Friday Update April 23, 2010

“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

Friday,
April 23, 2010

Town
Landing – Fall 2009

Courtesy
Noelle Khlef

The Census challenge between the
Town of Durham and the City of Dover and Town of Newmarket ended last Friday
afternoon with results as follows:  Newmarket: 71%; Dover:  68%;
Durham: 67%. This means that Administrator Selig needs to decide which shorts he
will be wearing to wash Newmarket’s fire engines!  Census training
was held this week in the Council chambers for workers to begin going
door-to-door prior to the departure of UNH students in
May.

S

ANNUAL
RECOGNITION RECEPTION FOR VOLUNTEER BOARD AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS

On Tuesday of this week, the Town
hosted an appreciation evening to honor members of boards and committees whose
terms expired in April and those who have stepped down from various committees
over the past year. The event was held at the Three Chimneys Inn and included
thank you comments from Town Council chair Diana Carroll. Committee chairs were
also present to say a few words about each resident being
honored.

Above, DCAT chair Dianne Thompson
presents 24-year resident Ed Valena with a Certificate of Appreciation
recognizing him for his many years of service on a variety of boards as well as
the Durham Town Council.

We would like to once again add our
sincere thanks to all of the citizens who have given their time and energy in
service to the town. Volunteer efforts are what make small town government tick.
Thanks to you all!

Right-to-Know
Law Educational Session Scheduled for Board Members &
Community

The members of the Town of Durham’s boards, committees, commissions, town council, and
library board of trustees serve as members of public boards and are therefore
responsible to act in accordance with the Right-to-Know law in the State of
New
Hampshire. The Preamble of the Right-to-Know law
reads:  “Openness in the conduct of
public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this
chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions,
discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the
people.”  In order to ensure that the members of Durham’s public boards are
given the resources they need to act in accord with RSA 91-A, a Right-to-Know
law educational session has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 25, 2010 beginning at 7:00 PM
in the Town Council chambers.  Attorney
Christine Fillmore from the Local
Government Center will be present to provide an overview of the law
and to answer any questions that board members may have. The general public
and Town department heads are invited and encouraged to attend the session, or
to view it on Durham Community Access Television (Channel 22).  Oyster River School Board members are also invited to
attend, as well as board members from the communities of Lee and
Madbury.

From
the Supervisors of the Checklist 

On September
14, 2010, there will be a State Primary Election.  All registered voters
may vote at this election whether Republican, Democrat, or Undeclared, unlike in
some states.  However, if you are registered as a Republican or a Democrat,
you must vote within that party at the Primary.  If you are registered
Undeclared, you may choose which ballot you want at the Election.  June 1 is the LAST day you can change your party
affiliation before the Primary.  There are currently two checklists
available to check your status – one in the Durham Post Office on a table near
the mailboxes and one at the Town Hall (kept behind the desk).  An updated
checklist will be available in those same places on or about May 21. You may
change your party affiliation up through June 1 at the Durham Town Hall during regular business hours or
on the evening of June 1 between 7:00 and 7:30.  New voters may register
(and choose their party) any time up through September 7. New registrations will
also be accepted at the polls on Election Day, but no changes to party can be
made on that day.

HOME
HEATING SYSTEM REBATE PROGRAM

New
Hampshire’s Electric Utilities (PSNH, Unitil, National Grid,
and the NH Electric Co-op) and the NH Office of Energy & Planning (OEP)
announce the immediate availability of the Home Heating System Rebate Program,
which offers incentives for the purchase and installation of high efficiency
home heating systems and/or domestic water heaters. To learn more about the
program, please click HERE.

RAY F. MACDONALD
INSURANCE HAS MOVED

MacDonald
Insurance of Durham has merged with Gorman Insurance of Somersworth and
Gowen & Wainwright of Dover, and have consolidated to become CROSS
INSURANCE. They
have all moved to a new location at 475 High Street, Unit C, on the
Dover/Somersworth line across from the Market Basket/TJ Maxx
plaza. 
For the
convenience of their local clients, telephone, fax numbers
and email addresses will stay the same, as they
continue to remain an integral part of the Oyster River
community.

Main
Street West

The Main Street West
project began this week and will continue throughout the summer.  This
project entails the reconstruction of the road from the Field House out to Route
155A.  The project will include resurfacing the road, improving lighting,
and adding sidewalks and bike lanes.  

FEMA

The FEMA project manager for the
February wind storm contacted Public Works this week to set up a time to talk
about Durham and
the damages the Town experienced during the storm.  They will be coming
next Friday to begin to review the Town’s claim.

Compost
Bins and Rain Barrels

Those residents who ordered a
compost bin and/or rain barrel last month probably received a message yesterday
letting them know that these items have arrived. To reiterate, residents who
placed orders may pick them up at the Department of Public Works between 8:00 AM
and 4:00 PM, M-F. The office closes for lunch from 12:00-12:30.  Please
check in at the front office and you will be helped with your order. 

Hydrant
Flushing and Gate Valve
Exercising

Beginning on Monday, April
19^th, the Town of Durham and the
University of
New Hampshire began
exercising gate valves. This will continue through Friday, April 30^th
from 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM. In addition, water mains will be flushed beginning on
Monday, May 3, 2010 and ending on or before Friday, May 14, 2010. 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 and to allow for easy isolation of water shut off
during any leaks or breaks.  Flushing of
the mains and gate valve exercising 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. Try not to draw
water if you 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.

Spring
Cleanup

A reminder that residents should
have received a flyer a few weeks ago regarding Spring Cleanup.  This year
the cleanup will be held on May 3rd.  Remember that all items should be out
no earlier than Saturday, May 1^st and no later than 7:00 AM on
Monday, May 3^rd. All electronics that require a sticker will also
need them for the cleanup.  The flyer has details regarding this
collection. 

Economic
Development Committee (EDC) – DRAFT RFP FOR DOWNTOWN MARKET
ANALYSIS

The EDC will be meeting on Monday,
April 26, 2010 at 7:00 PM and will be discussing, among other things, current
and proposed developments in town; a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for a
town-wide market analysis; and will receive and discuss updates from their
subcommittees. To view the draft RFP, please click HERE.

Planning
Board

The Planning Board will be meeting
on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 7:00 PM and the following will be on the
agenda:  A public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Table of Uses to
allow single-family and duplex dwellings in the ORLI District and to allow
single-family dwellings in the MUDOR District (duplexes are currently allowed in
the MUDOR); An acceptance consideration for a minor two-lot subdivision for the
Brown Living Trust at 34 Edgewood Road; An acceptance consideration of a site
plan review and conditional use application for the demolition of the existing
building and the construction of a new mixed use building with commercial on the
first floor and 16 apartments on the second and third floor (8 apartments on
each floor) for CWC Properties at 9-11 Madbury Road; Deliberations on the
Findings of Fact and Conditions of Approval for the site plan and conditional
use application for the Seacoast Repertory Theater at 50 Newmarket Road
(formerly the Mill Pond Center for the Arts); A conceptual consultation on
conceptual plan for the possible amendment to a previously approved Conditional
Use Permit to add a small addition to a building and organize parking for Pine
Ledge Holdings at 20 Strafford Avenue; and will continue discussions on amending
the Site Plan and Subdivision Regulations relating to stormwater
drainage.

PUBLIC
HEARING ON DRAWDOWN OF DURHAM RESERVOIR – CHANGE OF
LOCATION

The location for the Public Hearing
scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at
7:00 PM relative to a special drawdown of the Durham Reservoir Dam
owned by the University of New
Hampshire has been moved to the Durham Police Department Community Room.
The dam is in need of repairs which will be done 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.

CELEBRATION
AND BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE WAYSMEET CENTER OF UNITED CAMPUS
MINISTRY

In late December, Waysmeet, the home
of United Campus Ministry, was closed due to an anthrax event. On Friday, April
16, after intensive and costly remediation, the State of New Hampshire handed back
Waysmeet to the Campus Ministry to be re-opened. The 8 displaced students are
back home and next week the food pantry, Cornucopia, will be opened to the
community.

On Friday, April 30, 2010 from 6:30
– 9:00 PM at The Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street, there will be a Celebration
and Benefit Concert to raise needed funds for the Waysmeet Center of United
Campus Ministry to UNH. Music starts at 7:00 PM and will headline Craig Werth,
award-winning Seacoast musical artist, joined by his son Ben Werth, and UNH alum
Lucia Nazzaro.

Requested donations are $10 with $5
for students and elders. Donations can be made at the door. Checks can be made
payable to the Waysmeet Center or the United Campus Ministry to
UNH. All are welcome and please bring your friends.

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.

ORPP
USE OF SPACE WITHIN DURHAM HISTORIC
BUILDING

The Oyster River Parents and
Preschoolers (ORPP) has been in conversations with Parks and Recreation Director
Michael Mengers regarding the possibility of utilizing the small sitting area
within the foyer of the Durham historic building/Parks and Recreation building
as its mailing address and to utilize as work space. The Town Administrator will
be reviewing this request over the next few weeks to evaluate how such an
arrangement might work effectively in support of the Parks and Recreation
Department as well as residents who are members of this community-based non
profit organization.

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. 

Economic Development Committee –
Monday, April 26, 2010

Planning Board – Wednesday, April
28, 2010

Public Hearing on Durham Reservoir
drawdown – Wednesday, April 28, 2010 (Durham PD Community
Room)

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.’ 

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

§        
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

§        
Thursday, May 6, 10:30 AM, Durham P&R: 
Tai
Chi.  9-week session. Preregistration
required.

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

§        
Wednesday, May 19, 6:00 PM, Durham
P&R: Women’s
Self-Defense Course.  FREE, but space is
limited.

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

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 offer rides, games, and free vitamin water and
honest tea. There will be musical performances, caricature artists, balloon
artists, food from IHOP, an ice cream truck, and everyone's favorite Kurt's
Lunchbox. Free to all UNH ID holders and $3 for everyone else. Entering the
carnival you will receive a wristband that gives you free, unlimited access to
all rides and games. Game prizes will be raffle tickets that will be placed in
for drawing throughout the night for prizes including a I-Touch and GPS. At 9:00
PM there will be a FREE outdoor movie, AVATAR, on the Great Lawn in front of
Thompson Hall. 

§        
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, 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.

Durham
Public Library Programs and Events

Visit our website
at www.durhampubliclibrary.org
for more information.

§        
Weds., April 28 –
7:00-8:00 p.m. – Award winning Mystery Writer Julia
Spencer-Fleming

§        
Weds., April 28 – 2:45-4:00 p.m. – Middle School Book
Club, Bookeaters

§        
Tues.& Thurs. April 27 & 29 – 10:30 a.m. –
Storytime, this week
Superheroes

§        
Fri., April 30 – 10:30 a.m. – Baby Lap-Sit

§        
Thu., 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. For more
information, contact Beth Newkirk at bnewkirk@comcast.net

§        
Mon., May 31 – Annual Library Trustees Treasure Hunt &
Picnic immediately following the parade and ceremonies. Further
details will be in May 7^th updates.

National
Volunteer Week:  McGregor Recognizes its 60
Volunteers

In recognition of National Volunteer
week McGregor EMS will acknowledge its 60 volunteers who are on track to donate
over 25,000 hours of service in 2010.  These volunteers include
Durham Town residents and University of New Hampshire students,
faculty, and staff.  We are proud to serve your
community.  To receive periodic information about community services
offered by McGregor and its volunteers please fill out the contact form
at:  http://www.mcgregorems.org/contact.html

Better
Things to Do Than Drugs

The local Civil Air Patrol squadron,
Seacoast Composite Squadron, which has a Cadet Program with currently 40 cadets
(male and female) ranging from 12-18, provides opportunities to have better
things to do than drugs. All aspects of the program emphasize that cadets remain
drug free. On Thursday, April 29, 2010, from 7:00-9:00 PM there will be a public
open house at 222
International Drive, Suite 175 (Department of
Environmental Services) on the Pease Trade
Port .The normal meeting
place is Bldg. 252 on Pease ANGB on Thursdays from 6:30-9:00 PM. For more
information, visit http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/index.htm. 

NEW
HAMPSHIRE
TRIVIA & TIDBITS

“Along Route 125 in Barrington (pop. 7,475), a
state plaque commemorates “The Two-Mile Streak,” a two-mile-wide strip of land
set aside in 1719 to provide home sites for laborers at the Lamprey Ironworks.
Descendants of those first settlers still reside in the area.”
AmericanProfile
Magazine – First appeared: 7/15/2007

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
updates and announcements concerning the community. Individuals interested in
subscribing should send an email to Town_of_Durham@ci.durham.nh.us
and type the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.