“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

December
11, 2009

Tonight at sundown begins the
eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah
will continue through sundown on December 19^th.

Rental
Housing Commission

The Rental Housing Commission (RHC)
met on Tuesday of this week to discuss ongoing concerns associated primarily
with non-owner occupied single family homes that have been converted to student
rentals within Durham's traditional downtown pocket neighborhoods.  At the
meeting, members of the public presented the Commission with a request from a
newly formed group, the Durham Residential Owners Association, requesting that
the RHC endorse a number of recommendations which can be viewed by clicking
HERE. 

In response to increased concern
from residents within neighborhoods impacted by student housing,
the Administrator has authorized bringing on a part-time, temporary
individual to assist Code Enforcement Officer Tom
Johnson with zoning enforcement revolving around occupancy
within non-owner occupied single family rentals leading up to the holidays
and resuming once again upon the start of the Spring UNH semester.

Residents with concerns associated
with student rentals revolving around suspected over-occupancy, improperly
parked cars on private property, and trash/health violations should contact
the Code Enforcement Office at 868-8064.  Residents concerned about noise,
parties, fights, underage alcohol/drug use, intoxicated individuals, or cars
parked in no-parking areas should contact the Durham Police Department at
868-2324.  Individuals concerned with fire or safety violations should
contact the Durham Fire Department at 868-5531. 

The RHC will hold its
next work session on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. 

H1N1
(Swine) Flu Clinic in Durham Set for December
17th

H1N1 flu (commonly referred to
as the Swine Flu) vaccination clinics will be occurring in three
locations throughout Strafford
County during the week of December 14,
2009 to include the Oyster River
High School.  All
healthy individuals 6 months – 24 years and adults 25 – 64 years with underlying
medical conditions are eligible to attend. Information on H1N1 influenza
and the vaccine can be found at www.nh.gov/h1n1,  www.flu.gov and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents. 
If you have questions about the H1N1 influenza or the vaccine, contact your
physician or NH 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-444-4211.

Somersworth High
School, 12/14/09 2:30 – 7:30
PM

Oyster River High
School, 12/17/09, 2:30 – 7:30
PM

Farmington High
School, 12/20/09, 9 AM – 2 PM

                                               
Courtesy David
Cedarholm

Spruce
Hole Well Development Update

Emery & Garrett Groundwater,
Inc. (EGGI), Durham's hydrological
consultant, has completed exploratory test well drilling for the
groundwater development and artificial recharge assessment program being
conducted in the Spruce Hole area of Durham.  The purpose of the exploratory
drilling has been to determine if a hydrologically favorable site for the
development of a public water supply production well could be found on
Town-owned property within the Town of Durham or Lee near the existing test 1993
University of New Hampshire test well site (UNH-1 site) established many
years ago within the boundaries of the Durham gravel pit abutting the Spruce
Hole several feet into the Town of Lee.  EGGI's exploratory drilling
included the installation of three, 3-inch-diameter test wells in the Town of
Durham and one, 3-inch-diameter test well in the Town of Lee (within the Durham
gravel pit).  Preliminary testing indicated that of these four exploratory
wells, the original UNH-1 test site was hydrologically most suitable for
developing the groundwater capacity required by the Durham/UNH Water
System.  Ultimately, the final well site location for the Durham/UNH
production well will be predicated on hydrogeology, infrastructure
considerations, and property suitability.  Based upon EGGI's analysis and
recommendations, we are moving forward at this time with the installation of
the new production well at the original UNH-1 location in preparation
for pumping tests and final permitting through the New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services.  Once the production well is in place and we have
additional data to share concerning recharge, etc., we'll be providing a
presentation to the Town Council on findings and next
steps.

Turkey/Ham
Baskets for Town Staff

In an effort to say "thank you" for
all that the members of the Town of Durham's staff do for the citizens of the
community, we have again made arrangements with the Durham Marketplace to
provide every regular employee of the Town with a 10-14 pound holiday turkey
or an 8-11 pound spiral
ham.  Staff members who desire may also donate their turkey/ham basket to a
local food pantry.  This is the second year we have instituted this program
in an effort to acknowledge the efforts of Durham employees for their hard work and
dedication to the community.

2010
Budget Process Update

As part of the FY 2010 budget
development process, Administrator Selig has proposed a 2010 General
Fund budget totaling $10,324,489.00, a decrease of $82,211.00, or (.8%) compared
to FY 2009.  The FY 2010 budget
represents the second consecutive year of a recommended spending
decrease.  Due to a significant drop in state revenues, interest
earnings, motor vehicle registrations, recycling revenues, and Parking Fund
proceeds, non-property tax revenues are expected to again fall in FY 2010. 
Revenue projections do include the infusion of an annual $200,000 payment from
UNH to Durham which began in 2009 to compensate
the community for the University’s financial impact upon Durham in areas such as
roadways, traffic, and policing services.  These factors cumulatively
resulted in a decrease in non-property tax revenues from $4,672,953.00 in FY
2009 to $4,556,314.00 in 2010, a drop of $116,639.00 or (2.5%).  Taking
into account diminished revenues, a nearly flat tax base, maintaining
$125,000.00 in Overlay due to the number of outstanding 2008 property tax
abatement appeals pending with the Board of Tax and Land Appeals/Superior Court,
no use of fund balance, and recommended expenditure
reductions, Administrator Selig's proposal is
projected leave the estimated 2010 local municipal tax rate unchanged at
$6.52.

Following the Council's public
hearing on the FY 2010 budget, considerable discussion has occurred revolving
around items that have been included, as well as projects/staffing that has been
excluded, from the Administrator's proposal.  At Monday evening's Council
meeting, the Council discussed and informally provided direction to the
Administrator to bring back budget changes for formal Council consideration
and action at the December 21st Council meeting.  These
include:

• Adding 19th police officer
  back into budget (restoring 2008 staffing level) - failed by a 3-4
  consensus;
  
• Adding $100,000 back into the road
  program - failed by a 2-5 consensus;
  
• Addition of $200,000 (covered 1/2
  by UNH) to supplement the fire equipment capital reserve fund thereby
  decreasing the likelihood of incurring future debt service - approved by a 4-3
  consensus;
  
• Addition of $200,000 to
  contingency account to increase undesignated fund balance - approved by a 5-2
  consensus;
  
• Addition of $35,000 to replace
  Coe
  Drive culvert - failed by a 3-4
  consensus;
  
• Addition of $30,000 to support
  long-range Master Plan/Zoning Re-Write efforts and charged to UDAG Account
  (this will also de-link UDAG funds from the dormant Stone Quarry TIF project)
  - approved by a 7-0 consensus;
  
• Restoring $4,500 to maintain a
  Household Hazardous Waste Day collection in 2010 - failed by a 2-5
  consensus.

In accordance with the Town Charter,
"the budget shall be
adopted not later than the last workday of the preceding fiscal year . .
..  Failure by the Council to adopt a budget by the deadline established .
. . will establish the budget as recommended by the Administrator as the adopted
budget."

Durham
Town OfficES Holiday Closing Schedule

Thursday, December 24,
2009      
-           Closed for
Christmas Eve

Friday, December 25,
2009           
-           Closed for
Christmas Day

Thursday, December 31,
2009      
-           All Town Offices Closed at 3:00
PM

All Town offices will reopen for
regular business on Monday, January 4, 2010.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
HOLIDAY CLOSING
SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 24,
2009      
-           Closed for
Christmas Eve

Friday, December 25,
2009           
-           Closed for
Christmas Eve

Saturday, December 26,
2009       
-          
CLOSED

Friday, January 1,
2010                  
-           Closed for New
Years Day

Christmas
Holiday Recycling and Refuse Collection

There will be NO CHANGE TO REFUSE
AND RECYCLING COLLECTION on Thursday, December 24^th (Christmas Eve).
There will be NO COLLECTION OF COMMERCIAL recycling on Friday, December
25^th (Christmas Day) or Friday, January 1^st (New Years
Day). The TRANSFER STATION WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26^th.

HOW
TO CARE FOR YOUR FARM-GROWN FRESH CHRISTMAS
TREE

Please follow these basic tips in
caring for a fresh cut Christmas tree:

§        
Cut ¼-inch off the
trunk.

§        
Keep the trunk in water at all
times.

§        
Keep away from heat
sources.

§        
Recycle after the
holidays.

For additional important tips, visit
www.realchristmastrees.org.

Theft
Incident

The Durham Police Department is
investigating the theft of tools from a home under construction in the
Bagdad
Road neighborhood over the weekend of 12/4 to
12/7.  The Police Department would encourage anyone who may have witnessed
anything suspicious during this time frame to contact the police department at
868-2324.  While a sad commentary, we would also remind residents to lock
their homes and vehicles.  Remember, if you note activity that you believe
to be suspicious, please call the police department via 911 or 868-2324 so that
the officers can address the situation.  While it may ultimately be
explainable, just to have the officer in the area is beneficial.

You are the role model

When it comes to drugs and
alcohol, parents are their children’s strongest role model and greatest
influence. Your children will eventually adopt many of your values and
behaviors, just as you have been influenced by your parents. Your children
notice and respond to the way you deal with problems, express feelings,
celebrate special occasions….and use alcohol and drugs.  As a parent, it is
impossible to not be a model. Your children will see your example—positive or
negative—as a pattern for the way life is to be lived.  Families are both a
very important protective factor and risk factor influencing drug use problems
among youth. In other words, what you do—or do not do—has a big impact on your
child’s decisions about using or not using drugs.

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meeting is
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office. To view the agenda for the meeting listed below, please click HERE. 
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library
for checkout and viewing. 

Rental Housing Commission – Tuesday,
December 15, 2009 (4:00
PM)

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 & RECREATION
PROGRAMS

§        
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 7:00 – 8:30 PM,
Churchill Rink:  Holiday
Carol Free Skate. Bring the entire family for a free skating
event featuring sounds of favorite holiday carols and free
refreshments.

§        
Tuesday January 5, 2009:  A free
class of On The Ball! Come to the P&R Building at 5:30 PM for a free
class.  If you like it, join one of the three 6-week sessions starting in
January. 

§        
Monday, January 11^th & Thursday,
January 14^th: Tai Chi
Begins. Preregistration is required for the AM and PM
class. 

§        
Monday, January 11, 2010, 5:00 PM:  Monday Evening
Yoga.  Preregistration is required for this 8-week yoga
session taught by Ruth Abelmann.

§        
Thursday, January 14, 2010, 5:30 – 6:30 PM:
 Thursday Evening
Yoga. Preregistration is required for this 8-week yoga session
taught by Judy George.

§        
Thursdays in February & March, 4:00 – 5:00 PM:
After
School Fit Camp. This fun, active after school fitness program
will never have a dull moment. 

§        
Zumba – Pilates – Bootcamp. 
Durham Parks & Recreation Department is now offering classes taught by Kathy
Kerrigan. 

You can sign up for P&R classes
at the P&R office, 2 Dover
Road, or at the Town Clerk’s Office located in Town
Hall. Contact Michael Mengers at
817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, for more
information or to register. Follow the Town of Durham Parks & Recreation Department on
Facebook. Search “Town of Durham Parks”. 

Display Your Art
at Parks & Rec:  The new P&R Activities Room has bare
walls!  If you would like to display your art work, photography or other
art medium on the walls, please contact P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us. Art work
can be returned to the owner at their request. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§        
Three Chimneys
Inn is collecting new mittens, gloves, or hats for
children and adults that will be donated to local families in
need.  Bring in items now until December 22, 2009 and place them on our
Mitten Tree in the Ffrost Sawyer Tavern.  Warm up a pair of hands, and we
will warm up yours with a coffee, hot chocolate, or soup as our thank you for
your kind donation!

§        
Three Chimneys Inn, New Years Eve Overnight Celebration. Click
HERE to
view menu. Packages start at $220. Stay two or more nights and enjoy a lower
rate.

§        
Fresh Cut Local Christmas
Trees.
Durham Boy Scout Troop 154 will again be selling fresh-cut local Christmas
trees.  Trees will be on sale each Saturday & Sunday throughout
December until they sell out.  All trees come from a farm in Farmington NH, loaded with the assistance of the
Scouts. 

§        
Thursday, February 11 and Thursday, April 8,
2010: Cultural Excursions to the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Open Rehearsals. Sponsored by the UNH University Office of Sustainability. The cost of $48 per person per performance includes one
BSO performance ticket and round trip bus transportation from Durham to Boston. All performances will be at 10:30
AM. The bus departs from the Community Church of Durham at 7:00 AM. Following
the performance, the bus drops participants off at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
and departs the MFA at 3:30 PM. The bus arrives back in Durham at approximately
5:00 PM. For program details, and online registration please go to:  https://www.events.unh.edu/RegistrationForm.pm?event_id=6253.
For more information, please call Kate Donald, UOS Cultural Excursions
Coordinator, 603-862-1634.

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.

FROM
HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1968 – A swan arrived on the Mill
Pond, was christened Alice and became the pet of the town. A mate,
Hamilton, was obtained. Broods of cygnets have been produced but only one
survived. Flying to Portsmouth for open winter water, they have
always returned for Town Meeting day.”

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

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