No, this is not a lobster with wings, but a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris Thysbe) feeding on a Volcano Phlox at the Department of Public Works. To learn more about this interesting creature and view other photographs, click HERE.

Courtesy Jennifer Sullivan, DPW

POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES FOR THE TOWN'S SOLID WASTE COLLECTION - DISCUSSION AT AUGUST 1ST TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Director of Public Works Michael Lynch, Director of Operations Douglas Bullen, Business Manager Gail Jablonski, and Administrator Todd Selig met recently to discuss options for the solid waste and recycling program that may help to save the Town money. This group will discuss these options with the Town Council at its meeting on Monday evening, August 1, 2011 beginning at 7:00 PM in the Council chambers at Town Hall.

As part of the Town’s ongoing Lean Efforts, the Public Works Department recently solicited bids for the Contracting out of Collection of Curbside Solid Waste and Recycling to determine if there would be a cost savings from doing this process in-house. The results are as follows:

Bestway Disposal:

$180/ton for Solid Waste; $229/ton for Recycle

Pinard Waste Systems:

$179.00/ton for Solid Waste; $232.00/ton for Recycle

Waste Management:

$149.10/ton for Solid Waste; $148.75/ton for Recycle

In addition, the Town performed an analysis to determine at what cost the Town provides this service. The results indicate that it currently costs the Town $124.95/ton for Solid Waste and $133.30/ton for Recycling which indicates that the Town would not save money by contracting out this service. In fact, the Town’s operation is approximately $55,000 less expensive than contracting out.

The group continued to discuss what additional options may be available. The elimination of curbside collection totally and opening the Transfer Station for additional hours and having residents bring their items to the Durham Point Road facility was discussed. In doing some budget calculations it is felt that the Town could save up to $146,000 by doing this. The pros and cons are this program will be discussed further at the Council meeting on Monday night.

Another idea discussed was implementing a “Pay as you Throw” (PAYT) program for curbside collection. The group will be prepared to discuss the pros and cons of this program as well should the Council have interest in pursuing it further.

PREPARATION FOR UPCOMING FY 2012 BUDGET AND 2012-2021 CAPTIAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROCESS

The Business Office will soon send out its annual request to department heads and various Town boards, commissions, committees, and outside agencies asking for submissions of their proposed 2012 budgets.

In accordance with Article 5 “Finance”, Section 5.2 of the Durham Town Charter, the Town Administrator is required to submit to the Town Council a recommended budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year “…no later than the last workday prior to November 1 of the current year.”  Section 5.4 of the Durham Town Charter further states that “The budget shall be adopted not later than the last workday of the preceding fiscal year, unless another date shall be fixed by ordinance. Failure by the Council to adopt a budget by the deadline established in this section will establish the budget as recommended by the Administrator as the adopted budget.”

At the Town Councl meeting on Monday evening, August 1, 2011, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Council chambers at Town Hall, the Administrator and Business Manager will be seeking guidance from Councilors in order to begin the process of preparing the proposed 2012 budget and Capital Improvement Plan. 

In particular, the Administrator and Business Manager are interested in hearing feedback from Councilors concerning such matters as:

• Does the Council desire to decrease/increase the budget?   If so, by what  percentage?
• If a decrease to the budget, what to consider removing/decreasing —programs; services; personnel?
• Does the Council desire to increase revenues? If so, ideas on how this may be accomplished.
• Is there different or supplemental information that can be provided to assist Councilors during the process? If so, what information would be helpful that may not already be included in the current budget and CIP documents?

Town-owned H.A. Davis (Grange) Building located on Main Street

Courtesy Todd I. Selig

SALE/REDEVELOPMENT OF GRANGE BUILDING

In September 2010, Administrator Selig 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 Architect Peter Murphy on November 12, 2010.

Since that time, the Administrator and Mr. Murphy have brought the redevelopment project 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 an agreement on terms consistent with Council dialogue and a public hearing on the proposal was held at the May 16, 2011 Town Council meeting.

The Durham Town Council will vote on the approval of the sale of the Town-owned H.A. Davis (Grange) building at its meeting on Monday, August 1, 2011. The Council meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and is held in the Council chambers at the Town Hall.

The agreed upon sale price is $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 will include the following items:

• Move Grange building forward to sidewalk.
• Three workforce housing units in Grange or in addition (to be determined) w/ associated covenants.
• Retail/commercial use on first floor front part of Grange w/ associated covenants.
• Restore and preserve outside historical look and materials of Grange w/ associated covenants.
• Pedestrian enhancements along side of bldg with ROW access for general public with maintenance and upkeep the responsibility of the new property owner.
• Student housing to rear of Grange structure that is convertible to adult housing when the market permits.
• Universal access apartment.

STRAFFORD AVENUE/EDGEWOOD ROAD WATER VALVE REPLACEMENT

The Department of Public Works Water Department will be replacing a water valve at the intersection of Strafford Avenue and Edgewood Road on August 3, 2011 with a rain date of August 4, 2011. Strafford Avenue and Edgewood Road properties that have water fed off of the line that is serviced by this valve have been notified by letter.The water will be shut down from 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM during this replacement. Please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 with any questions.
 

Smith Chapel located on Mill Pond Road - Courtesy DPW

SMITH CHAPEL REPAIRS 

The long-awaited rehabilitation work began this week on the Smith Chapel starting with the roof replacement.  American Steeple of Salem, MA is replacing the slate roof.  Stain Glass of America is scheduled to come in the beginning of August to begin the window rehabilitation. We will keep residents updated on the progress of this project. 

PLANNING BOARD

The Planning Board met on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 and acted on the following items:

• Held a public hearing and approved a site plan application submitted by Graham Camire of Scorpions/Village Pizza to construct a 22’ X 30” deck to the back of their establishment located on Main Street.
• Held public hearings and approved an amended site plan application and an amended conditional use permit application for 9-11 Madbury Road to allow the electrical utilities to be placed underground for the new 4-story mixed use building.
• Held a public hearing on a site plan application submitted by GHL LLC to move the Grange building closer to Main Street, conduct a full historic renovation of the building, and to construct a new 3-story addition to the rear of the building and continued the hearing until the Wednesday, August 10th meeting.
• Held a public hearing and approved a minor, two-lot subdivision application submitted by The Nature Conservancy, Jennylyn Beaudette, and the Estate of Roland Beaudette for the property located at 19 Bennett Road.

DOWNTOWN SIDEWALKS AND LIGHTING

Department of Public Words staff has been busy with downtown lighting and sidewalk renovations and so far are on schedule.  New decorative lighting has been installed on Jenkins Court. Final paving of Jenkins Court is scheduled for Friday August 12th. 

Resetting of the curb around the new bioretention structure in the Tedeschi parking lot and the sidewalks on Pettee Brook are scheduled for Thursday, August 4th. Expect some disruption that morning and through day in this vicinity. Parking will be disrupted in these areas as well. Free parking will be available in the metered lot during construction on Thursday, August 4th. 

BEAUDETTE (2) CONSERVATION EASEMENT

At the July 25, 2011 Town Council meeting, the Council passed a motion to accept legal interest in approximately 64 acres of the Beaudette(2) property (Tax Map 15, Lot 6) in the form of conservation restrictions and authorized the Administrator to sign an agreement and other related documents with The Nature Conservancy accepting conservation restrictions on behalf of the Town.

To view maps of Durham’s conservation lands, please visit the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership’s website: http://www.greatbaypartnership.org/ and on the main page there is a link to Maps http://www.greatbaypartnership.org/maps.html providing detailed maps of conservation lands in the Great Bay region.

The index map identifies Partnership conservation lands by Conservation Area. Each Conservation Area map contains detailed property maps. Durham conservation lands are included in five maps: Crommet and Lubberland Creek, Johnson and Bunker Creek, Lamprey River, Follet’s Brook, and the Great Bay Shoreline. Each Conservation Area has a map for Public Access and a map for Hunting. The website also lists appropriate uses and restrictions. The information provided pertains only to Partnership conserved lands. Although the maps will show other conservation and public lands, the specific property information only pertains to Partnership protected properties. The website is updated at least annually, and the maps are updated bi-annually as needed.

LEARN HOW TO BUILD A SOLAR HOT WATER HEATER: AUGUST 7

Peter Ejarque, a member of the Durham Energy Committee, will be holding an outdoor hands-on “build it yourself” solar water heater class at his home on Sunday, August 7, starting at 9:00 a.m. (Rain reschedules.) Reused materials such as those found at the Durham Swap Shop and Transfer Station will be used. The day includes a potluck lunch.

The next "how-to" class, on building a “wind generator,” will be held in September. For more information, visit the Seacoast Energy and Sustainable Living Meetup Group at http://www.meetup.com/oilawareness-286 or call 603-312-6735.

Photo courtesy UNH

UPPER COLLEGE WOODS BRIDGE CLOSED UNTIL MID-AUGUST

The upper College Woods Bridge over the Oyster River will be closed until mid-August for a much-needed resurfacing. During that time, visitors to College Woods can use the lower bridge to access the southern part of the area from campus. Maps at major trailheads or online can help visitors locate alternate routes. To view a map of the trailheads, click HERE.

“The bridge is 20-plus years old, and the wooden parts of the bridge are failing to the point of no return,” says UNH woodlands manager Steve Eisenhaure. Project funding is through the NH Bureau of Trails Bureau, National Recreational Trail grant program and UNH Office of Woodlands and Natural Areas. Questions or comments can be directed to Eisenhaure at 862-3951 or woodlands@unh.edu.

DURHAM'S FRIDAY DEALS

Listed below are ongoing offers of various downtown businesses.

Wildcat Fitness - located in the Mill Plaza next to the Public Library
Use the gym for FREE on Fridays
 

Red Carpet Flower Shop - 56 Main Street
$5 Bouquets of Flowers every Friday  

Village Pizza - 45 Main Street
$5 Wraps or Large Salad w/Steak or Chicken add $2    

Minos's Roast Beef - Located in the Mill Plaza
Come try the best Boston-style roast beef sub for only $5 on Fridays.

Money spent locally stays local. Support Durham businesses. If your business has a Friday special to offer please send it to Ken Entz at sentz@comcast.net. The phone number is 603-661-2907.

UNH OUTDOOR POOL - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Due to a high bacteria level detected in one section of the UNH outdoor pool, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has ordered a temporary closure of the pool, effective immediately.

The UNH Recreation Department will be working to address this matter and will reopen the pool as soon as is practical. Please check in with the UNH Recreation Department at 862-2031 periodically to obtain more information on a reopening date.

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/.

Durham Town Council - Monday, August 1, 2011. To view the entire Council packet for this meeting, click HERE.

Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, please click HERE. 

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

DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Music by the Bay. The next "Music by the Bay" series, sponsored by the Parks & Rec Department, will feature Reggae music. This event will be held on Friday, August 19, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM 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. Event is free.

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

“One World, Many Stories” Summer Readers...Congratulations! With 221 children registered we read approximately 102,000 minutes together during our 5-week summer reading program. A big thank-you to the Byrne Foundation, CHILIS, the Cogswell and Benevolent Trust, the NH Library Association and the NH State Library for their generous grant for our finale performer.  A special thank-you to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for all their support.   A big thank-you to The Bagelry, The Sea Dogs, Dunkin Donuts, and The Durham Market, for their prize donations. Our Fall Children’s Programs will start in September.  Check our calendar for details and sign-ups in mid-August. 

Fall Children’s Programs:  Pre-School Storytime, Monthly Pajama Storytime, Raccoon Readers (1st-4th grade book group), Bookeaters (Middle School Book Group), Tales for Tails (Read to a therapy Dog), Seacoast Reads (UNH student reading tutors), Young Adult Writing Blog and we hope to be starting a Thursday afternoon Lego Club. The Patch Program will begin Sept. 1st.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Annual Summer Series at the MUB - Begins July 13th and ends on August 3rd. Movies every week including the outdoor movie on T-Hall lawn on Wed., Jul 20th and MUB Mini-Carnival on the same date. For more information, click HERE.

Great Bay Rowing Youth Summer Camp - Two sessions available: Jul 18-22 and Aug 8-12, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Meet and row out from Jackson's Landing. All are welcome grades 7-9 (must be age 12 by June 1, 2011). To print registration forms, click HERE.

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): "Diagonally across the road, Forrest Gray and Ed ('Tinker') Prescott ran a garage and machine shop behind them. 'Tinker' was noted for saying, 'If it run once, it'll run agin.' He also operated a unique kind of 'bus' service to Dover. He would load his Stanley Steamer with as many students as could hang on and for a total charge of one dollar, and the gang would be in the 'city' in fifteen minutes. 'Tinker' prided himself on a thirty-minute round-trip schedule, with no accidents.

The only other business in this area was in the Jenkins Mill at the Falls on Newmarket Road. Runlett's saw- and gristmill, on the north side of the road by the falls of the Oyster River, did not survive much beyond the early 1900s, but the Jenkins family, having owned the mill rights since before 1800, tried various ways to adapt to change and a deteriorating building. The mill became a tannery; a cider mill; and finally, a machine shop. Their tin sign, 'Durham Auto Service - washing and greasing - tires repaired F.H. Jenkins, Prop.' came down in 1920."  Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

Have a nice 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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