Friday, September 30 2011

Courtesy Bill Cote

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AT YOUNG’S RESTAURANT
Young’s Restaurant and Coffee Shop (known as Grant’s Café from 1916 to 1968) is committed not only to great food, but also to sustainable practices.  Some examples of sustainable practices utilized include:

• Purchasing 100% green, non-carbon, renewable electricity;
• Its major food supplier is wind-powered and uses bio-diesel in its trucks;
• Installation of energy efficiency strategies within the restaurant and kitchen areas, low flow fixtures, etc.

To learn more about the significant steps Young’s has taken to become a model of sustainable restaurant practices, click HERE.

Better yet, stop in for a nice meal and view Kenny Young’s most recent mountain climbing photographs from Mount McKinley/Denali in Alaska hanging on the walls.

COUNCIL MAKES NO CHANGE TO LUCT DISTRIBUTION
The Council held a public hearing on Monday evening, 9/26/11,  on a resolution to channel Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) proceeds to the General Fund as opposed to the Conservation Fund as is presently the case.  The LUCT is a 10% tax levied when land is removed from Current Use.  State law by default channels these funds to the General Fund but a local option exists to allocate these proceeds instead to the Conservation Fund.  In 2002, Durham had allocated 100% of these LUCT penalties to the Conservation Fund as recommended in the 2000 Master Plan. 

The most recent proposal was as a result of challenging economic conditions and to offset revenue loss a well as abatements refunds.  After a lengthy public hearing in which there were was overwhelming sentiment to leave the LUCT proceeds with the Conservation Fund to support conservation activities, the resolution failed by a vote of 3-6. 

DURHAM LEADERSHIP TEAM TO VISIT LONZA TO DISCUSS AND LEARN FROM PRIVATE COMPANY KAIZEN/LEAN EFFORTS

I am pleased to let Councilors know that during our Leadership Team meeting (formerly referred to as “department head meeting”) on October 18th from 1:00 - 3:30 PM, Durham staff members will travel to 101 International Drive in Portsmouth to meet with the Lean/Kaizen team at Lonza Corporation. 
 
The draft agenda with Lonza is as follows:

• History of Kaizen at the Town of Durham.
• Review/discussion of various projects and Kaizens at Lonza: Spectrum of areas in which Lonza has applied Lean, approaches used for technical problem solving, Hoshin strategy development, training programs, etc.

• Brainstorming to identify potential Kaizen ideas for Lonza volunteering in 2012
with the Town of Durham.

This is an exciting opportunity for Durham to enhance its own Kaizen (continuous improvement) efforts in cooperation with a private company.   

UPDATE ON POLICE ACTIVITY FOR THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR
Durham Police Chief David Kurz will be present at Monday night’s Council meeting to provide Councilors with a report regarding Durham’s police activity and calls for service during the opening weeks of the 2011 academic year.  To view a recent memorandum concerning police activity, click HERE.

Courtesy Todd Selig

SPEED TABLE AND RAISED CROSSWALK INSTALLATIONS MOVING FORWARD -- BAGDAD ROAD AND MADBURY ROAD
After a great deal of discussion at the Traffic Safety Committee over many months, the Public Works Department is scheduled to move forward with the installation of a new speed table application as well as Durham’s first raised crosswalk to provide greater visibility to school children crossing Madbury Road. 

These installations are a continuation of the pilot speed table application which was installed on Edgewood Road between Madbury Road and Emerson Road last fall.

A raised crosswalk is scheduled to be installed along Madbury Road at Maple Street.  Residents along Madbury Road have been requesting a speed table application since last year’s installation on Edgewood Road was completed. 

A new speed table along Bagdad Road between Strout Lane and Nobel K. Peterson Drive will be installed to slow traffic along the Bagdad Road corridor in what is a wide straight of way.  Last season, the traveled way in this area was narrowed and bicycle lanes were added.

POSSIBLE COE DRIVE SPEED TABLES UNDER DISCUSSION
At the present time, the Traffic Safety Committee is considering the installation of three speed tables along Coe Drive as part of the Safe Routes to School program:  one near the entrance to the Middle School parking lot, a raised crosswalk at the SAU, and a third between Beards Landing and the Tennis Courts.  These locations will continue to be evaluated over the coming weeks.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
This past week, Foster’s Daily Democrat carried an article focusing on the Durham Public Library’s capital campaign to raise $2.1 million dollars toward a proposed $4.8 million dollar capital project to construct a new library facility on Madbury Road.  To view financial information for the project, click HERE.

To view the Foster’s article, go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110924/GJNEWS_01/709249931&template=GreatBayRegion.

GREAT BAY WATER QUALITY ISSUES DEBATED
This week, Foster's Daily Democrat had an Editorial dealing with the issue of nutrient criteria in the Great Bay.  To view this piece, go to
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110930/GJOPINION_01/709309995/-1/FOSOPINION.

FOSTER'S EDITORIAL ON OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD RIGHT TO KNOW LAW CHALLENGE
There is an editorial in this week's Foster's Daily Democrat dealing with the recent right to know law appeal surrounding the Oyster River School Board.  To view the editorial, go to

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110929/GJOPINION_01/709299685/-1/FOSOPINION

TOWN COUNCIL TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE LAMPREY RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND THE 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATE
Town Engineer David Cedarholm and Attorney Dana Bisbee will give a presentation to update the Town Council on the Status of the Lamprey River Water Management Plan (WMP) and the Town’s Section 401 Water Quality Certification (§401).  The primary goal of this presentation is to ensure the discussion of Lamprey River WMP remains in an open public forum, and specifically to engage the Town Council on its opinions and comments relative to the Lamprey River WMP and the §401.

Lamprey River Water Management Plan
The Lamprey River Water Management Plan represents the final step in the Protected Instream Flow (PISF) Pilot Program and describes how the final PISF Report would be implemented.  The Lamprey Water Management Plan (WMP) contains individual water use plans and water conservation plans for affected water suppliers as well as dam management plans for affected dam owners.  The Draft Lamprey River Water Management Plan dated April 11, 2011 is available for review on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) website at the following link:

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/rivers/instream/lamprey/documents/20110411-prop-lwmp-rept.pdf

The UNH/Durham Water System (UDWS) commented on the WMP in a letter dated June 24, 2011. To view this document, click HERE.  NHDES responded to UDWS’s comments in a letter dated August 26, 2011. To view this document, click HERE.

On September 21, 2009 and again on September 13, 2010 the Town Council held a consultation with legal counsel in accordance with RSA 91-A:2 (I) (c) with environmental attorney Dana Bisbee, Esq. of the law firm Devine Millimet in which Attorney Bisbee provided legal advice and representation on the Protected Instream Flow Pilot Program and issues related to the §401.

The following goals and recommendations were presented to the Town Council in previous updates in 2009 and 2010:

Town’s Goals

• Reasonable access for public water supply (drinking water for Town and UNH for present and future.
• Some confidence level on regulations going forward.

Recommended Steps

1. Continue work on the issues with the PISF report and final determination by DES; not focus on the 401 Certificate.
2. Participate in  Water Management Plan.
3. Preserve the option of challenging both the final PISFs promulgated by DES and the provisions of the Water Management Plans when they are developed by DES.
4. Continue to consider potential legislative fixes, as they may need to be addressed.

On October 4, 2010, NHDES Watershed Management Bureau Administrator Paul Currier met with the Town Council at which time Mr. Currier reported that NHDES would replace the §401with the WMP upon final adoption.  The nullification of the §401 following adoption of the WMP has been anticipated for 3 or 4 years.  

Mr. Currier has since retired, and now NHDES has indicated that the agency does not have the authority to rescind or nullify a §401 because it is effectively a Federal permit.  David Cedarholm and Dana Bisbee have been in communication with NHDES on this matter and other issues outlined in the attached comment letters.

On Monday evening, the Council will receive a presentation, consider options presented, and be asked to give direction on the strategy moving forward with the Lamprey River Water Management Plan and the Section 401Water Quality Certificate.
 

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011

The 2011 annual Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held at the Department of Public Works facility located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive on October 15th.  As in the past, all hazardous waste will be collected by appointment only.  To register, you must call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578. Remember, the maximum collected per resident is five gallons. 

Common Household Hazardous Waste

NO EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ASBESTOS, SILVEX OR INFECTIOUS/BIOLOGICAL WASTE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Consider reducing your purchase of products with hazardous ingredients; read labels thoroughly.

Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in anything other than their original containers and never remove labels.

Never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become un-recyclable.

Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.

Typically, hazardous waste is categorized as toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous. Please check the manufacturer’s label.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED - COLUMBUS DAY

All Town offices will be closed for the Columbus Day holiday on Monday, October 10, 2011 and will reopen for business on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 8:00 AM. Please note that there will be NO CHANGE TO THE REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION. All items must be out by 7:00 AM.

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).

Volunteers are an essential part of New Hampshire’s response in any emergency. Most smaller communities in the state have fire departments that are staffed by volunteers. Amateur radio operators, the American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, Medical Reserve Corps units, and Citizen Emergency Response Teams are other examples of organizations that rely on volunteers and have important emergency response functions.

Planning and training are the keys to making effective use of volunteers during disasters. In order to volunteer during an emergency or disaster, join one of the NH volunteer organizations below. If you are interested in volunteering to help out during a future disaster, the time to join an organization is now! Check out the links listed below to learn about some of New Hampshire’s volunteer programs.

http://www.concord-redcross.org/index.asp?IDCapitulo=9635HCHPI3
http://www.redcrossvtnhuv.org/index.asp?IDCapitulo=44W8UXGL8L

http://www.nhcitizencorps.org/

http://nhwgcap.org/_nh2/

https://nhlicenses.nh.gov/MyLicense%20EnterpriseVHP/

http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/HomePage

http://www.arrl-nh.org/

Search volunteer opportunities near you, with VolunteerNH’s search engine for organizations and volunteer opportunities.

http://www.volunteernh.org/html/home.htm

This poor pumpkin didn't survive to Halloween last year. Courtesy Jessie McKone

DURHAM TRICK-OR-TREATING

Trick-or-Treating in Durham will be held on Sunday, October 30th, between the hours of 5:00 and 7:30 PM. Here are a few tips to help our little ghosts and goblins have a safe and fun Halloween:

• Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult, preferably the parent.
• Give children flashlights and glow sticks so that others can see them coming.
• Instruct your children to never go inside another person's home but remain outside the front door.
• Let them know that they can not eat any candy until they get home. This will allow you time to inspect the candy to make sure its sealed and hasn't been tampered with.
• When possible, children should walk in groups or in pairs. They should never be out alone.
• Have a preplanned route and go over that route with your child. If you accidentally get separated, mark off a few spots where you can rejoin up.
• Every year, children get hit by cars on Halloween night. It is better for your child to walk than to ride their bicycles when out Trick or Treating.
• If your child is wearing a mask with their costume, make sure the mask properly fits and is not obstructing their view.
• Go over stranger danger safety tips with your child before they go out. Instruct your child to never get in a stranger's car.
• Children need to remain on well lit streets and on the sidewalks. They should never be running through dark yards or playing on the street or intersections.

Courtesy University of New Hampshire

UNH HOMECOMING WEEKEND

UNH Alumni Association invites all alumni, family, and friends back to campus for Homecoming Weekend 2011, October 28-30, 2011. The weekend will be packed with a wide range of events and activities for everyone. Kick off Homecoming Weekend by wearing UNH blue and white to show your spirit. For an updated list of activities, visit https://www.alumni.unh.edu/keep/homecoming/index.html.

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://www.ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

Town Council - Monday, October 3, 2011. To view the complete packet for this meeting, click HERE.

Planning Board - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Historic District Commission - Thursday, October 6, 2011

Durham Energy Committee Master Plan Workshop - Thursday, October 6, 2011 (to be held at home of DEC Chair Kevin Gardner, 1 Stevens Way, 7:00 PM)

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 PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

With your support, the Durham Public Library will open its new doors in the summer of 2013. We are eager to welcome you in our 10,500 square foot, eco-friendly, dynamic, state-of-the-art community library at 49 Madbury Road. Our goal is to raise $900,000 before a bond vote in March 2012. To date more than $500,000 has been raised from private sources. But we still need another $350,000. You can help by making your own pledge; volunteering to host an event; volunteering to talk to friends and neighbors about the project and ask for pledges directly; and volunteering to help get out the vote in March 2012. Visit our website http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/durham/ for details. Sign up to volunteer at NewLibraryVolunteer@gmail.com and thank you for your support.

Preschool Storytimes - Tue., Oct. 4th and Thu., Oct. 6th, 10:30 a.m. This week: Dogs. All are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a craft.
Raccoon Readers (2nd -4th grade Book Club will begin on Tue., 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, Tue., Oct 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.
Authors Toby Ball and Kristin Duisberg to speak, Wed., Oct 5th, 6:30 p.m.

Join our Lego Club, Thu., Oct 6th, 3:45-4:45 p.m. for 1st-5th graders.  Like to build Legos?  Come to the Lego club in the Children’s Room to start constructing.
All Together Now For the Durham Public Library, Sun., Oct 9th, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Beatles tribute band "All Together Now" performs at the Mill Plaza as we kick off the Durham Public Library's new library building campaign. Come enjoy the Beatles timeless music and show your support for the Library. This concert is free and open to all.
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 Sep.
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.
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!

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.

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

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Folk Music Series, Saturday, Oct 1, 2011, 7:00 PM, Durham Unitarian Fellowship - Featuring the Fiddling Thomsons. Tickets at the door. Please contact Malcolm Smith at 397-5781 or malcolmsmith@comcast.net with questions.

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

Business (1930-1960): "Other businesses appearing in Durham around 1930 included The Wildcat, a sandwich shop (an exclusive outlet for university ice cream off campus) owned by Dick Daland; it was destined to become an 'institution' after it replaced Durham Drug in the Hardy-Philbrick Block. The Peterman family opened a laundry in a room of the Marshall House and later, relocated their laundry on the shore of Mill Pond. They advertised their service as 'More than just a clean shirt--driver will call for your bundle--just phone--don't be satisfied with less.' Farther east along Main Street, on a stretch also called Dover Road, a theater offered amateur performances for a year or so in what had been the Colonial Inn, and across the way, east of Gray's Garage, Fred Knight established another service station and garage in 1935. His son Harold took over in a few years, and Knight's, in addition to aiding motorists, was a gathering place for hunters, fishermen, politicians, and storytellers until the mid-1960s." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

I am very sorry to report that Gail Houghton, wife of longtime Durham Business Association Chair, Dick Houghton, passed away on Monday night.  The Houghton family operated Houghton’s Hardware on Jenkins Court in downtown Durham for  many, many years.  Services for Gail were last evening, 9/29/11, at Kent and Pelzcar Funeral Home in Newmarket.  There will be a private funeral ceremony.