Friday, September 9, 2011

Last Fall at Town Landing - Courtesy Bradford Danielson

Residents are invited this Sunday, September 11th, to join staff at the Durham Fire Department in honoring those who lost their lives and those families that were forever changed on 09/11/01.  The staff at the Fire Department will serve light refreshments beginning at 8:15 AM followed by a short ceremony at 8:46 AM, marking the time of the first plane impacting the World Trade Center.  The ceremony will take place at the flag pole in front of the Durham Fire Department at 51 College Road, Durham.

STATE OF UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
Members of the Town Council and residents alike are invited to join UNH President Mark Huddleston at the State of the University address on Thursday, September 15, 2011, from 12:40 PM to 2 PM in the Granite State Room in the Memorial Union Building.  State of UNH speech on 9/15 from 12:40 PM to 2 PM in Granite State Room at MUB.  President Huddleston is anticipated to reflect on the challenges, accomplishments, and milestones of the past year, and will look ahead to 2012 and beyond.

TRASH 2 TREASURE PROGRAM HAS LOCAL TIES

Trash 2 Treasure, a new initiative organized by UNH students, recently sold more than 10,000 items collected from departing students in May. Despite being shortened from three days to two due to Hurricane Irene, the sale brought in $11,750 and diverted an estimated 57,000 pounds of trash from landfills. 

A primary organizer of the effort was Durham resident and UNH junior Alex Freid.  It should be noted that Mr. Freid was also very involved in sustainability initiatives while he was a student at the Oyster River High School.  Residents may remember a very nice artistic display within the Town Office foyer several years ago illustrating different types of recyclable products and quantities utilized in which Mr. Freid played a part along with other ORHS students.

The UNH students sold nearly all their stock, donating leftover items to a Portsmouth nonprofit that provides household goods, clothing, and furniture to people in crisis in the Seacoast area.

The student organizers believe theirs is the first such initiative that is entirely student-led and self-sustaining. Expenses, including trucks, summer storage, and tent rental, for the inaugural event were offset by fundraising and a grant from the UNH Parents Foundation.

The Town of Durham contributed to the effort by storing three eighteen wheeler-type container box trailers in the Depot Road Parking Lot over the summer months. 

To view a more detailed article from Foster’s Daily Democrat regarding the Trash to Treasure program, go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110908/GJNEWS_01/709089757/-1/FOSNEWS0102&template=GreatBayRegion

EFFORTS TO MAKE DURHAM DAY A “WASTE FREE” EVENT ON 9/17
Part-time Parks & Recreation Director Sandy Devins and the members of the Parks & Recreation Committee have been working hard to make Durham Day a "waste free" day.

One idea considered was the the elimination of water bottles.  Unfortunately, the Town does not have a water source out at Wagon Hill Farm and it would be extremely difficult to provide enough water in large dispensers to a crowd of over 400 people.  And if water was to run out, there is not a water supply to refill containers.

However, the organizers ARE working hard to make the event WASTE FREE.  Ms. Devins has endeavored to obtain utensils, plates, and napkins that are completely compost-able. UNH is working with the Town to help provide these items and to help dispose of them and the food waste as part of the University's compost system. The Town will be providing receptacles for the bottles and cans to be recycled as well. 

The Parks & Recreation Committee is currently working with DPW to provide a water source out at Wagon Hill (besides the community garden hoses).  The Committee has funded a pump and are working on plans for a sink.  If this happens before Durham Day next year, the Town could possibly have a water bottle free event for 2012. 

For more details regarding Durham Day 2011, please see the Parks & Recreation section of the “Friday Updates” below.

MASTER PLAN SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW
The Master Plan Survey results are in. Charlie French, a staff member of the UNH Cooperative Extension, worked closely with the a Survey Subcommittee of the Master Plan Advisory Committee to create the survey earlier this year and the survey was released to the public in May and closed in June. Mr. French then tabulated the results of the survey in June with final edits made over the summer.

The tabulated results consist of four documents: A brief summary booklet document; a summary overview of the findings including basic frequency statistics; a question by question summary with bar charts and frequencies; and a summary of the responses to the open ended questions.  They can all be viewed on line at the Town’s home page at www.ci.durham.nh.us under “News”.

A total of 467 individuals responded to the survey (397 full responses and 70 partial responses).  52% of respondents were female; 48% were male.

MAJOR FINDINGS:

• Protecting Durham’s natural amenities and water resources, including Great Bay, is a high priority for respondents.
• 93% of respondents indicated that having an attractive natural setting was very important or somewhat important to making Durham a place where they want to live.
• At the same time, respondents support policies to stabilize or reduce the property tax rate, including expanding commercial development outside of the downtown core.
• 61% strongly disagree or somewhat disagree that a tax rate with similar rates as the past is acceptable.
• 92% indicated that access to the Seacoast was very important or somewhat important.
• Respondents overall support policies to make the downtown more pedestrian-friendly, including improving bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks.
• 55 respondents identified the intersection of Madbury Road and Main St. as a hazard to pedestrian safety, and 31 identified the intersection of Main St. and Mill Rd. as a hazard.
• 74%, 73% and 68%, respectively, strongly agree or somewhat agree that improving bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks are important to improving the downtown.
• Overall, respondents support a diverse mix of housing, to include affordable options for working individuals and families, young families and seniors.
• 84% strongly agree or somewhat agree the town should do more to preserve historic structures, but only 41% want to see the Historic District Boundary expanded.
• 83% of respondents indicated that the quality of Oyster River schools is very important or somewhat important to making Durham a place where they want to live.
• 91% of respondents indicated that they strongly agree or somewhat agree that joint UNH-Durham projects to promote economic Development should be pursued.
• 69% indicated that a recreational center for people of all ages would enhance Durham residents' quality of life.
• 91% strongly agree or somewhat agree that they would spend more money downtown if more retail and professional services were available.
• 89% strongly agree or somewhat agree that Durham should continue to facilitate the re-development of existing structures, and 85% strongly or somewhat agreed that Durham should facilitate new construction.
• 84% strongly agree or somewhat agree that economic development options outside of the downtown should be pursued (e.g. office parks, light industry, etc.).
• 71% strongly support or somewhat support making more land available for commercial development.
• 71% strongly agree or somewhat agree that a downtown performing arts center would benefit economic development.
• 96% of respondents indicated protecting drinking water sources was very important or somewhat important.
• 96% indicated that protecting coastal streams and water bodies leading to Great Bay was very important or somewhat important, while over 90% indicated that protecting the watershed for recreational and ecological purposes was very important to somewhat important.
• 92% of respondents strongly agree or somewhat agree that the Town should take action to implement additional energy conservation measures for municipal facilities and 85% said the Town should develop alternative energy sources for municipal facilities.
• 88% strongly agree or somewhat agree the town should support the production and sale of local agricultural products while 82% feel the town should adopt policies to protect ag lands for current or future food production.

2012-2021 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT
In conjunction with the annual budget development process, a draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is prepared in accordance with the Town Charter.  Section 5.8 states that the Administrator, after consultation with the Planning Board, shall prepare and submit to the Council a CIP at least one (1) month prior to the final date for submission of the budget.  The CIP must contain a list of capital improvements, including major replacements, which are proposed to be undertaken during the next six fiscal years. 

Over the course of the last eleven budget cycles, Administrator Selig has expanded the required six-year timeframe to a ten-year window to provide a better sense of Durham's long-term needs.  In addition, rather than is the case in many other communities, we have fully integrated the CIP into the actual budgetary document submitted to the Council such that all items ultimately recommended by the Administrator for the next fiscal year are actually included within the Capital Budget submitted to the Council. 
 

All items contained within the CIP are made part and parcel of the ten-year fiscal forecast that is generated by the Business Office as part of the budget process. The result is a streamlined budget and CIP development process that connects requests made with actual financial and projected tax rate implications. To facilitate this process, the Town Council is provided in September with the initial draft CIP outlining all requests made for capital improvements by departments, boards, and committees which is discussed with the Planning Board. After meeting with the Planning Board, the Administrator with the assistance of the Business Office and other departments, hones the plan, and ultimately transmits a final proposed document along with the Annual Budget to the Council prior to November 1st. 
 

On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Business Manager Gail Jablonski, DPW Director Mike Lynch, and Todd Selig will meet with members of the Planning Board to introduce the CIP.  We'll follow up with a subsequent meeting to discuss the document further if needed with the Planning Board on September 28, 2011.

2012 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT UNDER WAY
The 2011 budget review process is revving up to full swing. Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Todd Selig will shortly begin meeting with representatives from the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees, Planning Department, DCAT, Fire Department, Police Department, Zoning, Code Enforcement, and Assessing Office, Town Clerk/Tax Collector, MIS, and Public Works Department to discuss budget proposals for 2011. Members of the Council have been invited to participate in these meetings and have been forwarded dates and times for each group. 

The one-on-one budget meetings are done each year in an effort to gain a better understanding of each department's priorities and needs early on in the budget development process prior to any budgetary decisions being made.

It is overtly recognized that we are operating in the midst of a very difficult economic environment for residents.  Proposals brought forward to the Council in November by the Administrator will be reflective of this reality.
 

Upon finalizing the budget development process in late-October, the proposed 2012 budget will be submitted to the Town Council, along with the proposed 2012-2021 Capital Improvement Program in accordance with Section 5.2. of the Town Charter, which states: "At such time as may be requested by the Administrator or specified by the Administrative Code, each officer or director of a department shall submit an itemized estimate of the expenditures for the next fiscal year for the departments or activities under his control to the Administrator. The Administrator shall, based on these estimates and other data, prepare a recommended budget which he shall, together with these department estimates, submit to the Council no later than the last workday prior to November 1 of the current year."  

The Council then has until the last workday in December to adopt a budget or the budget as recommended by the Administrator becomes the adopted budget.
 

DURHAM POLICE ACTIVITY FOR START OF UNH ACADEMIC YEAR
With the opening of UNH’s academic year and a desire to closely monitor activity with the goal of decreasing overtime Police Department expenses to the extent possible for the community, readers will find below an up-to-date assessment of police activity for the first two weeks of the fall semester 2012. 

August 26th - 29th   (move-in weekend with Hurricane Irene)
Calls for service: 330    Last year: 226
Arrests:    27        23
 

September 2nd – 5th
Calls for service: 316    Last year: 235
Arrests:    66        54
 

While the data is significantly higher than last year by about 30% and verifies the busy nature of UNH school opening the department will continue to monitor police activity and advise the Administrator on recommendations when there are three to four weeks of data on hand. 

We plan to give the Council on overview on this issue on October 3rd.

LAND USE CHANGE TAX PROCEED DISTRIBUTION
On Monday evening, September 12th, the Town Council will hold an initial discussion regarding the distribution of Land Use Change Tax proceeds and more specifically, whether they should be allocated 100% toward the conservation fund as is presently the case, or whether these funds should instead be diverted for a limited time period to the Town’s general fund due to challenging budget circumstances. 

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.

GRANGE BUILDING WALKWAY CLOSED DURING CONSTRUCTION

The Grange building public walkway leading to the Mill Plaza below will be closed beginning Monday, September 12, 2011 until construction is completed in the spring of 2012. 

ADMINISTRATOR TO ATTEND ICMA CONFERENCE IN MILWAUKEE, 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.

WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FUNDING

The Town of Durham was recently listed on the State’s priority list for financial aid of 3 major infrastructure projects that would be eligible to receive 20 to 25 percent principal forgiveness grants. A principal forgiveness grant means that after the project is 100 percent complete, the State forgives that amount of the principal on the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan that would be secured for the projects. Eligible projects include:

• $418,000 water meter system upgrade project intended to reconfigure the Town’s water meter system to an electronic automatic meter reading system.
• $750,000 wastewater pump station rehabilitation project at the Old Concord Road Pump Station.
• $2,500,000 upgrade of the sludge dewatering facility at the Durham Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The grants from these projects would potentially equal $83,500 for the Water Meter System Upgrade project and total $839,500 from the two wastewater projects for a combined total of $923,000.  

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"

As part of the Durham Police Department’s continuing partnership with the Health & Safety Council of Strafford County during the month of September, the department is continuing in its series of messages as it participates in a Joint Information Virtual Exercise (JIVE). The theme of the second week is the word “Stay”. The second task assigned is the following message:

September is National Preparedness Month. In order to be prepared for an emergency, it is important residents are able to stay in their house for up to three days without access to electricity, water, or other services.

To learn more about what residents can do to prepare to stay in their home during an emergency, go to Ready NH at http://www.nh.gov/readynh/stay/index.htm.

ORCSD SUPERINTENDENT LEON LEVESQUE TO SPEAK AT OYSTER RIVER TAXPAYERS MEETING

The Oyster River Taxpayers will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 beginning at 7:00 PM in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall. Oyster River Cooperative School District Superintendent Leon Levesque will be available to answer questions and share his views concerning the ORCSD at the present time. Members of the public are invited to attend.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Preschool Storytimes - Tues., Sept. 13th and Thurs., Sept. 15th, 10:30 a.m. - This week: Dinosaurs. Al are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a craft.
Thanks to the children/families who signed-up this summer to have a Japanese Pen Pal. All 18 Japanese students have been assigned to Durham Library children/families and have started receiving their letters.  If you are unable to continue writing please let Miss Lisa know at ekleinmann@ci.durham.nh.us.
Join the Patch Program, our 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!
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 beginning late Sept.
Sign-ups have started for Seacoast Reads (UNH Reading Buddies).  Have a child in 1st through 3rd grade who could use some help reading?  Sign your child up for a UNH Reading Buddy.  Weekly sessions hope to start mid-October.
Loving Hannah: Childhood Cancer Treatment from the Other Side of the Bed - Tuesday, September 13 at 7 p.m. Please join us as author 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. Casseroles aren’t enough, Helping families facing crisis will also be discussed . 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.
All in the Family: Navigating Senior Care Options for Your Parents, Tuesday, Sept. 20th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Have you been wondering how to start the conversation with your parents about their long-term care needs?  Instead of searching the Internet, come join the conversation in Durham.  Four area professionals including an attorney, long-term care insurance agent, and two senior care advisors will offer practical advice about this difficult process. 

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, September 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.
Tour of UNH Campus - Sunday, September 24, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.  A tour of the UNH campus for Durham residents led by UNH Architect and DPL Board Chair Doug Bencks.  Parking is available at the Visitor Parking Lot on the corner of Main St. and Edgewood Rd. (next to the pool and New Hampshire Hall). We will meet in the lobby of New Hampshire Hall which faces directly onto Main Street at the traffic light intersection with College Road. There will be a presentation in Room 208 before the tour begins. The entire session should be about 90 minutes.The Dairy Bar has generously agreed to provide 20 free small ice cream cones to participants - first come, first served.
Pajama Storytime begins on Tues., Sept. 27th, 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. 4th, 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.
Young Adult Writing/Blog Group - Tuesday, October 4th, 7:00-7:45 p.m.  Like to write?  Join us for this Young Adult writing/blogging group that will meet once a month. 

Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

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.