource professionals for high quality education and fun this summer at the two week Watershed Ecology Institute at Plymouth Regional High School from July 25-29 & August 1-5. Each day focuses on a particular aspect of watershed ecology and provides hands-on, inquiry and experiential learning in field and classroom settings. The sessions are designed around concepts outlined in the NH State Education Frameworks. This course can be taken for 2 credits from UNH or as a noncredit course. Access the registration flyer at http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Education/Education_PDFs/Watershed_Ecology_2011.pdf. For more information, contact Judy Tumosa at the NH Fish and Game Department at #271-0456.
August 3, GBNERR will host Eric Eckl in his Water Words That Work and Combat Communications for Conservationists workshops. If you work with citizens and want to increase your effectiveness - this workshop is for you! This workshop costs $15 which covers lunch, snacks, and coffee/tea. Space is limited so don't wait to register. For more information, click HERE.
August 4, GBNERR will host Eric Eckl in two different workshops, More Than a Message and Take Aim at Target Audiences workshops. These workshops will take place at the Wells Reserve and are $15 for the day. Space is limited so don't wait to register. For more information,  HERE. 

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

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 

Registration has begun for our fun 5-week summer reading program.  The theme this year is “One World, Many Stories”.  Our program runs from June 26th through July 29th.  When you register you will receive a packet including your reading logs, calendars, some gifts and a fun bag. Keep track of your reading minutes and have them checked once a week to earn a prize of the week.  You will receive a new book, and prizes at the end, as well as a reading certificate. Also add to our visual display in the library. Some fun visitors planned, Odds Bodkins storyteller, Ben Baldwin’s African Drumming, Murray Irish Step Dancers, La Madeleine Celtic/Folk trio, Earreverance 7 member Acapella group, One World Language School, Ruth Abelman’s Yoga class, Granite State Zoo, Michael Zerphy, Juggler and Clown, storytimes, teen writing/blog group, 6-8 yr old group, 9-12 yr old group.  Join the fun!
Oyster River Alumnae Festival, Sat. June 25th , 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Join the library at this fun festival at the High School.  We will be there with fun crafts and information about the new library.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Bobcat Bolt, Sat., Jun 25, 2011. Portions of Town roads will be closed from 9:00 to 10:00 AM to conduct a 5K and 10K road race. The Bobcat Bolt is a run to remember and honor two local brothers, Joshua and Nathan Hardy, and to benefit the Oyster River Youth Initiative in their names. For more information, visit http://bobcatbolt.com/wp/?page_id=58.

Oyster River Festival.  Following the Bobcat Bolt event on Sat., Jun 25th,  a community music/art festival fund-raising event will follow from 11:00 to 2:30 PM at the ORHS field, 55 Coe Drive. For more information on this event, visit http://oralumni.org/oraa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=58Vacation

Vacation Bible School, Durham Community Church, June 26-30, Sunday 10:-11:30 AM, Monday to Thursday 9:00-Noon. The theme is Great Bible Reef and children from ages 4 (preschool experience) to those entering 5th grade are welcome to attend. Older youth are welcome to help out as team leaders. This is a collaborative effort between Durham Community Church, St. George's Episcopal Church, and Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, all in Durham. Cost is $20 for one child, $15 for 2nd child, and no more than $40 per family. For more information, contact Paula Norbert, 868-1230, or cedirector@ci.durhamcommunitychurch.org.

Summer Art Camp Classes for Children, Teens, and Adults. The Museum of Art, UNH, is offering week-long summer art classes during the weeks of Aug 1-5 and Aug 8-12, 2011. For a complete description of the classes or to register on line, visit the Museum of Art's website at http://www.unh.edu/moa/ or contact Catherine A. Mazur at catherine.mazur@unh.edu, 603-862-3713.

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

Business (1900-1930): "The property down from Frank's extended from Main Street north along Madbury Road to Bagdad Road and east to the Woodman graveyard and swamp. Known as Garrison Farm, it was owned by Charles E. Hoitt, who lived in the house at 28 Main Street on the corner of Madbury Road. For a time, he operated a shoestore in a building across from his house on Main Street, but his major sources of income were from the potatoes he grew on his land and from the water system he established to serve the lower part of the Village." 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

Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?