Friday Update June 17, 2011

Pictured
above is a postcard sent to us by
Mary Salvati. Her daughter, Emma, bought
it from an antique dealer. The back of the
postcard reads: "MAIN STREET, DURHAM, N.H.
This attractive community is the home of the
University of New Hampshire."

An important reminder that Father's Day
is this Sunday...

FARMER’S MARKET RETURNS TO PETTEE
BROOK PARKING
LOT
We are happy to report that the
Farmer’s Market will be returning to
the Town’s Pettee Brook Parking Lot
beginning this Monday, June 20th, from 2:15
PM – 5:30 PM. 

UNH EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
SYSTEM

During the bout of severe weather we
had two weeks ago, the University of New
Hampshire sounded its outdoor emergency
notification system. A number of residents
heard the alarm and, not realizing what was
happening, dashed into the Durham
MarketPlace for safety and cover. We also
heard from a few residents that they had
difficulty understanding what was being
relayed over the notification
system. 

As noted
above, this is a UNH notification system that
includes using a siren, a
“canned” message, and a recording
signaling at the end of the notification.
Sirens are located on the roof of the
Memorial Union Building, the roof of Morse
Hall, A-Lot, and the dirt parking lot near
the equestrian facility. The system reaches a
distance of nearly a mile in all directions.
Although some residents may be able to hear
notifications when the system is being
utilized, please be aware that it is only
intended and designed to alert the campus
community in the event of a potential
emergency, not the entire Durham community -
although as in the case of the storm, the
danger was shared by persons on and off
campus.

To receive a text or email message
from the University's emergency notification
system, residents may sign up at https://alert.unh.edu/index.php?CCheck=1. 

Questions
concerning the UNH emergency notification
system may be directed to Paul Dean, UNH's
coordinator for emergency preparedness, at
(603) 862-1427.

CAPSTONE STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT
UPDATE
On Thursday of this week, Strafford County
Superior Court heard arguments regarding the
appeal of the Planning Board’s decision
with regard to the 619 bed Capstone student
housing development located off Technology
Drive.  To view a N.H. Union Leader
article on the topic, click HERE .

THE NATURE
CONSERVANCY ACQUISITION OF BEAUDETTE 2
PROPERTY

The Nature Conservancy has begun
discussions with the Durham Conservation
Commission relative to the fee simple
acquisition of approximately 66 acres of
property known as the Beaudette 2
project, with approximately 1,405 feet
of frontage on Bennett Road and 2,840 feet of
frontage on Route 108.

The property is to be acquired by The
Nature Conservancy on behalf of the Great Bay
Resource Protection Partnership. $45,000 is
being requested from the Town of
Durham in the form of a grant
similar to the grant between the Conservancy
and the Town for the first Beaudette project
in 2006. The Town's funds would be put toward
purchase price and acquisition costs. The
Durham Conservation Commission will hold a
site walk for the proposed Beaudette farm
conservation project on Tuesday, July 5,
2011, at 4:30 P.M. The public is welcome to
attend.

The
property is located along Bennett Road and is
shown as Map 15, Lot 6 on the Durham tax
maps. Those who wish to attend should meet in
the driveway at the unoccupied farmhouse near
the intersection of Bennett Road and Route
108S.

In accordance with the Town's
"Guidelines for Acquiring Legal Interest in
Conservation/Open Space Land" the
Conservation Commission would then give its
recommendation to the Town Council who "shall
schedule the proposal for discussion at a
regular meeting and determine whether to move
the project forward to public hearing." 
The Council may also request a site walk of
the parcel at any time during this
process.

To view the background information on
this project, click HERE.
To view
the map of this property, click HERE.

SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT REACH
AGREEMENT ON CONTRACT
BUYOUT

The Oyster River School Board and the
Superintendent of Schools have reached an
agreement regarding a buy out for the
remainder of the contract for the
Superintendent of Schools, who will be
leaving the position with the district
as of June 30 of this year.  Information
is not available from the parties until June
30 because of an agreement between
them.

To view a Foster’s article on
this matter, go to: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110617/GJNEWS_01/706179945. 

Two blogs focusing upon the
Oyster River School District have been
established by interested local
residents.  These may be viewed at
http://forenh.org/ 
and
http://oysterrivercommunity.blogspot.com/. 

DURHAM ENDEAVORS TO
EVALUATE ACCURACY OF ASSESMENT RECORDS AS
PART OF UPCOMING 2013 ASSESSMENT
UPDATE

The Town has requested that the N.H.
Department of Revenue Administration (DRA)
conduct a random sampling of property record
cards in order to ascertain their
accuracy.  As noted earlier this summer,
we are working to weigh the need to undergo a
full measure and list or a statistical update
of assessment records in 2013.  The
result of the audit will help in the
budgetary process as it will indicate to
staff what monies should be set aside in
anticipation of the assessment update
required by the state in
2013. 

To this end, a sample of property
record cards from Durham that have not had a
recent visit will be forwarded to the DRA
monitor so that notices may be sent to the
owners of those properties selected as part
of the random sample.  Durham residents
may receive a call from the DRA monitor to
schedule an inspection of their property at
some juncture in the
future.

 
MADBURY ROAD BICYCLE,
PEDESTRIAN, AND TRAFFIC SAFETY IMROVEMENTS
BEING EVALUATED FOR SUMMER
2011 IMPLEMENTATION

The Town has been in the process of
evaluating whether the success experienced
along Pettee Brook Lane last summer in which
two lanes of traffic were reduced to one to
enhance bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic
safety can be replicated along Madbury Road
between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane in
late-July/August of this
year. 

We hope to have firmer information on
the plan, which is intended to extend a
dedicated 4 foot bicycle lane along the East
(Post Office) side of Madbury Road from Main
Street to Garrison Avenue, as well as a 4
foot bicycle lane on the West side of Madbury
Road from Garrison Avenue to Pettee Brook
Lane, by the beginning of July.
 
TWO WAY TRAFFIC MODELING FOR DOWNTOWN
LOOP
The Traffic Safety Committee continues to
evaluate the feasibility and implications of
transforming part or all of the downtown
one-way loop system into two way traffic in
conformance with the recommendations of the
B. Dennis Report.  When the modeling is
completed, we will be bringing forward a
presentation to the Council for general
discussion.

WISWALL BRIDGE
UPDATE
The administrative Traffic Safety Committee
met Thursday morning of this week at the
Durham Police Department to discuss whether
stop signs at either end of the Wiswall
Bridge should be installed per the request of
residents with cautionary “If
pedestrians present motorists to honk horn
before entering the bridge”
signage.

A number of residents from the Wiswall
Road area attended the meeting and provided
feedback to the committee expressing concern
about the idea of installing stop
signs and the requeted cautionary horn
signage.  It was their perspective that
the roadway was primarily intended for
automobiles and that large numbers of young
people on the bridge was problematic;
particularly when adolescents sun bathed
on the roadway asphault, left coolers in
the roadway, or were reluctant to move
out of the way of motorists using the
road.  Honking horns when pedestrians
were on the bridge, it was felt, would
disrupt the quietude of the neighborhood for
residents in the area.  They felt
the onus should be on the pedestrians on
the bridge to remain constantly vigilant of
oncoming vehicles crossing the river
along the public roadway.

Other items discussed
included:

• The one lane bridge serves
  to naturally calm traffic as motorists can
  only pass one at a time and must pause to
  observe whether there is oncoming
  traffic;
• Sometimes motorists do cross too
  fast across the bridge;
• Whether a "no loitering" ordinance
  would be appropriate on the bridge to
  prevent large numbers of people from
  gathering there;
• The
  fact that state statute does not allow for
  the enforcement of less than 25 MPH in such
  a location and any speed limit postings
  less than this number would be strictly
  advisory;
• Whether existing cautionary signage
  at the site is adquate;
• The
  fact that construction at the Wiswall Dam
  & installation of the new fish ladder
  adjacent to the bridge will serve to make
  the site less attractive this summer for
  recreational uses;
• Installing only one stop sign at the
  bridge on the Durham
  side.

After lengthy discussion, the
Traffic Safety Committee suggested the Police
Department intensify enforcement of the NO
PARKING ordinance in effect along Wiswall
Road.  It is possible the
topic will
be raised by individual Town
Council members at an upcoming
meeting. 

JULY 4TH HOLIDAY REFUSE AND RECYCLING
COLLECTION SCHEDULE AND TRANSFER STATION
HOURS

The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on
Saturday July 2nd for the 4th of July
Holiday- normal business hours will continue
on Tuesday, July 5th.  Town offices will
be closed on Monday, July 4th.  There
will be NO COLLECTION OF REFUSE AND RECYCLING
ON MONDAY, JULY 4TH, instead your trash day
will be delayed by one day- For example if
you normally have your trash picked up on
Monday, it will be done on Tuesday instead,
normally collected on Tuesday, will be done
on Wednesday instead, and that will continue
for the rest of the days of that week as
well.  The Holiday schedule is also in
the annual newsletter on the back page for
reference. 

DURHAM’S FRIDAY
DEALS
This is a new pilot program addition to
the "Friday Updates" intended to give
local merchants an opportunity to
encourage residents to shop
locally. 

Wildcat
Fitness
Use us 4 Free on Fridays (Exp 8-31)
Located in the Mill Plaza next to the Public
Library
 

Red Carpet Flower
Shop

$5 Bouquets of Flowers every
Friday    

Village
Pizza

$5 Wraps or Large Salad w/Steak or
Chicken add
$2      

Money
spent locally stays local, support Durham
businesses.

If your business has a
Friday special to offer please send it
to Ken Entz at Wildcat Fitness who is
coordinating this effort.  The phone
number
is 603-661-2907.

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 complete 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.

GREAT BAY NATIONAL
ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE (GBNERR)
WORKSHOPS

June 29, NH Coastal
Adaptation Workgroup is hosting its third in
a series of adaptation workshops. This one
will focus on 2 local economic case studies
and will take place at the Urban Forestry
Center in Portsmouth NH. This is a no fee
workshop, but registration is required as a
light dinner is provided. For more
information, click HERE. 
July 25 to August 5, NH Fish
and Game is offering its Watershed Ecology
Institute once again. Join fellow coastal
decision makers, teachers, and resource
professionals for high quality education and
fun this summer at the two week Watershed
Ecology Institute at Plymouth Regional High
School from July 25-29 & August 1-5. Each
day focuses on a particular aspect of
watershed ecology and provides hands-on,
inquiry and experiential learning in field
and classroom settings. The sessions are
designed around concepts outlined in the NH
State Education Frameworks. This course can
be taken for 2 credits from UNH or as a
noncredit course. Access the registration
flyer at http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Education/Education_PDFs/Watershed_Ecology_2011.pdf.
For more information, contact Judy Tumosa at
the NH Fish and Game Department at
#271-0456.
August 3, GBNERR will host
Eric Eckl in his Water Words That Work and
Combat Communications for Conservationists
workshops. If you work with citizens and want
to increase your effectiveness - this
workshop is for you! This workshop
costs $15 which covers lunch, snacks,
and coffee/tea. Space is limited so
don't wait to register. For more information,
click HERE.
August 4, GBNERR will host
Eric Eckl in two different workshops, More
Than a Message and Take Aim at Target
Audiences workshops. These workshops will
take place at the Wells Reserve and are $15
for the day. Space is limited so don't wait
to register. For more information, 
HERE. 

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”  

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS 

Registration has begun for our
fun 5-week summer reading
program.  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, Odds Bodkins storyteller, Ben
Baldwin’s African Drumming, Murray
Irish Step Dancers, La Madeleine Celtic/Folk
trio, Earreverance 7 member Acapella group,
One World Language School, Ruth
Abelman’s Yoga class, Granite State
Zoo, Michael Zerphy, Juggler and Clown,
storytimes, teen writing/blog group, 6-8 yr
old group, 9-12 yr old group.  Join the
fun!
Oyster River Alumnae
Festival, Sat. June 25th , 11:00
a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Join the library at this
fun festival at the High School.  We
will be there with fun crafts and information
about the new library.

COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS 

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=58Vacation

Vacation Bible School,
Durham Community Church, June 26-30, Sunday
10:-11:30 AM, Monday to Thursday 9:00-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,
contact Paula Norbert, 868-1230, or cedirector@ci.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.

FROM
“DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY
–
1900-1985”

Business (1900-1930): "The
property down from Frank's extended from Main
Street north along Madbury Road to Bagdad
Road and east to the Woodman graveyard and
swamp. Known as Garrison Farm, it was owned
by Charles E. Hoitt, who lived in the house
at 28 Main Street on the corner of Madbury
Road. For a time, he operated a shoestore in
a building across from his house on Main
Street, but his major sources of income were
from the potatoes he grew on his land and
from the water system he established to serve
the lower part of the
Village." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic
Association.

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?