Friday, February 3, 2012

Groundhog Club handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 126th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., on Thursday.

Photo courtesy Gene J. Pusker, AP 

Famed groundhog prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil has weighed in with his yearly forecast from central Pennsylvania: Six more weeks of winter. Here's Phil's forecast, as relayed at the annual ceremony: "Many shadows do I see: six more weeks of winter it must be."

To read the complete article about Punxsutawney Phil's forecast, courtesy Douglas Stanglin, USA Today, click HERE.

PUBLIC HEARING ON LIBRARY BOND REFERENDUM

On Monday, February 6, 2012, the Town Council will hold a second Public Hearing on the library referendum to provide an additional opportunity for members of the community to become familiar with the project, ask questions, etc. To view the library operating cost comparisons, click HERE.
  
Questions concerning the proposed library and bond referendum should be directed to Douglas Bencks, Chair, Durham Library Board of Trustees at 603-868-6559, dbencks@comcast.net.

Participants in the human "dog sled" race; one of the events held during Saturday's Winter Festival at Churchill Rink sponsored by Durham Parks & Recreation. Photo courtesy Sandy Devins

PARKS AND REC'S WINTER CARNIVAL A BIG SUCCESS

The Durham Winter Carnival at Churchill Rink held this past Saturday was a great success. Children and adults enjoyed the many activities including free ice skating, winter arts and crafts, igloo building, snow painting, and human “dog sled” races.

The carnival provided an occasion to bring people from the community together to enjoy our resources while building a better sense of community here in Durham.

The Recreation Department owes a big thank you to the Durham Library and their Trustees for the children’s table and activities. Thank you to the Sea Chantey Singers from UNH Marine Docents for their great performances.

We would also like to thank the local businesses for contributing and helping to make this event possible:  Three Chimneys Inn and Goss International.

Thank you to the many residents who shared their Chili and Mac 'N Cheese recipes. Also, a big shout out to our Recreation Committee members; Sara Badger Wilson, Diane Moore, and Nate Trauntvein for helping out.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Department of Public Works, the Durham Fire Department, and Churchill Rink Director Andy Buckman for all of their help and support.

The Chili and Mac ‘N Cheese tastings were a great success with many entries receiving awards. Our local businesses; Mama Mac’s N More, Health Spirit Center, and What A Crock all received awards. Many residents and departments provided homemade dishes and won awards as well. Our top votes went to; Sally Hochgraf, Durham Fire Dept, Kelly Warren, Diane Moore, Sara Badger Wilson, Laurie Trauntvein ,and Mary Bencks.

We look forward to having the community come together again at the Easter Egg Hunt in April.

________________________________

For information on current programs and events, please contact P&R Director Sandy Devins at 603-817-4074, sdevins@ci.durham.nh.us  Also check out our Facebook account on “Durham Rec”.

Peaceful Protest at Capstone's Cottages of Durham Office at Tedeschi

Lot on Wednesday afternoon.

PEACEFUL PROTEST OCCURS AT CAPSTONE’S DOWNTOWN DURHAM OFFICE

Capstone Development indicated Wednesday it is investigating reports that at least eight workers on a major residential construction project on Technology Drive in Durham are owed money in unpaid wages and overtime.

Capstone and its subsidiary, Cottage Builders, are the lead contractors on the $30 million to $40 million Cottages of Durham project which has been under construction since June. 

A peace vigil followed by a protest at Capstone’s downtown office on Jenkins Court occurred on Wednesday afternoon.  To read an article in Thursday’s New Hampshire Union Leader on the topic, go to:

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20120201/NEWS02/702029969&source=RSS

The Town of Durham vigorously works to enforce its zoning, life safety, fire safety, and building code regulations through active enforcement efforts by our Code Enforcement and Fire Departments. 

We work to protect the peace through our local Police Department. 

Town agencies have been very active in enforcing local and state regulations that are within our area of jurisdiction at the Capstone site over the last several months.  To the extent there have been issues, the Capstone Corporation has been responsive in addressing these. 

The Town of Durham has no control over the internal operations or labor practices of companies that work within our community.

At the same time, Durham does not and cannot condone unfair, unethical, unjust, or illegal workplace practices.  Because the Capstone project is within our community, we take any concerns expressed very seriously and have asked Capstone to investigate allegations raised.

Violations of Federal immigration or wage and hour rules are handled by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office, the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA), and the N.H. Department of Labor.

To the extent violations of Federal or state laws are believed to exist, we strongly encourage those impacted or aware of them to immediately bring these to the attention of the appropriate Federal and state authorities so that they may be investigated and acted upon as the law dictates. 

Contact information for relevant agencies may be found below.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement     U.S. Department of Labor                   

Boston Field Office
                                            Occupational Safety and Health Administration

10 New England Executive Park 
                         J.C. Cleveland Federal Building

Burlington, MA 01803
                                          53 Pleasant Street, Room 3901

Phone: (781) 359-7500                                         Concord, NH 03301

http://www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp      Phone:  (603) 225-1629

                                                                        http://www.osha.gov/dep/index.html

N.H. Department of Labor

PO Pox 2076

Concord, NH 03302

Phone: (603) 271-3176

http://www.labor.state.nh.us/

SUPER BOWL PREPARATIONS

In preparation for the Super Bowl this Sunday evening featuring the N.E. Patriots v. the N.Y. Giants, the Durham and UNH Police Departments, along with the Durham Fire Department, have been proactively working to ensure that the town and campus remain peaceful during and after the game – win or lose. 

To this end, UNH President Mark Huddleston has authored a letter to students that was featured in today’s The New Hampshire newspaper:

http://www.tnhonline.com/opinion/letter-from-the-president-please-keep-civility-after-the-super-bowl-1.2764209#.TywKt5hoZHg . 

We plan to have a modest complement of officers on hand equivalent to a UNH Homecoming weekend, versus the 120-150 police personnel, mounted officers, motorcycles, canine units, etc. that traditionally was required to be on hand between 2002 and 2008 when a series of unfortunate civil disturbances broke out following major sporting events within Durham’s downtown core causing major damage and numerous arrests.

The UNH Dean of Students will be on hand at the Durham Police Department to hand out suspension letters for students arrested due to any riotous behavior.

Residents may also have an interest in the Durham/UNH Statement of Shared Civic Responsibility at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/generalpdfs/Statement%20of%20Shared%20Civic%20Commitment-REVISED%20May%202011.pdf.  

“JACK THE SNIPPER” SUSPECT RELEASED FROM STATE PRISON

Jeffery Gelinas, who was the sole suspect in the series of burglaries in the Durham community in 2003-04 which made national news as the “Jack the Snipper” cases, has made parole as of yesterday February 2nd.  At the time of his incarceration, the Durham Police had eight burglaries in which Gelinas was the primary suspect who was broking into homes and apartments of females and cutting off their clothing as they slept. When the Durham Police were actively investigating these incidents, Gelinas was living in Barrington, but had previously lived in Durham, Dover, and had originally come from Manchester. 

Gelinas was arrested in 2004 for attempted burglary into an apartment on Young Drive.  This would have been the ninth incident in Durham and as a result of his conviction on this lone matter, he was sentenced to the New Hampshire State Prison where he served the majority of his 8-year sentence until he was released by the Parole Board yesterday.  At this time, the Parole Board has forbidden him to come to Rockingham or Strafford Counties. 

NEW RESTAURANT ANTICIPATD TO OPEN WITHIN DURHAM’S MILL PLAZA

A new restaurant anticipated to move into the old La Paz space in the Mill Plaza.   An establishment by the name of B.J. Brickers has made application for a liquor license at that location.

OYSTER RIVER SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE SEEKS INTERESTED RESIDENTS FOR SCHOOL GARDENS

The ORCSD Sustainability Committee is looking for community members interested in making nutritious, locally grown foods a reality for our students.  The committee, along with the ORCSD Food Service Director, Andrea Tran, is interested in establishing school gardens at each school in the district in order to grow fruits, herbs, and vegetables that can be harvested and incorporated into the food served to ORCSD students.  How can you help?

·      Donate equipment – shovels, hoes, seeds, wood for raised beds, cold frames, compost, etc.

·      Donate your time – the committee can’t do this without community support. If you’re interested in planning, tilling, planting, weeding, watering and harvesting let the Sustainability Committe know.

·      Donate your knowledge – the committee needs experts in the field who are interested in assisting teachers to educate students about where our food comes from and how we can incorporate homegrown food into our meals.

Interested individuals can contact Sarah Larson-Dennen - fourth grade teacher at Moharimet at slarsondennen@orcsd.org or call here at (603) 534-3405. 

Courtesy Dept. of Public Works

DOWNEASTER TRAIN STATION BRIDGE DECK CEILING REPAIRS

Department of Public Works staff made emergency repairs this week to peeling/deteriorating bridge deck ceiling at the Downeaster Train Station located at the Dairy Bar on Depot Road.  The bridge is scheduled for an engineering inspection this year, and depending on the report, a scope of work will be designed for repairs in 2013. 

ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER APRIL TALON OBTAINS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING LICENSE

Congratulations to Assistant Town Engineer April Talon who successfully received her Professional Engineering (PE) license.  April has worked for the Town for two years this coming March.  She is a University of New Hampshire. April is glad to be dropping the "EIT” suffix (Engineerr-in-Training) after her name and replace it with the “PE” suffix now that she’s passed her exam and received her license.  Congratulations, April!

Courtesy Harmony Homes

HARMONY HOMES - THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BUSINESS

This week's featured business is HARMONY HOMES Assisted Living Facility located at 1 Stagecoach Road. Harmony Homes is currently accepting applications for potential residents, is scheduled to open March 1, 2012, and will hold Open Houses beginning February 4, 2012 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM.

Tours of the facility may alse be arranged by emailing Debbie and John at harmonyhomesnh@hotmail.com. For more information, call 603-292-6087 or visit http://www.harmonyhomesnh.com/.

BUTTON UP NH COMES TO DURHAM ON FEBRUARY 23 - FREE!

Feeling the drafts in your home? Need to lower your heating bills? Want to help make our region more sustainable and resilient? Join your neighbors in two free Button Up NH workshops to be held on Thursday, February 23rd (snow date Tuesday, March 6th), starting at 6:30 P.M., in the Multipurpose Room at Durham's Oyster River High School. Local energy experts, renewable energy installers, and residents with energy efficiency experience will be available for questions and discussion. Get information and a bit of hands-on experience with weatherization techniques. For more specific information, click HERE for the flyer or go to http://www.sustainable-durham.info/2012/01/27/button-up-durham/.

To help us plan refreshments and seating, please pre-register.  Pre-registered guests will be entered in a drawing for weatherization related door prizes! Pre-register at http://buttonupdurham.eventbrite.com/.

For more information on these workshops in general, go to the Button Up, New Hampshire site at http://myenergyplan.net/buttonup/.

If you have questions about this particular Durham event, please contact Energy Committee member Charles Forcey at cforcey@historicusinc.com or 603-868-9900.

ALTERNATE NEEDED FOR THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board has an alternate position available and would like to fill the position as soon as possible.  To find out more about the position, please feel free to contact Jim Campbell, Director of Planning and Community Development, at jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us or 603-868-8064. You may also want to speak to a current member of the Board to gain further insight on the position.

TOWN OFFICE FILING PERIOD FOR MARCH 13, 2012 TOWN ELECTION
The filing period for Town offices for the March Town Election closes today at 5:00 PM. The following is a list of citizens to date that have filed for the Durham elected offices:

Town Council, 3 positions (3-year terms): Diana Carroll, Robin Mower, David Howland, Leslie Schwartz

Library Board of Trustees, 2 positions (3-year terms): Robin Balducci, Douglas Bencks

Library Board of Trustee, 1 position (2-year term):  Ann Windsor

Moderator, 1 position (2-year term):  Christopher Regan

Supervisors of the Checklist, 1 position (6-year term):  Roni Pekins

Trustees of the Trust Funds, 1 position (3-year term):  George Frick

DRAWING NAMES OF CANDIDATES FOR ORDER OF LISTING ON DURHAM TOWN ELECTION BALLOT
At the Durham Town Council meeting on Monday evening, February 6, 2012, Town Moderator Christopher Regan and Town Clerk-Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt will be present at the beginning of the meeting to draw names of individuals running for elected offices to determine the order of names on the Town’s March 12th Election ballot. 

In 2007, the Town Council adopted a resolution discontinuing the Town’s previous practice of listing candidates alphabetically on Town election ballots as outlined in Article 2, Section 2.6 of the Durham Town Charter and adopting the method of listing candidates on Town election ballots by the Town Clerk, under the supervision of the Town Moderator of drawing candidates’ names out of a hat and listing them in the order by which they are drawn.

OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTED OFFICES - FILING PERIOD CLOSES

The following is a list of individuals that, to the best of our knowledge, have filed for the Oyster River Cooperative School District elected offices by today's 4 PM deadline.

Moderator - Richard Laughton

School Board, 3 positions, one each from Durham, Lee, and Madbury (3-year terms) and 1 At Large position (1-year term):  Maria S. Barth and Henry Brackett  (Lee opening); Peter Macdonald and Tom Newkirk (At Large opening); Allan Howland (Durham opening); Edwin Charle and James Kach (Madbury opening).

For more information contact the SAU Office at 868-5100 X2002.

OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT -- IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

February 7th Deliberative Session (ORHS Auditorium 7 PM)

February 21st Candidates' Night (ORHS Location TBD 7 PM)

    Snow Date: February 22nd

March 13th Voting Day -- Session II -- Vote in Town of Residence

For more information contact the SAU Office at 868-5100 X2002.

2011 DURHAM EMPLOYEE YEAR END GROSS WAGES
A 2011 report of annual Durham employee gross wages and taxable benefits is currently available on the Town web site. To view the 2011 report click HERE. Gross wages include: overtime, special detail pay, merit pay, holiday pay, sick leave bonus pay, longevity pay, insurance credit, and miscellaneous stipends. Taxable benefits include: short and long-term disability payments, car allowance, and matching retirement deductions.
                               

While the Town is under no obligation to create a report that is not already on file, it is important to facilitate the release of this information in an easily understandable format for residents. Employee titles were added to make it easier for the lay person to understand.  The report also includes elected officials who receive a stipend for service. Employees of the Town of Durham are public employees and as such it is essential for the public to understand how they are compensated each year.

Wage ranges (with the exception of the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement/Health Officer, Deputy Police Chief, Assistant Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief positions) are based upon the 2011 New Hampshire Municipal Association Wage & Salary Survey for similar positions within comparable communities. Range midpoints derived from 20 selected municipalities including Bedford, Conway, Derry, Dover, Exeter, Goffstown, Hampton, Hanover, Hudson, Keene, Lebanon, Londonderry, Meredith, Merrimack, Milford,Portsmouth, Raymond, Rochester, Somersworth, and Windham.

Wage ranges for the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement/Health Officer based upon the 2011 New Hampshire Municipal Association Wage & Salary Survey for similar positions within comparable communities. Range midpoints derived from 9 selected municipalities including Derry, Dover, Hampton, Hanover, Londonderry, Manchester, Portsmouth, Rochester, and Salem.

Wage range for the Deputy Police Chief position is indexed at 90% of the Police Chief's midpoint salary.

Wage range for the Assistant Fire Chief and the Deputy Fire Chief positions are indexed at 90% of the Fire Chief's midpoint salary.

As a management philosophy, the Town has provided funding for the various agencies of the Town in a manner so as to provide the minimum staffing needed utilizing hard working, competent personnel to accomplish the ongoing business of the town.  Projects that transcend the routine and are beyond our static organizational capacity are contracted out or absorbed based upon internal capability where such resources exist.  We have endeavored over the years in Durham to compensate our staff fairly, neither being the highest nor the lowest amongst peer communities. 

On August 1, 2011, the Town Council held a discussion concerning the FY 2012 Budget with the Administrator and provided guidance as part of the budget process culminating with the Council approving the FY 2012 Budget and 2012-2021 Capital Improvement Program by a 6-2 vote on 12/12/11.  The approved budget is anticipated to increase the municipal portion of the Durham tax rate by .55% from $7.57 to $7.61. 

In an era of economic downturn and frozen wages for non-unionized personnel during three out of the last four years, morale has remained positive amongst Durham Town staff. 

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.

Town Council - Monday, February 6, 2012. To view the complete packet of information for this meeting, click HERE.

Durham Energy Committee - Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Planning Board - Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Conservation Commission, Thursday, February 9, 2012

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/  by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

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.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Active Retirement Association (ARA) Spring General Meeting, Monday, February 13, 2012, 1:30 PM, Durham Evangelical Church. Featured speaker is Chris Sterndale, Executive Director, Cross Roads in Portsmouth, NH. For more information, click HERE.

Museum of Art, UNH, presents a slide lecture by eco-artist and photographer Tim Gaudreau (UNH '92), Wed., February 15, 2012, 12:00 noon in Room A218, Paul Creative Arts Center. For more information, call 603-862-3712 or visit http://www.unh.edu/moa/.

Durham Historic Association Museum - The Durham Historic Association Museum will be open Sunday, February 19, 2012 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM. Come and learn about early Durham. Call 603-868-2579 for more information.

On Belay Outdoor Winter Program, Sunday, March 4, 2012, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Plymouth State University. On Belay provides unique adventure-based programs that build community among children 9-19 with Cancer. Programs are free for participants. For more information and to register, click HERE.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

New Library Fund Raising News:  The Library Board of Trustees have surpassed their fundraising goal of $900,000.  As of January 26, 2012, they have raised $1,042,086.00 for the new library.  A thank you is extended to all of the Library's donors.  All told, the Trustees and donors will contribute at least $2.2 million as the private portion of the project costs. The Library’s Board of Trustees and campaign volunteers are still continuing to fundraise with the intent of surpassing the goal and bringing down the bond as much possible.
Storytimes, Tues. Feb. 7th and Thurs. Feb. 9th at 10:30 a.m. – This week: Elephants!    We read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays feltboard and make a craft.  All are welcome!
Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4th grade book group, Tues. Feb. 7th, 6:00 p.m. - Join us for this monthly book group.  This month we read either “Mrs. Piggle Wiggle” by Betsy MacDonald and/or  “Around the World in 100 Days” by Gary Blackwood.  Your choice.  We talk about the books, authors, play some games, solve some puzzles and make a craft.  All are welcome!
Young Adult/Writing Blog Group, Tues. Feb. 7th, 7:00 p.m. - Interested in writing?  Join us for this monthly writing/blog group. Post a book review, poem, movie review, fiction story, music lyrics, travel logs...on our blog "Write Away".
Build Your Own Website for the Technically Literate!  Week 3:  Weds. Jan. 25th, 6:15-8:00 p.m. - Dates Beginning Consecutive Wednesdays from Jan. 25 to Feb. 29. Interested in designing your own website for your business or blog? Not sure how to start? This free 6-week course will focus on everything you need to know, including Web Server Basics, HTML Basics, Formatting & Styles, JavaScript, and Guided Development. This course is limited to 8 to 10 participants. David Sietz has been an IT software developer for 11 years.
Lego Club begins this Thursday, Feb. 9th from 3:45-4:45 p.m. - Like to build with Legos?  Join the library's Lego Club for 1st - 5th graders.  We will meet for 6 Thursdays.  Dates are Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 23 (no meeting March 1st due to Oyster River Vacation Week), March  8 (no meeting March 15 due to UNH Spring Break), March 22 and March 29.
Registration for Tales for Tails: 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 at the library.

Need a reading buddy?  UNH tutors are available through Seacoast Reads at the library for your child in 1st through 3rd grade.  Sign up for the second semester!
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. 
Need tax forms?  Durham Public Library will receive one complete set of forms and instructions, which should be available in late February; these can be copied here for 10 cents a page.  Need them now?  Go to:  irs.gov.   All forms are available for download.
Attention Museum of Fine Arts pass users.  Museum of Fine Arts passes will not be available again until May, 2012.  We have used up our 70 visits per year allowed by our library membership. 

Check out the library's website, www.durhampubliclibrary.org, for more information.

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

Business (1960-1985): "When an addition was put on the Shop 'N Save end of the shopping center for a Burger King fast-food restaurant, trees were planted along Mill Road to soften the view of the parking lot from the street. A small store attached to the east side of the Out Back had housed a cheese and grain store, then a plant shop, and then a natural foods store since the late 1960s. This store became the Common Market in 1976. It offers a take-out lunch of soups and salads which customers may enjoy at tables under an awning over the sidewalk in front or on a bench by the fountain across the street. For the first time, Durham took on a festive look. Merchants began holding sidewalk fairs in pleasant weather, and crowds of people milling about flea market sales or a farmer's market in one of the town parking lots are now a familiar sight." 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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