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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Interesting cloud formations -
Piscataqua Road looking toward Wagon Hill
Farm.
Courtesy
Priscilla
Nickerson
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It is hard to believe that school at
Oyster River and UNH will commence in just a
few short weeks. We continue to make
the most of what is left of the rest of
summer.
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UNH FIRST
YEAR MOVE - FRIDAY, AUGUST
26TH
The following roadway closures and
traffic pattern changes will occur during the
University of New Hampshire's first year move
in on Friday, August 26,
2011:
Roadways Closed: Commons Way,
Quad Way, South Drive
Roadways with Traffic pattern Changes:
Academic Way from the Intersection with Quad
Way northwest to McDaniel Drive, Library Way
from College Road to Colovus Road, Waterworks
Road from Colovus Road to South Drive.
These lots and roadways will all re-open
after 3:00 PM to standard Friday parking
rules.
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SAFE ROUTES
TO SCHOOL
PROJECT
Ten New Hampshire communities will
receive almost $1 million to encourage
children to walk and ride their bicycles to
and from school.
The money comes from the N.H. Safe
Routes to School Program and will be used for
sidewalk construction, traffic calming
measures, and education
programs.
The state Department of Transportation
says the largest grants will go to
Pittsfield,Troy, and Littleton. Other
communities receiving awards include:
Lebanon, Bristol, Hillsborough, Durham,
Manchester, Northumberland, and
Nashua.
Durham will receive approximately
$30,000 to create bicycle lanes, slow traffic
near the middle and high school, add speed
tables, and encourage a safer environment for
children around the
schools.
Tentative speed table and/or raised
crosswalk locations are being considered for
Coe Drive in the vicinity of the High School,
Coe Drive between the SAU and the Middle
School, Canney Road between Strout Lane and
Nobel K. Peterson Drive, Dennison Road
between Woodman and Coe Drive, and Madbury
Road at Meadow Road.
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EVALUATION OF
PLANNING BOARD PARKING FEE FOR EXEMPT PARKING
WITHIN CENTRAL BUSINESS
DISTRICT
The Town will be evaluating a potential
amendment to the Master Fee Schedule to
increase by an as yet undetermined number the
parking fee for exempt parking in the Central
Business District (CBD). The current
fee is $750, but is not included in the
Master Fee Schedule.
Section 175-112 (A) (1) of the Zoning
Ordinance states that all permitted uses
shall be exempt from the parking requirements
of the chapter within the Central Business
District, provided that a one-time parking
impact fee (as set by the Town Council) is
paid by the owner and/or developer for the
number of spaces required less the number of
on-site spaces provided. It further states
that the parking impact fee shall be reviewed
by the Durham Town Council on an annual
basis.
While this exemption has been included
in the Site Plan Regulations and Zoning
Ordinance since the 1980’s, the
exemption has historically not been utilized
by owners/developers in the
CBD.
After the 2006 zoning amendments were
passed development activity in the CBD
increased. There were a number of
allowed uses added to the CBD and the
dimensional controls in the district changed
as well. This allowed more development
to occur in the CBD and more interest was
shown by some owners/developers in the
district.
In addition, the Off-Street Parking
& Loading section of the Ordinance was
amended in 2008. Prior to 2008, the
exemption could only be granted for
nonresidential uses. The amendment in
2008 allowed all permitted uses to be exempt
from the parking requirements in the
CBD. This created further incentives for
the owners/developers of property within the
CBD to develop/redevelop their
parcels.
The current $750 fee per space not
provided is low compared to the 2011 EPA
estimate of $2,000; the Civil Works
Construction Cost Index System (CWCCIS), EM
1110-2-1304, CWBS Feature Code 19 –
Buildings, Grounds, & Utilities,
published by the US Army Corps of Engineers
of $2,100 (rounded); or the National Parking
Association’s (NPA) average figure of
$5,000 (2009). The NPA’s figures
showed construction costs from $1,000 to
$15,000 per space for surface parking with an
average of $5,000.
In researching New Hampshire figures,
there are not many municipalities that have
the fee for parking exemption method.
In fact, Portsmouth was the only other
municipality that had a similar method to
Durham identified by the Durham Planning
Office. In 2009 Portsmouth charged
$1,300 per space and in 2010 increased the
amount to $5,000. In speaking with
staff in Portsmouth, the rather large
increase between 2009 and 2010 created many
unhappy people and they have now decreased
the fee to $2,100 based on the
CWCCIS.
Durham Director of Planning and
Community Development Jim Campbell has
suggested increasing the Durham fee to $1,200
per space. There is a general sense that
the current fee of $750 is simply too low
based on industry standards and what other
municipalities are charging. On the
other hand, Mr. Campbell believes it is
important not to set the fee too high as the
Town does not want to dissuade
owners/developers from redeveloping or
developing their property in the
CBD.
If the fee is set too high, property
owners may decide not to move forward with a
project. In addition, some people might
redevelop/develop their property with more
parking and asphalt rather than commercial
space or residential space in order to not
have to pay a higher parking fee. Mr.
Campbell wants to ensure Durham encourages
more walking and biking in the downtown area
rather than vehicle trips. In addition,
there are advantages to centralizing parking
downtown rather than continuing to spread
parking throughout the CBD.
Town Councilor Jim Lawson will be
raising this issue with the Economic
Development Committee to obtain addition
feedback and guidance before bringing the
matter forward for Council
discussion.
It should also be noted that Durham is
evaluating the long-unchanged tie in fees for
water and sewer connections as
well.
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NO
“FRIDAY UPDATES” PUBLICATION -
FRIDAY, AUGUST
26TH
There will be no publication of
“Friday Updates” on Friday,
August 26, 2011 due to vacation schedules in
the Administrator's Office.
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TOWN COUNCIL
MEETING SCHEDULE FOR
SEPTEMBER
Due to the upcoming Labor Day holiday,
the Town Council meetings in September will
be held on Monday, September 12 and Monday,
September 26.
Council meetings in October will be the
normal first and third Monday schedule with
meetings to be held on Monday, October 3 and
Monday October 17.
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LABOR DAY
HOLIDAY
Monday, September 5th is Labor
Day. All Town offices will be closed
for the Labor Day holiday. However, there
will be NO CHANGE to the
refuse and recycling collection routes during
the holiday week. As always, please have all
items out by 7:00 AM.
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DURHAM
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ASKING
FOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF DURHAM WINTER
SCENES
The Durham Business Association is
seeking photographs of winter scenes to be
used on the 2011 Annual
Holiday ornament. If you have a
photograph of a Durham landmark or scenic
area that was taken during the
winter that you believe might be
"ornament-worthy", please submit photographs
to Lori at lori.roy@peoples.com.
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Newly
installed copper gutter system at Smith
Chapel located on Mill Pond Road
Courtesy
DPW
SMITH CHAPEL
REPAIRS UPDATE
The photograph above highlights
the new copper gutter system at the Smith
Chapel. All rotten wood has
been replaced and an ice / water shield and
15 pound felt have been installed.
Next scope of work is the new copper
flashing.
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CIVIL
FORFEITURES FOR UNLICENSED
DOGS
Civil Forfeitures (a fine and summons
to court), will be issued September
1st to owners or keepers of dogs that
remain unlicensed per RSA
466:1.
There are still a number
of residents who have not responded to
attempts by the Town Clerk-Tax
Collector's Office urging compliance
with this state law. Residents who
have received notification from the
Clerk's office but no longer own a dog
or have moved from town must notify
the office at 868-5577 so that records can be
updated.
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DURHAM POLICE PARTICIPATE IN DARE ROAD
RACE
Last week fifteen members of the Durham
Police Department represented the Town of
Durham in the 21st Annual DARE 5K Road Race
at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in
Louden. Several spouses also helped represent
the community as did prosecutor, Tom
Dunnington. The team wore shirts that
were made just for the event identifying them
as members of the Durham Police
Department. The officers did
exceedingly well placing 3rd overall in the
Law Enforcement Division with special
recognition going to Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Johnson for her 1st place finish in
her age category. This was a major
effort for the department as everyone except
those officers on duty
participated. Special thanks go to
Sergeant Kathryn Mone for her exceptional
efforts in coordinating the
departments’
participation.
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VOLUNTEERS IN
POLICING - VIP
PROGRAM
Members of the Durham Police Department
are currently studying the feasibility of
partnering with the Volunteers in Police
Service (VIPS) program through the
International Association of Chiefs of Police
(IACP) and the United States Bureau of
Justice Assistance (BJA).
The VIPS Program was created to provide
support and resources to law enforcement
agencies interested in developing or
enhancing a volunteer program, and for
citizens who wish to volunteer their time and
skills with a community law enforcement
agency. The program’s ultimate goal is
to enhance the capacity of state and local
law enforcement to utilize
volunteers.
With an awareness of our current
economic challenges, the Durham Police are
seeking opportunities to maximize services to
the community. As there is always more
to do regardless of our resource-constrained
environment, volunteerism may provide
supplemental and/or support services that
allow police officers to focus on policing
and enforcement functions. Chief Kurz
and his staff are attempting to determine
whether investment in a volunteer program
would assist the Durham Police to fulfill
their primary function and provide services
that may not otherwise be offered to the
community. As they do so, the
first steps in the process have been taken as
Captain David Holmstock has completed an
initial on-line course and has moved into the
“needs assessment” phase.
During this phase, a job task analysis of
every position in the department is being
accomplished to determine responsibilities
that officers must do on a day-to-day basis
and identify those tasks that can be
transferred to non-law enforcement
“trained
volunteers”.
Councilors and members of the
community will be updated as this
initiative continues
forward.
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GREAT BAY
NATURAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE
WILDLIFE
GARDEN
The Great Bay Natural Estuarine
Research Reserve (GBNERR), NH Fish and Game
Department, invites individuals to help
create and care for an educational community
garden on the shores of Great Bay. The GBNERR
is in the early stages of developing a
backyard wildlife gardening demonstration
area and plans to share ideas about how
to enjoy a low maintenance beautiful backyard
while providing shelter, food, and water for
wildlife. Other green tips such as using a
rain barrel and creating “no mow
lawns” will also be part of this new
community backyard.
This fun
and high profile project is located in
Stratham next to Chapman’s Landing boat
launch on the Squamscott River. The property
already hosts a wildlife viewing platform
that overlooks salt marsh and an osprey nest
that has raised young each year
since1993.
For more information, click HERE.
To sign
up, please contact Shannon O'Brien at
603-778-0015, shannon.obrien@wildlife.nh.gov.
For questions about this project, please
contact Rachel Stevens at rachel.stevens@wildlife.nh.gov.
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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.
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/ or directly
by clicking
the DCAT on demand
logo,
http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.
Durham Town
Council - Monday, August 15,
2011. To view the entire Council packet for
this meeting, click HERE.
Oyster River Taxpayers
Association - Tuesday, August
16, 2011
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.
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DURHAM PARKS
& RECREATION PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS
Music by the Bay
features Rhythm, Roots & Dub on August
19th from 6-8pm at Wagon Hill Farm. Bring the
whole family while taking in the view of the
bay. Friends and families are encouraged to
bring picnic dinners, lawn chairs, and
blankets. Rhythm Roots & Dub returns
again this year by demand. Music includes
fusion jazz, reggae, soft rock and some
original songs. Event is free. Check out
their website: http://www.myspace.com/rootsrhythmdub
Durham Day - Saturday,
Sep 17, 2011 (Rain Date: Sunday, Sep 18,
2011), 12:30 - 4:00 PM, Wagon Hill
Farm.
Recreation Classes -
For a list of Recreation classes to be held
in the fall, please click HERE.
For more information on any of these
events, please contact P&R Director Sandy
Devins at 603-817-4074, sdevins@ci.durham.nh.us Also
check out our new Facebook account on
“Durham Rec”.
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DURHAM PUBLIC
LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS
Fall Children’s
Programs: Pre-School
Storytime, Monthly Pajama Storytime, Raccoon
Readers (1st-4th grade book group),
Bookeaters (Middle School Book Group), Tales
for Tails (Read to a therapy Dog), Seacoast
Reads (UNH student reading tutors), Young
Adult Writing Blog and we hope to be starting
a Thursday afternoon Lego
Club.
The Patch Program will
begin again Sep 1st.
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COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS
Yoga
classes - Thursdays, 12:00 noon
at Wagon Hill Farm with Hannelore
Moebius. Classes are FREE. Please contact
Hannelore Moebius at yoga@moebiusyoga.com with any
questions.
New Hampshire
OysterFest - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011,
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM, Main Street, Water
Street, Newmarket. Benefits the restoration
of Oysters to Great Bay and the economic
development of the communities along the Bay.
For more information, visit: http://www.stonechurchrocks.com/oysterfest/.
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FROM
“DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY
–
1900-1985”
Business (1900-1930):
"Enterprising farmers in Durham sold their
surplus milk, eggs, apples, and vegetables
door-to-door to consumers, most of whom also
put in a winter's supply of staples.
During Prohibition, it is reported that
one could order a specific number of eggs
from a certain farmer, near town, and be
assured of receiving a gallon of hard cider
with the delivery. A more legitimate
business, in the manufacture of cider and
vinegar, was carried on at the Griffiths Farm
on Packer's Falls Road. With the availability
of electricity in 1900, from the new plant at
Wiswall Falls, the Griffiths installed a
large electric press and were able to produce
1,000 barrels of cider annually. Their
superior products, which were strained
through fifteen cloths instead of the usual
five, were sold in England and were available
until the 1930s." Published
in 1985 by the Durham Historic
Association.
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Have a nice
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
Everyone can tackle climate change. How
can you reduce your carbon
footprint?
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