Friday, September 2, 2011

Rainbow over Oyster River High School - Courtesy Heather Case

The last week was an extremely busy one in Durham as a result of the challenges associated with Hurricane Irene.  However, we were VERY lucky here compared with other parts of the Northeast, particularly VT.  My 4 year old daughter may have put it best Sunday evening when she exclaimed, “There were no “tormatoes” in Durham!”

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

A final reminder that all Town offices will be closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 5th. However, there will be NO CHANGE to the refuse and recycling collection routes during the holiday week. As always, please have all items out by 7:00 AM.

MADBURY ROAD TRAFFIC CHANGE PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE
Last summer, the town moved forward with a traffic enhancement pilot program along Pettee Brook Lane reducing two lanes of traffic to one and adding a designated bicycle lane, twenty-one additional parking spaces to service the downtown core, and various traffic calming measures.  The pilot program proved quite successful and was made permanent.

This summer the Town moved forward with Phase II of our downtown traffic enhancements focusing on changes through the Madbury Road corridor from Main Street to Garrison Avenue. 
 

The primary goal of this summer’s pilot program is focused upon bicycle lanes, traffic calming measures, pedestrian friendliness, safety enhancement, and additional convenient downtown parking to support our commercial core. In fact, making the corridor safer for middle and high school children living in the Faculty Neighborhood was a primary objective of the alterations.  Changes included:

• Installation of new bicycle lane, eight new parking spaces, and the narrowing of two lanes of traffic to one between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane;
   
• Installation of new stop sign on Main Street at Madbury Road causing vehicles traveling west and entering Madbury Road to come to a stop at the traffic island; and
   
• Installation of new bicycle lanes on both sides of Madbury Road extending from Pettee Brook Lane to Garrison Avenue, narrowing of vehicular traveled lanes, and the elimination of largely unused parking spaces on the east side of Madbury Road.

The Traffic Safety Committee has been monitoring the changes closely.  One of the major focus areas for this altered traffic pattern is the stop sign at Main Street and Madbury Road.  This was viewed as critical for easing traffic merging, pedestrian crossing, and bicycle conveyance through this difficult area.  Historically, the area in front of the Post Office has been perceived as a pedestrian and bicycle-unfriendly raceway with high-speed automobile mergers and entering traffic from each side of the roadway in multiple locations. 
 

There was concern expressed by the committee regarding the possible detrimental effects of traffic backing up at the new Main Street/Madbury Road stop sign when UNH resumed classes.  Except for the first day of classes on Tuesday August 30th and during homebound commuting traffic that evening, there were no overly significant issues that would cause an immediate reaction to remove the sign.  

In addition, while we have received both negative and positive feedback from residents regarding the traffic reconfiguration, a good many residents who initially expressed concern have conveyed that after some time they have come to support the changes.
 

We do plan to carefully observe the pilot program for a more extended time to ensure that this stop sign and the accompanying parking strategy is successful in creating a safer pedestrian, vehicular, and bicycle friendly area.

DURHAM POLICE CONDUCT ALCOHOL SALES COMPLIANCE CHECKS – 100% OF ALCOHOL PURVEYORS PASS
The Durham Police Department routinely conducts compliance checks for businesses that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in Durham.  Last Friday evening, another such check was performed with an underage student, working in conjunction with the Durham Police Department and the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. 

The student attempted to purchase alcohol at every local establishment where alcohol is served including The Three Chimney’s Inn, as well as at convenience stores such as Irving, Tedeschi, and the former Gibbs. 
The young person is fully trained and is not attempting to fool the establishments by saying anything that is not truthful or by presenting false identification.The student simply provides a personal NH Driver’s License that indicates s/he is in fact under the age of 21, which should result in an immediate refusal by the establishments. 

The goal is to confirm that the businesses in Durham are properly requesting the young person’s identification and when provided, are ensuring that the identification confirms the young person is in fact of legal age to purchase alcohol. 

The Town takes this additional step to remain vigilant in the area of alcohol sales where there is such a young resident population in place.  We know from experience that virtually every criminal action the Durham Police Department investigate has some foundation in alcohol consumption.  Consequently, it is important ensure businesses are properly confirming the age and identify of those persons attempting to purchase alcohol. 

We are pleased to report that all Durham alcohol purveyors passed.
A letter was subsequently sent to local businesses selling alcohol congratulating them on their vigilance in this area. 

HURRICANE IRENE COSTS FOR DURHAM
The Town’s public works, police, and fire departments worked proactively to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Over the course of the day Sunday, there were over 70 calls for service for downed limbs and power lines, blocked roadways, smoking/burning trees and branches on or tangled up with electrical lines, calls regarding isolated flooding, etc. 

The total cost associated with Hurricane Iren for Durham was $19,729.49.  Expenditure information has been compiled and forwarded to the NH Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to determine whether FEMA disaster relief reimbursement funding might be made available to the Strafford County region. 

Compared with other areas of NH and New England, Durham weathered the storm very well. 

At the same time, we thank everyone for their cooperation as part of the last week in restoring power to neighborhoods, unblocking roadways, etc.
 

TASER TECHNOLOGY AT DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
The staff and administration at the Durham Police Department have been monitoring the development of Taser technology from a variety of perspectives for many years to ascertain the viability of and the potential need for such a system here.  A Taser is an electric-shock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles.  Tasers are now a commonly issued system for police officers nationally and across New Hampshire.

The use of Tasers by law enforcement agencies is not without controversy due in large part to the fact that during the early deployment of the tool, policies were either non-existent, badly conceived, police officers were poorly trained, and most importantly, there was inadequate oversight and control by management concerning proper use of the tool.  The National media fairly commonly reported upon stories of abuse by police officers using Tasers.  In Durham, I have shared such stories with Chief Kurz over time to ensure he has been aware of these issues. 
 

As a result of this additional scrutiny, police agencies nationwide have improved protocols for the use of Taser technology with excellent results.  There have been marked reductions in officer-involved shootings, the creation of early warning systems to detect possible excesses in individual officer use of force issues, and training of officers to de-escalate situations when possibly using verbal techniques and other nonlethal methods can control an incident.  
 

In Durham, the Police Department staff work hard to screen and hire outstanding candidates to fill police officer vacancies.  In addition, we are fortunate to have an active and engaged command structure and a nationally accredited department through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Accreditation ensures that not only are nationally accepted best practice policies in place here in Durham, but these policies are routinely followed at the department by individual officers. 

The issue for the Durham Police Department centers around the options for less-lethal force that are at the disposal of individual officers.  The ASP, an expandable metal baton issued to all Durham officers, is essentially the equivalent of a steel club … and with it all of the same crudeness and injury to those struck by this tool. 
 

Durham police officers often have to take into custody violent persons who are under the influence of alcohol, a stimulant, or some other illicit narcotic. Durham officers are trained to use techniques such as verbal Judo, wristlocks and other forms of joint manipulation, OC pepper spray, striking with the ASP, and ultimately the utilization of a firearm.  A challenge to offices is that many illicit narcotics consumed by the strong 18-24 year old individuals Durham police encounter are painkillers and/or alcohol intoxication, both of which numb the body’s reactions and as a result, standard subduing techniques are frequently much less effective at brining a combative person into compliance.  During the hours of 10 PM and 3 AM, the behavior of intoxicated young people is often quite different from their behavior during the workday.

Taser technology offers a new tool which would: a) temporarily disable even the largest, most determined individual regardless of the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; b) ensure the strong likelihood of not causing serious injury to anyone involved; c) ensure there is a tool that could be utilized without the officer being dependent upon causing pain to obtain compliance with a lawful order; d) work reliably; and e) be capable of being used from a safe distance so that an arresting officer need not come within range of a suspect’s blows.  Ideally, the mere display of  Taser technology would ensure it would not need to be utilized at all. 

Chief Kurz approached the Administrator earlier this year with a proposal to 1) develop and implement an appropriate policy governing the use of Tasers by Durham police officers; 2) select two officers for instructor training in the Taser system; 3) determine the type of Taser to be utilized; 4) train/certify each Durham officer in the use of Tasers; and 5) issue a Taser to all sworn officers at the department. 
 

The Administrator has been very cautious regarding embracing Taser technology for Durham over the last several years but understands the merits of the tool for Durham officers. 

Consequently, Chief Kurz has been authorized by the Administrator to move forward with a modified, more tempered approach.   Steps 1-3 have been accomplished to date.  However, rather than issuing Tasers to all Durham police officers, only Sergeants would be issued this new technology for a number of reasons:

• Sergeants by definition are highly knowledgeable patrol officers with supervisory responsibilities;
   
• They have a great deal of experience in dealing with confrontational situations;
   
• If they are responding to an officer needing assistance, the mere presence of additional staff may diminish the need to employ less-lethal force;
   
• Further evaluation of the Taser system in Durham can be accomplished with limited, yet highly trained and experienced personnel from the department being equipped.

The training for the Sergeants will be comprehensive and will include manufacturer’s requirements, Police Standards and Training Council recommendations, as well as a thorough review of Durham Police Use of Force policies and procedures.  No Sergeant will be assigned a Taser until these criteria are met.  End of year use of force statistics will be kept regarding Taser use.  Taser technology internally records deployment for after action review and analysis. 
 

The cost to equip the five Sergeants with one Taser each is $7,568.20. 

RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EDUCATIONAL SESSION SCHEDULED FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011

The members of the Town of Durham’s boards, committees, commissions, Town Council, and Library Board of Trustees serve as members of public boards and are therefore responsible to act in accordance with the Right-to-Know law in the State of New Hampshire. The Preamble of the Right-to-Know law reads:  “Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people.” 

In order to ensure that the members of Durham’s public boards are given the resources they need to act in accord with RSA 91-A, a Right-to-Know law educational session has been scheduled for Monday, October 31, 2011 beginning at 7:00 PM in the Town Council chambers. 

Attorney Christine Fillmore from the Local Government Center will be present to provide an overview of the Right-to-Know law and to answer any questions that board members may have. The general public and Town department heads are invited and encouraged to attend the session, or to view it on Durham Community Access Television (Channel 22).  Oyster River School Board members are also invited to attend, as well as the Selectmen and board members from the communities of Lee and Madbury.

MASTER PLAN UPDATE
The Town of Durham is preparing to update the 2000 Master Plan and will be holding a series of meetings over the next several months beginning in September.  We will be updating the Commercial Core, Environmental and Cultural Resources, Economic Development (Tax Stabilization), and Land Use Chapters.  In addition, a new Energy Chapter will be added to the Master Plan. 

The Director of Planning & Community Development and the town's consultant will be meeting with the Energy Committee on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 to discuss the Energy Chapter.  The following eveing, Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Charlie French, a staff member from the UNH Cooperative Exension, will be meeting with the Planning Board to discuss the summarized and tabulated results from the Master Plan Survey.  The results of the survey will be posted in the Town's website and will also be available at the Planning & Community Development Office.

The Town is also looking for volunteers to be on the Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC).  This Committee will lead the Master Plan Update, working with a consultant that will help write the amendments,  keep the process moving forward, and will report to the Planning Board.  For more information about joing the MPAC, please contact Jim Campbell, Director of Planning & Community Development at 603-868-8064, jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us. We look forward to working with you on these important updates to the Master Plan.

NO FARMER'S MARKET ON LABOR DAY

There will be no Durham Farmer's Market on Monday, Labor Day, September 5th. The Farmer's Market will continue the following Monday, September 12th at the Pettee Brook Parking Lot.

ADMINISTRATOR TO ATTEND ICMA CONFERENCE INMILWAUKEE, WI

Administrator Selig will be attending the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) annual conference from September 16th - 21st, this year to be held in Milwaukee, WI.  Scheduled courses/field demonstrations include:  Rapid innovation, tour and orientation regarding the success of Milwaukee's historic Third Ward, LEED, addressing urban food deserts in a sustainable way, and more.  During this time, he will be available by phone and email if needed.  For more information regarding ICMA, go to http://icma.org/en/icma/home.  

MEMORIAL UNION BUILDING UPGRADES THE PROJECTION SYSTEM IN THEATER 2

Over the summer the film projection system in the UNH MUB's Theater 2 was upgraded to a digital system that can play 3D movies. As always all community members are welcome to attend movies in the MUB. 

The first 3D movie will be THOR and will play on Thursday, September 15th.  The rest of the movie schedule and ticket information can be seen at http://www.unhmub.com/movies/.

SEPTEMBER IS "NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH"

The month of September is “National Preparedness Month”, an event founded after 9/11 to increase preparedness in the United States. The Durham Police Department is currently partnering with the Health & Safety Council of Strafford County as we participate in a Joint Information Virtual Exercise (JIVE). Over the course of the next week, we will be tasked with posting messages using “social media” services such as the Town of Durham “Friday Updates”. The first task assigned is the following message:

This September will mark the ten year anniversary of the September 11th attacks and we ask you to take time to make sure you are prepared for future emergencies. National Preparedness Month has been held each September since 2004 to increase preparedness in the U.S. It is a time to prepare yourself and those in your care for an unexpected emergency.

This September, please prepare and plan for emergencies of all types that may cause you to:

• Have to stay in your home for three days without access to electricity, water, stores, and other local services.
   
• Have to leave your home quickly.
   
• Have to connect with your friends and family when communications systems may be down or overloaded.

For more information on how to prepare for an emergency, whether you need to stay, leave, or connect, visit ReadyNH at http://www.nh.gov/readynh/index.htm.

MCGREGOR MEMORIAL EMS VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE OVER 400 HOURS LAST WEEKEND
This past weekend was a very busy one for all public safety agencies in Durham and surrounding areas. Between UNH move-in and Hurricane Irene, resources in many areas were stretched thin.  Volunteers, including local residents and UNH students from McGregor EMS, volunteered over 412 hours, staffing as many as three ambulances and handling 20 emergency calls for service throughout the weekend.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Preschool Storytimes begin Tues., Sept. 6th and Thurs., Sept. 8th, 10:30 a.m. - This week: Ducks. All are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a craft.
Join the Patch Program, a 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.  Thanks to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for their continued support of this program.  We have new patches.

Check Out the New Sign at Our Future Home - If you've driven down Madbury Road lately you may have seen our new sign designating the future home of the Durham Public Library at 49 Madbury Road.

Registration for Tales for Tails has begun. 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 in September for a session.
Loving Hannah: Childhood Cancer Treatment from the Other Side of the Bed - Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. Carol Glover speaks about her book Loving Hannah. In the author's words: "Just the word cancer evokes fear. When that word is applied to someone you love, fear turns to terror.” This book is a memoir of months of chemotherapy, complications, and hospitalization at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine, as seen from the patient/family view by a health care provider. This book is available at the library for checkout. A portion of the proceeds from the book, sold at the program, will be donated to cancer programs.
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Club begins on Weds. Sept. 21st at 2:45-4:00 p.m. Come and discuss this month’s book Hide and Seek by Katy Grant with other Middle Schoolers.  Copies of the selected book are available at the library. Pizza is served.
An Evening of Adventure with International Motorcycle Traveler Ben Slavin, Wed, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. In October 2009, Ben Slavin left his home in Hooksett, NH in search of adventure. Over the course of 6 months he rode his motorcycle 23,000 miles through 15 countries until he reached the southernmost city in the world - Ushuaia, Argentina. He documented the journey on his blog http://afewmoremiles.com/

Humanities Book Discussion, Friday, Sept. 23, 10:00 AM. Funded by the NH Council for the Humanities. Discussion Leader: Jennifer Lee.  The short stories of Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) Much is in the details. We will focus on the following stories: The Lady with the Pet/Little/Lap Dog, Gooseberries, The Kiss and The Darling. Your copy awaits you.
Pajama Storytime begins on Tues., Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m.   Join ORPP and the library for our pajama storytime.  All are welcome!   The theme this month is Superheroes/Heroes.  We will read stories about superheroes and heroes and make a superhero craft. 
Raccoon Readers (2nd -4th grade Book Club will begin on Tues. Oct. 4, 6:00-7:00 p.m. This month’s book is Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Florence and Richard Atwater. We will discuss the book(s), author(s), play games, and make a craft.  Books are available at the library. 
Seacoast Reads (UNH Reading Buddies) and a possible Lego club in October. Will have more information to come.  Check out our website http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/durham/ for more information. 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Presentation by Professor of English at UNH Tom Newkirk - Thu., Sep 8, 2011, 7:30 PM, Oyster River High School. Professor of English at UNH, Tom Newkirk, will present a talk titled "Teaching and Learning in Modern Times: the Reform Movement in Education and What it Means for our Children". This talk will be followed by a discussion and is being sponsored by Friends of Oyster River Education (FORE).

The Durham Community Church is Opening a Thrift Shop - ECHO Community Thrift Shop will open on Sat., Sep 10, 2011, from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Hours:  Wed, 10am-5 pm; Thu, 10am-7pm; Fri, 10am-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm. The Thrift Shop entrance is at the back of the Church in the lower parking lot. For more information, contact 603-868-1230, mailto:offfice@durhamcommunitychurch.org.

Yoga classes - Thursdays, 12:00 noon at Wagon Hill Farm with Hannelore Moebius. Classes are FREE. Please contact Hannelore Moebius at yoga@moebiusyoga.com with any questions.

Annual Church Yard Sale - Saturday, Sep 10, 2011, 8:30 AM-2:00 PM. Sponsored by and located at Community Church of Durham, St. George Episcopal Church, and St. Thomas More Church. For more information, contact Audrey Drogseth, 603-868-1230. office@durhamcommunitychurch.org.

Museum of Art, UNH Opens Two New Exhibitions - Two new exhibitions featuring the paintings of noted Maine artist and author Dahlov Ipcar as well as 38 works by 18 members of the Boston Sculptors Gallery will be presented at the Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire, beginning September 10, 2011. Full Circle: Dahlov Ipcar's Circle Paintings, with a Round of Marguerite and William Zorach features the artist’s colorful, animal/ecology-related series created over a span of 22 years. Selected Works from the Boston Sculptors Gallery includes indoor and outdoor contemporary sculpture showcasing a diversity of styles, subject matter, and media.For more information, call 603-862-3712 or visit http://www.unh.edu/moa/.

Trot 4 Kids 5k Charity Run (rain or shine) - Saturday, Sep 10, 2011, 20 George Bennett Road, Lee, NH. Registration begins at 7:00 AM; road race begins at 8:30 AM; walkers begin at 8:15 AM. Registration is $20 online, $25 on race day. For more information, contact Caren at crossi@leenh.org, 603-659-6783.

A Call for Healing and Hope - 10th Anniversary Commemoration of September 11 - Sunday, Sep 11, 2011, 4:00-6:00 PM; Friday and Saturday, Sep 16 and 17, 2011, 7:30-9:00 PM, Community Church of Durham, UCC, 17 Main Street. For more information, call 603-868-1230, offfice@durhamcommunitychurch.org.

Active Retirement Association General Meeting - Tue., Sep 13, 2011, 1:00 PM, Durham Evangelical Church. This meeting is open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.unh.edu/ara/ or contact Carol Caldwell at 603-343-1004.

Great Bay Academy of Dance Fall Ballet Classes - Wednesdays starting Sep 14-Dec 14, 2011. Pre-ballet: 4:30-5:15 PM (Ages 4 & 5) Ballet I:  5:15-6:15 PM (Ages 6-8). For more information, call 603-433-4200, http://www.gbadance.com/

Museum of Art, UNH - Portsmouth Poet Laureate John-Michael Albert and jazz pianist Michael Annicchiarico, Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 7:00 PM. For more information, visit http://www.unh.edu/moa/
Turf Management Workshop - Hosted by the Seacoast Stormwater Coalition, Mon., Sep 19, 2011, 8:15 AM-12:00 noon, Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Avenue. This workshop is FREE. Register by emailing Cathy Coletti at catherine.coletti@des.nh.gov or calling 603-559-0024.

One World Language School - Early Language Education Opportunities.  French, Spanish, German, and Chinese classes for children in ages 3-14 on Wednesday afternoons at the Moharimet Elementary School.  Information and Registration Night at Moharimet on Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011, 5:00-6:30 PM.  For information, contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org, 603-866-0364. To learn more about programs, visit http://www.oneworldlanguageschool.org/.

Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Help us get growing on the wild side! Developing a community garden for you and wildlife. For more information or to sign up, contact Shannon O'Brien at 603-778-0015, shannon.obrien@wildlife.nh.gov. For questions regarding this project, contact Rachel Stevens at rachel.stevens@wildlife.nh.gov.