“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

Friday,
April 16, 2010

Spring has sprung, and this Tom
Turkey is showing off his best side hoping to attract a
hen.

Courtesy Craig
Stevens

Due to equipment transfer the Town’s
website (http://www.ci.durham.nh.us)
will be unavailable for four hours beginning at 8:00 AM on Saturday, April 17,
2010.

UNITED
CAMPUS MINISTRY REOPENS

Today, the NH Department of Health
and Human Services lifted the quarantine order on the United Campus Ministry
(Waysmeet) Building. The building has been closed since December after samples
from several rooms tested positive for low-level anthrax contamination. To read
the DHHS Press Release, please click HERE.

MEETING
WITH NHDOT REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING FLOOD MITIGATION ON ROUTE
108

On Tuesday of this week, Town
personnel met with representatives of New Hampshire Department of Transportation
to discuss how the NHDOT and the Towns of Durham and Newmarket might work
together on flood mitigation within the Newmarket Road/Route 108 corridor as
NHDOT moves forward with the construction of 4-foot bike shoulders. This section
of state road has flooded numerous times in recent years during heavy rain
events. The Town’s main concern is the safety and well-being of residents,
regional and transportation impacts along Route 108 during times of flooding, as
well as the negative impact directing 17,000 vehicles per day during 100-year
storm events onto local residents, specifically Packers Falls Road
and Durham Point
Road. A follow up meeting to continue discussion of
this matter was scheduled for June 2010.  To view the minutes of this
meeting, please click HERE. 
To view the agenda and map provided at the meeting, please click HERE.

DOE
FARM TRAILS DEBRIS CLEAN UP EFFORT

The windstorm not only caused a lot
of debris in individual yards, but also in our town parks and trails.  With
a full slate of clean-up for the Department of Public Works, the Parks and
Recreation Committee has re-focused the Adopt-A-Trail Program on the two hardest
hit and well used trails, Doe Farm and Longmarsh.

An enormous thank you to volunteers
John Luchsinger and Bob Pickles. They single-handedly cleared all 35 trees from
the Doe Farm trails. This includes the Doe cemetery, where trees knocked out the
fence on one side, but narrowly missed the headstones.  The Boy Scouts plan
on being there soon to continue the clean up. Hikers can now navigate
freely in Doe Farm!  

A similar program is currently being
organized for the Longmarsh trails.  If there is another trail that needs
clearing or you would like to volunteer, please contact the Parks and Recreation
committee at parksandrec@ci.durham.nh.us
  

Tour
the First LEED Designed Building in Durham: Saturday, April
17

An 18-month renovation of UNH’s
elegant but aged James Hall has produced a striking building that is Smart, LEED
certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) (certification
expected to be granted in 6 months) and uses energy, water and other resources
wisely and innovatively.

Durham residents are invited to tour the
building with the Project Manager, Brenda Whitmore, who has worked on this
renovation from the first ideas brought forth to the move in of faculty,
staff and students and who will continue to be the point person for the
building.

There is so much to see, learn and
experience from the basement to the green, garden rooftop that there will be 2
different tours given:

9:00 – 10:30
will be a
general tour of how the building works

10:30 – 12:00
will be a
technical tour for those who want to learn how the specific technologies
work

To sign up for the tour, please
email jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. To learn more
about the James Hall renovation, please click HERE.

Parents
gather to discuss drug issues at Oyster River Schools

A group of interested parents met
with Police Chief Kurz to discuss the current climate of drug usage in the
Oyster River schools on the heels of a study that placed
New Hampshire
as the top user of marijuana in the county.  Resident Kim Clark opened her
home to a group of approximately thirty parents who brainstormed ideas and next
steps that would dovetail with the efforts of the Oyster River High
School.  One of the concepts that collected
significant support was the idea of correlating the names of parents willing to
enter into a “contract” with other parents that would create “safe houses” where
parents would agree not to allow or enable kids coming to their home to drink or
smoke. These arrangements would encourage an open line of communication with
other parents and reaffirm that it’s okay not to do drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
to be accepted.  Additionally, discussion focused on the premise that
parents need to be just that…parent!  It was quickly acknowledged that as
parents it is our collective role to talk, keep the lines of communication open
with our teens, support the schools and the Durham Police in their coordinated
efforts, and realize we are not the only one saying NO!  There was further
discussion that focused upon several topics that certainly require further
discussion and/or support:

·  
The creation of the Oyster River Teen
Center where our kids will
find a safe after-school outlet that is non-sport related.

·  
The development of sample contracts between parent
and our kids as well as from parent to parent.

·  
Strengthen the concept that as parents it is our role
to reinforce that it is no longer cool to allow our kids to party, to break the
rules and to not support the enforcement of rules.  There needs to be
awareness that the consequences may hamper admission to college and subsequent
scholarships.

All of the attendees were energized
and look forward to further discussions and initiatives that will foster the
concept that drugs and alcohol are not critical to having a good time during the
school years!  For more information, please contact Kim Clark at Alikenzi@comcast.net.

PUBLIC
HEARING – SPECIAL DRAWDOWN OF DURHAM
RESERVOIR

A public hearing will be held on
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the
Council Chambers at the Durham
Town Hall relative to a
special drawdown of the Durham Reservoir Dam owned by the University of New Hampshire for repairs by the
Department of Environmental Services, Water Division, Dam Bureau’s Engineering
and Construction section. The drawdown will be started on/or shortly after May
3, 2010 and will continue for several weeks to allow for a slow release of water
and the migration of mud burrowing aquatic life.

2010/2011
Town Council Goal Setting Process

The annual Council goal setting
process is continuing.  At the March 15, 2010 Town Council meeting,
Councilors began the process of reviewing the goals list that was adopted for
2009/10 considering whether or not to amend the current goals list.  After
some discussion, the Council decided to have each individual Councilor provide
suggested amendments they may have to be incorporated into the document for
further discussion.  At the April 5, 2010 Town Council meeting,
Councilors were provided a draft goals list with updated suggestions from
Councilors as of March 30, 2010 and the Council held a general discussion on the
goals. The Town Administrator has attempted to rework and update the goals list
incorporating the discussion from April 5^th, which will be discussed
at the Town Council meeting on Monday evening, April 19^th. To view
the latest draft of the Council’s goals, click HERE.

QUARTERLY
FINANCIAL REPORT

On Monday evening, April 19, 2010,
Business Manager Gail Jablonski will present the Council with the Town’s
financial report through March 31, 2010. To view the report, click HERE.

WISWALL
BRIDGE UPDATE

The new Wiswall Bridge beams are due to arrive at the site
of the Wiswall Bridge Replacement Project this coming Tuesday and
Wednesday.  The five precast concrete box beams are 110 feet long, 4 feet
high, and have been fabricated by J.P. Carrara & Sons of Middlebury
Vermont. The
first of beams are due to arrive mid-day on Tuesday and will be traveling down
Packers Falls
Road and carefully backing down Wiswall
Road. Spectators are asked to please stay clear
of Wiswall
Road, and if you would like to watch the arrival and
placement of the beams, the best and safest place to view the event will be from
the Lee (west) side of the bridge.  To the get the west side of the bridge,
you will need to drive around through either Lee or Newmarket and access Wiswall
Road by taking Lee Hook Road and Little Hook Road in Lee.
 

This week Public Works signed
contracts with American Excavating out of Derry, NH for
the water and wastewater extensions on Mast Road/155A.  This is the extension
of utilities for the support of economic development in that portion of
Town. 

Wind
Storm Brush and Woody Debris Collection

York Woods Tree Service of South
Berwick, ME, began the brush and woody debris
collection due to the February 25-26^th wind storm this week. 
Please remember, if you put your debris out after they have completed your
neighborhood, the crew will NOT be able to
return to your street.  Please have debris out on
time. Thank you for your cooperation.    

Spring
Cleanup

Residents should have received a
flyer last week regarding Spring Cleanup.  This year the cleanup will be
held on May 3rd.  Remember that all items should be out no earlier than Saturday, May1st and no later than 7AM
on Monday, May 3rd.  The flyer has details regarding this
collection. 

MAST
ROAD/ROUTE 155A WATER/WASTEWATER EXTENSIONS

This week the Town signed contracts
with American Excavating, Derry, NH, for
the water and wastewater extensions on Mast Road/155A that will support economic
development in that portion of Town. 

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office. All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at
the 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. 

Joint Meeting of Cemetery Committee
& Trustees of the Trust Funds – Monday, April 19, 2010
(5:30 PM @
Durham Police
Station)
regarding tree damage at Doe Farm

Town Council – Monday, April 19,
2010

Parks and Recreation Committee –
Thursday, April 23, 2010

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 AND RECREATION
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Stay
current with all Durham P&R programs by viewing the April Recreation
Reminder, please click HERE.  Also, visit our website at
http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/COMMUNITY/recreation.html or on Facebook - search ‘Town of Durham
Parks.’ 

§        
Monday, April 19, 6:00 PM, Durham Town Landing: 
HIIT Walks
Begin

§        
Saturday, April 24, 10:00 AM – Noon,
UNH’s Great Lawn:  World Tai
Chi Day

§        
Wednesday, April 28, 4:00 PM, Durham P&R: 
Broadway Bound
Begins

§        
Tuesday, May 4, 7:00 PM, Durham P&R: 
Tuesday Yoga Begins

§        
Saturday, May 8, 9:30 AM, Durham P&R: 
Introduction
to Digital Photography

§        
For updated Zumba, Pilates, and Circuit
Training class times, click HERE.

To register for any of the above
classes please contact Durham P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, or visit
the Town Clerk’s Office.

COMMUNITY
EVENTS

§        
Saturday, April 24, 10:00 AM – Noon, Great Bay
Wildlife Management Area at Crommet Creek: Celebrate the Sweet Trail for Earth Day
hosted by the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership. Come join us for field
trips and the official trail opening in honor of Earth Day. Free Parking at the intersection of Route 108-Dame Road in
Newmarket in the
Espresso Coffee / Bowl-A-Mania
parking lot with free Shuttle
Services provided by Bill Dube Ford Toyota Scion to
and from the event site. For more details www.greatbaypartnership.org.

§        
Saturday, May 1, 5:00 – 9:00 PM, C-lot off of
Mill
Road: May Day
Carnival. Come join UNH's Campus Activities Board in the first UNH
May Day Carnival! The night will have 3 large carnival rides, musical
performances, food, and free Honest Tea and Vitamin-Water!  Food will be
available from various Durham locations including DHOP, JP's, Kurt's
Lunchbox, and more. The event is open to the public and free for all UNH ID
Holders, $3 for others, with families getting a discounted entrance
fee.

§        
Saturday, May 1, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM,
Great Bay Trout Unlimited Cleanup on the Durham portion of the Lamprey River below Wiswall
Dam. A
cookout for participants will follow. Details are available at our website at www.greatbaytu.org.

§        
May 6, 6-8:30 AM; May 7, 10 AM-5 PM; May 8, 10 AM-2
PM, Durham Public Library: Durham Library Spring Spectacular Book Sale. Over 1,000
gently used books on sale. Over a thousand donated books, audios, and videos.
Generous selection of children's books. Many almost brand new! Paperback $1;
Hardback $2; Children's $.50; some collectibles. For more information, contact
Beth Newkirk at bnewkirk@comcast.net

§        
May 6, 7, & 8, 7:00 PM, Oyster River High
School:   Bye Bye Birdie. Tickets: $8
students/Seniors $5

§        
Saturday, May 8, 12:00 noon, Town
Landing: Oyster River
Quackfest sponsored by Oyster River Womenade – a rubber duck race
down the Oyster
River. Ducks will launch at
1:30 PM. To learn more about Oyster
River Womenade and the Quackfest, visit: www.orwomenade.org.

§        
Saturday, May 15, 8:00 AM, Oyster River
High School:  Bobcat Bolt 5K/10K Race and Oyster
River Festival. Proceeds from the races go directly to The Oyster
River Alumni Association. This non-profit organization will donate the proceeds
to The Durham Teen Initiative for the construction of a youth center in
Durham in the
names of Josh and Nate Hardy. Registration can be completed online at www.bobcatbolt.com. Following the race,
the Oyster River Festival will commence with live music, art exhibitions, and
food vendors on-site. For more information, contact Race Director Christopher
Jerard at cj@bobcatbolt.com or Festival Director Anita
Mathur at orhs92@yahoo.com (or anita@bobcatbolt.com). Residents should expect traffic delays; especially in
the area of the Oyster River
High
School.

2010
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE – MONDAY, MAY 31^ST

The
Durham Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 31^st. 
This year there will be a slight modification to the parade route.  In past
years, the parade has originated from Laurel Lane.  This year the parade
will begin at Old Landing
Road. 

At 10:00 AM on the
31^st, the Oyster River wreath-dropping ceremony will take
place on the footbridge at the Durham Town Landing.  Immediately following
the ceremony, the parade will depart Old Landing Road and turn left onto Route
108.  At the 108 intersection the parade will proceed towards downtown for
the second ceremony at Memorial Park.  A third ceremony will take place up
at the Memorial Union Building Chapel following the events at Memorial
Park.  Parade participants are asked to park at the Durham Town Landing
parking area or at the Town Hall and must report to Old Landing Road by
9:30 AM. Parade spectators are asked not to enter Old Landing Road
prior to the start of the parade.

For a map of the new parade route,
please click HERE. 
Please contact Parks & Recreation Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us with
questions.

Growing
Places Camp
Cowabunga

Growing Places offers Camp Cowabunga for children ages 5-7 and Bridge Camp for
children ages 8-11, in Durham.  In addition to enriching themes,
special events, a special afternoon Lego program, daily swimming, and fun
field trips, Growing Places is well known for experienced highly qualified
staff, and a low counselor-to-child ratio. Growing Places also offers children
and families flexible schedule options and multiple child discounts. Your
child will have a fantastic, creative, and safe summer with us!  Register
and pre-pay 50% camp tuition by May 1 to receive a 5% discount!  Contact
Jen Hayward at 868-1335 or jenhayward@growingplacesnh.org.

 Weekly
Police Arrest Report

*Commenced September 1, 2009 

Historical data
for the same week

This data represents the 2009/10
Academic year report which begins anew each August

when UNH students begin arriving in
Durham.

NEW
HAMPSHIRE
TRIVIA & TIDBITS

“The Moffat-Ladd
House in Portsmouth (pop. 20,784) is a Georgian-style
mansion built between 1760 and 1763 for merchant John Moffatt, and later
inhabited by Gen. William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.”
AmericanProfile
Magazine – First appeared: 11/18/2007

Have a good
weekend.

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

The
Town of Durham
has developed a list server. The server provides interested individuals with
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