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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Demolition of
former Stats Place building located on
Madbury Road
Courtesy Todd
Selig
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Demolition
began this week on the property located
at 9 Madbury Road (formerly Stats
Place). The property, now owned by Matthew
Crape, is being cleared for the construction
of a new 4-story mixed use building that
will have commercial offices on the first and
fourth floors and apartments on the second
and third floors. Once demolition is
complete, pile driving will begin on the site
which is expected to last for approximately
two weeks.
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ADMINISTRATOR'S
PLAN FOR REDUCING THE RISK TO DURHAM
RESIDENTS OF WEST NILE VIRUS AND EASTERN
EQUINE
ENCEPHALITIS
The
State of New Hampshire saw a growth in
activity in both West Nile Virus (WNV) and
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) during the
2005 mosquito season. Despite an
aggressive state-wide education campaign,
seven New Hampshire residents developed
serious illness following infection with EEE,
two of whom died. Once present in an
environment, both viruses will likely
continue to surface to some extent every
year. In response to this situation, the
Town Administrator has provided information
concerning WNV and EEE, prevention and
control strategies, and the
Town's planned response in 2011. To view
the Administrator's plan in
detail, click HERE. Some
helpful suggestions also follow in terms of
reducing the risk of exposure to mosquitoes
around one's home.
What can residents do around their homes to
help reduce exposure to
mosquitoes?
Make sure that doors and windows have
tight-fitting screens. Repair or
replace all screens in your home that have
tears or holes.
Remove all discarded tires from your
property. The used tire has become the
most important domestic mosquito-breeding
habitat in the United
States.
Do not allow water-holding
containers. Dispose of tin cans,
plastic containers, ceramic pots, or
similar water-holding containers. Do
not overlook containers that have become
overgrown by aquatic
vegetation.
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling
containers that are left out of
doors. Drainage holes that are
located on the sides collect enough water
for mosquitoes to breed
in.
Make sure roof gutters drain
properly. Clean clogged gutters in the
spring and fall.
Tightly screen “rain barrels”
to ensure mosquitoes cannot deposit eggs in
or on water.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and
outdoor hot tubs. If not in use, keep
empty and covered.
Drain water from pool
covers.
Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with
fish. Water gardens are fashionable
but become major mosquito breeding grounds
if they are allowed to
stagnate.
Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in
birdbaths at least twice weekly. Both
provide breeding habitat for domestic
mosquitoes.
Eliminate any standing water that collects
on your property. Use landscaping as
needed. Mosquitoes will develop in
any puddle that lasts more than 4
days. Mosquito larvae look like tiny
shrimp and are not recognized for what they
really are by most
people.
Remind or help neighbors to eliminate
breeding sites on their
properties.
What
can residents do to reduce their risk of
becoming infected with WNV or
EEE? When
mosquitoes are active, take the following
precautions:
Wear protective clothing such as long
pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks if
outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn
hours, the time when mosquitoes are most
active, and at other times when mosquitoes
are biting.
If outside during evening, nighttime, and
dawn hours, or whenever mosquitoes are
biting, consider the use of an effective
insect repellent.
Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and
bug zappers have not been shown to be
effective in preventing mosquito
bites.
Use
repellents according to manufacturer’s
directions.
Repellents containing DEET have been proven
effective. No more than 30% DEET
should be used on adults or
children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
has updated recommendations for use of DEET
products on children, citing:
“Insect repellents containing DEET
with a concentration of 10% appear to be as
safe as products with a concentration of
30% when used according to the directions
on the product labels.” AAP
recommends that repellents with DEET should
not be used on infants less than 2 months
old.
Repellents containing Picaridin (KBR3023)
or oil of lemon eucalyptus (a plant based
repellent) provide protection similar to
repellents with low concentrations of
DEET. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should
not be used on children under the age of
three years. Do not allow young children to
apply repellent
themselves.
Do not apply repellent directly to
children. Apply repellent to your own
hands and then put it on the child’s
exposed skin.
Avoid putting repellent on the hands of
children or near their eyes or
mouth.
Do not spray directly on the face, spray
into the hands first and then apply to the
face.
Do not apply to cuts, wounds, or irritated,
skin.
Do not use under
clothing.
Do not spray repellent containing products
in enclosed areas.
Avoid prolonged or excessive use of
repellents. Use sparingly to cover
exposed skin and
clothing.
Wash all treated skin and clothing after
returning indoors.
Store repellents out of reach of
children.
Research has shown that repellents based on
natural oils or herbs are less effective
than products based on Picaridin or
DEET.
Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and
bug zappers have not been shown to be
effective in preventing mosquito
bites.
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COUNCIL TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON NUTRIENT
POLLUTION IN THE GREAT BAY ESTUARY AND HOW
THIS IMPACTS AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT
PLANTS
On
Monday evening, the Council will receive an
update from the Town Engineer relative to the
understanding of the nutrient pollution in
the Great Bay Estuary and Southeast Watershed
with regard to how it impacts the municipal
wastewater treatment facilities within the
watershed, and provide feedback to the
Administrator relative to a draft Memorandum
of Agreement between the Great Bay Municipal
Coalition and New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services or potential similar
arrangements that might be reached to protect
Durham’s various interests in ensuring
the long-term viability and health of the
Great Bay Estuary as well as ensuring that
Durham’s limited financial resources
are effectively utilized. To view the
Council communication regarding this topic,
click HERE.
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COUNCIL
TO RECEIVE PRESENTATION ON STRAFFORD COUNTY
BUDGET
MONDAY
Representative
Peter Schmidt, Chairman of the Strafford
County Delegation, and Commissioner George
Maglaras, Chairman, Strafford County Board of
Commissioners, have been invited to attend
the June 6, 2011, Council meeting to provide
Councilors with a brief overview of the
Strafford County Board of
Commissioners’ proposed 2011/12 budget.
County Administrator Raymond Bower, will also
be in the audience during the
presentation.
This
presentation will give the Council and Durham
residents important information. First of
all, many Durham taxpayers ask, "What does
the County tax money pay for?" And this
budget year the questions that arise are:
"What changes have been made in the 2011
County budget? What effect will these changes
have on County programs? Will these changes
have an effect on municipalities like
Durham?"
The
presentation and discussion should answer
these questions.
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WISWALL
BRIDGE
ACCIDENT
The
Durham Police are investigating an accident
that occurred upon the Wiswall Road Bridge
between a vehicle and a pedestrian on Monday
May 30th. While a number of privacy and
confidentiality issues surround this event
due to the on-going police investigation and
the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA), we remind
motorists that they should be very cautious
as they traverse this one-lane roadway while
pedestrians should be aware of their
surroundings if they are upon this and any
other roadway.
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STORE
24/STRAFFORD AVENUE LEASE
AGREEMENTS
The lease
agreements between Durham and UNH relative to
the Store 24 Lot (UNH-owned but leased to
Durham) and parking along Strafford Avenue
(Town-owned but leased to UNH) have been
extended through June 30, 2012. Durham
and UNH had been limiting these leases to
6-month terms since July 2008 to allow
flexibility to roll these discussions into
other broader Durham/UNH collaborative
conversations as appropriate. In 2010
the Town and UNH began extending these leases
to 1-year terms. Prior to 2008 there had been
longer terms in
place.
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Members
of the Durham Police Department, and others,
participated in today's Special Olympics
Torch Run
SPECIAL
OLYMPICS ARE IN
DURHAM
The
Summer Games are the largest competition
event offered by Special Olympics of New
Hampshire that will be ongoing this weekend
on the campus of the University of New
Hampshire. Over 1,000 athletes will be
competing in six sports supported by
approximately 1,000 volunteers, 500 coaches
and chaperones all supported by 750 event
volunteers.Leading up to this event is the
Law Enforcement Torch Run which is one of the
largest Special Olympics fund-raising events
in New Hampshire. Every branch of state,
municipal, county and Federal law enforcement
will participate in the Torch Run through a
series of eighteen (18) “legs”
that originate in various segments of the
State. Members of the New Hampshire law
enforcement community will complete these
relays that cover more than 850 miles of NH
roads. Each of the “legs” will
have one runner carrying a torch and when all
legs come together in Durham this afternoon,
the Special Olympics “Flame of
Hope” will be ignited at the Opening
Ceremonies later this evening from the flames
of these torches. Residents should be
aware that there will be a brief fireworks
display during this opening
ceremony.
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SUPERIOR COURT APPEAL FILED
ON CAPSTONE STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT ON
TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
Friday, May 27th, represented the end of the
30 day appeal deadline for the 619 bed
Capstone student housing project’s
Planning Board approvals. An appeal was
filed in Strafford County Superior Court by
the 5:00 p.m. deadline by River’s Edge
Apartments, LLC. To read the appeal,
click HERE.
The likelihood is that the appeal will delay
the Capstone project by a
year.
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Parade Marshall Frank Pilar, along with
Auxiliary Unit 94 of the Bourgoin-Reardon
American Legion members Beverly Burrows
and Barbara Langley, toss a wreath into
the Oyster River during the Memorial Day
Parade. Courtesy Andrea
Bodo
THANKS
TO ALL WHO MADE DURHAM’S MEMORIAL DAY
CEREMONY A HUGE
SUCCESS
This
past Monday, Durham’s Annual Memorial
Day Parade cruised through Town with strong
participation by parade marchers and
spectators alike. The Durham Parks
& Recreation Department would like to
thank all those who made the event possible!
A special thank you to
Frank
Pilar who served as this year's Parade
Marshall.
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Craig Stevens and Tom
Johnson in Skagway,
AK
TOWN
STAFF MEMBERS MEET UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE ON
VACATION IN OF ALL PLACES …
ALASKA
Durham Code Enforcement Officer Tom Johnson
is presently on vacation in Alaska with his
family. DCAT Coordinator Craig Stevens
and his wife were also away on an Alaskan
cruise last week. Imagine their
respective surprise when they bumped into one
another in Skagway, Alaska.
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WISWALL
DAM REPAIR AND FISH LADDER
PROJECT
Construction
Starts for the Wiswall Dam Repair and Fish
Ladder Project
The
contractor, Reed & Reed, began work for
the Wiswall Dam Repair and Fish Ladder
Project this week. Access to the parking area
and either side of the dam will be restricted
for the duration of the project. The project
is anticipated to continue through the summer
and late fall. Residents should be reminded
that parking along the road is prohibited and
will be enforced
accordingly.
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DEPOT
ROAD CULVERT REPAIR
PROJECT
Depot
Road Culvert Repair Project construction
contract award bids
were
opened on Thursday May 26th, 2011 and the low
bidder was Ted Berry Company, Inc. of
Livermore, Maine with a bid of $99,454.02.
Ted Berry Company, Inc. has extensive
experience with culvert lining and their
references were superb. The Department of
Public Works will be bringing the
construction contract to the Town Council on
June 6th for their approval. This
project is funded through a $200,000 grant
from the US EPA Brownfields Program and was
secured through the efforts of the
Public Works Department.
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BREAKDOWN
OF ROAD
SWEEPER
The
Department of Public Works Fleet Maintenance
Division has been busy this week fixing
the roadway sweeper. The equipment is
ten years old and was initially up for
replacement in 2011, but unfortunately had to
be moved out to a future time. The conveyer
system beneath the sweeper was compromised
with rust causing the system to break. The
repair is quite extensive and
costly. The schedule for
replacement is based on usage and condition
in order to avoid these types of
situations. Thank you to residents for
their patience with the break in
sweeping schedule. The department is
hoping to complete the repair within the
next two weeks and get back on the road
sweeping schedule as soon as
possible.
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NEW
BUSINESS SCHOOL ON
GARRISON
Department
of Public Works and UNH officials met
this week with contractors involved in the
new Paul Business School that will be built
on Garrison Avenue between Ballard Street and
Rosemary Lane. The three groups met to
discuss utility installations and hookups as
well as traffic conditions during the
construction phase. The school will most
likely be under construction for over a
year. During this summer, there will be
up to 6 roadway cuts or crossings along
Garrison Avenue that will cause temporary
traffic delays or on occasion a detour.
Additionally, Rosemary Lane will have a brief
closure at some point and there will be a
short time that it will become a two way
street with appropriate signage.
Contractors intend on working on these two
streets separately in order to avoid traffic
interruptions occurring at the same
time. Garrison Avenue is on the Town's
repaving schedule regardless of the
construction for the new Business School and
will likely take place the year following
construction completion.
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OYSTER
RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SEEK INTERIM HIGH
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
On Wednesday evening, June 1, 2011, the
Oyster River School Board voted unanimously
to approve the Superintendent of School's
recommendation to move forward with an
interim principal at the High School.
To view a Foster's article on this matter, go
to
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110602/GJNEWS_01/706029733/-1/FOSNEWS0102&template=GreatBayRegion.
In addition, an Editorial appeared in
today’s Foster’s at http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110603/GJOPINION_01/706039980/-1/FOSOPINION
with numerous links to related
articles.
DURHAM EVALUATES 57 MADBURY
ROAD AS POSSIBLE TOWN OFFICE
SITE
Given the interest of the owner of 57 Madbury
Road (the property next to 49 Madbury Road
– the site of the new Durham Library)
in selling his property to the owner of the
Irving Station located next to the Town
Office, who in turn has an interest in
acquiring the Town Office site for
development as a new pharmacy or other
commercial use, and compensating the town
with cash plus 57 Madbury Road for use as a
possible future Town Office location, I had
asked the Public Works Department to evaluate
whether it would be possible to in fact
construct a Town Office at the 57 Madbury
Road location.
The
preliminary results look promising but to be
certain, we have engaged the services of SMP
Architects, the architectural design/build
firm utilized by the Library Trustees, to
assist us as part of this process. SMP
Architects will provide three iterations
assuming an approximate 14,000 s.f. town
office facility with
parking.
At
least one scheme will show a stand-alone town
office building and at least two layouts will
explore joining the future library and
potential town office buildings. It
should be noted that a deed restriction on
the future library site places some
restrictions on the layout of a joint
facility.
On
the afternoon of June 7th, Mr. Selig will
meet with the owner of the Irving Station to
receive an update regarding their ideas for
the existing Town Office
site.
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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/.
Town
Council - Monday, June 20, 2011. To view the
entire Council packet for this meeting, click
HERE.
Rental
Housing Commission - Wednesday, June 22, 2011
(4:00 PM)
Planning
Board, Wednesday, June 22,
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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ORCSD
SUMMER ENRICHMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
The
ORCSD offers summer enrichment opportunities
for children, and there are still plenty
of camps available. A new YOGA camp has
been added for students in grades 1
through 5 for the first week of August. For
more information about Yoga, click HERE.
The deadline for registration is is June
3, 2011.
Updated
camp listings can be found on the district
website at http://www.orcsd.org/.
Please
contact the district office at 868-5100,
extension 11 for more
information.
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GROWING
PLACES SUMMER
CAMPS
Growing Places, a non profit early education
and youth recreation agency, offers two
different camp programs for
children:
Camp Cowabunga for children ages
5-7. This camp offers arts and
crafts, games, swimming at the Durham Pool,
and a field trip every
Wednesday.
Bridge Camp for children ages 8-12. This
camp offers many of the same opportunities as
Camp Cowabunga. Different themes, age
appropriate arts and crafts, and sports and
games will keep the children engaged and
having fun. Bridge Campers attend the
Durham Pool three to four days a week, and go
on weekly Wednesday field trips with Camp
Cowabunga, including SEE Science Center, and
York Wild Kingdom.
Both
camps are housed at Moharimet Elementary
School in Madbury. Camp Directors are
professional full-time teacher/directors at
Growing Places. There is a 10% discount for
full-time siblings. Pay 50% of summer
tuition by May 2, and you will receive a 5%
discount for the entire summer. Camp Hours
are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended care
available until 6 p.m. Part or
full-time schedules available. Tuition
assistance is available for eligible
families. Please contact 868-1335 for
more information, or email Director Jen
Hayward at moharimet@growingplacesnh.org.
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DURHAM
PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS
Music by the Bay. The Parks &
Rec Department is very excited to
kickoff the summer on June 22nd
featuring “Bliss” from
5-7pm 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. “Bliss” is an all
female local four-piece string band that
plays folk music, blues, a little country,
and some original songs. Event is free. Check
out their web site at http://www.bliss4.net/.
For
more information please contact P&R
Director Sandy Devins at 603-817-4074 or
sdevins@ci.durham.nh.us
Also check out our new Facebook account on
“Durham
Rec”
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Durham
Police officers Kathryn Mone and Nicholas
Glowacki read to children during Storytime at
the Durham Public
Library. Courtesy
DPL
DURHAM
PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS
Durham Fire Department Celebrates 100
years - Tues. June 7, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The Durham Historical Association will give a
talk on the history of the DFD. Please
join us as Fire Chief Corey Landry presents
the history of the Durham Fire Department and
its original roots.
On
March 14, 2011, the Durham Fire Department
celebrated its 100 year anniversary by
unveiling a plaque at the location of the
original Durham Fire Station at 60 Main
Street, site of the former “Pettee
Block." This celebration came about
after a friend of the Fire Department
stumbled across a 1912 Town Report revealing
the roots of the department. It was
previously believed that the first fire
department in town started in 1927. After
research it has been determined that the 1927
date refers to the merger of the Durham FD
with the UNH FD after the “Pettee
Block” burned in 1924. Join the
library for a fun, fact-filled evening
sponsored by the Durham Historic
Association.
Babysitting Certification Class,
Sat. June 11, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. -
McGregor Memorial EMS offers the two-year
certification through the American Heart
Association. To register, call 862-3674 or
cprregistration@megreorems.org.
Cost is $20.
Register for our fun 5 week summer
reading program starting June
14th. The theme this year is
“One World, Many Stories”.
Our program runs from June 26th through July
29th. When you register you will
receive a packet including your reading logs,
calendars, some gifts and a fun bag.
Keep track of your reading minutes and have
them checked once a week to earn a prize of
the week. You will receive a new book,
and prizes at the end, as well as a reading
certificate. Also add to our visual display
in the library. Some fun visitors
planned,
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COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS
Chicken Curry
Dinner, Sun., Jun 5, 2011,
5:00/6:00/7:00 PM seating, Multipurpose Room
at Moharimet Elementary School. Proceeds go
towards building a school in Rajastan, India
through an organization called Free the
Children. Please contact Mamoon Herz-Khan,
868-1341, mamoonherzkhan@yahoo.com
for ticket and other
information.
Annual
Plant Sale, Strafford County
Master Gardeners' Association, Sun., Jun 5,
2011, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, United Peoples Bank
parking lot in Durham. Master Gardeners will
be on hand to answer
questions.
Bobcat Bolt, Sat., Jun 25,
2011. Portions of Town roads will be closed
from 9:00 to 10:00 AM to conduct a 5K and 10K
road race. The Bobcat Bolt is a run to
remember and honor two local brothers, Joshua
and Nathan Hardy, and to benefit the Oyster
River Youth Initiative in their names. For
more information, visit http://bobcatbolt.com/wp/?page_id=58.
Oyster River Festival.
Following the Bobcat Bolt event on Sat., Jun
25th, a community music/art festival
fund-raising event will follow from 11:00 to
2:30 PM at the ORHS field, 55 Coe Drive. For
more information on this event, visit
http://oralumni.org/oraa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=58
Vacation Bible School,
Durham Community Church, June 26-30,
Sunday 10-11:30, Monday to Thursday 9-Noon.
The theme is Great Bible Reef and children
from ages 4 (preschool experience) to those
entering 5th grade are welcome to attend.
Older youth are welcome to help out as team
leaders. This is a collaborative effort
between Durham Community Church, St. George's
Episcopal Church and Saint Thomas More
Catholic Church, all in Durham. Cost is $20
for one child, $15 for 2nd child and no more
than $40 per family. For more information,
please contact Paula Norbert, 868-1230 or
cedirector@durhamcommunitychurch.org.
Summer
Art Camp Classes for Children, Teens, and
Adults. The Museum of Art, UNH, is
offering week-long summer art classes during
the weeks of Aug 1-5 and Aug 8-12, 2011. For
a complete description of the classes or to
register on line, visit the Museum of Art's
website at http://www.unh.edu/moa/ or
contact Catherine A. Mazur at catherine.mazur@unh.edu,
603-862-3713.
FREE MAC
Computer Users Group - Second
Tuesdays of the month, Rye Junior High, 501
Washington Road, Rye, NH. Mentors at 6:15 PM
(ask any questions).Main topics are 7:00-8:30
PM. Open to all
levels.
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FROM “DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY
–
1900-1985”
Business: Thomas Schoonmaker owned the
next building on Main Street, going east from
Pettee Brook. He came to Durham, originally,
as the butter-maker for the Oyster River
Creamery - a speculation that lasted from
1880 to 1890. The butter sold for 27-2/3
cents a pound and was of high quality, but
the business failed either because of
Schoonmaker's ill health or because Durham
farmers could get more for their cream by
shipping it to Boston. Whatever the reason,
Schoonmaker turned to barbering, and business
in a college town was brisk. He promised
'first-class work', and 'Dutch-cuts' were a
specialty. Ordinary haircuts cost 25 cents,
neck trims 15 cents, and a shave but a
dime."
Published in 1985 by the
Durham Historic
Association.
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Have
a good 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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