“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

November
21, 2008

On November 14, 2008, the Durham
Fire Department reenacted a mass casualty incident for eighth grade students at
Oyster
River Middle
School as part of the school’s daylong “Street
Smarts” program. It included a demonstration of the Jaws of Life, with a focus
on how complicated and time consuming it is to remove a passenger from a wrecked
car before they can receive medical care. OR 8^th graders braved a
steady rainfall to watch the demonstration.  The vehicle was donated by DFD
member, Scott Campbell.

Town
Offices Closed for Thanksgiving

All Town Offices will be closed for
the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28, 2008. 
All offices will reopen for business on Monday, December 1^st at 8:00
AM. Residents whose regularly scheduled pickup day is
Thursday should put their items out on Friday morning by 7:00 AM instead. 
There will be no commercial pickup of recyclables that
Friday. 

Update
on Revaluation - Multi-Unit Analysis Completed

As previously
reported, the Town Administrator referred the question of the accuracy
of the revaluation data for multi-unit parcels to appraiser Stephen Traub
for review in advance of the Assessing Office's finalizing data for setting the
2008 tax rate. Mr. Traub specializes in commercial/multi-unit type
appraisal work.  To view Mr. Traub's analysis, click HERE. A
summary follows:

Mr. Traub indicates that the new
assessments of student housing overall are at approximately 100% of market
value, right on target, and overall the quality is considered good.  He
indicates that although overall the values for multi-units appear appropriate
and are within allowable tolerances, there still might be some individual
properties that may need adjustment. If these do exist, he believes these can be
handled through the normal abatement process
individually.

Mr. Traub notes
that additional documentation must take place in order to conform
to Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP) standards
with respect to mass appraisal. He recommends that Assessor Dix in the near
future compile the necessary documentation as indicated by USPAP Standard
6.  With values now finalized, the Assessor Robb Dix will prepare this required
paperwork. 

In terms of Commercial properties,
Mr. Traub looked at many of the commercial parcels and at the Mill Plaza but did not do a formal review of
this sector. He recalls there were local sales of a hotel and gas station and a
few others and the assessments on those compared favorably to the sales. 
Mr. Traub is obligated to follow relatively strict USPAP regulations regarding
any sort of appraisal or appraisal review. To complete a USPAP compliant review
appraisal on every property segment would take increasing man hours therefore
would become more and more expensive for the Town with perhaps decreasing
returns. At the Administrator's direction, he focused instead on student
housing as he understood it was of most urgency and concern as well as covering
the largest segment of Durham's non-single family
properties.

In touring the Town with
Robb Dix, Robb had mentioned to Mr.
Traub the new assessment of the Mill Plaza based on a price per square foot.
Mr. Traub indicated to me that the comparable sales he has seen in the state on
a square foot basis are of comparable value to the new Mill Plaza assessment. That was the extent of
his analysis, however. Based on what he has seen to date as far as values go,
Mr. Traub indicated to me that nothing brought up any red
lights.

With this outstanding analysis in
hand, the Assessing Office proceeded to finalize values, met with the
Business Manager and Town Administrator to review final numbers, and proceeded
with the submittal of the MS-1 form which allows the community to move ahead
with setting a 2008 tax rate.

2008
Tax Rate Setting

We have tentatively set a date to
set the tax rate for Monday, November 24th at 10:00 am in Concord. 

THOMPSON
LANE DRAINAGE
PROJECT

Public Works opened bids for the
Thompson
Lane drainage project last Friday and have chosen
North Hampton Excavating.  The
bids were for the installation of approximately 220 feet of 24-inch diameter
drain pipe, 3 drain structures, and associated appurtenances located near
Thompson
Lane to improve the drainage in the vicinity.

FALL
CLEANUP COMPLETED

Earlier this
week the Department of Public Works completed this season’s Fall
Cleanup--collection of leaves and brush.  Residents who may have missed the
cleanup can bring their leaves and brush to the Transfer Station and Recycling Center on Tuesdays and Saturdays between
the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:15 PM with your entrance sticker. 

Bicycle
Safety Reminder

As avid bicyclists, there is no need
to let daylight savings time curtail your biking – but don’t get caught after
dark without lights. As a bicyclist on the side of the roadway, you’re much
harder to see than you realize.  And you want to be seen before a vehicle’s
headlight catches the reflectors!  For riding after dusk, a white front
light and rear red light provide maximum visibility and New Hampshire law
requires that a “bicyclist shall wear at least one item of reflective outerwear
apparel, such as a reflective vest, jacket, or helmet strip, during the period
from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise”.   With
advances in technology, bicycle lights are now lightweight, durable,
long-lasting (thanks to LED bulbs), and inexpensive. Keep them on your bike
year-round and you’ll never be caught after dark again!

DURHAM ENERGY COMMITTEE
PARTICIPATORY MEETING

On Wednesday evening
of this week, the Durham Energy Committee invited the residents of
Durham to
discuss the topic of "Creating an Energy Vision for the Master Plan".
Participants were asked to brainstorm ideas about how they envision Durham's energy future.
There was great participation and many important topics were raised. The Durham
Energy committee would like to thank Bill Schoonmaker and Walter
Rous for facilitating the meeting and the Durham residents who participated in this important event
for the energy future of Durham.

VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED FOR JACKSON’S LANDING TRAIL PROJECT

Tomorrow morning, Saturday, November
22^nd, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, members of the Durham Parks
and Recreation Committee will be clearing, cleaning, and constructing a 1/4
–mile (1300 ft) walking trail at Jackson’s Landing. The Committee is seeking
approximately 13-15 volunteers to assist with this project. Project tasks
include minor grading,
creating water bars, installing signage, landscaping/planting, and painting.
Coffee will be provided. Please call Amy Cunningham at 868-1410 to sign up. Any
time you have to give would be appreciated.

Turkey
Trot – Hosted by Durham Parks and Recreation &
ORPP

Durham Parks and Recreation Committee and Oyster River Parents
and Preschoolers invite you to join them for a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving
Morning - Thursday November 27th from 9:30-11:30 AM. Enjoy a nice downhill hike
to the water at Wagon Hill Farm before your Thanksgiving festivities. Children
can look for colorful turkey feathers along the way and all ages are welcome to
enjoy hot chocolate and donuts beside the water. What a nice way to connect with
our community and give the cook some much needed time alone in the
kitchen!

UNH
Community Skating Party

The Annual UNH and Durham Holiday
Skating Party "Holidazzle" will be held Thursday, December 4th at the Whittemore
Center Area between 3:30 and 7:30 PM.   Durham residents are encouraged to enjoy a
night of skating, activities, games, and food along with a silent auction in the
sky box lounge.

Annual
Light Up Durham
Celebration

The annual “Light Up Durham”
celebration, sponsored by the Durham Business Association, the Town of Durham,
Durham It’s Where U Live (DIWUL), the New England Center, Colonial Durham
Associates, Ocean National Bank, Wings Your Way and Federal Savings Bank, will
take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 4, 5, and 6, 2008.
Throughout the weekend the public is invited to enjoy the Downtown Merchant/UNH
sorority and fraternity holiday light competition. The schedule of events is as
follows:

Thursday
Events

           
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Evergreen Crafts Fair at the UNH Memorial Union Building

Friday
Events

           
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Evergreen Crafts Fair at the UNH Memorial Union Building

           
4:00 – 6:00 PM, Business Holiday Open House – Durham businesses

           
4:30 – 6:00 PM, Wine and cheese party at the Three Chimneys
Inn

           
4:30 – 6:00 PM, Spaghetti dinner at Young’s Restaurant ($7/person; $5 under
12)

           
4:30 – 5:30 PM, Huddleston Hall Events:  Visit with Mrs. Claus, Holiday
Storytime, and Wayne from Maine

5:45
PM, Tree Lighting Ceremony with
Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Main Street stage (in case of inclement weather,
Santa and the Main Street Stage events will take place at Huddleston
Hall)

           
6:00 – 6:30 PM, Main
Street entertainment at the Main Street
stage

           
6:45-7:00 PM, Bonfire and dessert at the Mill Plaza

Saturday
Events

           
8:00 – 10:30 AM, Pancake Breakfast at Durham House of Pizza and JP’s Eatery
($5/person, children under 3 FREE)

           
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Fair Day in Durham at area
churches

           
1:30 PM – Shawn the Storyteller in MUB Theatre 2

2:00 PM –
Holiday Movie, “The Polar Express”, in MUB
Theatre 2

Ornament
Sales

This year’s limited edition ornament
with 2008 artwork will be available for $10.00 at Ocean Bank(s), Durham
Marketplace, Town Hall, The Outback, Emery Farms, Town & Campus, and Federal
Savings Bank.

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

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

Durham Energy Committee – Monday, November
24, 2008

To view an 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

OYSTER RIVER HIGH
SCHOOL PRESENTS “THE
DIVINERS”

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
(November 20, 21, and 22, 2008) at 7:30 PM the Oyster River High
School will present "The Diviners", where in a small
farm community during the depression, water and faith are in short supply. 
A charismatic but backsliding preacher drifts into town and meets a gentle but
misunderstood boy with the gift of divining or water witching.  The two
outcasts find a common bond and help each other divine for truth, faith, and
hope. Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for
students.

MAST WAY SCHOOL –
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
BAZAAR

On Saturday, November 22, 2008 from
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Mast Way
School (located on
Mast
Road in Lee) will hold its first annual Holiday
Shopping Bazaar. This event will feature over 30 vendors, a PTO bake sale, face
painting, and tattoos for the kids, along with door prize drawings.

Durham
Public Library – “Food for Fines” Drive

It is the season for giving and for
forgiving, and the Durham Public Library proposes doing both through the month
of November by accepting food donations for the Cornucopia Food Pantry in lieu
of late fees. The library recently began charging late fees for overdue
materials, which has been something of an adjustment for all involved, so a
decision was made to clear any and all late fees for patrons who bring in food
for the pantry.  Cornucopia serves UNH students, staff, faculty, and their
families. They, like many food pantries this year, are in great need of
donations, including: boxed foods, canned goods, and in particular, holiday
foods such as stuffing, canned vegetables, and cranberry sauce.  But
practically anything will do.  If you would like to eliminate your late
fees, or if you simply feel like giving, please bring your donations to the
library.  Bring whatever amount you feel comfortable with.  In doing
so, you will be doing something good for your community.  This offer ends
November 29, 2008, and does not apply to the replacement cost of lost books or
other materials. Please check out the library calendar at http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org for
library events during International Education Week, November 18-22,
2008.

DURHAM
PUBLIC LIBRARY Holiday Closing
Schedule

Wednesday, November 26 
-           5:00 PM Early
Closing

Thursday, November
27      
-           Closed for
Thanksgiving

Friday, November
28           
-           Closed for
Thanksgiving

Reopen on Saturday, November 29 with
regular hours, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

CHRISTMAS
FAIR DAY

Saturday,
December 6, 2008 is Christmas Fair Day in Durham.  The Fair runs from 10:00 AM to
3:00 PM, and Durham's four downtown churches participate
simultaneously in an ecumenical tradition which dates from 1958.  Fairgoers
can visit St. Thomas More, St.
George's, Community Church of Durham, and the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship.  Each venue features unique
items.

Weekly
Police Arrest Report

Week – 13    
                                   
8 UNH (62%)             5
Other (38%)

*2008/09 Academic Year –
402     253 UNH
(63%)         149 Other
(37%)

Calendar Year –
917                       
530UNH (58%)          387 Other
(42%)

*Commenced
September 1, 2008 

Historical Data
for the same week

FROM
HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1841 – The Boston & Maine
Railroad extended its line from Exeter to
Dover, the
tracks passing over the campus and down what is now Edgewood Road. The
station was on Main Street,
east of Morrill Hall. Moved downtown, the station is
now the Pizza Den and the freight shed Gray’s
Garage.”

Have a safe and Happy
Thanksgiving.

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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