“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

May
22, 2009

Beverly Burrows of
the Bourgoin-Reardon American Legion Auxiliary Unit 94,

places a wreath at the base of the
memorial downtown during the Memorial Day Parade, May
2006

The origins of Memorial Day,
originally called Decoration Day, date back to the Civil War. 
Southern women laid claim to the custom of a day set aside to decorate the
graves of the war dead.  Union veterans laid claim to a specific date, May
30th, but it was not until after World War II that North and South were willing
to observe Memorial Day on the same date.  In 1971, Congress designated the
last Monday in May as Memorial Day creating a three-day weekend.  If you
are observing this weekend as the semi-official start of the summer vacation
season as many do in our country, please also pause for a few moments to reflect
upon why Memorial Day is called what it is. 

MEMORIAL
DAY PARADE

A final reminder that the Memorial
Day Parade in Durham will be on Monday, May 25, 2009. Prior
to the parade, a ceremony honoring New
Hampshire veterans who served in the US Armed Forces will be held at
9:00 AM in front of the UNH Memorial
Union Building. The parade will step off from
Laurel
Lane at 10:00 AM with transportation provided for
those who elect not to march. Participants should plan to be at Laurel Lane at 9:45
AM.

TOWN
OFFICES CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY

The Durham Town offices will be closed on Monday, May
25, 2009 in observance of Memorial Day. All Town offices will reopen for regular
business on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. There will
be no change to the refuse and recycling collection schedule for residents whose
normal collection day is Monday.  Please have all refuse and recycling out by 7:00 AM as
normally required. 

THE
FARMERS MARKET IS OPENING

The Durham Farmers Market starts up
for the summer on Monday, June 1, 2009, and will continue through October 5,
2009. The market will be in the Pettee Brook parking lot every Monday from 2:30
to 5:30 PM. There will be several farmers selling vegetables and fruit, and
residents will also find cut flowers, plants, bread, and more.

Oyster
River Dam on NHPR!

The Town Council continued its
discussion relative to the Oyster River Dam on Monday evening, May 18,
2009.  To obtain an overview of the deliberations, go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090519/GJNEWS_01/705199890/-1/FOSNEWS0102. 
In addition, New Hampshire Public Radio (89.1 FM) plans to air a
feature piece on the Oyster River Dam this evening, Friday, May 22nd, sometime
between 5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and again on Monday, May 31st sometime between
7:40 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.  I am told the feature will also be available on the
NHPR web site at www.nhpr.org.  You will also find the
photograph below of the dam, Mill Pond, Oyster River (tidal and fresh water
portions), and Route 108 viatic/pedestrian bridges of general
interest.

New
Deputy Chief at Durham Fire Department

We are pleased to
announce that the Durham Fire Department has hired Steve McCusker as the Deputy
Chief of Fire Prevention.  Deputy McCusker comes to Durham with 17 years of
full-time experience in which nine of those were in Fire Prevention for the City
of Dover, NH. Deputy McCusker has been out of the fire service for the last nine
years working in the private sector a project manger with the
development and building of many commercial projects for which he was
responsible for dealing with building and fire prevention codes.  Deputy
McCusker will report to work on June 1^st 2009.

Directional
Signage for Downtown - Jenkin's Court

Based upon feedback
from the Durham Business Association, Town staff is evaluating the possibility
of installing a directional kiosk at the intersection of Main Street and
Jenkin's Court to help add visibility to the businesses located on Jenkin's
Court.  Several years ago, the Durham MainStreet Committee and Durham resident  and
Architect Walter Rous had submitted a design which we are utilizing as a
possible model.   We will also be evaluating the new sign which will
shortly be erected at the Mill Plaza to ensure some consistency in theme,
color, etc. 

A copy of
the mock up for Jenkin’s Court from October 2003 is found
below.  The revised signage section of the zoning ordinance now
permits off site directional signage with permission from the Public Works
Director and approval by the Town Administrator.  The Town will work
closely with the Durham Business Association regarding this project. 
If you are a business owner along Jenkin's Court, please contact the Durham
Business Association for more information at 868-1123 or by emailing DBA
Director Katie Muth at d_b_a@myfairpoint.net. 

Check
Out the Woodridge Park/Playground/Tennis Courts - Paving at Jackson's Landing Next
Week

On Thursday, May 28, 2009, the
Public Works Department will be paving the Jackson’s Landing area. Parking anywhere at
Jackson's
Landing will be difficult. The Department of Public Works recommends that anyone
launching a boat on that day to use Adams Point, and parents that would like to
use the playground may want to visit the Town playground at Woodridge Park instead.  A picture of this
great playground and shade sails can be found below.  Directions to Woodridge Park:  Go down Mill Road. Take a
left onto Meserve
Road. Shortly after turning onto Meserve Road, take a
left onto Fogg
Drive. Woodridge Park will be on the
left.

Town
Health Insurance Rates - Some Very Good News

As you may remember, last
year the Town separated Durham's health insurance rating experience
from the Oyster River School District (ORSD).  Consequently, Durham is now part of the "Under 100" community pool
(comprised of public entities with fewer than 100 employees) managed by the
Local
Government Center offering Anthem BC/BS products.
Looking at the statistical data at the time, it appeared to us that
the "Under 100" pool was tracking toward being a statistically "healthier"
pool than our jointly rated pool with the
ORSD. 

This statistical reality was being
driven primarily by membership changes within the "Under 100" pool rather than
by the overall health of the joint ORSD/Durham membership. 

As an additional step toward
maximizing limited Durham resources, the Town introduced competition
into our decision making process by obtaining quotations from Primex for their
Harvard Pilgrim health insurance products and through a recent overview of
these products for our non-unionized as well as many of Durham's
affiliated (unionized) employees.  Primex initially came in with pricing
below the Guaranteed Maximum Pricing provided by the Local Government Center. The Town
was subsequently notified by the Local Government Center that our July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010
actual rates would drop by
11.9%. In comparing the new Local Government Center rates with what Durham is currently
paying, we shall see a
reduction of approximately $127,000 for the July 1^st to June
30^th time
period.  

We do plan to speak further with
both Primex and the Local
Government Center about pricing and plan offerings in an ongoing
effort to mitigate Durham cost centers as well as to ensure
quality health insurance offerings for our municipal personnel.  But a
positive development nonetheless.

Community
Garden
Pilot Program Update at Wagon Hill Farm

Filson Glanz reports that the soil
samples came back and were fine except the soil is somewhat acidic so it was
recommended that about 100 lbs. of lime be put on each 1000 sq. ft.  Chuck
Cox will be harrowing again to mix the lime into the soil. With the rain and
already damp/wet soil we need a few more dry days before he can do that. A place
has been determined to put the shed loaned to the Community Garden effort by the Town. It is near
the corner of the back of the barn and about 15 ft. away. Filson leveled
the sand pile there to make a pad for the shed. Kay Morgan donated a picnic
table and benches to put near the gardens. Filson plans to have a tarp for
shade there also that can be easily put up and taken down. Several people
responded Fil's appeal for post hole diggers -  the manual
type. These will be needed to put in the posts for the woodchuck and
deer fencing. Fil has worked out a plan for the fencing.  A warning to
users of Wagon Hill Farm that ticks are abundant.

Federal
Stimulus Funds Update for Durham

A brief update on the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Currently Durham
and Rochester are tied with five for the
most number of Federal stimulus projects in New Hampshire. Durham also expects to be awarded $200,000 in ARRA
monies for Brownfields remediation at the Depot Road Parking Lot which
would give Durham 6 projects and the #1 ranking in
NH.  To view today's article in Foster's regarding stimulus funds for
Durham go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090522/GJNEWS_01/705229917/-1/FOSNEWS. 
An overview of projects awarded to date to Durham follow:

·     
Wiswall Bridge, $2,127,000, Durham’s estimated final cost $47,926

·     
Aeration Blowers-Wastewater Treatment Plant,
$625,000, Durham’s estimated final cost
$125,000

·     
Main
St (west), $722,151, Durham’s current contribution $49,000,
Potential Durham savings $49,000

·     
Dover Road Pump Station, $1,500,000, Durham’s estimated final
cost $250,000

·     
Spruce Hole Well-Artificial Recharge, $445,000,
Durham’s
estimated final cost $111,250

Know of Someone Looking for an Apartment in
Durham? --
Contact the Durham Landlords
Association

The Durham Landlords Association was
established to provide owners of residential apartment rental and off-campus
housing and multi-unit managers/owners as well as Durham commercial real estate managers/owners
with a voice in matters of property management, representation in matters
dealing with local government officials, and other associated resources for
successful landlord operations. 

All Durham Landlord Association
members are required to:

1.    Act fairly and
reasonably in dealing with apartment rental tenants and treat them with
honesty, professionalism and dignity.

2.    Strive to
provide tenants with safe, clean, functional off-campus apartment housing and to
comply with all safety related codes.

3.    Stringently
practice fair off-campus apartment housing policies as provided by law
(Federal, state and local).

4.    Respond
promptly to tenant requests for service and
assistance.

5.    Strive to keep
informed of, and to abide by applicable laws and
regulations.

6.    Maintain
off-campus apartment properties in a way that is responsible to the surrounding
neighbors and community, and encourage tenants to do the
same.

7.    Make every
effort to maintain member properties so they contribute positively to the
neighborhoods in which they are located.

8.    Act fairly in
all matters regarding security deposits: make only those deductions which are
fair and reasonable, and return security deposits as promptly as
possible.

9.    Work to serve
the community in which members live and do
business.

For more
information about the Durham Landlords Association, or if you know of
individuals looking to rent an apartment and live in Durham, go to http://www.durhamlandlordassociation.com/. 

SCOTLAND ROAD HOME
INVASION

At the invitation of several
residents, Chief Kurz attended a meeting in the Scotland Road
neighborhood to address a number of issues related to the home invasion that
occurred in that area.  The meeting was well attended and the discussion
initially focused on the recent crime in which five young white males entered a
nearby residence and accosted the residents. 

While the neighbors are justifiably
concerned that there was an armed criminal act within their neighborhood, Chief
Kurz assured the residents that the incident was not random but was very
deliberately targeted to this residence and its occupants. The attendees
heard from Chief Kurz that the Durham Police are expending significant
investigative resources to successfully resolve this matter, and while one
arrest has been made, others are anticipated shortly. 

Chief Kurz informed the residents
that they should contact the police with ANY concern about activity that they
deem suspicious.  Every resident of Durham should be encouraged to act as the eyes
and ears of the police alerting officers to issues or concerns so that they may
respond quickly and immediately to address these apprehensions whether to dispel
fears of suspicious activity or curtail illegal activity that otherwise the
police would be unaware of. 

Catch
basin cleaning

The annual catch basin cleaning is
underway.  Approximately 175 catch basins will be cleaned this year. 
As residents may recall, the Town is broken down into thirds for catch basin
cleaning. One third is completed each year to keep within budget. 

SPRING
HYDRANT FLUSHING

This week the Durham Water
Department, in collaboration with the UNH Water Department, completed its annual
spring hydrant flushing. 

TRAFFIC
MARKING PAINTING

The Department of Public Works
continues to do traffic control markings, which are at this time approximately
75 % completed. 

DPW
SEASONAL EMPLOYEES

Seasonal part-time Public Works
employees have begun working.  Residents may see some new faces mowing and
completing other miscellaneous tasks for the Department of Public Works during
the summer months. 

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meeting is
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated
below.

Planning Board – Wednesday, May 27,
2009

To view the agenda for the meeting
listed above, please click HERE.  All meetings
recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout
and viewing. 

To view the Oyster River School Board meeting schedule,
click HERE. 

To view the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees
meeting schedule, click HERE.

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS
TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

To view a listing of the DCAT
programming schedule, click HERE 

2009
UNH OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL VOUCHERS

A final reminder that pool pass
vouchers will be available at the Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office, 15 Newmarket Road,
beginning Tuesday, May 26, 2009. The Town Clerk’s Office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00
PM, Monday through Friday. This year there will be 447 pool vouchers available
only for Durham
youths ages 2-17 and senior citizens 62 years and older to receive a $45.00
discount off the full price of a season pass. This is an additional $10.00
discount over last year. Vouchers are issued on a first come, first served
basis. Pool pass vouchers must be picked up BEFORE purchasing a pool pass, and
are sold at the Front Service Desk at the Hamel Student
Recreation Center, located next to the Whittemore Center on the UNH campus.  

More information as to when pool
passes will go on sale and when the UNH outdoor pool will open for the season
may also be obtained by calling the UNH Campus Recreation Department at 862-2031
or visiting their website at http://campusrec.unh.edu.

FREE
PARKING FOR THE UNH OUTDOOR POOL AVAILABLE

A reminder to residents utilizing
the UNH Outdoor Pool this summer that free parking is available.  UNH
annually makes its Woodside Lot available to Durham residents.  A parking permit is
required and may be picked up free of charge to Durham residents at the UNH Transportation
Services located at 295 Mast
Road.  (From Route 4 West take the exit for
Route 155A. At the bottom of the ramp take a left. Follow Main Street
approximately 3/4 mile. Take the second left on to North Drive. At the
first intersection along North
Drive take a right onto Mast Road. The
Visitor
Information Center is the second building on your left
(white with green trim), 295 Mast
Road.)  Residents can also park for free during
the summer months at the Town-owned
Depot Road Lot
located behind/next to the UNH Dairy Bar.  

Made
in New England Products Take Center Stage at
Seacoast Public Market

On June 6, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM,
Durham retailer, distributor, and promoter of New
England-made products, Tastes of New England, will be starting a Public Market
at the Frank Jones Center
in Portsmouth.
The new event is designed to connect made in New
England products with local consumers. Over 30 exhibitors are
expected to show, sample and sell their wares. Dozens of products will be
available, including traditional and gluten-free condiments, sauces, pastries,
produce, bread, cheese, jewelry, flowers, t-shirts, handbags and more from
companies such as Provincial Palate, Arthur Marc's Specialty Foods, ABC
Originals, Natural Disorder, and Trash Monkey Tees. The Frank Jones
Center is located at 400 Route One
Bypass in Portsmouth. For more information, contact
Tastes of New England at (603)762-4155.

ORCSD
STRATEGIC PLAN OVERSIGHT GROUP

The Oyster River School Board has
committed to the development of a District Strategic Plan by June 2010.  An
important next step will be to form a representative group of interested people
to help shape and oversee this exciting work.  If you are interested in
representing the school community at large, and would like to be considered as a
candidate for this committee, please click HERE
to view details and contact information.

ONE
WORLD LANGUAGE SCHOOL @ MOHARIMET ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL

Early language education provides a
lifetime of opportunities.  The One World
Language School will hold a Registration and Information Night
on Wednesday, June 10th from 4:30-6:30 at the Mohariment Elementary School.  Learn about and
register for our French, German, Spanish, and Chinese classes for children ages
3 and up. Classes are held Wednesday afternoons at Moharimet.  The 2009-10
academic year starts in September.  Classes fill quickly so register
soon!  For more information, please contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org
or 866-0364.

Weekly
Police Arrest Report

Week -
19     
           
           
            11 UNH (58%)
          8 Other
(42%)

*2008/09 Academic Year -909
      578 UNH (64%)  
      331 Other (36%)

Calendar Year –432
           
            272 UNH
(63%)         160 Other
(37%)

*Commenced
September 1, 2008 

Historical data
for the same week

_____________________________________

The following is a poem written in
1915 by John McCrae, a Canadian physician, poet, and solider who died in
France in
1918.

In Flanders Fields

By John
McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses,
row on row,

That mark our place;
and in the sky

The larks, still
bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the
guns below.

We are the Dead. Short
days ago

We lived, felt dawn,
saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved,
and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel
with the foe:

To you from failing
hands we throw

The torch; be yours to
hold it high,

If ye break faith with
us who die

We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Have a safe and nice Memorial Day
weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel
(603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
www.ci.durham.nh.us

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