Friday Update February 20, 2009

“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

February
20, 2009

The Parks and Recreation Committee
gave out approximately 150 cups of hot chocolate at Wagon Hill Farm on Sunday,
February 8th.  Community members also shared popcorn, brownies, and
cookies.

Photos courtesy
Sara Badger Wilson

Department of Public Works crews
were busy plowing this week after the snowstorms from Wednesday and Thursday
evenings, and it appears that another round of snow will be arriving later this
weekend. The current forecast calls for a 70-80% chance of precipitation
arriving on Sunday. At least the sledding should be good at Wagon Hill
Farm!

Candidate
PROFILEs for Town
Elected Offices

Citizens interested in learning more
about the prospective candidates who have signed up to run for various Town
elected offices in March may now view candidate profiles of each candidate. To
view this information, click HERE.

Town
Election/School Elections

Elections for the Town and School
officers, as well as for the Oyster River
Cooperative School District annual budget, will be
held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.  The polls will be open from 7:00 AM to
7:00 PM at the Oyster River High School Multi-Purpose Room located on
Coe
Drive in Durham.  To view a sample Town election
ballot, click, HERE. 
To view a sample School election ballot, click HERE.

TOWN
ELECTION Absentee Ballots Available

Absentee ballots for the Town
elections on March 10, 2009, are available at this time at the Town Clerk’s
office, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Absentee ballots for the School elections will be
available on Wednesday, February 25^th. Absentee ballots
may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office in person or by written request and
must be returned by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 9^th or received by mail
on Tuesday, March 10^th.

DURHAM NEIGHBORHOODS
ALLIANCE TO
SPONSOR TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM

On Tuesday, March 3, 2009, beginning
at 7:00 PM, the Durham Neighborhoods Alliance (DNA) will sponsor a Town Council
Candidates Forum in the Town Council chambers of the Town Hall located at
15 Newmarket
Road. The forum will be moderated by Mimi Becker, an
associate professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy at UNH. Mimi
has extensive experience with facilitation and mediation. The forum will address
a broad range of issues affecting the Durham community. The public is invited to
attend or watch the forum on Channel 22. Interested citizens may send questions
to CitizensExchange@comcast.net, due by February 18.

MAIN
STREET WEST PROJECT
INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Beginning at 7:00 PM this evening
(February 20^th), the public is invited to attend an informational
meeting relative to the Main Street West project to be held in the Council
chambers at the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road. This project is scheduled to
include roadway reconstruction/resurfacing and development of
sidewalks/multi-use path and bicycle lanes along Main Street (west of
the rail tracks) and NH
Route 155A approaching UNH campus and downtown. The
project will create safe bike and walking routes from campus to the West Edge
neighborhood. Construction is scheduled to start in late May 2009. The estimated
$850,000 project will be 80% USDOT-funded through the Enhancements Program. UNH
and Durham will
split the local match. For more information, please visit the project website
at:

www.unh.edu/ecd/designmainstwest.html  The meeting will
be taped for future rebroadcast on Durham’s cable channel, Channel
22.

Oyster
River
Mill Pond Dam – PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at 7:00
PM, the Department of Public Works will hold a public informational meeting in
the Council Chambers of the Durham Town
Hall to present information about the Oyster River
Dam and Mill Pond and discuss available options concerning deficiencies with the
dam.  The inspection of the dam last fall revealed serious structural
problems that need to be addressed. A memorandum that describes the
problems and compares preliminary costs of rehabilitating or decommissioning the
dam was prepared by the engineering firm who inspected the dam. To view this
document, click HERE.
The March 4^th meeting will also be broadcast on Durham’s local cable
channel, Channel 22.

PURCHASE
OF LARGE LOADER-MOUNTED SNOW BLOWER

Last week, the Department of Public
Works opened bids for a new large loader-mounted snow blower and will be
submitting its recommendation for award of the bid to the Town Council on
Monday, March 2, 2009.  The lowest bidder, HP Fairfield of
Skowhegan, ME, submitted a bid for two different models;
a 2008 and a 2009. The Town has decided to choose the 2008 model, still a brand
new machine, which will save the Town an additional $8,000.  This machine
will replace the 1987 Blanchette snow blower which has become unreliable and
difficult to obtain parts for. 

UNH/DURHAM
WATER SYSTEM

This week, the UNH/Durham water
system changed the anti-corrosion chemicals that had been used in the system for
over ten years. The water system had used sodium hydroxide to control the
corrosion within the piping of the water distribution system.  A recent
evaluation of the system concluded that changing to orthophosphate would do a
better job of corrosion control and significantly less chemical will be
needed.  This should translate to an overall lower cost to the water users
and an improved water distribution.  The water system operators also expect
less of a problem with sediment within the system.  Water users will likely
not notice any change in quality or taste of the water.  

Annual
Appointments of Citizens to Fill Vacancies on Various Town
Boards

On April 30, 2009, terms on various
Town boards, commissions, and committees will expire. In mid-April, the Town
Council will begin the process for  making its annual
appointments/reappointments to Town boards, with appointments to take effect May
1, 2009. The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of
Durham who have
the ability, desire, and time needed to fill these vacancies. Citizens
interested in board appointments should contact the Town Administrator’s office
at 868-5571 and ask for a board application form,  or stop in at the Town
Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road,
and complete an application.  Applications are also available on the Town’s
web site at: www.ci.durham.nh.us under the heading
“Features” at the bottom of the page. Completed applications may be mailed to
the Town Administrator’s office, or submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. Deadline for
receipt of completed applications is Friday,
March 27, 2009.

Churchill Rink at Jackson’s Landing Advisory
Committee (1 vacancy)

Conservation Commission - (2 regular
vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)

Durham Cable Access Television
(DCAT) Governance Committee - (2 vacancies)

Durham Energy Committee (1
vacancy)

Economic Development Committee – (1
regular vacancy; 2 alternate vacancies)

Historic District Commission - (2
vacancies)

Integrated Waste Management Advisory
Committee - (2 vacancies)

Parks and Recreation - (2 regular
vacancies)

Planning Board - (2 regular
vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)

Strafford Regional Planning
Commission & MPO Policy Committee - (2 vacancies)    

Zoning Board of Adjustment - (2
regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)

2008
Audit Scheduled

Representatives from the Town’s
audit firm, Plodzik and Sanderson Professional Association, will be on site to
begin the FY 2008 financial audit of the Town’s financial records beginning on
April 13, 2009. Auditors typically spend several days reviewing records as part
of their due diligence. The results from the FY 2007 audit can be found in the
2008 Durham Annual Report that was recently mailed to all property
owners.

Application
for Elderly Exemptions  

Eligible citizens may apply for an
Elderly Exemption or other exemptions/credits (Veterans Credit, Blind Exemption,
Solar, etc.) by the deadline of
April 15, 2009 for the 2009 spring
tax bill. An application may be obtained from the Planning, Zoning, and
Assessing Office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket
Road.  Questions regarding these exemptions can
be directed to the Planning, Zoning, and Assessing Office at 868-8064. Current
criteria and exemption amounts for the elderly are as
follows:

Income
Criteria

           
Single net
income:                 
          Not more than
$28,077.00

           
Married, combined
income:            
Less than       
$37,647.00

Asset
Criteria

           
Net
assets:                                        
Not in excess of $150,000.00

Age Eligibility
Criteria                                 
Exemption Amount

           
65 years up to 75
years:                  
$  96,000.00

           
75 years up to 80
years:                  
$128,000.00

           
80 years or
older:                             
$175,000.00

Town
Board Meeting DVDs Available on Loan at Public Library

DVD copies of the Town Council,
Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings are available at the
Durham Public Library for residents to check out and view. To purchase a
personal copy of a meeting, please contact DCAT Coordinator Craig Stevens at
868-5571 or email dcat@ci.durham.nh.us. The charge per DVD
is $10.00.

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated
below.

Planning Board  – Wednesday,
February 25, 2009    

Economic Development Committee –
Friday, February 27, 2009 (7:30
AM)

To view the agendas for the meetings
listed above, please click HERE. 
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library
for checkout and viewing. 

To view the Oyster River School Board meeting schedule,
click HERE. 

To view the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees
meeting schedule, click HERE.

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS
TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

To view a listing of the DCAT
programming schedule, click HERE

TOWN PARKS AND WINTER
ACTIVITIES

In the spirit of new snow and winter
sports, the Parks and Recreation Committee would like to suggest some
cross-country skiing for this weekend.  As a sport, cross-country skiing is
one of the most difficult endurance sports, as its' motions use every major
muscle group and it (along with running, rowing, and swimming) is one of the
sports that burn the most calories per hour in execution.  Durham has many parks that
encourage cross-country
skiing.  One park in particular, Doe Farm on
Bennett
Road, is often groomed by a local cross-country
skier.  The Doe Farm trails also link up to the Lamprey
River. 
The river, when sufficiently frozen, provides wonderful views and a long, open
trail to ski.

PARKS
AND RECREATION BROCHURE
The Parks and Recreation brochure is now
available as a pdf document that can be downloaded on to your computer.  To
print a copy of the document, legal-sized paper (8-1/2 x 14) will be required.
 To view the brochure, please click HERE.

FEBRUARY
EVENTS AT CHurchill Rink SCHEDULE

Teen Skate
Night

           
Saturday, February 21, 2009, 7:30-9:00 PM, Cost: 
$3.00

Public skating – times offered every
day

* Public skate times below will
remain the same during school vacation week.

Mon., Wed., Fri. 
       2:00 - 3:20 PM

Tue., Thurs.   
            9:00 - 10:20
AM and 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Sat.   
                        
2:30 - 4:20 PM

Sun.   
                       
2:00 - 3:50 PM

The rink is
adding youth pickup hockey for vacation week
only:

Mon., 2/23; Wed.,
2/25; Fri., 2/27 9:00 - 10:20 AM

$3 per person; helmet and equipment
required.

For more information, call the rink
at 868-3907, or visit our website at www.churchillrink.com

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY –
UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday,
February 21, 2009, 10:15 AM – Lapsit Storytime.  Come to the library the third
Saturday of the month for stories, fingerplays, and songs for children ages 0-18
months and their caregivers.

Tuesday, February
24, 2009, 10:15 AM – Preschool Storytime. Join the library staff for "all
ages" stories, songs, and a simple craft. 

Tuesday, February
24, 2009 6:30 PM - Pajama Storytime. Come to the library in your pajamas!  Stories
are followed by a snack and a craft.  Sponsored by Oyster River Parents and
Preschoolers (ORPP), this is a great time to network with other parents.

Wednesday,
February 25, 2009, 2:00 and 7:00 PM - Database Workshop. 

2:00 PM –
Databases for Adults. This session will focus on the needs of adults for
news, business, medical, and genealogical information. 

           
7:00 PM – Databases for Students. Students and their parents are invited
to explore the information available in the library’s databases and how it can
be applied to school work. 

Thursday,
February 26, 2009, 10:30 AM – Singer/Storyteller Alicia Quintano at the ORHS
Multipurpose Room.  Ms. Quintano has toured to 38 states
performing at theatres, universities, schools, libraries, festivals, art
centers, and on the radio. Co-sponsored with Madbury and Lee Libraries. There will be no Preschool Storytime at DPL on this
day. See you at the High School!

Friday, February
27, 2009, 4:00 PM – Castles for Kids. UNH Lecturer and Medieval Historian Jonathan Couser
will present a hands-on program for kids. Learn about the parts of a medieval
castle and then use recycled materials to build a simple (and smaller!) one to
take home. Please call the library to pre-register at
868-6699.

Saturday,
February 28, 2009, 10:30 AM – Squam Lakes
Natural Science Center at the ORHS Multipurpose
Room. Join
Naturalists from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center who will bring animals
that are native to New
Hampshire. This is a
rescheduling of an event planned for December, but had been canceled due to
power outages.

GROWING
PLACES HOSTS CELEBRATORY CHILDREN’S ART SHOW

On Wednesday, March 4, 2009,
beginning at 6:30 PM, Growing Places, Early Care, Education and Youth Recreation
will host a celebratory children's art show at the Moharimet Elementary School.  (Snow date is
Thursday March 5). A large variety of exhibits featuring the open, natural
creativity of children, ages 6 weeks to 14 years, will be on display and
refreshments will be served.  For more information please contact Susan
Chase at 868-1335. 

FUND-RAISER
FOR ORHS SENIOR CLASS

Parents of Oyster River High
School's 2009 seniors are selling raffle tickets to
raise funds for Project Graduation. Project Graduation is a parent-supervised
event that provides seniors with a fun-filled, safe evening of activities to
celebrate their high school graduation. Items for sale include:

·       
Two month-long raffle calendars for $10 per calendar.
Drawing date for the March calendar will be March 18. The drawing date for the
February calendar was held on February
18^th.

·       
Chances to win a beautiful jewel-tone handmade
twin-size quilt made by a mother of one of the high school seniors - $5 for 1
chance, $10 for 3 chances.

Participants in this fund-raiser
will be at Durham Marketplace on occasional weeknights, and at Market Basket in
Lee on Saturday, March 14th. Raffle tickets can be obtained through committee
co-chairs, Diane Gallant (coyotemesa@yahoo.com) and Sheila Harding (smdh@comcast.net).

FROM
HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1894 – The Village Improvement
Society organized by citizens interested in the maintenance of roadside by
cutting of grass, planting of shade trees, and keeping waste matter out of
streets. Clarence Scott was president, Lucien Thompson, secretary, and Chauncey
Hayes, treasurer.”

“1894 – Central for the telephone
system was in Caveno’s store, on Main Street opposite T. Hall. The expertise
of installing the telephone lines about campus and to several homes in the
village was supplied by the faculty. This phone system appears to have been a
very local organization.”

Have a nice
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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