Friday Update March 11, 2011

Auditors begin FY
2010 Review of Town of Durham Books

FY 2010
DURHAM FINANCIAL AUDIT
COMMENCING

Auditors from the firm of Plodzik and
Sanderson Professional Association have begun
the process of performing our annual audit of
the Town of Durham for FY 2010.  
An advance team of three auditors was here
this week for two days followed by several
days by the full audit team next week. 
The auditors typically set up on the Town
Council chambers during the daytime as part
of this process.  As you might imagine,
the Business Office is extremely busy at this
time working with the auditors to answer any
questions they may have.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
BUSINESS VISITATION
INTERVIEWS

The Economic Development Committee
(EDC) was presented with preliminary results
form the Business Visitation interviews and
survey.  EDC Member Yusi Wang Turell has
been heading the effort and will be putting
the finishing touches on the final
report.  We will then make them
available to the Committee and the community
at large.  After the staff and Planning
Board/Town Council representative updates,
the Committee continued discussions on the
possible creation of a TIF District for the
downtown area.  The EDC’s next
meeting is scheduled for March 28,
2011.

CAPSTONE PROJECT AND DURHAM
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION

The Conservation Commission held their
March meeting on Thursday, March 3, 2011, a
week earlier than their regularly scheduled
meeting. They did this in order to
accommodate a request by the Planning Board
to meet and discuss Capstone Development
Corporation’s conditional use for
incursions into the Wetland and Shoreland
Overlay Districts. The Planning Board
requested this earlier meeting because the
Board wanted the Conservation
Commission’s advice before the Board
begins deliberations at their March 9, 2011
meeting.  Before the Planning Board
makes a decision on the conditional use
permit for incursions into the wetland and
shoreland buffers, the ordinance requires the
Planning Board to seek the advice of the
Conservation Commission.  This has
occurred and the Commission has providing
written comments to the Planning
Board. 

TWO RSA 79-E
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION TAX RELIEF
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FROM DURHAM PROPERTY
OWNER MATT
CRAPE

The Town has received two new
applications for the Community Revitalization
Tax Relief Incentive Program, also known as
RSA 79-E. Both applications were
submitted by Matt Crape. One is for his
newly completed project at 8 Jenkins Court
and the other was for his soon to be
redeveloped parcel at 9-11 Madbury Road (The
Stats Place location). The applications
will be on the March 21, 2011 Town Council
agenda for a presentation by Mr. Crape
followed by a public hearing on the April 4,
2011 Town Council agenda for public
hearings.  After the hearing the Town
Council will have 45 days to render a
decision on the
applications.

An image of the Jackson's
Landing Boat Ramp on 3.11.11

JACKSON'S LANDING BOAT RAMP
UPDATE

Following Monday's Town Council
discussion regarding the Jackson's Landing
boat ramp and the Council's desire to
determine whether it is possible to increase
the slope of the existing ramp system from
approximately 6 degrees to 10 degrees,
Administrator Selig has made an appointment
with Ms. Dori Wiggin of the NH Department of
Environmental Services for Peter Smith,
Stephen Roberts, Michael Lynch, Michael
Sievert, Robin Mower, and Mr. Selig to meet
on Tuesday morning, March 15th.  We are
hopeful that the meeting will allow us to
determine whether it may be possible to make
further refinements at the
site.

ANNUAL
APPOINTMENTS OF CITIZENS TO FILL VACANCIES ON
VARIOUS TOWN
BOARDS

On April 30, 2011, 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, 2011.
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 on the
right-hand side in blue. 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 18, 2011.

Conservation Commission - (2 regular
vacancies)
Durham Cable Access Television (DCAT)
Governance Committee - (3 regular vacancies;
1 alternate vacancy)
Durham Energy Committee (2 vacancies)
Economic Development Committee - (1 regular
vacancy; 1 alternate vacancy)
Historic District Commission - (2
vacancies)
Integrated Waste Management Advisory
Committee - (2 regular vacancies; 1 alternate
vacancy)
Parks and Recreation - (3 regular
vacancies)
Planning Board - (2 regular vacancies; 1
alternate vacancy)
Strafford Regional Planning Commission &
MPO Policy Committee - (2
vacancies)   
Zoning Board of Adjustment - (3 regular
vacancies; 1 alternate
vacancy)

DURHAM POLICE REVIEW USE OF FORCE
STRATEGIES

 Durham Police
officers currently have an array of weapons
that they carry on their duty belt to include
an expanding metal baton, pepper spray, and
ultimately a firearm. The officers are
trained in the concept of a “force
continuum” that provides officers with
guidelines as to how much force may be used
against a resisting subject in a given
situation. The purpose of these models is to
clarify, both for officers and citizens, the
complex subject of use of force by police
officers. As an example, officers would
not be required to employ the force continuum
verbatim in all circumstances such as if an
officer were confronted with a person
pointing a firearm. Logically, the officer
would not be required to use a baton in the
first instance.  

Most force continuums, or models, are
presented in a circle format with the segment
of force matched by a corresponding level of
subject resistance, although it is generally
noted that an officer need not progress
through each phase before reaching the
ultimate level of force. The policies of the
Durham Police rest on the premise that
officers should escalate and de-escalate
their level of force in response to the
subject's actions. 

Whenever a Durham Police officer
discharges a firearm for anything other than
training or recreational purpose, the
incident must be immediately reported in
writing within 24 hours to the police
administration.  The department has
developed a “use of force report”
that must be filed whenever an officer
applies physical force to overcome any degree
of resistance, other than the
“simple” application of
handcuffs, when they affect an arrest or
taking someone into custody for any
reason.  Annually, all reports within a
calendar year are compiled and reviewed by
the Chief.  To view the department's Use
of Force report, click HERE. 

SHARE THE
ROAD BUMPER STICKERS AT TOWN
HALL 

One road, many users. What’s the
solution? Share the road! Spring is just
around the corner, and so are better
bicycling days. Show your support for
bicyclist safety by adding a "Share the Road"
sticker to your car bumper. Pick one up today
at the Town Clerk’s office at the
Durham Town Hall.

Seasonal safety
brush-up:

Bicyclists, the same
laws that apply to motorists apply to
cyclists. Always ride in the same direction
as traffic and signal to drivers your
intentions (yield, turning, stopping).
Drivers, yield to cyclists.
Bicycles are considered vehicles. Reduce
speed when encountering cyclists. Recognize
hazards cyclists may face and give them
space. New Hampshire state law requires
motorists to keep at 3-foot distance when
passing a bicycle at speeds under 30mph and
4-feet when going 40mph.

(Thanks to Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes
(SABR) for providing the
stickers!)

SPRING HEAVY HAULING
ORDINANCE

The Town of Durham's Ordinance
Regulating Heavy Hauling will be in effect
from Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:01 AM,
until Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 11:59
PM.  Please be on the lookout for posted
signs indicating the beginning of the
restricted area(s).  The Ordinance
restricts hauling over six (6) tons on
specific Class V roads within the Town of
Durham.  The roads affected, exempted
hauling and other information is contained in
Ordinance 96-02; Code of the Town of Durham,
Chapter 153, section
B. 

Roads affected are:

BACK RIVER ROAD from US Route 4 to
Madbury Town line
BAGDAD ROAD from Canney Road to Route
108
BAY ROAD from Newmarket Town line to Durham
Point Road
BENNETT ROAD from Packers Falls Road to Route
108
CANNEY ROAD  from Madbury Town line
to Route 108
DAME ROAD from Newmarket Town line to
Bay Road
DURHAM POINT ROAD from Bay Road to
Durham Point Road Transfer Station and
Recycling Center Access Road
EMERSON ROAD from Bagdad Road to Madbury
Road
LONGMARSH ROAD from Route 108 to Durham
Point Road
MILL ROAD from Packers Falls Road to
Woodridge Road
PACKERS FALLS RD from Newmarket Town
line to Lee Town line
WATSON ROAD from Back River Road to
terminus
WEDNESDAY HILL ROAD from Packers Falls
Road to Lee Town line
WINECELLAR ROAD from Longmarsh Road to
end
WISWALL ROAD from Packers Falls Road to Lee
Town line

SPRING IS
COMING SOON...WE
HOPE!

It has been a long and snowy
winter. With spring thaw, many rough
road conditions, sand residual, and plow
damaged areas become exposed. The
Department of Public Works thanks residents
for their patience with these spring
maintenance items. DPW staff is
doing their best to get ahead of them and
will begin sweeping and repair
operations as soon as
possible.   

CHURCHILL
RINK - CLOSING FOR THE
SEASON

The Churchill Rink at Jackson’s
Landing will be closing for the season on
Saturday, March 19, 2011.  The regular
schedule will apply through Friday, March
18th. 

On Saturday, March 19th there will be a
free Public Skate from 12:00 – 3:50 PM.
This will conclude the skating season. 
Thanks to all for a fantastic winter, hope to
see you next season! 

COMMUNITY
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CLASS TO BE OFFERED IN
DURHAM

The Strafford County Citizen Corps is
excited to be teaming up with the Town of
Durham to offer the Community Emergency
Preparedness Class (CEP Class) this March at
the Durham Police Department. The CEP Class
is a comprehensive preparedness training
developed by FEMA and used in all 50 States,
3 territories and 6 foreign countries. It is
designed to help residents take care of
themselves, their families and neighbors
during an emergency. Topics include: Disaster
Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster
Psychology, Safety Strategies involved in a
Terror Attack, Light Search and Rescue,
Incident Command Systems, CPR and First Aid.
Those who complete the course will receive a
Certificate of Completion from the NH Fire
Academy, and CPR and First Aid certification
from the American Heart
Association.

This
class completes the core training
requirements for the Strafford County Citizen
Corps (SCCC), a team of medical and
non-medical volunteers who train to support
and assist local first responders during
emergencies. No commitment to the SCCC is
required from those who enroll in the class.
Following the completion of Community
Emergency Response, participants can continue
to attend trainings through the SCCC (such as
Traffic Control, Search & Rescue, Basic
Disaster Life Support, Fire Rehabilitation,
etc.), which are offered every other
month.

The
Community Emergency Preparedness Class will
meet Wednesdays March 23rd – April 27th
from 6:30-8:30pm (there will be no class
April 13th) AND Saturday, April 2nd from
8:30am-4pm at the Durham Police Department.
For more information, or to register, contact
Samantha Brann at sbrann@hscstrafford.org or
603-335-0168.

PUBLIC
MEETING
SCHEDULE

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.

Durham Energy Committee - Monday, March
14, 2011

Planning Board Quarterly Meeting -
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Master Plan Survey Subcommittee -
Thursday, March 17, 2010 (5:00
PM)

Integrated Waste Management Advisory
Committee - Thursday, March 17,
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.

DURHAM PUBLIC
LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS

CPR & AED
Training, Tues. March 15th,
6:00-8:30 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
Preschool Storytime, Tues.,
March 15th and Thurs., March 17th, 10:30 a.m.
This week:  Wind/Kites and St.
Patrick’s Day. All are welcome to enjoy
stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a
craft.
Caesar:  The Man From
Venus, Weds. March 16th, 6:00-7:30
p.m. Storyteller Sebastian Lockwood is
Caesar. Meet Caesar as he grows up into
a Rome that is recovering from one civil war
and headed for another. Meet the powerful
women in his life who help him achieve his
destiny: his mother Aurelia, his aunt Julia,
his wives and his great love Servilia: this
is the man who claims descent from the
Goddess Venus herself. We watch his rise to
power in Rome, his great adventures, his time
in Gaul and finally, after he crosses the
Rubicon, his war with Pompey that will leave
him the most powerful man in the world. We
see him as Venus joined with Cleopatra Isis
and we end with the twenty three daggers that
kill him and the ascent of his chosen heir
Octavian. This program is sponsored by the
New Hampshire Humanities Council: Humanities
to Go.
Join the Patch Program, our reading
incentive program for children aged 2-12
years. Children earn patches for
minutes read or being read to as well as a
Durham Library book bag. If new to the
program, stop by and register.
Registration for Tales for
Tails. Have a young reader who could
use some non-judgmental encouragement for
reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting
for your child. Sign up now at the library
for a 6 week session in March and
April.

COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS

Strafford County Republican
Committee Lincoln/Reagan Fundraiser
Dinner,
Fri., Mar 11, 2011,
7:00 PM, Three Chimneys Inn. For more
information, click HERE.

ORHS Girls
Lacrosse Team. Coach Casey Reynolds
is offering a free skills clinic for 4th-8th
grade girls on Sun., Mar 13, 2011, from
4:00-6:00 PM at the
ORHS gymnasium. No prior skills necessary.
Equipment can be borrowed at the clinic. RSVP
to reynolds_casey@yahoo.com.

Museum
of Art, UNH, Slide Lecture by Artist Sam
Cady, Wed., Mar 23, 2011, 12:00 noon
in Room A219 Paul Creative Arts Center.
Cady's lecture is offered as part of the
Museum's ArtBreak: Brown Bag Lunch
series of programs. His work is included in
the Museum of Art's current exhibition,
ReView: Recent Work by UNH Alumni.
The exhibition and lecture are open to the
public free of
charge.

Museum
of Art, UNH, One-day Trip to Peabody Essex
Museum, Salem, MA, Fri., Mar 25,
2011. Advance reservations must be received
by March 11, 2011. Please visit www.unh.edu/moa/events to complete
the form and pay by credit card or e-check,
or call 603-862-3713 to register by phone or
to obtain more
information.

ORMS Jazz Band Presents A Music
Celebration, featuring the
ORMS Jazz Band, Tri City Almighty and Fling,
Sat., Mar 26, 2011, 5:00-10:00 PM, Huddleston
Ballroom, Durham. Live and silent auction.
Lite fare, dancing, and fun. $20/person-a
benefit for the 2010/11 ORMS Jazz Band. For
tickets, email: kayajewelers@comcast.net.

8th Annual
Todd's Trot 5K Road Race/Walk, Sat.,
Apr 2, 2011, Oyster River High School.
Registration begins at 8:30 AM with a 10:00
AM start time. For more information, visit
http://www.toddstrot.org/.

2011 USA Jump
Rope Regional Tournament, Sat., Apr
9, 2011, Oyster River High School gymnasium.
Opening ceremonies begin at 8:00 AM, followed
by speed events, single rope and double dutch
freestyle, Group Team Show, and concluding
with an awards ceremony at 5:15 PM. Admission
is free--donations appreciated. Breakfast,
lunch, and healthy snacks will be sold
throughout the day.

Conservation
Options Workshop, sponsored by
Strafford Rivers Conservancy and UNH
Cooperative Extension, Mon., Apr 11, 2011,
6:30-8:15 PM, Dover Public Library, 73 Locust
Street, Dover, NH. Preregistration required.
Deadline: Fri., Apr 8th. Call Deb at
UNH Cooperative Extension, 603-679-5616,
deb.stevens@unh.edu.

PARENTING
SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN SUPPORT
GROUP

Parents in the Oyster River community
are invited to join a new group providing
information and emotional support to parents
of children with special needs (diagnosed or
not). This group is open to
parents of children (birth-high school) with
behavioral, emotional, physical, or mental
health needs. 

The group's next social support meeting
is Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM in
the Tavern at
Three Chimneys. 

To RSVP or request more information,
contact: Jenna Roberts, jennajroberts@yahoo.com or ChrisAnn
Wiechert cawdaisy@yahoo.com.

WEEKLY POLICE
REPORT

Week -
28                                        15
UNH (54%)
         
13 Other (46%)

*2010/11 Academic
Year
-620        349
UNH (56%)  
      271 Other
(44%)

 Calendar Year
–128                        75
UNH (59%)   
       53 Other
(41%)

*This data represents
the 2010/11 academic year report which began
August 27th when UNH dormitories officially
opened and students begin arriving in
Durham.

 Historical Data for the Same
Week

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

“Graveyards and Cemeteries
- The Town of Durham was without a public
burying ground for many years. The burial
area on Schoolhouse Lane, while termed a
cemetery, is a graveyard; it is privately
owned by a number of families whose ancestors
purchased the two acres in 1796. By 1913
little space was left for burials. No trust
funds then existed (five have now been
established), and as descendants of the
original families died or moved away, these
grounds became less well maintained and the
Blydenburg tomb (no record of its contents is
known) fell into disrepair. Hearsy has it
that the Blydenburg family had appointed a
caretaker but that his first action was to
take the key and throw it into the Oyster
River from the Falls Bridge. George Ffrost
Sawyer, Jr., the abutter on three sides,
assumed its care for a time. When the town
took over the responsibility for this
graveyard in the 1970s it erected a fence
around it and routinely trims the trees and
mows the grass." 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?