Friday, February 24, 2012

Aerial photograph taken on January 1, 2012 of the 619-bed Cottages of Durham student housing development under construction on Technology Drive.

Courtesy Capstone Development, LLC

Hopefully residents have had a good week.  The weather for a short time on Thursday seemed like late spring with 50' temperatures and full sun … followed by April-like showers.

Many of us in Durham have observed hundreds of Canada Geese flying back and forth daily over downtown Durham and the University of New Hampshire. We believe that they may be traveling between the Great Bay Estuary and the Moore Field area, but do not know why.  If anyone could provide any information on this, we would appreciate hearing from you!

HOW DOES DURHAM’S SNOW REMOVAL BUDGET LOOK THIS YEAR?
The snow removal budget for 2012 is $203,921. To date (1/1/12 – 2/23/12) we have spent $57,777 or 28.3% of the budget. Traditionally at this time of year we would have spent approximately $102,000 or 50.1% of the budget.
 

Most communities purchase their salt in bulk, meaning they have already paid for a large amount of salt which will not be utilized until the next year. Durham employs a "just in time" procurement process as part of its LEAN efforts and buys salt as needed. This means that Town monies for salt will remain unexpended unless required. This strategy should save Durham approximately $18,685 in 2012.

Town-owned gravel pit located at Packers Falls Road.

Courtesy Dept. of Public Works

WITH LITTLE SNOW, WHAT HAS THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BEEN DOING?
The Department of Public Works employs twenty-two staff members, all of whom work a 40 hour week completing required tasks. None of those daily tasks include snow plowing/removal. When it snows, nine or more staff members from various divisions are responsible for all components of the Towns snow removal program. With a warm winter comes less snow and those nine staff members resume their regular duties.

Of the twenty-two staff members, five operate the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewer Collection System. Two staff members comprise the Engineering Division. Four staff members collect all residential trash and recyclables, process and market those items, and operate the transfer station. One staff member maintains all Town vehicles with the exception of the fire department equipment. One staff member operates and maintains the water system. Two staff members maintain all Town facilities and public properties. One staff member maintains the entire infrastructure related to motor vehicle safety and traffic control devices, street signs, etc. One staff member manages the office including all payroll, accounts payable, residential concerns, DPW office customer service, etc. Three staff members maintain all roads, bridges, sidewalks, storm water infrastructure, dams, and vegetation.  One staff member plans/supervises the operational schedule of the Solid Waste, Highway, Buildings and Grounds and Water Departments, manages supplies, and coordinates addressing citizen concerns.  And finally, one staff member is the director of the entire department.
 

This year’s warmer weather has allowed some staff members to accomplish additional tasks that would normally not occur during a colder, more typical New England winter:

• Roadway Sweeping – The DPW has continuously swept the urban areas of the Town. This enhanced sweeping keeps dust down, produces a cleaner more attractive streetscape, and most importantly helps the Town meet its federal stormwater permit requirements through the entire year.
• Roadside brush trimming – With the lack of snow, the DPW has been able to access and cut back a substantial amount of roadside vegetation. With the traditional 3ft tall snow bank we would see in February, access for vegetation control is typically very, very limited during the winter months.
• Processing Construction Materials - The third wintertime project DPW has been working on is the processing (excavating, screening, & stockpiling) of various construction materials at the Town’s gravel pit located on Packers Falls Road. These materials (sand, gravel, and stone) will be utilized by DPW for all of our planned construction projects scheduled this summer. These materials typically would be purchased from area processing plants at a cost of $20,000.

NUMEROUS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE VIOLATIONS FOUND IN OFF CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING IN ALLSTON, MA AS PART OF BOSTON INSPECTION EFFORTS FOLLOWING SERIOUS FIRE

A Durham resident forwarded along an article from the Boston Globe this week following a three-alarm fire last month which left a college student in serious condition.  Boston-area inspectors consequently choose to conduct an aggressive sweep of Allston neighborhoods occupied by college students in order to ensure occupancy was safe and up to code.  Inspectors found malfunctioning smoke detectors, rodent infestations, faulting heating systems, and numerous other safety violations in rental properties.  Boston officials indicate they plan to continue to inspect buildings in the neighborhood and hand out brochures informing students of their rights and responsibilities. As you know, the development of a comprehensive inspection program for rental properties to address health and safety violations here in Durham has been discussed on numerous occasions in the past.  To read the article, go to

http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-18/metro/31071946_1_safety-violations-fire-department-officials-apartments

Courtesy Durham Fire Department

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS ANNUAL ICE RESCUE TRAINING

Recently, members of Durham's Fire Department conducted an annual ice rescue training at the UNH outdoor pool.  They practiced several rescue techniques to be used for retrieving victims who may fall through the ice.  The photograph above shows two members of the department's “A” shift practicing a rescue of a simulated “victim”.  The remainder of the shift personnel are on shore (outside of the photograph) tending the safety ropes.

A reminder for everyone to use caution when venturing onto ice as the recent  fluctuating high temperatures have made the ice very thin and brittle in most areas, especially over moving water.  The safest situation for all involved is to stay off the ice.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SEEKS ALTERNATE MEMBERS

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) is now down to five full members, as two of its alternates have moved from Town for at least part of the year and one alternate has had to resign for personal reasons.  Having five members is fine if no one is sick or traveling, or cannot attend for some other reason, but unfortunately this is seldom the case. In two of the Zoning Board's last three meetings only three members of the Board attended. This reduced number is not always appropriate for the applicants, since they need three votes of approval to go forward, and it is obviously easier to get three out of five votes than it is to get a unanimous three for three.
 
Given this situation, the Town is looking for a couple of smart, civic-minded, fair-minded people to help the Zoning Board make the often difficult decisions in the gray area between zoning requirements and property rights.  The ZBA is the middle ground, enforcing zoning regulations but giving relief to property owners when warranted. There is a legal framework that helps to guide ZBA decisions, but Zoning Board decisions are not always easy and straight-forward, and they do have the possibility of transforming an entire neighborhood for years to come; variance approvals travel with the property and, except in limited extraordinary circumstances, once given cannot be undone.
 
The requirements for the Board include attending one meeting per month (the second Tuesday of each month) and some preparation time to both become familiar with the legal framework for zoning boards in New Hampshire, and to review the requests that are presented that month.  The Zoning Board typically likes to have five full-time members and three alternates, given the normal routine of business, sickness, and travel that can often prevent a member from attending a particular meeting.
 
Present ZBA members have all found their time on the Board to be interesting and impactful, and a good way to meet neighbors and learn more about the Durham community.  Several of the present ZBA members are serving on the Board for their second or third three-year term. 

Sitting on the ZBA satisfies any childhood or continuing desire to be a judge!  You often have to choose between the arguments presented by dueling attorneys.  From goat and chicken ownership, to construction projects that will determine the character of the Town for years to come, there are interesting and important questions to be decided, and the citizens of Durham owe it to their neighbors to weigh their requests in a fair and rationale manner.
  
Residents having an interest in or questions about becoming a member of the ZBA, please contact ZBA Chair, Roberta (Robbi) Woodburn at robbi@woodburnandcompany.com.

WATER/SEWER CONNECTION FEE UPDATE

The Engineering Division recently completed an extensive study to compare water/sewer connection fees of neighboring municipalities with Durham's fees to determine whether an adjustment is warranted. The analysis considered the cost of installation, relative system operational costs, and the value of system assets. To view the summary of the background proposed changes with examples of initial assessment calculations, click HERE.

Courtesy Loren Selig

DURHAM'S CUB SCOUT PACK #154 VISITS TOWN HALL

On Monday, February 13, 2012, Cub Scouts of Den #5, Pack #154 visited the Town Hall. The scouts were working on their Citizenship merit badges. Scout leader and Durham resident Emily Slama organized the visit wihich included a visit to the Town Council chambers and a scavenger hunt in the Town Hall. Above, Administrator Todd Selig has a discussion with the scouts and answers questions about how Durham's government works.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT REVIEW OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA

The Durham Police Department has prepared an updated list of all reported pedestrian accidents in the downtown area between the railroad overpass easterly to the intersection of Main Street and Route 108. The matrix identifies where the pedestrian was located at the time of collision and the factors that may have  contributed to the event. All of the pedestrians were injured to varying degrees with two fatalities occurring in 2004 and 2008.

While initially developed in 2003, this information is updated periodically to maintain an accurate portrayal of accidents involving pedestrians between the years of 1996 and 2011. To view the document, click HERE.

TOWN AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS - MARCH 13, 2012

The 2012 Town and School Elections will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Voters will park in reserved spaces along the front of the school and use the Multipurpose Room entrance. To view the Town Election Warrant, click HERE.

The following is a list of citizens that have filed for 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

___________________________

Below is a list of individuals that have filed for the ORCSD elected offices. To view the candidate questionnaire and responses from these candidates, click HERE.

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).

CANDIDATE PROFILES DURHAM ELECTED OFFICES

To view the questionnaires completed by candidates running for various Town elected offices, click on the respective name listed below. This information will also be posted on the Home page of the Town's web site.

Diana Carroll - Town Council candidate

Robin Mower - Town Council candidate

David Howland - Town Council candidate

Leslie Schwartz - Town Council candidate

Douglas Bencks - Library Trustees candidate

Robin Balducci - Library Trustees candidate

Ann Windsor - Library Trustees candidate

Roni Slavin Pekins - Supervisors of the Checklist

George (Curly) Frick - Trustees of the Trust Funds candidate

Christopher Regan - Moderator candidate

Ballard's Restaurant in downtown Durham. Courtesy Susan Doucet,

The New Hampshire

AROMA JOE'S COFFEE TO REPLACE BALLARD'S RESTAURANT

After 41 years of owning and at least part operating a bar on 72 Main Street, Jesse Gangwer is selling the location where the building that housed Ballards Restaurant currently sits. Aroma Joe's, a coffee shop described as hip and upbeat, will occupy one-third of Ballards and has a target opening date of May. To read the complete article published in The New Hampshire, click HERE.

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.

Historic District Commission - Thursday, March 1, 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.

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Spring is just around the corner! The Annual Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012 beginning at 11:00 AM at Durham's Town Landing by the pedestrian bridge. For more information, click HERE.

Journey Dance - Begins Saturday, February 18, 2012. For more information, click HERE.

To view the schedule of upcoming winter classes, click HERE.

For more information contact Parks & Recreation Director Sandy Devins at recreation@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Lamprey Rivers Film Festival, Sunday, February 26, 2012, 3:00-5:00 PM, Durham Recreation Department Community Room. Free to the public. Films include: The Lamprey River Through History, Connecting Lives on the Lamprey River, Spring Into Vernal Pools, and Wiswall's Mill. Co-sponsored by the Lamprey River Advisory Committee, Lamprey River Watershed Association, and the Durham Historical Association.

Oyster River Taxpayers Meeting - Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 7:00 PM, Council Chambers at Town Hall

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 Democrats Meet to Choose Local Leaders, Monday, March 5, 2012, 7:00 PM, Community Conference Room of the Durham Police Department. All registered Democratic voters in Durham are invited to attend and participate in the caucus. For more information contact Tim Ashwell at durhamnh@comcast.net or telephone 603-868-3775.

"Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Friendship Development, Popularity and Social Cruelty in Childhood", Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, ORHS Auditorium. Presented by Dr. Michael Thompson, consultant, author, and psychologist specializing in children and families. Hosted by Mast Way PTO, Moharimet PTO, ORMS PTO, ORHS PTO, The Alliance for Better Childcare, Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers.

Movement Heals for On Belay, Saturday, March 10, 2012, 9:00 AM-1:30 PM, The Gables Apts B Community Center, UNH. Classes taught by Durham resident Ruth Abelmann as well as Kathy Kerrigan and guest instructors. For more information, click HERE.

Museum of Art, UNH Exhibitions Through April 4, 2012 (closed March 9 – 18)

Chris Jordan: Running the Numbers features 14 large-scale digital images that explore contemporary mass culture from a variety of photographic and conceptual perspectives. Free. Paul Creative Arts Center, UNH.

What's New: Recent Additions to the Collection showcases 20 recently acquired drawings, paintings, prints, and sculpture by renowned regional and national artists. Free. Paul Creative Arts Center, UNH.

For more information call (603)862-3712, or visit http://www.unh.edu/moa/.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY ON THE MOVE LAUNCHES YOUTH VIDEO CONTEST

Durham Public Library on the Move (DPLOTM) announces its Oyster River Youth Video Contest: “What My Library Means to Me", in which students highlight what libraries mean to our community. The contest is open to all Oyster River Middle School and High School students and Durham, Madbury and Lee residents age 10 - 18.
 
The goal of the DPLOTM Video Contest is to create a collection of inspiring videos showcasing what the library means to our community and to make these videos available to the public through http://www.facebook.com/DPLOnTheMove as a means to further the educate our community about the importance of our public library.

The contest asks high school and middle students to produce 30-second to 3-minute videos illustrating their answer to the contest's theme. A panel of librarians and professional filmmakers will judge the entries, and the top five contestants in the middle school and high school age groups will each win a prize. Prizes will also be awarded for the Most Inspiring, Most Creative, and Judges' Choice. Winning videos will be featured on DPLOTM's Facebook page and YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/DPLonTheMove).

Video submissions are due by midnight, February 28, 2012, and the winner will be announced by March 7th. To learn more or submit an entry, visit http://www.facebook.com/DPLOnTheMove.

Sponsors include: Artemis Creations, Big Bean Cafe, Crackskull's Coffee and Books, Indoor Ascent, Moe's Italian Sandwiches, Panzanella's Italian Pizzeria and Restaurant, Raider Laser, Rocky's Famous Burgers, Silver Moon Creperie, and The Last Environment.

About Durham Public Library on the Move: The new Durham Public Library is an investment in the quality of life in our town, and a gift to future generations. After more than a decade in what was intended to be a “temporary” storefront location at the Mill Plaza, the Durham Public Library (http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/) is about to make the long-awaited move to a facility that more appropriately reflects our citizens’ values and needs. The new library project, including improvements to the existing house on the site and construction of an attached two-story addition, will create a total of 10,500 square feet of space, with off-street parking for up to 50 vehicles.
 
Contact: Renee Capicchioni Vannata, DPLOnTheMove@yahoo.com (603) 781-4074.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Please don't miss this last round of opportunities to support local businesses and the Durham Public Library's New Library Campaign at the same time. For more information, click HERE.

Wonderful news:  We have surpassed our fundraising goal of $900,000.  As of February 19, 2012, we have raised $1,058,186.00 for the new library.  A great big THANK YOU to all of our 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!
No Storytimes this week (Feb. 28-March 3) due to Oyster River vacation week.  There will be a Make-it-Take-it craft in the Children’s Room all week.  
Alex the Jester performs - Thursday, March 1st, 10:30 a.m., Oyster River High School Multi-purpose room. Join the Durham, Lee, and Madbury Libraries for this fun all ages school vacation performance. 

Build Your Own Website for the Technically Literate - Week 6:  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 does not meet this week due to Oyster River Vacation week.  We will meet again on Thursday, March 8th 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.
Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4th grade book group, Tues. March 6th, 6:00 p.m. - Join us for this fun book group.  This month we are reading “Stuart Little” by E.B. White and/or “Which Witch?” by Eva Ibbotson.  All are welcome.
Young Adult Writing/Blog Group, Tues. March 6th, 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".
The Art and History of Porcelain Doll Making presented by Priscilla Keene Nickerson, Doll Artisan Guild Grandmaster of Dollmaking, Tues. March 6th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. - Priscilla Nickerson, Doll Artisan Guild Grandmaster, will present a program detailing the history of porcelain doll-making and present a hands-on demonstration of casting greenware using liquid porcelain slip and plaster molds. 

Friends Book Discussion, Weds. March 7th, 10:30 a.m. Please join the book discussion of Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri, led by Jennifer Lee. Books are available at the library now. Jhumpa Lahiri's prize-winning first book, a collection of short stories Interpreter of Maladies (1999), paints vivid pictures of the lives of ordinary immigrants, expatriates, and first-generation Americans of Indian (India) descent as they navigate between Boston and Bombay.

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 are now available again! 

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

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

Business (1960-1985): "The last major expansion of the business district was completed in 1979 when the developers added the second line of stores to the shopping center on Mill Road, as had been planned in their original design. This brought two banks to Durham, a branch of Dover Federal Savings and Loan and the New Hampshire Federal Credit Union, as well as Louise's Sport Shop; Tom Crosby's Century 21 Real Estate office; the Uppercut (hair stylists); and Wellwood, billed as 'today's answer to the 5 & 10.' Wellwood has since been replaced by a surplus outlet store, and Wilderness Trails has moved from Pettee Brook to one of the spaces." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

Have a good 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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