“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

April
10, 2009

Annual Easter Egg Hunt
2008

Sponsored by the Durham Parks
and Recreation Committee and Oyster River Parents and
Preschoolers

We have been fortunate to have a few
nice spring days this week. Hopefully the rain predicted for this evening will
clear out in time for tomorrow morning’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

Annual
Easter Egg Hunt

A final reminder that the annual
Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by the Durham Parks and Recreation Committee and Oyster
River Parents and Preschoolers, will be held tomorrow morning, April
11^th, at 10:00 AM, at the Old Town Landing (Rain/Snow Date: Saturday, April 18). 
Volunteers are needed. Children will hunt for eggs, meet the bunny, check out a
fire engine, and meet members of Durham’s Fire Department. There will be prizes
and refreshments. Bring your basket and arrive early, as the hunt will start
promptly at 10:00 AM. Please contact Sara Wilson at badgernh@comcast.net or call 659-3016
with any questions or for further information regarding this
event.

Application
for Elderly Exemptions  

Eligible citizens may apply for an
Elderly Exemption or other exemptions/credits (Veterans Credit, Blind Exemption,
Solar, etc.) by the deadline of
April 15, 2009 for the 2009 spring
tax bill. An application may be obtained from the Planning, Zoning, and
Assessing Office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket
Road.  Questions regarding these exemptions can
be directed to the Planning, Zoning, and Assessing Office at 868-8064. Current
criteria and exemption amounts for the elderly are as
follows:

Income
Criteria

           
Single net
income:                           
Not more than $28,077.00

           
Married, combined
income:            
Less than       
$37,647.00

Asset
Criteria

           
Net
assets:                                        
Not in excess of $150,000.00

Age Eligibility
Criteria                                 
Exemption Amount

           
65 years up to 75
years:                  
$  96,000.00

           
75 years up to 80
years:                  
$128,000.00

           
80 years or
older:                             
$175,000.00

FEMA
FUNDING FOR BRUSH COLLECTION DUE TO DECEMBER ICE STORM
EVENT

This week, Department of Public
Works personnel met with FEMA official Dave Wallace to assess the Town for brush
amounts.  Mr. Wallace was impressed with the department’s bookkeeping and
organization. He agreed to financially contribute on behalf of FEMA.  At
the April 6^th Town Council meeting, the Council approved the contract
for York Woods Tree Service of South Berwick, ME to
conduct our brush collection. 

SPECIAL
BRUSH COLLECTION SCHEDULED

There will be a special brush
collection on Monday, April 27. 2009, concluding by May 8, 2009, to help
residents dispose of the surplus debris from the December ice storm.  Two
contracted crews will be hired to do the town-wide collection as part of the
FEMA reimbursement for the December 2008 ice storm disaster. All brush and
limbs must be neatly stacked and out by 7:00 AM, Monday, April
27^th--no exceptions.  Please take caution to not block
sidewalks.  If items are put out after the date and the collection is
missed, crews will not be able to return to pick them up.  Limbs
must be less than 10 inches in diameter to be collected since they will be
chipped.  If collection is missed, or if residents want to bring items to
the Transfer Station instead, they must abide by the 5 inch by 5 foot maximum
and bring them on Tuesdays or Saturdays between 7:30 AM and 3:15 PM. 
 

Spring
Cleanup

The annual bulky waste collection
will be held starting Monday, May 11^th, all items out by 7AM. 
This is the Spring Cleanup where residents may put out their bulky waste for
collection instead of bringing it up to the Transfer Station with a
coupon.  Remember that electronics will still need to have their stickers
attached in order to be collected.  The details for the collection were in
the Spring Newsletter which residents should have received by mail earlier this
week.  Click here for details. 

Community
Garden

The Town is working with a volunteer
group to support a community garden located at Wagon Hill Farm.  The
planning process is moving along with the design of a parking lot and a garden
layout.  If the program moves forward this year, it will be via a small
pilot program consisting of a few small gardens, 10 x 10 plots.  The next
step is to bring a plan review before the Parks and Recreation Committee. More
news will follow as this program progresses.

LIGHT
EMITTING DIODE (LED) STREET LIGHTING

Public Works Director Mike Lynch met
with lighting distributers this week regarding new LED (light emitting diode)
street lighting.  The initial energy savings forecast would take our
current fixtures which run on a standard 175 watt street light and adapt them to
operate on 35 watt LED panels, which would represent a large savings in energy
use and cost.  This is very new technology not yet utilized in New Hampshire. 
Public Works is lobbying for Durham to become the pilot program in the state
through a partnership through the lighting manufacturer. 

PUBLIC
HEARINGS

RSA 79-E,
Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive Program

On Monday, April 20, 2009, the
Durham Town Council will hold a Public Hearing relative to the adoption of RSA
79-E, the Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive program. The meeting
will begin at 7:00 PM and will be held in the Council chambers at Town Hall,
15 Newmarket
Road. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend
the public hearing and express their views.  Written comments will be
accepted until 5:00 PM on Friday, April 17, 2009, at the Town Administrator’s
office. Comments may also be sent by electronic mail to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. Questions
regarding this matter may be addressed to Jim
Campbell, Director of Planning and Community Development,
868-8064, or email jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us

Oyster River Dam

On Monday, May 4, 2009, the Durham
Town Council will hold a Public Hearing to receive input regarding options
for repairing, replacing, or removing the Oyster River Dam at the Mill Pond
located along Route 108/Newmarket Road in Durham. The Council will conduct its regular
business meeting following the public hearing. The meeting will begin at 7:00
PM and will be held at the Oyster River High School Multipurpose Room, Coe Drive. Interested
citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing and express their views. 
Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Friday, May 1, 2009, at
the Town Administrator’s office. Comments may also be sent by electronic
mail to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us A copy of the
final report relative to the cost comparison for rehabilitation versus decommissioning
of the Oyster River Dam may be viewed at the Town Administrator’s Office
located on the second floor of Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road,
or on the Town’s web site at www.ci.durham.nh.us

GATE
VALVE EXERCISING AND FLUSHING OF WATER
MAINS

The Town of Durham and the University of New
Hampshire will be exercising gate valves starting
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 through Friday, May 8, 2009, from approximately 7:00 AM
to 4:30 PM.  In addition, water mains will be flushed beginning Monday, May
11, 2009 and ending on or before Friday, May 22, 2009.  Flushing will be done at night between the hours of 9:00
PM and 7:00 AM.  These procedures are necessary to eliminate the buildup of
sediment in the water mains.  Gate valve exercising and flushing of the
mains may cause temporary discoloration of the water however the water remains
safe for drinking.  This discoloration will disappear with normal household
use.  It is suggested that sensitive laundry not be washed if the water is
obviously discolored. Residents are cautioned to not draw water if they observe
flushing in your area.  Please call the UNH Water Supply at 862-1390 or the
Department of Public Works at 868-5578 with questions and/or
concerns.

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meeting is
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated
below.

Town Council – Monday, April 13,
2009 (Work session to begin goal setting
process for 2009/10)

Planning Board – Wednesday, April
15, 2009

Parks and Recreation Committee –
Thursday, April 16, 2009

To view the agenda for the meeting
listed above, please click HERE. 
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library
for checkout and viewing. 

To view the Oyster River School Board meeting schedule,
click HERE. 

To view the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting
schedule, click HERE.

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS
TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

To view a listing of the DCAT
programming schedule, click HERE 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
UPCOMING EVENTS

·       
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 1:30 PM - Friends of the
Library Meeting at the DPL. All are welcome to
attend.

·       
Thursday, April 16, 2009, 7:00 PM - Trustee Meeting
at the DPL. All are welcome to attend.

·       
Thursday, April 23, 2009, 10:30 AM - Wayne from Maine will be performing at the Oyster River
High School Multipurpose Room. This event is co-sponsored by the Durham, Lee and Madbury
Libraries.

·       
Teens, vote for your favorite books during April!
Teens in grades 9-12 can cast their vote for the Flume Award, while Teens in
grades 7and 8 can cast their votes for the Isinglass.

HICKORY POND
INN

Hickory Pond Inn is pleased to
announce NEW hours
for public dining Thursday – Saturday 5:00 to 8:00 PM
and EASTER Sunday Brunch 8:30
AM to 1:00 PM. This Saturday evening dine to the Piano Stylings of
Richard Cummings from 6-8 PM.  Reservations are
welcome, but not necessary. Mention this announcement and receive a
discount. Visit the Hickory Pond Inn’s website at www.hickorypondinn.com.

Active
Retirement Association

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, 3:30 PM,
at the Durham
Community Church, the Active Retirement Association
Memorial Fund and River Run Bookstore will present John Hanson Mitchell. Mr.
Mitchell is the author of "The Paradise of All These Parts", which takes the
reader along to explore Boston's natural past from prehistoric glaciers
to bird-watching on the Commons. The reading is FREE and open to the
public.

DURHAM BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Durham Business Association
(DBA) will hold its annual meeting at Libby’s Bar & Grill on Thursday, April
16, 2009, from 7:30 to 9:00 AM. The DBA will report on 2008 accomplishments, as
well as provide the opportunity for Town officials to present an update. A
question and answer period will follow the updates. Refreshments will be
provided by The Bagelry, Durham Marketplace, The Hickory Pond Inn, and Libby’s
Bar & Grill. Council members interested in attending the annual meeting are
asked to please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, April 9^th to d.b.a@myfairpoint.net.

PUBLIC
INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON SENATE BILL 168

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, a legislative
informational meeting on Senate Bill SB 168 will be held in the Council chambers
at the Durham Town Hall
from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. The informational meeting will be conducted by Representative
Judith Spang, Chair of the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee,
and Ted Diers, Program Director of the New Hampshire Coastal Program. This
bill proposes to replace the Estuary Alliance for Sewage Treatment (EAST)
enabled by RSA 485E with another more broad organization called the Coastal
Watershed Alliance, and public input will be used to make major revisions
to SB 168. For more information about the SB 168 visit the NH Senate Website
at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/
and do a “quick bill search” for SB 168.

Oyster
River
Water Quality Monitoring Program – Volunteer Water Monitors
Needed

The Oyster River Water Quality
Monitoring Program, sponsored by the Durham/UNH Water Supply, Oyster River
Watershed Association, and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services,
is seeking volunteer water monitors. Working in teams, volunteers collect water
quality data on the Oyster River using state-of-the-art instruments.
Field sites are easily accessible and sampling trips last just several
hours. 

Volunteers
can be involved at different levels, depending on interest and time available.
For more information, contact Tom Lee, 659-2269, tom.lee@unh.edu or Brian Gallagher, 862-1390,
brian.gallagher@unh.edu

PANCAKE
BREAKFAST BENEFIT FUND-RAISER – DURHAM FD/ FIRE FIGHTERS
ASSOCIATION

The Durham Fire Department and
Durham Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 2253 will hold a pancake
breakfast benefit fund-raiser on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 7:00 AM – 12:00
PM at the Oyster
River High
School, 55 Coe Drive, Durham. A minimum $5.00 donation is requested
for the breakfast.

PANCAKE
BREAKFAST AT BALLARDS RESTAURANT

On Saturday, April 11, 2009, from
9:00-11:00 AM, a Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be held at
Ballards Restaurant in downtown Durham. Breakfast will include juice, pancakes,
choice of bacon or sausage, and beverage. Prices are $3.79 for children under 12
and $4.99 for adults (tax and tip not included). The Easter Bunny will greet
customers and will have a gift egg for each child which can be redeemed at
Easter Bunny Central (Tastes of New England, 7 Jenkins Court) after breakfast for a
special little surprise. The event has been organized by Ballards Restaurant,
along with the following local merchants: Hair Dimensions, Hazel'z Inkwell,
Tastes of New England, and Bindy's Boutique. Staff from each of the merchants
involved will be waiting on customers and tips from the breakfast will go
towards producing other events for the residents of Durham.

FAMILY
BOATBUILDING WORKSHOP - APPLY BY APRIL 15

The tenth annual UNH Marine Docent
Family Boatbuilding Workshop will be held at Kingman Farm in Madbury, May
15, 16 and 17. Each participating family will build their own 12 ft. Oyster
River Cat sailboat over the three-day weekend. It is a chance for families
to work together on a project they will enjoy for years to come. No experience
is needed; only a strong desire and rudimentary skills. Single moms, all thumbs
dads, and extended families are invited to apply. Each family must include
a youth 12 years or older. The boat is a sprightly sailing vessel with a 5
ft. beam that can carry a family of three for a day of sailing on quiet water.
It can double as a row boat if there is no wind.  It is light enough
to car-top or transport in a pickup, van, or small trailer. The total cost
of $950 includes all materials, rigging, and sail. An experienced Docent will
work with each family to guarantee success. For complete details and application
forms visit our website at www.unh.edu/marine-education.
Please call UNH Sea Grant, Mark Wiley or Dari Ward at 749-1565, or Project
Director Ray Belles at 868-7180 with questions.

Lyme Disease
Prevention

Spring has arrived bringing with it
ticks and the increased threat of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease.
Citizens are urged to take precautions to prevent the potential for becoming
infected with tick-borne diseases by performing frequent, thorough tick checks,
wearing light-colored clothes, tucking pants into socks, and placing clothes
in the dryer for 30 minutes to kill ticks.  More information may be obtained
by contacting the Lyme Disease Association, Inc., PO Box 1438, Jackson, NH 08527,
or calling Toll-free (888) 366-6611, or by E-mail: Lymeliter@aol.com. You may also
visit their website at: www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org. 

ORMS
Jazz Band Upcoming Performances

The Oyster River Middle School Jazz
Band will be performing throughout the month of April into the first of May
at the events listed below. For more information, contact Emma Bricker at
862-2355, or go to the
Jazz Band web site at www.debbiehodge.typepad.com/orms_jazz_band

ORCSD
HOSTS SCREENING OF FILM INCLUDING
SAMUEL

On Monday, April 13, 2009, at 6:30
PM, the Oyster
River School
District will host a screening of the film Including Samuel to be held in the Oyster
River High School Auditorium. This nationally
acclaimed film chronicles the Habib family’s efforts to include their son
Samuel, an

individual with cerebral palsy, in
school and every facet of their lives. Parents, please take an hour to see
this warm and sensitive film. Learn the important role friends and community
play in the life of families with disabilities. Free to the public. This film is made possible
through a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. View a film
clip and learn more about Samuel: http://iod.unh.edu/includingsamuel.html

Weekly
Police Arrest Report

Week –
16                                        
13 UNH (81%)           3 Other
(19%)

*2008/09 Academic Year – 676
    434 UNH (64%)         242
Other (36%)

Calendar Year
–199                        
128 UNH (64%)         71 Other
(36%)

*Commenced September 1, 2008 

Historical data
for the same week

FROM
HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1905 – A defective rail caused the
wreck of the St. Johns Express near the College shops. Students and faculty
broke open the cars and helped the passengers escape. The badly injured were
taken to the home of Dr. Grant. The B & M gave NHC $1000, which was used to
furnish the new gym.”

Happy Passover and Happy
Easter.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel
(603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us

www.ci.durham.nh.us

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