Friday Update January 14, 2010


“Friday
Updates”


(On
Thursday)


January
14, 2010


 



Making way for construction of a
brand new single span bridge on Wiswall Road, the old two span Wiswall Bridge is officially gone, including the
small island that acted as a center pier for more than 150
years. Courtesy David
Cedarholm


 


NO
PLANS TO DEMOLISH UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY BUILDING – An Anthrax Update


Durham fire, police, health, and
UNH officials continue to work in
close support of the state's investigation of a confirmed case of
gastrointestinal anthrax at the United Campus Ministry’s Waysmeet Center on Mill Road in Durham. 


 


To date, the state-Division of
Public Health Services (DPHS) has confirmed three positive test samples for low
levels of naturally occurring anthrax at the facility; one from electrical
outlets and two from drums stored at the ministry building and used during a
Dec. 4, 2009, drum
circle. 


 


Further test results are
pending.  Based on those results, the USEPA, N.H. Department of
Environmental Services, and DPHS will develop a clean-up recommendation for the
building. 


 


Unfortunately, there are growing
rumors within the community that the Campus Ministry building will be demolished
or torn down, and also that the organization is closing.  This is not accurate.  The building is
not condemned and there are
no plans for it to be
demolished.  In addition, the United Campus Ministry has no plans to close and is presently
operating from temporary offices until it can re-occupy the
building.


The United Campus Ministry can be
contacted at 862-1165 or by email at waysmeet@comcast.net.  Students who
comprise the residential community at the Waysmeetcenter will have alternative
housing until the center re-opens.  In addition, the Cornucopia Food Pantry
will be re-opening at an alternative location and will have its regular hours on
Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m.
starting next week.  More information on the food pantry will be posted at
cornucopia.unh.edu.  The
United Campus Ministry students, staff, board members, volunteers and residents
sincerely appreciate all of the care and concern to date expressed by the
community.


The Strafford County resident hospitalized with
gastrointestinal anthrax is reported to be out of intensive care and showing
signs of improvement.


 


There have been only 11 cases of
naturally occurring anthrax in the United States since 1957.  The
last cases of anthrax that were diagnosed in New Hampshire were in 1957 when
there were 9 cases (four cutaneous and five inhalation) in employees of a
textile mill in Manchester.


 


For more information about anthrax,
visit www.emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/
or www.dhhs.nh.gov. Anyone with questions about
anthrax can call DHHS’ Division of Public Health Services at (603) 271-4496 or
the Centers for Disease Control at 1-800-CDC-INFO. 


 


2009/10
TOWN COUNCIL GOALS – STATUS UPDATE


On May 18, 2009, the Town Council
adopted its goals for the 2009/10 year. During the Town Council meeting
scheduled for February 1, 2010, the Council will continue its review of the
current status of those goals as provided by the Town Administrator.  To
view the Town Council’s goal list, with updated status for each goal, please
click HERE. 


 


New
Hampshire
Center for Public Policy Studies -
Durham Remains
Involved


The New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies is an
independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization that pursues data-based
research on public policy matters, develops options, informs policy makers and
advises them about choices for action. The Center’s mission is to raise new
ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on
issues shaping New
Hampshire’s future. To advance its mission, the Center
actively identifies issues, collects and analyzes data, publishes reports and
special papers, holds briefing sessions for elected and appointed policy makers
and stakeholders, and participates in public discussion of policy topics through
the print and electronic media. The Center is governed by a bi-partisan Board of
Directors, which continually strives for balance. Members are sought from among
those who have interest and experience in state and local policy questions, who
have broad contacts among key policy makers, and who represent a variety of
political and policy perspectives.  To view the biography for each
Board member, visit http://www.nhpolicy.org/index.php?id=11.  On
Wednesday of this week, Administrator Todd
Selig, who has served on the Board for many years, was
named Chair.  Mr. Selig succeeds Donna Sytek, former Speaker of the
N.H. House of Representatives, as Chair.


 


Martin
Luther King/Civil Rights Day Holiday


The Town will be closed on Monday,
January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King/Civil Rights
Day.  Although all Town offices will be closed, there is NO CHANGE TO THE
TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION. 


 


WANTED
– PHOTOGRAPHS
FOR ANNUAL TOWN REPORT, FRIDAY UPDATES, DCAT BULLETIN
BOARD


Each year, we wrestle with the
decision of what will be placed on the cover of the Town Report. If residents
have a photograph or photographs that they think might be suitable for the Town
Report, we would appreciate receiving them. If you are out-and-about and find a
scenic or landmark area of Durham to take a photograph of that you feel might
make an attractive cover, we would like to hear from you. Please email digital
(jpeg) files to Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
In order for photographs to work on the
cover, they must be taken as vertical photographs (not horizontal) and the
camera should be set at its highest resolution. Also, please do not
alter the size of the photograph once it is taken.


 


In addition to the Town Report
cover, we also need photographs for the “Friday Updates” and DCAT bulletin
board. Photographs of scenery, events, historic moments, etc. are welcome. As
mentioned above, please email digital (jpeg) files if available. Photographs
(originals) may be dropped off at the Town Administrator’s office during regular
hours, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday which will be scanned and returned
to the owner once they are used. Please indicate how you would like to be
credited for your photograph and how you would like the credit to be
worded.


 


Durham
Supervisors of the Checklist


The Durham Supervisors of the
Checklist will meet at the Town Hall twice in January to accept new voters and
to make corrections to the checklist:  Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30 – 8:00
PM and Saturday, January 23 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM. Changes in party registration
can also be made at this time.


 


Prospective voters are required by
law to show proof of identity, age (18 by the Election Day), domicile/residence
in Durham, and US
citizenship. A driver’s license and a birth certificate or passport are useful.
Affidavits of domicile and citizenship may be signed under oath if proofs are
lacking.


 


FREE
RADON AIR TEST KITS


The New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services Radon Program is offering free radon air test kits (while
supplies last) to New
Hampshire residents during the month of January in honor
of National Radon Action Month. Did you know radon gas kills more people in
New Hampshire
on an annual basis than anything else that the Department of Environmental
Services deals with? Many people ignore the warnings about radon gas. Maybe
because radon has no color, taste, or odor people do not think about it. 
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can build to high levels in
residential homes. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette
smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Testing is the
only way to know if your home or well water has elevated radon levels. 
Equipment is available for homes that may need to reduce elevated radon levels.


 


To get a free radon air test kit go
to: www.des.nh.gov, search for “radon”, and
fill out the application form. Call (603) 271-6845 for more information or
assistance with the application process. For more information please contact the
New Hampshire Radon Program at (603) 271-6845 or Owen.David@des.nh.gov 


 


Town Office Filing Period
for March 9, 2010 Town Election


The filing period for Town
offices for the March Town Election is Wednesday, January 20, 2010 through 5:00
PM, January 29, 2010. The following positions will be available for citizens who
might choose to become involved in Durham Town government: 


 


Town
Council            
              3
positions (3-year terms)


Library Board of Trustees
        3 positions (3-year
terms)


Town
Moderator                   
1 position (2-year term)


Supervisor of the Checklist
      1 position (6-year term)


Trustee of Trust
Funds             
1 position (3-year term)


 


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. 


 


Parks and Recreation
Committee – Thursday, January 21, 2010


Economic Development
Committee – Friday, January 22, 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 up-to-date on all of
Park & Recreation’s current classes and programs with the all new Parks
& Recreation Reminder.  Click HERE to
view the January 2010 Reminder. Inside you will find information on Kathy
Kerrigan’s new 2010 schedule, On the Ball Fitness Classes, Tai Chi, after school
child programs and special events.  Please check it out!


§        
Saturday, February 6th,
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Mill Pond & Smith Chapel: Winter Carnival and Chili Cookoff. Recent
additions to the Winter Carnival include snow bowling and children’s activities
and crafts provided by the Durham Public Library and Oyster River Parents and
Preschoolers.


The Chili Cookoff will be held at Smith Chapel from
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM.  For those interested in submitting a chili into the
Chili Cookoff, please read the official entry guidelines and complete the
registration form by clicking HERE.
All registrations must be received by Friday, January 20th. Contact
Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074
with any questions.


 


COMMUNITY EVENTS


§        
Tuesday, January 26, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, The Riverworks,
Newmarket, NH:  Business
After Hours - Celebrate Community Partnerships, hosted by the
Durham and
Newmarket Business Associations and the Greater Exeter Chamber of Commerce.
Hearty Appetizers and one beverage. $10 per member/$15 per guest. For more
information please contact the Durham Business Association at durhambusinessassociation@gmail.com
by Tuesday, January 19.


§        
Thursday, February 11 and Thursday, April 8: 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, at (603) 862-1634.


 


************************************


We have once again exhausted all of
the wonderful Durham historical tidbits published
in the History in an Oystershell, a Brief
History of Durham,
New Hampshire,
1600-1976. Beginning next week, the weekly Friday Updates will close
with New
Hampshire trivia obtained from the magazine AmericanProfile which we hope readers will
enjoy.


 


FROM HISTORY IN AN
OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976


“1976 – Fishing preceded
colonization in New England by many centuries, and fish and fishing have
continued to be important to Durham. In May, a fish ladder over the Mill
Pond dam was dedicated. This structure is remarkable in the seacoast region in
that it was partially financed by the town.”


 


And from Mr. Selig’s 4.5
year old daughter…


 


Q:  What do cows do on
a Friday night?


A:  They go to the
moovies.


 


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.


 


 


 


 

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