Friday Update - March 28, 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

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Interesting geometric ice shapes as the ice begins to break up at Old Landing. Hopefully a strong sign that warmer weather is around the corner!  Courtesy Robin Mower

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Residents will note that flags are at half-mast today. Governor Maggie Hassan has directed flags to fly at half-staff until sundown in New Hampshire, in honor of the two Boston firefighters killed in a fire this week at a Boston brownstone.

IF YOU KNOW OF NEW RESIDENTS IN DURHAM, PLEASE BE SURE TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE WEEKLY "FRIDAY UPDATES"  

We rely largely on word of mouth for people to learn about the weekly Durham "Friday Updates."  To date, there are nearly 3,000 active subscribers from Durham and beyond. It is possible to sign up for the "Friday Updates" from our home page at www.ci.durham.nh.us.  

Please spread the word if you know of people in Town or beyond who would benefit from the weekly publication 

DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION - NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS

The Durham Business Association recently changed its website URL. The new website address is http://durhambusinessassociationnh.org/

SPRING CLEANUP - April 28, 2014

The annual residential bulky waste cleanup of large items will begin on April 28th at 7am on all Town, non-private roads.  Please place materials curbside no earlier than Saturday April 26th, and no later than 7AM on Monday, April 28th.  Residents should expect to soon receive in the mail the Annual Spring Newsletter with details about the pickup. 

Durham Fire Department's C-Shift with two UNH Grounds and Roads employees that worked on the landscaping outside of the fire station. Courtesy FD

UNH GROUNDS AND ROADS STAFF MAKE KIND GESTURE TO DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT

Yesterday morning, the Fire Department had a couple of UNH Grounds and Roads employees stop by to work on the small patch of landscaping with the flag pole in front of the station. The UNH employees said they had watched the news of the fire in Boston and decided to work on the department's landscaping to make it look sharp. C-Shift, in turn, brought out a couple of muffins and cups of coffee to warm them up. 

The Durham Fire Department was also sent well wishes for its service from The Bagel Works, coupled with a basket of goodies.  These were very kind gestures and a way to remember the two brave firefighters who perished, Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy and Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh

UNH Civil Engineering student Taylor Walter with the newly-constructed Mobile Nitrogen Recycler. Courtesy David Cedarholm

DURHAM IN THE NEWS -- NHPR Reports on Durham Urine Diversion & Recycling Project

This morning, March 28, 2014, at 6:35, 7:35, and 8:35 am, and then again in evening around 5:45 pm, residents can hear a story about the Durham Urine Diversion & Recycle project on NHPR.  The story can be heard on line as well at http://nhpr.org/post/unh-students-urine-diversion-program-cleans-water-fertilizes-farms


Kudos to Town Engineer David Cedarholm and a terrific group of UNH students for collaborating on this pilot program.  

COMPENSATION FOR STAFF AT THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY – A Review is Under Way

During the 2014 budget approval process, there was significant discussion regarding the wages for members of the Durham Public Library staff. 

In order to stay within budgetary goals, the Council was not ultimately able in December to approve a significant request for additional funding made by the Library Trustees and Administrator Selig to bring the Library staff up to market, and in fact the definition of what the proper comparisons for library personnel were had been questioned by members of the Council.  Members of the Council also expressed concern that the issue of wages for Library personnel had not been fully discussed during deliberations regarding the Library building project, and had not been factored by the Trustees into the long-range operational projections for the department.  


Administrator Selig was ultimately tasked by the Council to take on this issue in 2014 and to develop an approach that would result in more fairly compensating the hard working and extremely talented staff members at the Durham Public Library.  [As an example, Durham’s many Library Assistants presently are paid between $9 and $11.70 per hour versus an average of $15 per hour in other communities within the 10,000 - 15,000 population range.]  


With the UNH Outdoor Pool issue on hold pending Council action on April 7th, Mr. Selig was able to devote time this week to evaluating the matter of Library wages.  Over the course of the next week, he will be reaching out to Director Tom Madden and the Durham Library Board of Trustees to discuss the issue further.


It is important to note that by state statue, a Library Board of Trustees is the governing board for a community’s public library.  The Library Trustees hire and fire library staff and make decisions regarding rates of pay for Library personnel.  At the same time, the Library Trustees must request a budget annually from the Town, which in Durham is ultimately proposed by the Administrator and adopted by the Town Council.   


As noted above, monies were not budgeted in 2014 to address Library wage discrepancies as compared to the broader market for library personnel within the Library budget.  Instead, the Council added $10,000 to the Town’s General Fund Contingency Account, which is under the control of the Administrator, to provide Mr. Selig with some flexibility in addressing the issue.  In addition, the Administrator has a limited pool of funds for wage adjustments impacting the non-library, non-unionized personnel of the Town. To the extent funding is available beyond the $10,000 level, Mr. Selig is committed to using this to address wages at the Library.  The Administrator and Business Manager Gail Jablonski will begin running scenarios for their review early next week.  


Meanwhile, a staff member at the Durham Public Library recently left to take a position in another community making $6 more per hour.

Before any actions are taken, Mr. Selig will be having extensive conversations with Director Madden and the Library Trustees.  In fact, any wage adjustments can ultimately only be made by the Trustees.

FOSTER’S EDITORIAL ON THE UNH OUTDOOR POOL - It's time to come together

An editorial in this week’s Foster’s Daily Democrat addressed the issue of the UNH Outdoor Pool.  The final paragraphs of the editorial read:

“Stopping to design a new pool down to the final dollar and smallest detail will mean no pool for longer than just the 2014 swim season.

 It was a point made by Town Council Chair Jay Gooze, who sits on the planning committee. He called the UNH proposal fair, while acknowledging there are unanswered questions. But taking the time to address those questions could delay the project for months or years.

As for the emotions that still strongly favor saving the new pool, we can testify to the fact they are real and cannot be ignored. At last week's planning session, those lobbying to save the current pool were, at times, choked up. Some seemed to be holding back tears, some their anger.

But the reality confronting these opponents is stone cold. The Durham Town Council has been clearly told by taxpayers not to spend a dime on the pool. That means not filling the financial gap between UNH's $4.4 million plan and a total rehab of the current pool at a cost of $6.3 million.

Even for die-hard supporters of the current pool, this is an insurmountable obstacle.

We suggest it is time to put hard feelings aside so UNH and the Town of Durham can come together to design a pool fit for all ages and which will continue to serve many generations to come — as the current pool has nobly done longer than expected.”

 

The full editorial can be read HERE.  For more information regarding the pool, read the next item in this week's "Friday Updates."

16,000 sq. ft. conceptual design for a proposed new UNH Outdoor Pool  (Snively on left side of image, Edgewood Rd. on right side)  Courtesy University of New Hampshire

DURHAM POOL WORK GROUP TEAM VOTES 4-2 IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING UNH OFFER OF A MIDDLE SIZE POOL, 14-16,000 SQ. FT. POOL

Several months ago, Mr. Selig asked two members of the Council (Jay Gooze and Wayne Burton), two representatives from FUNHOP (Dudley Dudley and Kenny Rotner), and long-time pool enthusiast Marjorie Wolfson to join him in endeavoring to work through the future of the UNH Outdoor Pool with representatives from UNH.  


The group had met on three prior occasions and Mr. Selig in conjunction with UNH officials arranged for the working group to meet at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at the Durham Public Library (second floor) to continue the dialogue relative to the future of the pool.  A detailed Agenda for the meeting was prepared.  Interested members of the public were able to attend and in fact there was limited time at the end of the meeting to take questions from the public present.


UNH had obtained cost estimates for approximate 10,000 sq. ft. (average cost of 5 averages received is $3,660,910), 16,000 sq. ft. (average cost of 5 averages received is $4,411,100), and 32,000 sq. ft. (average cost of 5 averages received is $6,289,870) outdoor pool configurations in the general location of the existing outdoor pool.  

On Monday afternoon, March 17, 2014, UNH Vice President Mark Rubinstein sent a proposal to the Town offering for UNH to build a mid-size pool, 14,000 – 16,000 sq. ft., estimated at $4.4 million, at zero capital cost to the Town, in the location of the existing pool. 


On Monday evening, March 17, 2014, the Council considered a draft motion crafted by Mr. Selig at the request of the Council Chair in which the Council would endorse this proposal.  The Council discussed the motion and based on public feedback and Councilor comments ultimately decided to defer further consideration until its next meeting on April 7, 2014.  


The Town Council had raised the issue of the future of the pool with UNH as part of a Council resolution adopted last year.  The University responded to the Town and was clear that the existing outdoor pool must be brought up to modern health/safety standards for a modern public swimming pool.  In addition, because the 1937 facility does not meet modern health/safety standards for a public pool, UNH has provided notice to the Town that it will not reopen the outdoor pool for the 2014 summer season.  All UNH summer activities have been designed around the outdoor pool being closed for 2014.  


It has been clearly stated by both parties that the 32,000 sq. ft. pool configuration in the $6.3 million +/- range is beyond the financial capacity of both UNH and Durham taxpayers.


At the March 19, 2014, pool working group meeting, UNH provided additional information regarding the pool pricing received and answered questions regarding parking (which would remain unchanged at Woodside), the impact of the proposed Hamel Recreation Center expansion project on a future outdoor pool (the design of which is essentially on hold pending the outcome of pool discussions), whether the historic pool could be reopened for the summer 2014 (UNH indicates it cannot reopen the outdoor pool due to the facility not meeting modern public pool standards concerning health/safety), whether there will be a zero depth entry, lap lanes, diving area, expanded community space, and other features to appeal to the entire town in terms of ages and abilities (there will though the details will need to be fully developed as part of the actual pool design process), scheduling/pass pricing (which must be developed once a size is settled upon as part of the design process), shadow analysis (the mid-size pool would be located in what is now the deep section of the existing pool which is the sunniest portion of the site), timetable (UNH desires to bring the mid-size pool proposal to the USNH Board of Trustees on April 18th so that the project can get under way and be open for the 2015 swimming season) and more.  


After much discussion and following public question and answers, Mr. Selig asked for a consensus of the Town delegation to the working group on the pool issue and the vote was 4 in favor of moving forward with the University’s 14,000 – 16,000 sq. ft. (approx. $4.4 million) proposal (Jay Gooze, Wayne Burton, Marjorie Wolfson, and Todd Selig), and 2 opposed (Dudley Dudley and Kenny Rotner). 

This recommendation will be conveyed to the Town Council to help guide Council deliberations on the subject on April 7, 2014.  


To view conceptual images of the various pool designs discussed, click HERE.

To view an article from Foster's Daily Democrat on this week’s work session meeting regarding the pool, click HERE.

To view the University's extensive information regarding the planning process for the Outdoor pool and other information, including pool design images showing different size configurations, click HERE.

It is unclear at this juncture whether the Council will opt to support the working group's recommendation.  

To convey feedback relative to the pool issue, please write to Administrator Todd Selig at tselig@ci.durham.nh.us. 

DURHAM COMPOSTING PILOT PROGRAM

The Town’s Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee, the Department of Public Works, and Mr. Fox Composting is still hoping to conduct a composting pilot program beginning in May.  This program seeks to remove organic waste from our land fill disposal stream and, through composting, convert this organic waste into usable soil.  While the amount of organic waste generated by a household is quite variable, it is frequently estimated that 40% or more of the material disposed of in landfills is organic waste.  Durham’s annual land fill disposal exceeds 1600 tons at a cost of more than $112,500.  If we could remove just 20% of the annual disposal tonnage Durham could save more than $22,500 annually.  And help extend the life of existing landfills, produce useful soil, and reduce the production of methane gas, one of the most destructive air pollutants produced by human activity.

How will the program work?  Participants in the pilot program will receive organic waste disposal liners (bags) at the beginning of the program.  These liners will be placed by participants in a waste disposal container (trash can) with a tight lid.  Then, as organic waste is produced it will be collected in the liner, in the container.  When it is time to empty the collected material (once a week?), participants will take the container to the transfer station and place it in a marked composting dumpster. Care should be exercised in handling the filled liners as they are made of compostable material and may soften when wet.  It is best to tie off the liner and then dump it from your disposal container into the dumpster.  Mr. Fox Composting will transport the waste to a composting site.

What do you mean by organic waste?  Compostable materials are: food scraps from the table; eggshells; bread; seafood (not clam or oyster shells); fruits and vegetables (including pits and nuts); coffee grounds  and filters; tea and tea bags; pizza boxes; wood stirrers; sugar packets; paper napkins, plates and towels; waxed paper linings; flowers and floral trimmings; corn based cups and utensils; and corks.  Items not on this list are not currently compostable.

How do I participate?  If you are interested in participating in the pilot program call Durham Public Works at 868-5578 and ask to be place on the pilot program list.  You will be asked for your name, address and telephone number so we can contact you with updates and additional coordination.  We are planning to conduct the pilot program with 50-100 residences.  If the program proves successful, we hope to expand it to as many residences as possible.  To date, we only have about 30 participants. 

HISTORIC DISTRICT/HERITAGE COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will review minor proposed changes to approved designs for the Orion project at its meeting this Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.  The overall proposal involves rehabilitating the houses at 25 and 35 Main Street, demolishing the houses at 27 and 29 Main Street, demolishing/relocating the barn in the rear, erecting two new houses fronting on Main Street, erecting two large new buildings, one in the rear and one fronting on Main Street.  Orion Student Housing, Bill Fideli and Philip Wills, applicant; Lisa DeStefano and Adam Wagner, DeStefano Architects, architect; Tim Phoenix, attorney. Tax Map 5, Lots 1-6, 1-7, and 1-8, Central Business District. 

TOWN OF LEE TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON SPRUCE HOLE WELL PROJECT

The Town of Lee Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, April 10, 2014 beginning at 7PM at the Lee Public Safety Complex, 20 George Bennett Road, Lee. Durham Town Engineer David Cedarholm will be presenting plans for the installation of a public water supply project (Spruce Hole well) which is located on land owned by the Town of Durham at Packers Falls Road. 

The Spruce Hole Well is the next Town/UNH water source which will put Durham/UNH in a solid position relative to water supply for decades to come.  

Construction is anticiapted to begin on the project by summer. 

MASTER PLAN DRAFT MAPS

The Town has hired Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) to complete the updated Master Plan.  SRPC has prepared a number of DRAFT maps of existing conditions (These are subject to change). To view the maps, click HERE.

VACANCIES ON TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES

On April 30, 2014, 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, 2014. 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 may stop in or contact the Town Administrator’s office at 868-5571 and ask for a board application form. Applications are also available on the home page of the Town’s web site: www.ci.durham.nh.us in the green area located at the right. Click on “Forms”, then “Application for Appointment”.


Completed applications may be mailed to the Town Administrator’s office, or submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday, March 28, 2014.

Conservation Commission:  4 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy
Durham Agricultural Commission:  2 regular vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies
Durham Energy Committee:  3 vacancies
Economic Development Committee:  1 regular vacancy
Historic District /Heritage Commission:  2 regular vacancies
Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee:  2 regular vacancy; 1 alternate vacancy
Oyster River Management Advisory Committee:  2 vacancies
Parks and Recreation:  1 regular vacancy
Planning Board:  2 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy
Strafford Regional Planning Commission MPO Policy Committee:   1 vacancy
Zoning Board of Adjustment:  1 regular vacancy; 1 alternate vacancy

Three sailboats, constructed during a UNH Marine Docent Family Boat Building Workshop, on their maiden voyage at Mendums Pond. Courtesy Karl Schoppe

BUILD A BOAT IN A WEEKEND - FAMILY BOAT BUILDING WORKSHOP

The UNH Marine Docent's will hold a Family Boat Building Workshop, May 16-18, 2014, at Kingman Farm in Madbury. In three days, families will construct the Oyster River Cat, a 12-foot sailboat, that is also an excellent rowboat. All skill levels are welcome; just bring a desire to work together as a family. An experienced Docent/boat builder will work with families every step of the way. A $1,500 fee includes all boat building materials and a professionally made sail for each family. Each family must include at least one family member 12-20 years old. Also included is a day of sailing instruction at Mendum's Pond.  For more information, contact Mark Wiley at 603-862-6702, or visit http://www.seagrant.unh.edu/family-boat-building

DURHAM POLICE CALEA ASSESSMENT - PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION ON MARCH 31, 2014

The Durham Police have been a nationally accredited law enforcement agency since 1999.  To maintain that status, every three years assessors visit Durham and inspect the policies and procedures to ensure that the agency has established best practice standards and equally as important, that the agency is adhering to them. The Durham Police Department is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of a program to achieve accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards.  


A team of Assessors representing the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will confirm the Durham Police Department's ability to comply with state of the art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services. The team will consist of Chief Carl Shinner of the La Plata Police Department, La Plata, Maryland and Ms. Synthia Nugent of the Wilmette Police Department, Wilmette, Illinois.


As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, March 31, 2014 at 7:00 PM.  The session will be conducted in the Durham Police Department Community Room, #86 Dover Road, Durham, New Hampshire.


Agency employees and the public are also invited to offer comments by calling: 603-590-0770, on Monday, March 31, 2014 between the hours of 1PM and 3PM.  Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team.


Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to ten minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA's standards.  A copy of the standards is available at the Durham Police Department.  Local contact is Captain David Holmstock at 603-868-2324.


Any person wishing to submit written comments about the Durham Police Department's ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2201.

To find out more information about the process, click HERE.

ROAD WARRIOR OR ROAD HOG? TIME TO SHARE!

The snow is melting and days are getting longer. Bicyclists of less winter-hardy constitution will soon return to the road. Are you as informed on the fine points of road sharing -- either as a cyclist or as a driver?


Check out the NH Department of Transportation's Bike/Ped Safety "two-faces/two-purposes" brochure to learn what the law says and tips on sharing the road: "Don't Be a Road Hog! Don't Be a Road Warrior." Download a PDF from this NHDOT website or pick up a printed copy at the Town Clerk's office.


Here are just two of the many reminders you'll find in the "Road Hog/Warrior" brochure:

• Everyone:  Stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk without traffic signals, and don't pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk.
• Bicyclists: Persons riding bicycles two or more abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

While you're on the DOT website, check out the main Bike/Ped Safety page, where you'll find links to "New Hampshire Bicycle Maps" and "Bicycle and Pedestrian News and Events."

WHAT IF WE MAKE DURHAM MORE WALKABLE?
Social capital -- a community's collective asset that is based on the power of its social networks -- is enhanced by safe sidewalks, good lighting, and well designed, compact development with easy access to shops, parks, schools, and dining.

Studies indicate that communities that are walkable are linked to greater health benefits, higher home values, and better mental health.

With the Master Plan update underway, residents might wish to learn more about this concept. Read the newly published UNH  Carsey Institute article, "Walking Builds Community Cohesion."

Rendering of the new Town Hall at 8 Newmarket Road courtesy project architect (and long-time Durham resident) Art Guadano

NEW TOWN HALL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Recent completed items include:

Substantial framing of the basement, first floor lobby and Council Chambers

Electric rough-ins

Foundation backfilling

Next week’s schedule:

Second floor joists, decking, framing and sheathing

Basement foam insulation

Demo existing roofing

Construction Budget:

Original Contract Amount                    $1,748,160

Change Orders                                                  $0

Contract Sum to Date                          $1,748,160

Total Completed/Stored to Date              $185,997

Retainage (10% of Completed Work)       $18,601

Total Paid Less Retainage                      $167,396

Balance to Finish                                 $1,580,764

A photo of the new Town Hall site this week from the second floor of the existing Durham Town Offices Courtest Todd Selig

UNH KINESIOLOGY DEPARTMENT CARDIAC PREVENTION EXERCISE PROGRAM

The UNH Kinesiology Department’s Cardiac Prevention Exercise Program is intended for individuals over the age of 45 years with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the program is to help individuals improve their overall health for the prevention of a heart attack, stroke or invasive cardiovascular repair surgery through regular exercise and education.

The program offers health-related fitness testing and an individualized 24-session exercise intervention based on the participant’s personal goals and fitness testing results. Education is also provided about the major risk factors for heart disease and the lifestyle habits that can be adopted to reduce overall CVD risk. For more information about the program, click HERE.

PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT NH FARMS

The public hearing on SB 141 -- establishing the Granite State Farm to Plate program – sponsored by State Senator Martha Fuller Clark - is going to be heard in the NH House next week.


It will be heard before the House Environment and Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, April 1st starting at 11:00 a.m. Support at the hearing would be greatly appreciated.

THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS FROM DCAT STUDIOS

The Return of Music to the Bulletin Board System

Where is the music coming from on the bulletin board?  After many years of the bulletin board being silent, music has returned! DCAT has added Pandora Live Streaming Commercial Free music to the bulletin board system.  The music that’s playing is at the discretion of the DCAT Coordinator, but that doesn’t mean suggestions are not welcome.  For the next week a combination of Lite Rock & Pop Hits Radio will be playing, in the cue; Jazz & Easy Listening.  If you have any suggestions, please contact: Craig Stevens, DCAT Coordinator – dcat@ci.durham.nh.us

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The Quotable Eleanor Roosevelt, Sundays @ 1:30 PM, Run time: 44 Minutes

Learn about one of the most fascinating first ladies this country has ever had: Eleanor Roosevelt. Author Michele Albion brings Mrs. Roosevelt to life in an interactive discussion about the inspirational and aspirational woman.   This video is also available for viewing on the Town’s On Demand site.

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Bicycling Through Europe: One Durham Family’s Adventures

Sundays @ 5:55 PM, Run time: 1:10

Think about it: imagine packing up your family, notifying teachers, renting your home, hugging your friends good-bye and setting off on a bicycle tour of Europe! One Durham family did just that. Last year, Chris and Wendy Brooks decided to bring their children on a sight-seeing adventure through Europe. They will tell you the story, share their pictures, and perhaps inspire you to take your own journey.  This video is also available for viewing on the Town’s On Demand site.

These videos are also available for viewing on the Town’s On Demand site.

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.

Durham Energy Committee - Tuesday, April 1, 2014. To view an agenda and other information, click HERE.

Historic District/Heritage Commission - Thursday, April 3, 2014. To view an agenda and other information, 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/  by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.

DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.

PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.

A member of the DPR Climbing Club contemplates her next move. Courtesy Stefanie Frazee

R.E.A.C.H – Recreation Education and Adventure Close to Home (Registration Deadline Extended to April 18th) - A collaboration between Oyster River Cooperative School District, Durham Parks & Recreation Department, and the UNH InterOperability Laboratory to provide exceptional opportunities for our ORCSD students.  Camp R.E.A.C.H is a community-based summer camp experience. Register and find out more HERE.

Mad Science Vacation Week - Join us April 21st – 24th for our Super Duper Science Sampler (grades 2-6). Register and find out more HERE.

20th Annual Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 19th.  Find out more HERE.

Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26th - Calling all community members, veterans, friends, and family: You’re invited to walk or ride with us during the 67th Annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26th! To get involved, email: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us

Bike Safety Rodeo – Wednesday, May 14th -  We are looking volunteers from our community to help with this year’s Bike Rodeo at ORMS.  Students will spend the day rotating through various stations, learning about: rules of the road, signaling, bike maintenance, helmet safety, etc.  Basic familiarity with bikes is preferred, but not required.  If you’d like to help during this fantastic event, please email Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us OR SRO Holly Malasky: hmalasky@ci.durham.nh.us.

After School Opportunities – April 16th & 30th - UNH’s Recreation Management students have come up with some new and exciting programs!  On April 16th and 30th, they’ll be at ORMS from 4-5:30PM to demonstrate with our students! Topics will include:

 
Wed, April 16 (4-5:30): Outdoor Nature and Adventure, Sports Lead-Up Activities, Outdoor Trust Building
Wed, April 30 (4-5:30): Low-Organized Games, Intercultural Communication and Diversity, Drama

 

Email Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee to sign your student up for this opportunity (FREE): sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us. Space is limited.

New Classes and Times! - View our weekly calendar and class descriptions HERE!

BALANCE – Martial Arts for Women – NEW! - Shaolin Kung Fu is a form of martial arts that promotes self-defense techniques along with the cultivation of overall physical conditioning, and spiritual well-being.  The class begins with a light warm-up and stretch, progressing to single technique forms (basic punch, kick, blocking). Email: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to put your name on the mailing list.

Senior Trips – Are you interested in taking a trip to places like Boston, New York, Foxwoods, etc.? Email: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to put your name on the mailing list.

Volunteer With DPR - Do you like being outdoors?  Do you have a group looking for ways to be more involved and give back to the community?  Contact: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to learn about local volunteer opportunities. Find out more HERE.

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Save the Date:

• Annual Egg Hunt - Saturday, 4/19 (Rain Date: Sunday, 4/20)
• Memorial Day Parade - Monday, 5/26.  If you would like to be involved with this year's parade, please email the Parks & Recreation Director: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us
• World Tai Chi Day Demonstration - Saturday, 4/26
• Summer Kickoff Party - Saturday, 6/28
• Music by the Bay Summer Concert Series - July, August
• Durham Day - Saturday, 9/27

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Snow White Ballet, ORHS, Saturday, Mar 29 @ 7PM and Sunday, Mar 30 @ 2PM, ORHS auditorium. Limited ticket availability will be at the door and on-line purchasing (recommended) at http://www.northeasternballet.org/

Great Bay Rowing, located at Jackson’s Landing in Durham, has a variety of Camp programs for students interested in learning to row or improving their rowing skills. For a full description of GBR Rowing Camp options offered this summer, click HERE.

UNH Hosts Native American director Alex Smith, Wednesday, Apr 2, 2014. Free screening of his film Winter in the Blood (based on the novel by Native author James Welch) followed by Q&A in the UNH Memorial Union Building (MUB) Theater 2, starting at 6:30 pm. Free and open to the public. For more information contact Jeanne Sokolowski, 603-862-0733, jeanne.sokolowski@unh.edu.
Durham Police Officers Association Pancake Breakfastt, Saturday, Apr 5, 2014, 8:00-10:00 AM, Durham Evangelical Church, Dover Road. Proceeds benefit the Chief Ray Burrows Scholarship Fund. $7/adults, $3/children for all you can eat pancakes, home fries, sausage, bacon, and eggs.

Museum of Art, UNH - Draw On!, featuring visiting artist Alison Williams, Saturday, Apr 5, 2014, 10AM - 2PM. Program is designed for children of all ages and their families to explore the creative process of drawing. For more information, contact Sara Zela, 603-862-3713, sara.zela@unh.edu.

Great Bay Figure Skating Decades Ice Show, Saturday, Apr 12, 2014, Dover Ice Arena, 110 Portland Avenue. Doors open at 10:30 AM. Tickets at door: $8.00, children 4 and under are free. 36 skaters will perform, including local Oyster River skaters.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Don't miss Walter's Menagerie: Little things from found stuff (pictured above). This exhibit will be in the lobby of the Durham Public Library through April, so come and enjoy the unique creations of one of Durham's artists.

Baby Lap-Sit Saturday, March 29th at 10:30 a.m. (ages 2 & under with care-giver) – Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and a time to socialize afterwards.  You will receive a ring to add fingerplays on each week you attend!

No more standing in line to check out your books at the library! If you have your card (or know your 5 digit card number) just scan it on the Self Checkout Station across from the circulation desk. Scan your books and select Goodbye, and a receipt will print out for you. Give it a try!
Electric Car Charging Station Available for Library Patrons  - Wondering what that black, space-age looking contraption attached to the library’s covered bicycle parking area is? It’s a GE Wattstation car charger for electric vehicles and it’s recently been brought online for use by patrons with electric cars. Park next to the bike shed and hook up to the Wattstation to keep your vehicle charged while visiting the library.
New DPL Exhibit! Confronting the South: New Hampshire People During the Civil War - Last year marked the 150 year anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. Between April 1861 and the spring of 1865, the Civil War tested concepts of nationhood, attitudes toward race and human rights, gender roles, and the U.S. Constitution itself. Through the soldier’s letters, the exhibit interprets three aspects of the war: Confronting the South- the soldiers reaction to being in unfamiliar territory; Seeing the Elephant- popular term describing being in battle for the first time; and Life at Home- feelings and hardship of those left behind in New Hampshire. Exhibit is on loan from the UNH Dimond Library Special Collections.
Apparently, I just don't get it: things I'm learning from my transgender child., Monday, March 31st, 7:00-8:00 p.m. - Durham parent Christy Hegarty will be sharing her Tedx talk that details her experience of raising a transgender child, and what she has learned so far.
Chess and Board Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up), Monday March 31st  3:00-4:00 p.m. –  This week come and learn the board game “Ticket to Ride”.  Join us every Monday afternoon now in the Young Adult room for a game of chess (or other board games).
Pre-school Storytimes:  Tues.  April 1st and Thurs.  April 3rd at 10:30 a.m. –The theme is:  Silly Stories!
Watercolor Painting and Knitting at the Library - Tuesday, April 1 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.  Join us for two great art sessions on Tuesday!  Watercolor painting from 2 to 3:30 p.m. No experience necessary. Interested in knitting? Can't remember how to cast on? At 6 p.m., bring a skein (200 yards or so) of worsted weight yarn and size 7 needles (16" circular are best, straight are okay), and we'll dive in and learn!  Stay for Oyster River Knitters at 7 PM and practice your skills.  Please RSVP to Heather Anderson (hca@iconklin.com) so that we can have adequate help for the number of participants.  Stay for Oyster River Knitters at 7 p.m. Come join your fellow fiber friends for an evening of knitting and chatting! All experience levels welcome.
Organic Vegetable Gardening Basics Course (three weeks) - Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. - Join us for a comprehensive organic gardening course presented by an experienced teacher and commercial vegetable grower. The course consists of a two hour class each week for three successive weeks. The course will included practical tips on: how to create a new garden; soil preparation; seed starting; planting techniques; cultural techniques during the growing season (such as watering, fertilizing, and pest and weed control); how plants and soil interact; succession planting; planting multiple crops in the same space at the same time; how to compost; crop rotation; cover cropping; and mycorrhizobials. There also will be discussions about our existing industrial food production system including globalization and famine, and the organic alternatives of urban gardens, small scale farming, and backyard gardening.  The instructor is Vincent Cirasole from Rochester. He has taught physical education and organic gardening in New York before relocating to the Granite State in 2013. He also is a Master Gardener, a commercial vegetable grower, and an organic growing enthusiast. Over a period of years, he has developed this course which has proven to be fascinating and popular with students. Reference material and sources of additional information will be distributed at no charge to all participants. PLEASE CONTACT THE LIBRARY TO REGISTER.
Lego Club, Thurs. April 3rd at 3:45-4:45 p.m. – Join us Thursdays to make Lego creations. Lego Club is in need of Lego Donations!  Have any Legos that you would like to donate to the library?  They will be put to good use at our very popular Lego Club.
All Aboard the Titanic!  Thursday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. - Join us for this fascinating glimpse of life aboard the ill-fated "Ship of Dreams."  “All Aboard the Titanic” responds to people’s enduring fascination with this historic, and very human, event. Including and moving beyond the physical facts of the story, actor, writer, and historian Ted Zalewski explores the personal experiences of selected passengers and crew, including those with New Hampshire affiliations, emphasizing examples of individual courage and triumph.  This program is sponsored by the New Hampshire Humanities Council.
Alzheimer’s Café at the DPL, Friday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. - Join us in the café for this social gathering for Alzheimer’s patients who still reside at home and their caregivers.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Friday April 4th, 10:30 a.m. – This week:  The Way Thing’s Work!  We will hear books, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft.  This group is geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome.
Crafternoon – Fri. April 4th 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Stop by the Children’s craft room on Fridays for a fun craft.
Friends Book Discussion: "The Love of a Good Woman" Wednesday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. - Join us for April's Friends book discussion. Jennifer Lee will lead us through three stories from The Love of A Good Woman by Alice Munro: the title story, "The Children Stay" and, "Before the Change."  The books are in and your copy awaits...
Tales for Tails sign-ups happening now.  Contact the Children’s desk to register.
Patch Club! Earn patches and a library bag for your reading time.  Register at the children’s desk.
Join the Durham Public Library Birthday Book Club.  Celebrate a child’s birthday in a unique way with a gift of a book to the library.  Talk to the children’s librarian at the children’s desk for more details.

 

Visit the DPL website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.

FROM "HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A BRIEF HISTORY OF DURHAM, NH, 1600 - 1976 written by Philip A. Wilcox and members of the Durham Historic Association
1765- Voted that those tradesmen who shall be judged by the Selectmen that their respective occupations and businesses are so profitable that their income is sufficient to pay a larger tax should be doomed as much more as the Selectmen should judge equitable.

1765 - The Parish of Lee was established from the western part of Durham, and incorporated with full town privileges. Named by John Cartland, a Friend, who came from Lee, Scotland. Lee Hill was early called Federalist Hill because of the large number of Federalists living nearby.

1765 - "We the under Named Subscribers do hereby Inlist our Selves under the Command of Samuel Demerit Esq., in a Troop of horse to Ride as Troopers under his Command of which Troops the Honorable Clement March Esq. is Colonel." (signed by 38, from B. Brackett to Philip Yeaton).

I had my snow tires removed this week from the Mini Cooper.  Hopefully, no more snow!  Have a nice weekend.  

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, NH

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us    http://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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