“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

Friday,
April 30, 2010

 

Courtesy Durham
Police Department

 

It was a wild scene in the Longmarsh
neighborhood as two of Durham’s finest were able to “capture” two
escapees!  Officer Holly Rouleau and Pam Donley used their resources to
quickly return two horses which managed to find that the grass in fact may be
greener outside of their compound. 

 

 

Tax
Anticipation Notes – Semi Annual Tax Billing

The Town of Durham operates on a
calendar year fiscal cycle. Prior to 2007 the Town collected taxes once a year
in December, which required the Town to borrow money on a Tax Anticipation Note
(TAN) in the spring of the year to cover expenses until the tax bills were
issued and payments received, typically in December. This resulted in large
interest payments being paid yearly (in 2006 $275,000 was paid in interest). In
2007 the Town moved to the semi-annual collection of property taxes which
improved the Town’s cash flow, however, there are still times during the year
when we are in need of short-term borrowing to cover
expenses.

 

On Monday evening the Council will
be asked to approve a $2,000,000 TAN line of credit with Citizens Bank to cover
the Town through May and June. This TAN line of credit is considered to be the
equivalent of a TAN, with the exception that the funds are not taken in one lump
sum with principal and interest due at maturity. The Town can borrow as needed
up to the full amount and in addition, the Town can pay back the amount borrowed
when it has the funds to do so. This TAN line of credit authorization will
expire on July 31, 2010. It currently appears that we will have a deficit in
late May/early June while we are waiting for people to pay their tax bills. The
deficit is due in part to some of the large ARRA projects for which we have
begun work but have yet to receive Federal/State assistance, as well as the
projects which are waiting to be bonded.

 

Memorial
Day Parade – Some History Regarding the Change

Monday, May 31, 2010, is Memorial
Day.  On this day each year, the Town has traditionally conducted a
Memorial Day Parade to honor its veterans. In 2009, The Bourgoin-Reardon Unit 94
Auxiliary of the American Legion, who for many years faithfully coordinated the
parade, requested that the Town assume primary responsibility for planning and
organizing the Memorial Day Parade.  To this end, the Parks and Recreation
Department has graciously taken on the planning for this traditional Durham activity.

 

As noted several times this spring,
in 2010 there will be a slight modification to the parade route. In past
years, the parade has originated from Laurel Lane.  While the Laurel Lane
route did bring the parade through the Newmarket Road portion of Durham’s
historic district, it also caused safety concerns with flatbeds, tractors, fire
trucks, covered wagons, marchers, numerous participating children (including the
Middle School Jazz Band), and local traffic converging precariously on Laurel
Lane.  In addition, we have historically received complaints from local and
regional traffic which experience lengthy traffic flow disruptions when the
corridor is closed during the parade.  Sound amplification has been an
issue on the Route 108/Oyster River bridge for the wreath dropping ceremony and
concerns have been received regarding the length of the traditional parade
route, as well as its required a tremendous amount of police man hours to close
all of the affected roadways. These factors therefore prompted the modification
to the traditional parade route.

 

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
up Church Hill, through the Historic District, toward 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 spectators are asked not to drive down Old Landing Road prior to the start of the
Parade, but are welcome to walk to Old Landing for the first Wreath
Ceremony.

 

For a map of the new parade route,
please click HERE. 

 

Several
Financial Policies Recommended for Adoption

Several years ago, the Durham
Business Office discussed the creation of an investment policy, general fund
balance policy, and debt policy with the Town’s Auditors and has been working on
them as time has allowed. Laura Spector of Mitchell Municipal Group, P.A. has
reviewed the policies along with Dick Lilly, Town Treasurer.

 

The adoption of financial policies
is a good, sound business practice that fosters confidence in the fiscal
operations of the municipality. Financial policies help to provide consistency,
stability, and continuity in the financial operations of the Town. Written
policies also provide a framework to guide and education both newly elected
officials in carrying out their fiduciary responsibilities and newly appointed
staff in the conduct of their financial duties. The ability to rely on
well-defined financial policies helps to resolve conflicts and avoid allegations
of bias or favoritism.

 

Although the statutes do not
specifically address fund balance and debt policies, the Town Administrator and
Business Office believe it prudent to establish and maintain appropriate
internal control procedures to ensure the safeguarding of all town assets and
properties.

 

On Monday evening, Business Manager
Gail Jablonski will be present to
provide the Council with a brief explanation of each of these policies and to
answer questions from Councilors. The Council will then be asked to adopt these
policies upon the Town Administrator’s
recommendation.

 

Does
the Rental of Parking Spaces Constitute a Change of
Use?

Recently, an application before the
Planning Board was denied in part because the owner of the property was leasing
some of his parking spaces to students who attend the University of New Hampshire. This was interpreted to be
a change in use and thus requires Planning Board approval. However, there are a
number of properties (whether they are a church, business, or single-family
residence) that rent parking spaces to UNH students.  In fact, any physical
piece of property in close proximity to the University appears to be a ripe
revenue opportunity for the shrewd landowner. However, if a change of use is
required on one property, then any landowner who similarly chooses to rent
spaces to UNH students and does not possess the requisite approvals from the
Planning Board, will also need to be subject to the same rules and
regulations.  The Council will discuss this matter at its meeting on
Monday, May 3^rd.

 

ADMINISTRATOR
ATTENDS USNH BOARD OF TRUSTEES QUARTERLY
MEETING

On Thursday, April 29, 2010,
Administrator Selig attended the quarterly meeting of the University System of
New Hampshire Board of Trustees held at Keene State College in which board
members received reports from the Chancellor, presidents, and various
committees. Attendance of these meetings helps the Administrator to identify
areas for potential partnership and cooperation opportunities between the Town
of Durham, University of New
Hampshire, and the University System of New
Hampshire.

 

 

CENSUS
CHALLENGE - DATE SET TO WASH NEWMARKET’S FIRE
TRUCK

As reported in last week’s “Friday
Updates”, the Town of Newmarket was declared winner of the Census
Challenge with 71% of its residents mailing in their census responses. Dover came in second with 68%, and Durham last with 67%. A
date has been set for Friday, June 4, 2010 at 1:00 PM for the Durham Town
Administrator Todd Selig and Dover City Manger Michael Joyal to wash Newmarket’s fire truck at the Newmarket fire
station.  To read the Foster’s Daily
Democrat article about the challenge, please click HERE.

 

Its’
Graduation Time…Let’s be careful out there!

In New Hampshire it is illegal to host a
gathering where underage guests consume alcohol.  The so-called "underage
alcohol house party" law can be triggered whenever there is a gathering of five
or more people under the age of 21 at any occupied structure, dwelling, or
curtilage, where at least one person under the age of 21 unlawfully possesses or
consumes an alcoholic beverage.  It is possible that the person who owns or
has control of the occupied structure, dwelling, or curtilage where an underage
alcohol house party is held may be arrested and charged with a
misdemeanor.  Of course, beyond the criminal liability is exposure to civil liability where action by a private
party seeking monetary damages for injuries that may result from permitting
underage drinking on the host's premises can occur.

 

Sadly, there have been situations in
Durham where
absent parents believe it is okay to leave their children home alone.  In
this day and age of texting and immediate access to a cell phone, “alone” does
not last too long.  The Durham Police encourage parents to be cognizant of
where and with whom their children will be during this exciting time of
transition so that the future is not marred by tragedy.

 

Vehicle
Burglaries

A number of car break-ins occurred
in residential areas over the weekend.  The Durham Police implore residents
to lock their vehicles during the overnight hours even in your driveway! 
Locking vehicles will prevent such thefts as there were no forced entries into
any of the vehicles.  If it was locked….they moved on to the next
vehicle.  The thieves are targeting residential neighborhoods and enter
ONLY
unlocked vehicles.  The objective appears to be focused upon GPS
devices.  Removing these electronics from sight and locking vehicles will
be extremely preventive.  Residents are encouraged to contact police if
they hear any unusual noise(s) or a dog barking when it is not common. 
Remember, the police are on patrol 24/7 and will quickly respond to your
neighborhood to ensure your safety and that of your
property.

 

Energy
efficiency news: Appliance rebate program

The NH Office of Energy and Planning
(OEP) is pleased to announce a State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate
Program. Additionally OEP has partnered with the NH Public Utilities
Commission to offer rebates for residents who install solar thermal hot
water heaters. For more information on these programs and to download the
application, please visit OEP's website at www.nh.gov/oep/recovery/seearp.htm.

 

ATTENTION
ALL GARDENERS

If you are digging up or thinning
any plants and are not transplanting them in your garden, there are some
projects in Town that can utilize your plants. The Master Gardeners of
Durham are developing gardens at the Smith Chapel
on Mill Pond
Road, the community gardens at Wagon Hill Farm, and
the General
Sullivan Monument.  Any and all plants would
be appreciated.  If you have some unwanted plants to contribute, please
contact Susan MacLennan at 868-2628 and she will be glad pick them
up.   Thank you!

 

Morgan
Way/Route 4 Intersection Improvements

The engineering contract for the
Morgan
Way and Route 4 intersection improvements will be
going to the Town Council for approval on Monday night, May
3^rd.  Wetlands delineation and surveying has recently
begun.  DPW staff met with engineers from FairPoint and PSNH to review the
overhead and underground utilities in the vicinity. 

 

Spring
Cleanup

Spring Cleanup begins on Monday, May
3^rd.  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.  To view details, please click HERE.

 

Main
Street
two-way traffic study

Department of Public Works
staff has been
busy this week creating initial base mappings for a department head scoping
meeting on May 4^th regarding turning the one-way loop in the downtown
area into a two-way road setup.  This discussion will focus, at the
request of Administrator Selig, on the two-way ideas brought forward as part of
the B. Dennis Strategic Plan discussion.  Maps have been created in
anticipation for brainstorming during the meeting.  As part of the
discussion, representatives from UNH and the Strafford Regional Planning
Commission have been invited to participate in this very preliminary
discussion. 

 

FEMA

The FEMA project manager for the
February wind storm will be meeting with Department of Public Works
representatives this afternoon to discuss damages from the storm in
February. 

 

Hydrant
Flushing and Gate Valve
Exercising

The Town of Durham and the University of New
Hampshire concluded gate valve exercising this
week.  The flushing of water mains will begin on Monday, May 3, 2010 and
end 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. Residents are asked
to try and not draw water if they observe flushing in their 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 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. 

 

Town Council – Monday, May 3,
2010.  To view the complete Council packet for this meeting, please click
HERE.

Historic District/Heritage
Commission – Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Rental Housing Commission –
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 (4:00
PM)

Integrated Waste Management Advisory
Committee – Thursday, May 6, 2010 (7:30
AM)

 

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.

 

§        
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.

§        
Thursday, May 6, 7:00 PM, Durham P&R: 
Community Movie &
Discussion – DIRT!

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

§        
Monday, May 17, 7:00 PM, Durham P&R: 
Monday Evening Yoga
Begins

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

§        
Saturday, May 22, 10:00 AM, Wagon Hill
Farm: Green Thumb
Gang – Youth Gardening Introduction
Meeting

 

COMMUNITY
EVENTS

§        
Friday, April 30, 6:30 – 9:00 PM, Community Church of Durham:
Celebration and Benefit Concert 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.

§        
Saturday, May 1, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 5 Sandybrook
Drive:  Yard
Sale to Benefit the Stratham NHSPCA. This is part of a project
envisioned by a 9^th grade Oyster River student to raise awareness for
both animal cruelty and to help animals in need. 

§        
Saturday, May 1, 5:00 – 9:00 PM, C-lot off of
Mill
Road: May Day
Carnival. Hosted by UNH's Campus Activities Board. 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 an 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.

§        
Saturday, May 1, 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7 Dover Road/Route
108:  Moe’s Italian Sandwiches GRAND
OPENING

§        
Sunday, May 2, 3:00 PM, Durham Community Church:  NH Youth Chorus and NH Choral Society.
Pieces by Copland, Mendelssohn, Verdi, Beck, and Stroope will be performed.
Reception to follow. FREE family-friendly event.

§        
Sunday, May 2, 4:30 – 6:00 PM, Community Church of
Durham:  Resources and
Support for Parents Caring for Teens Series continues. This program
provides parents of teens an opportunity to explore important issues, develop
skills and strategies for supporting teens through challenging and dynamic
years.

§        
Thursday, May 6, 7:00 PM, River Run Book Store,
20 Congress Street,
Portsmouth:  Active Retirement Association Memorial Fund and River
Run Book Store book event, featuring Evan Thomas, Assistant Managing
Editor of Newsweek Magazine. He
will discuss his new book, The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the
Rush to Empire, 1898.

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

§        
Saturday, May 8, 9:00 AM, St. George’s Church:  Durham Garden Club Annual Plant
Sale

§        
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. 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.

§        
Wednesday, May 19, 7:00 PM, Hugh Gregg Coastal
Conservation Center, 89 Depot Rd., Greenland,
NH:  Public Meeting of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research
Reserve. For more information, call Reserve Manager
Peter Wellenberger at 603-868-1095. Read more at http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2010/News_2010_Q2/Great_Bay_Hrg_2010.html

§        
Wednesday, May 26, 4:30 – 6:00 PM, Moharimet Elementary
School:  One World Language School Registration and Information
Night. Classes are for children 3 to 15 years of age and are held
Wednesday afternoons at Moharimet. Classes begin September 29, 2010. For more
information, please contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org or
866-0364.

 

Durham
Public Library Programs and Events

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

 

§        
Tue., May 4, 6:00-7:00 PM - Ripped Up Rat Readers,
2nd-4th grade book club

§        
Tue., May 4, 7:00-8:00 PM - TAB, Teen Advisory Board
(6^th-12^th grade)

§        
Wed., May 5, 7:00-8:00 PM  – UNH Organic Garden
Club Talk.  Come hear how to make your home garden organic and
successful.  Tips from UNH Gardeners.

§        
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

§        
Tue. & Thu. May 4 & 6, 10:30
AM  – Storytime – this week, Mother’s
Day/Flowers

§        
Fri., May 7, 10:30 AM - Baby
Lap-Sit

 

Wagon
Hill Community Garden
- Full Speed Ahead

On Earth Day, April 22, 70
volunteers mustered out at Wagon Hill Farm to work under the direction of Tom
Roberts and Andrew Dawson from Timberland Corporation. They accomplished a
miraculous transformation in the area used by the community gardeners. Now there
are 23 raised beds, each 4' x 10' and full of composted manure and loam. Mike
Lynch and his crew at Durham's Public Works Department are bringing
water close to the plots, and there is a shed for storage of supplies and tools.
Thank you to Timberland Corporation for adopting the WHF gardens for one of
their service days!

 

Gardeners pay $20 to use their plot
for a year, and they sign an agreement that spells out the habits which will
permit 25 people work close together in harmony in the gardens. Plots are
limited. However, if you wish to learn more about acquiring the use of a garden
plot, contact Filson Glanz fhg@comcast.net
or Dennis Meadows lataillede@aol.com.

 

Weekly
Police Arrest Report

 

Week – 32	22 UNH (69%)	10 Other (31%)
*2009/10 Academic Year – 776	490 UNH (63%)	286 Other (37%)
Calendar Year – 223	154 UNH (66%)	79 Other (34%)

*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.

Year	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Week	34	31	57	38	32
Academic Year	960	805	787	771	776
Calendar Year	298	302	346	294	223

 

NEW
HAMPSHIRE
TRIVIA & TIDBITS

“The Flag Hill
Winery & Distillery in Lee (pop. 4,145) planted its first acre of vineyards
in 1990, harvested its first grapes in 1994 and produced its first 500 cases of
wine by 1996. The business also is New
Hampshire’s first micro-distillery, producing premium
vodka from locally grown apples. AmericanProfile Magazine – First appeared:
3/25/2007

 

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.