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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Friday, September 4, 2015
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Nine Women in a Boat!
Great Bay Rowing is back at Jackson's Landing for the Fall season. Courtesy Sara Badger-Wilson
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A final reminder that all Town Offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2015 for the Labor Day holiday. There will be NO CHANGE to the regularly scheduled refuse and recycling routes next week. As always, please have all items out by 7AM. There will also be NO CHANGE to the Transfer Station hours. It will be open on Saturday and Tuesday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
To view the 2015 recycling and holiday schedules, click HERE.
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CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION - CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR PHYLLIS BENNETT
A Private Invitation to the Celebration of Life for Phyllis Bennett on October 3 mistakenly appeared in Last week’s edition of "Friday Updates".
The invitation should not have been in that public forum. Close personal friends are being invited directly by e-mail or telephone.
Our apologies for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.
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MOVE-IN WEEKEND BUSY FOR DURHAM!
It was a busy weekend with Durham and UNH Police assigned to critical locations guiding incoming Freshmen and their relatives to the appropriate dorms. With 3,500 families arriving in Durham during the course of a single day (Friday), it would be trying at best as roadways and downtown sidewalks become overwhelmed with the traffic of vehicles and pedestrians.
Complicating this year’s event were the challenges of four new student housing complexes coming on-line simultaneously. Although the Henderson and Pauly’s project had moved in earlier in the week, Madbury Commons and Orion were attempting to put the final touches on their facilities so as to gain a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO).
With Orion further behind than the others, the final TCO was completed at 3PM on Friday as students and parents stood by hoping that the TCO would be provided!
In spite of the challenges, it is an exciting time for students and their parents with many Moms and Dads appearing anxious and their children wondering when their folks will be heading home.
Appreciation is extended to Town and UNH staff for their hard work and dedication in helping to make opening weekend a success for the Durham community.
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SPAULDING TURNPIKE PROJECT – What is the large (and seemingly endless) construction project between Durham and Newington?
The 3.5-mile stretch of the Spaulding Turnpike between Durham/Dover and Newington is characterized by closely spaced interchanges, substandard geometry and shoulder areas, and capacity constrained conditions during the weekday morning and evening commuter periods.
Currently, the Turnpike carries in excess of 70,000 vehicles per day. According to NHDOT, future travel demand projections (approximately 94,000 vehicles per day are forecasted in 2025) indicated that if the Turnpike were not improved, weekday traffic congestion would spread to additional hours of the morning and evening, and safety conditions would continue to deteriorate.
Major Project Elements:
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4 lanes in each direction (3 general purpose and 1 auxiliary lane) between Exit 3 (Woodbury Avenue) and Exit 6 (U.S. Route 4/Dover Point Road)
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3 lanes in each direction south of Exit 3 and north of Exit 6
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5 interchanges consolidated or reconfigured – Exit 2 and 5 are eliminated with Exits 3, 4 and 6 providing full access in all directions
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Rehabilitation and widening of Little Bay Bridges to accommodate 4 lanes in each direction
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Future planning for an elevated rail connection from the Newington Branch Line into Pease Tradeport
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Rehabilitation of General Sullivan Bridge for pedestrian, bicycle, and recreational uses
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Park and ride facilities at Exit 9 in Dover, Exit 13 in Rochester, and along U.S. 4 in Lee
To view a recent powerpoint presentation with good maps and illustrations provided at a recent public forum in Dover on August 25, 2015, click HERE.
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TOWN COUNCIL VACANCY
Town Council member Julian Smith has notified the Town of his intent to resign from the Town Council on or before September 21st.
The Town Charter provides that when a vacancy occurs on the Council, the Town Council shall appoint a resident to fill the vacancy until the next regularly scheduled election (March 2016), at which time someone can run for the remaining term of that office.
Residents interested in filling this upcoming vacancy should complete an application for board appointment form available for download HERE (then choose "application for appointment") and submit it to Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
Residents should feel free to speak with a member of the Town Council or Administrator Selig (tselig@ci.durham.nh.us) about what being a Town Councilor entails.
At this time, we have received two applications for the opening.
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Durham's first charging station was installed and activated today and is ready to be used!
Courtesy Charles Forcey
DURHAM CELEBRATES NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK: Test drive the newest EVs on the market at this free event, hosted by the Town of Durham
The event will take place at the Pettee Brook Municipal Lot, Pettee Brook Lane, Durham on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. Free parking on Sundays.
A special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held for the Town's new Electric Vehicle Charging Station Ribbon Cutting at 1:00 PM.
To read the various news items regarding the upcoming event and the new charging station, click on the links provided below.
Fosters: Durham to Celebrate "Drive Electric Week"
Union Leader: Electric Vehicles Finding Favor, Power
Fosters: Town Gets Second Electric Car Charging Station
NHPR: Durham to Add Electric Car Charging Station
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DURHAM’S EFFORTS LOCATE A 640 kW DC SOLAR ARRAY IN ITS GRAVEL PIT ON PACKERS FALLS ROAD IN LEE - Update on Discussions with the Town of Lee
As reported in the past, the NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) chose to fund Durham/ReVision Energy’s proposal to install a 640 kW DC grid-tied solar photovoltaic project at the Packers Falls Road gravel pit located in Lee.
The grant award amount of $501,000 would be funded with monies from the NH Renewable Energy Fund. Approval of the Grant Agreement by Governor Hassan and the Executive Council was granted on June 24, 2015 by a narrow vote of 3-2.
If (and that is an if) the Town is ultimately successful in installing the larger array sized to cover the Durham's non-wastewater load through renewable energy, as this project is intended to do, we will have moved a step closer to creating an affordable, revenue-neutral, clean and renewable new energy reality for the community.
There are several important obstacles to overcome associated with the project.
First, while Durham’s Energy Committee has done the initial groundwork on this effort, the Administrator’s Office, in conjunction with several members of our Town Council and staff, are now vetting the financials and PPA details to evaluate whether the project will make financial sense for Durham and that the risks associated with undertaking it are acceptable for the community. More work is to be done in this area.
Second, the array that has been approved by the PUC will produce approximately 10% more electrical generation than Durham (excluding our wastewater electrical load) can absorb at this time. This creates an opportunity for Durham to partner with the Town of Lee, the Oyster River Cooperative School District, or the University of New Hampshire in offsetting some of a partner governmental entity’s electrical load through renewable sources at the gravel pit.
As the array would be located in Lee, the Town of Durham initially offered the Town of Lee the opportunity to take advantage of this excess load for at least 6 years or for so long as the Town of Durham continues to purchase power through a Power Purchase Agreement with IGS Generation, the owner of the array.
The Town of Lee, however, obtains most of its energy from NH Electric Coop, versus Eversource where Durham obtains its power, and as such Lee cannot participate in this way because all accounts must be Eversource accounts (as a result of Eversource being Durham’s default electric provider).
Durham has subsequently approached the ORCSD and there is initial interest on the part of the School District in evaluating this further. According to Superindentdent Morse, if the School District participated in the project, it would likely become an active educational exhibit and focus of study for Oyster River School District students at the middle/high school level.
Due to the Federal tax incentives without which this project would be infeasible, it is not possible for Durham to purchase the array until year 7 of the PPA. If Durham does not purchase the array, the term of the PPA would be for 20 years with two optional 5-year extensions.
Third, while this project is only being pursued to fulfill a public municipal purpose, to be financially viable it requires using the PPA financing structure in order to take advantage of Federal tax credits (i.e., it will be built by a 3rd party instead of Durham, because the Town cannot use or benefit from Federal tax credits). To make the PPA work, the Town of Durham would enter into a lease agreement with IGS Generation for the annual sum of $1.00 to own and operate a “renewable generation facility” comprised of a 640 kW-dc photovoltaic “solar farm” on Durham land in Lee. We recognize that per RSA 72:23 the array would be subject to taxation by the Town of Lee.
State law allows for a Town and a taxpayer, in this case the Town of Lee and Durham’s PPA partner -- IGS Generation -- to voluntarily enter into a payment in lieu of taxes for renewable generation facilities per RSA 72:74. Given the Town of Durham’s overt goals in achieving net neutrality as described above, and the fact that if Durham had to pay property taxes on the solar array in pass through costs as part of the electrical rate structure the project would not be financially feasible and we would be unable to move forward with the effort, Durham requested that the Town of Lee consider entering into such a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) arrangement with IGS Generation for the sum of $1 or some other arrangement.
After thoughtful deliberation this past Monday evening, August 31st, the Lee Board of Selectmen by a vote of 3-0 felt that the project should pay the full Town of Lee tax rate (approximately $60,000 - $70,000 per year on an approx. $1.8 million facility). While not what Durham had hoped, this decision on the part of the Selectmen in Lee is fair and reasonable.
There is little precedent in NH municipalities for how to tax such PPA arrangements, there are few PILOT examples for such facilities, little information exists concerning what tax structure will allow solar projects to actually be financially viable, and any Town, including Durham, would have to be very careful in setting precedents for one taxpayer as future taxpayers will undoubtedly and very appropriately want the same treatment. At the same time, at the full tax rate, the project simply cannot move forward. This would mean that there would be no additional tax revenue for Lee because the project would not be built.
Following the vote of the Board of Selectmen’s on Monday evening, there has been a great deal of discussion amongst members of the Durham Energy Committee (who met Tuesday evening), ReVision Energy, and Mr. Selig about whether the project can proceed.
This has led Mr. Selig to reach out to the Lee Town Administrator to determine whether there would be any opportunity to revisit the issue of taxation/a PILOT agreement in Lee if the private project partners were able to make an annual payment to the Town of Lee equal to the municipal portion of the Lee tax rate for so long as a PPA was in effect, a sum equal to approximately $10,000 per year in 2016.
The project would also pay approximately $10,000 in initial building permit fees to the Town of Lee.
It is important to stress that the Town of Lee has been patient and fair with the Town of Durham from the start. Due to Durham unexpectedly being awarded the NHPUC grant this summer (and then informed by the NHPUC that Durham could not tell anyone for several weeks) and associated abreviated timelines connected with the grant, the Town of Lee had little advance notice from Durham concerning the project, which is very unfortunate.
Conversations will continue next week between Durham and Lee regarding this matter.
Fourth, time is of the essence with this project and as we know, it takes time to work through the local legislative process. ReVision Energy is hopeful to have an answer concerning whether the Town of Durham feels comfortable with executing a PPA by the end of September/early October in order for it to take advantage of 2015 solar pricing (upon which the grant financials are based). At the same time, there are many important issues which must be vetted (some of which are dependent upon whether the project will pay taxes and Lee and at what level) and that all takes time.
ReVision indicates it needs to have the project under construction (with footings in the ground) by mid-November/early December at the latest. Whether the project partners will be able to realistically meet those timeframes remains an open question but everyone is doing their very best to find solutions and work together.
A thank you is extended to all concerned.
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LETTER TO HANNAFORD - Regarding New Store at the Mill Plaza Encouraging Hannaford to Continue Supporting Local Agriculture
This week, at the request of the Town Council, the Administrator sent a letter to Hannaford welcoming them to Durham and urging the new store to maintain the highly popular initiative now practiced by the Durham Marketplace and continue to support our local agriculture, aquaculture, and unique local food producers.
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Members of Durham's Police Department welcomed new ORHS Freshman this week by serving them pizza for lunch. Pictured l-r are: School Resource Officer Holly Malasky, POP Officer Pam Donley, Detective Jen Kelly, Officer Brett Pestana, Officer Tom Kilroy, Officer Nick Glowacki, Captain Dave Holmstock, and Detective Sergeant Mike Bilodeau. Courtesy Durham PD
OYSTER RIVER FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
Each year Oyster River High School has a half-day orientation for the incoming freshman class. While the students navigate through the high school for the first time, Durham police officers take this opportunity to say hello by serving the new Freshmen lunch. For the past eighteen years, the Durham Police have taken this opportunity to interact with the kids at this exciting time in a very non-law enforcement way! What better way then to provide them with food! Working with the Durham House of Pizza, police officers don serving gloves and provide a variety of pizza, chips and bottled water as they end their orientation and begin their high school career. Thanks to the officers who volunteered their time and the Durham House of Pizza for their outstanding assistance!
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IF YOU SEE SOMETHING WRONG, ODD, OR NOT QUITE RIGHT, PLEASE CALL THE POLICE
The very essence of community policing is that the community and the police work together to confront crime and the fear of crime. The vast majority of Durham residents understand that the police cannot be everywhere simultaneously to observe criminal or suspicious activity as it occurs and the department finds it difficult to patrol residential areas with the frequency residents, businesses and the police prefer. So Chief Kurz urges you to contact the police at 868-2324 or 911 if you see, hear or sense something is not quite right. An officer will respond quickly and resolve what may or may not be a criminal activity. When law enforcement works directly with residents and businesses we collectively are going a long way toward reducing crime, improving quality of life, and enhancing public safety.
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ANOTHER SCAM HAS BEEN DETECTED!
The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) alerted the Durham Police that there have been several attempts in recent days to scam members by demanding payment immediately to avoid disconnection of their electric service. While the most recent attempts appear to be focused on commercial members in the hospitality industry, such as restaurants and hotels, it is quite conceivable that residential properties may be targeted as well. It is important to know that NNEC does not call members threatening immediate disconnection nor to demand immediate payment. It is the company policy that NHEC will send written notice with at least 14 days in advance of a disconnection if an account is delinquent. If you are unsure about the identity of the caller, hang up and call NHEC at 1-800-698-2007. REMEMBER……Never provide financial information, credit card or any account numbers to anyone initiating a call to you! Please call the Durham Police at 868-2324 if you are the target of such a scam!
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Captain David Holmstock
CAPTAIN DAVID HOLMSTOCK APPOINTED TO BOARD
Captain Dave Holmstock is pursuing his Master’s degree at Springfield College’s Manchester campus and was recently appointed to the Community Board in recognition of his leadership and his professionalism. This Board is designed to identify the development of new courses, honing of existing and ensure that the Human Services component of Springfield College remains relevant in providing courses to members of the community. Congratulations Captain Holmstock for this recognition!
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FEATURED BUSINESS: A GREATLY EXPANDED DOMINO’S REOPENS IN THE MILL PLAZA
This week, Domino’s in Durham extended their appreciation to the Durham Building Department. “With open channels of communication and quick response times for inspections our reconstruction took only 3 ½ weeks (after 2 weeks of demolition),” according to David Jenks, Domino’s co-owner.
This store is locally owned by David Jenks and Dominic Benvenuti. Both men started out as assistant managers back in the 1980’s and worked their way up to become franchisees.
Jenks said, “The way we built this store is indicative of the way we operate the store on a day to day basis. We continuously strive to provide outstanding product and service to our customers. Our menu as well as our core products have been revamped, improving our dough, sauce and cheese recipes. The new Domino’s theatre store has something for everyone. Kids can now step up to see the pizzas made to order. One of the best new additions would be our sandwiches. They are baked to order and absolutely delicious! With our new hours opening for lunch at 10:30 AM daily and dine-in seating, it’s the perfect place to have lunch in Durham.”
Domino’s is pleased to be part of the Durham community going on 30 years now. “If there is anything we can do to give back to the community please don’t hesitate to ask,” according to Jenks.
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WATER SYSTEM HYDRANT FLUSHING
Water System Hydrant flushing will occur at the end of September. For more details, click HERE.
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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY
Just a few short weeks away at this point, call Public Works to be able to attend. HWD will be held on the morning of September 26th at the Public Works Building. See more information located on the last page of the Spring Newsletter, and call 868-5578 to make an appointment!
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SITE PLAN REGULATIONS OVERHAUL
The Planning Board has completely rewritten the Durham Site Plan Regulations over the past year or so. The board held a public hearing on the proposed new regulations on August 23 and continued the hearing to the meeting this Wednesday, September 9. We have received numerous comments on the draft. Given that: a) the current regulations are significantly outdated, b) the proposed regulations are considered to be state of the art, c) the Planning Board carefully vetted this draft incorporating earlier comments from the public throughout the process of crafting the new regulations, d) there may be several large projects coming forward, and e) we are eager to have the regulations in place as soon as possible, the Planning Board chair and the Town Planner are recommending to the Planning Board that the document, as now written, be formally adopted at the meeting on September 9.
If the board votes to do this, then the comments received by the public in recent weeks would not be incorporated into the regulations. However, we would fully expect that the board will revisit the new regulations in the near future to review all of these recent comments and to provide an opportunity for the public to submit new comments. The board would then revise the regulations again, as appropriate.
The first item shows the entire document. The Architectural Design Standards (already in place actually, except with some minor changes), shown lower on the list of documents, are part of the regulations.
Both the current Site Plan Regulations and the proposed regulations may be viewed on the Planning & Zoning website, HERE.
Feel free to contact Michael with any questions or concerns, at his email address or at 868-8064.
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HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND THE BUILDING CODE
The International Building Code provides for potential exemptions from that code for historic buildings when the building official determines that an exemption would not constitute a life safety hazard. Properties located in the Durham Historic District considered to contribute to the district would generally be deemed “historic buildings.” See the local Building Official if you have a project where you think this exemption might apply.
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REDEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG DRIVE - Conceptual Plan to be Presented to Planning Board on September 9th
A conceptual plan for the redevelopment of Young Drive will be presented to the Planning Board on September 9. The proposal is to remove the existing duplexes and erect several large buildings for senior housing (55+). To view the application and rendering of the site, click HERE.
There is no public hearing for conceptual applications but the Planning Board can accept public comments at its discretion. After the conceptual application, the applicant would likely submit a more detailed design review application, which would involve a public hearing.
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(2016) CROMMET CREEK BRIDGE PROJECT - Informational Meeting Scheduled for Interested Residents
The Town of Durham Department of Public Works will be holding an informational meeting for the 2016 Crommet Creek Bridge Project in the Durham Town Council Chambers, on Thursday, September 17, 2015, starting at 7 PM. We cordially invite you to this meeting to help you learn more about this important project and answer your questions.
Town staff and Design Engineers, Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, will be available at the meeting to answer questions.
If you have any questions, please call Town Engineer April Talon, P.E. at 603-868-5578 or email atalon@ci.durham.nh.us.
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VEHICLE SPEED MONITORING ON MILL ROAD
There is a concerted effort to place the Durham Police Department’s Kustom StealthStat™, which has a Traffic Statistics Computer built into the unit, at various locations throughout the community. As noted in previous Friday Updates, this box type radar unit is discretely mounted on sign poles or other vertical objects and allows the Town to track and analyze traffic that passes in front of the machine without the use or need for road tubes. Additionally, the statistical computer software plots and graphically displays the number of vehicles vs. time of day, vehicle speed vs. time of day and vehicle speed vs. number of vehicles.
The computer was set up on Mill Road near Meserve Road where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH. Data was collected on 6,855 vehicles with the 10 mph “pace speed”, which is defined as the 10 MPH range containing the greatest number of vehicles, was determined to be 31-40 MPH. During the week, the frequency of vehicles exceeding the posted 35MPH by 10MPH was 1.471% with approximately 169 vehicles per hour traveling through this area! On the weekend 2.404% of the vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit by 10MPH with an average of 118 vehicles per hour traversing Mill Road during this period.
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EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL ADVISOR BILL GOLDSTEIN WINS SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Bill Goldstein of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Durham, NH recently won the firm's exclusive Spirit of Partnership Award for outstanding performance during 2014. Goldstein was one of only 2,036 financial advisors out of the firm's more than 14,000 to receive the award.
Edward Jones, headquartered in St. Louis, MO, is a Fortune 500 company that provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - Zoning, Code Enforcement, and Health Officer
As noted in an earlier "Friday Updates", longtime Zoning, Code Enforcement, and Health Officer Tom Johnson is retiring from the Town at the end of December this year.
The Town is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill the position. To view the advertisement and job description for this position, click HERE.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5:00 PM, Friday, October 9, 2015.
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ADMINISTRATOR SELIG TO ATTEND UPCOMING International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Conference in Seattle, September 25-30
Todd Selig will be attending the 101st ICMA Annual Conference, which this year will be held in Seattle, WA from September 25-30, 2015.
As in past years, the conference features daily keynote sessions, educational and solutions track sessions, roundtable discussions, ICMA University workshops and forums, field demonstrations, and numerous demonstrations of technology. In addition, there is opportunity for professional networking.
This years keynote speakers include Shawn Achor (The Happiness Advantage), Verna Myers (Overcome Your Biases), Patrick Lencioni (Leadership, Teamwork, and Organizational Health), and Tom Yorton (Using Improvisation to Improve Creativity and Collaboration).
Mr. Selig will also tour the Bullitt Center, known as one of the world’s most sustainable buildings, and the Cross Kirkland Corridor focusing on rail transit and the impact this has had on economic development in the Seattle area.
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DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22
Bus Tour of Eversource Energy’s Seacoast Reliability Project - Total Run time: 21 Minutes. Join Durham residents along with Administrator Selig and James Jiottis, Manager & Transmission Engineer at Eversource Energy, tour residents around Durham. This video will be available for viewing on Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 PM & 6:30 PM, Monday at 11:30 AM, Tuesday at 11:00 AM & 5:30 PM, Wednesday at 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM, Thursday at 9:30 AM & 5:00 PM and Friday at 8:00 AM & 10:00 PM, also on our On Demand site.
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Don’t miss the very last “Music by the Bay” series from August 20th. DCAT 22 Studios was there as the fog rolled across the bay, but we hung in there for you. Watch as Granite Planet plays eclectic sets of classic rock, today’s pop, country and maybe even an obscure tune or two. This video will also be available on our On Demand site. DCAT 22 replay times: 10:30 & 5:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday.
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Join DCAT 22 Studios on a time lapse video tour of our New Town Hall. Watch from a bird’s eye view as the Town Hall starts as the old bank and quickly transforms into our new space. This video is only available on our On Demand site.
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DCAT is Live Streaming
Please join DCAT for any of our regularly scheduled meetings live-streamed directly to the device of your choice . It’s easy, all you have to do is go to: live-stream.com and follow the prompts to set up your live stream account. You’ll receive email updates as to when the meeting will be held and the start time. All you have to do is click and watch. Live-stream works on any PC (just remember to update your Adobe Flash player), Apple or Android device. Please contact dcat@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions.
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OYSTER RIVER SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
The Oyster River Cooperative School District is preparing for another school year as the daylight gets shorter and crickets start to chirp more slowly. The Town of Durham recently announced two projects related to the topic of sustainability: a 640 kW solar array at the Town’s gravel pit on Packers Falls Road and curb-side no-sort recycling program. Many Durham citizens have shifted their habits to more sustainable living due to increased knowledge and interest. Oyster River students also learn and practice sustainability strategies as they compost, recycle, research topics, grow vegetables in school gardens, and learn how animals adapt to our environment.
One group that supports the work of sustainability in the District is the Oyster River Sustainability Committee. Staff, citizens, students, and administration work collaboratively to achieve “green” projects. Charges are given by the School Board each year, goals are identified by the committee, and members select the projects that are of interest and the best fit for member’s schedules.
Past projects/initiatives have involved topics such as: energy reduction, writing, school gardens, recycling, composting, local food for the District’s nutrition program, community dinners, and support in classrooms.
Perhaps you are curious about the work of the Oyster River’s Sustainability’ Committee?
Their next meeting is on Tuesday, September, 22th at 7pm in the ORHS Library. The public is always welcome. Please email Cristina Dolcino at cdolcino@orcsd.org or call the School District’s office with any questions (868-5100).
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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.
Durham Day 2015
Durham Day is right around the corner and Parks & Recreation is gearing up for a fun filled afternoon at Wagon Hill Farm! Participants can look forward to a FREE community BBQ, boat & kayak tours, live entertainment from the Drew Young Band and a “sugar coated” Shakespeare performance by Theatre Under the Stars. Crafts and stories with Durham Public Library, KidZone activities, fitness class demonstrations, fire truck and ambulance exploration, antique car display and much more!
Participant registration forms are still being accepted, so please turn yours in ASAP if you would like to have a table/space highlighting your business, organization or committee. Registration forms can be found HERE.
Parks & Recreation is still looking for boat drivers and volunteers to make Durham Day a success. Please contact Rachel at: rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us if you’re able to offer assistance.
Parks and Recreation Committee Vacancies. The Parks and Recreation Committee has three vacancies to fill. If you are passionate about recreation here in Durham and would like to help support and guide the Parks and Recreation Department, please consider joining this committee. Those who are interested should contact Parks and Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski at rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us or committee chair, Mike Sievert at mikesievert@mjs-engineering.com. All three vacancies are three-year terms.
We want to hear from you! Have a new exciting program idea? Please be sure to share your vision with Parks and Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski. Stop by the Recreation Department Office (2 Dover Road), or call/email the department at (603) 817-4074/ rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us.
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Participants during a hike of the Gonic trails, led by the Active Retirement Association. The ARA will hold its General Meeting on September 8th beginning at 1:30 PM. See more information below.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Active Retirement Association General Meeting, Tuesday, Sep 8, 2015, 1:30 PM, Durham Evangelical Church. Open to the public, and all may bring friends and guests. For additional information click HERE or contact Carol Caldwell, 603-312-1536, pdrooker@hotmail.com. Website: www.unh.edu/ara.
Fall Festival & Church Yard Sale, Saturday, Sep 12, 2015, 8AM - 2PM, Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street. New this year, we will include a festival of music and food in addition to the numerous yard sale items that residents annually come early to purchase. For more information call 603-868-1230, or email office@durhamcommunitychurch.org.
Oyster River Folk Presents Two Folk Concerts, Sep 12 at 7PM, Durham UU Fellowship, 20 Madbury, Liz and Dan Faiella perform music of the Celtic and New England Traditions. On Sep 19th, Legendary Irish Musicians Cillian and Niall Vallely will perform at 7PM at the Durham Community Church. For more info, contact malcolmsmith@comcast.net
Yard/Bake Sale to Support Dana Farber Jimmy Fund Miles Strong Walk Team, Saturday, Sep 12, 2015, 8:30AM - 2:30 PM, Rain or Shine, Oyster River Middle School, Durham.All proceeds to be donated to the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund in support of our friend, Miles who is fighting cancer.
Coastal Cleanup Oyster River Style, Saturday, Sep 19, 2015. Volunteers to meet at Old Landing in Durham (Old Landing Road is 2nd road on the right toward Dover beyond the Main Street-Rt 108 traffic light) at 9:00 AM where several locations along the Oyster River tributary streams in Durham. Bags and gloves will be provided. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for the activity and weather. Contact Dick Weyrick, 868-2862. More information HERE.
Alleyfest 2015, Sunday, Sep 20, 2015, 11AM - 4PM. The Main Street Makery and The Candy Bar will host Durham's 2nd annual AlleyFest and party in the alley. It includes free crafts, face painting, games and lots of nice surprises. Music as well. Come by and help make this a special day in Durham.
One World Language School - Now accepting new students for Spanish, German, French and Chinese Classes Communicative, Game based approach.
Classes offered for students’ Pre-k through High School. Class offerings vary by location. Find out more HERE, or contact Matthew Jones at matt.jones@oneworldlanguageschool.org
UNH Museum of Art - Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle Looking Where it Ain’t Artist Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle manipulates language, images, and myths to create a personal narrative presented in three bodies of work: The Kentifrica Project, The Uninvited series, and drawings based on I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem.
The Prints of Jacques Callot and Millie Chen’s Miseries & Vengeance Wallpapers. This fascinating exhibition of more than 35 etchings and engravings by French printmaker Jacques Callot (1592-1635) is drawn from the collection of the Reading Public Museum and includes prints from the permanent collection of the Museum of Art. Complementing the prints is the Miseries and Vengeance Wallpapers by artist Millie Chen.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Storytimes begin! Tues. Sept. 8th and Thurs. Sept. 10th, 10:30 a.m. – This week: Squirrels! Join us for stories, finger-plays, felt board, songs and a craft
The library will be closed on Monday September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Storytimes begin! Tues. Sept. 8th and Thurs. Sept. 10th, 10:30 a.m. – This week: Squirrels! Join us for stories, finger-plays, felt board, songs and a craft.
Heartsaver First Aid Class Tuesday September 8, 6 pm - McGregor Memorial EMS This course is for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in first aid to meet job, regulatory or other requirements. Visit https://cprsafe.org for information and to register. Fee is $20.00
Acoustic Open Mic starts up! - September 9, 6:30 pm. - Come to listen, come to perform. The hootmeisters are Peg Chaffee and Cheryl Sager of "Nice and Naughty" fame. Food, drink and live music. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Durham Public Library and held in the Durham Public Library Cafe.
Film Three Days of the Condor 1975 starring Redford and Dunaway followed by a discussion facilitated by Julian Smith Thurs. Sept. 10th 6:00-8:30 pm
Family Storytime begins! Sat., Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m. – This week: Pandas! Come and hear panda stories, do fingerplays, feltboard and a craft.
Crafternoon begins! Sat., Sept. 12, Drop-in 12 noon-4 pm - Come to the Craft/Storytime room and create a fun craft! All ages are welcome.
Tales for Tails sign-ups have started – Have a child who needs to increase their confidence in reading? Have them read to one of our Pet Partner dogs! Sessions run for 4 weeks starting the week of Sept. 21st. Your child will read ½ hour once a week to one of the dogs and their handlers.
Lego Club will begin Thursday, Sept. 24th from 3:45-4:45 pm – For K-4th graders.
Knitting Club will begin Weds. Sept. 23rd from 4-5 pm – For 3rd-5th graders. Sign-up at the Children’s desk.
Baby Lap-sit will begin Weds. Sept. 23rd at 10:30 am – For ages 2 & under with their care-giver. Mother Goose on the Loose! We do songs, fingerplays, stories, movement and fun. There is a time to play and socialize afterward. Sign-up at the Children’s desk.
Game Afternoon will begin Mon. Sept. 21st from 2:45-4pm – For ages 10 & up – Come and play some board games weekly in the Young Adult room.
Home-schooling Group will begin Friday Sept. 25th at 10:30 am – Geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome.
Pajama Storytime will begin Thurs. Sept. 24th at 6:00 pm – Join Oyster River Parents & Pre-schoolers and the Durham Public Library for our monthly PJ Storytime. Come wearing your pj’s! This month: Cows! We read stories, do feltboard, fingerplays, and a fun craft. Snack is provided by ORPP. All are welcome.
Young Adult monthly writing group (ages 10 & up)will begin Monday, Oct. 5th at 6:30 pm – Like to write? Join us. We do writing exercises, talk about your writing and add to our blog “Write-Away”. All are welcome.
Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade) Book Group will begin on Tues. Oct. 6th at 6:00 pm – This month’s book is “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo. We will talk about the book, author, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft. Book is available at the check-out desk.
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group will begin on Weds. Oct. 14th at 2:45-4pm – This month’s book is “The Mark of the Dragonfly” by Jaleigh Johnson. Walk from the Middle School! Ruth Wharton-MacDonald is the facilitator. Pizza is served and books are available at the circulation desk. All are welcome.
Upcoming Adult Programs in October. Unraveling the Mysteries of Classical Music - One hour 4-5 pm Mondays starting October 5th. Four part series: Baroque, Classical Romantic and Contemporary. Presented by Patricia Terrill, Music History Master’s Degree/UNH. Enriches and exposes listeners to the various styles & periods of music. Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Prince & Princess Royal Tea Party Saturday, September 19th 10:30 am - Your presence is requested to a Prince & Princess Royal Tea Party with Northeastern Ballet Theatre. Dance with Belle, Cinderella, Elsa, Snow White & Prince Charming! All welcome to dress in royal attire.
Cinderella family movie rated PG, Sat. Sept 19 at 2 p.m. - Enjoy watching the movie and eating popcorn. All are welcome. Movie shown in the Oyster River Community Room.
Reading Patch Club starts September 1st! Ages 2-12 years - Earn patches and a tote bag for hours that you read! Program sponsored by The Friends of the Durham Public Library.
End of Life Happens...At Any Age, At Any Time - Monday September 14, 6:30 pm Registration is open. Back by popular demand. Find out how to plan for the inevitable with grace & practicality, plus clearly organize your personal wishes and intentions. Presented by Barbara Bates Sedoric, author of The Lasting Matter Organizer. Register by contacting Armida Geiger at 603-988-6616 ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Attention Middlemarchers: Wednesday, September 16, 10:30-12:30, Middlemarch discussion facilitated by Jennifer Lee, the finale of the Friends' adult summer read. All are welcome: those who finished, those who began and those who would begin...
Peru Humanitarian Expedition Wed. September 23, 6:30-8pm - Information presented by Christine Watts, Durham resident. Interested in working at an orphanage and remote Andean villages to improve the lives of street children? Contact Armida Geiger: ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us or Christine Watts: artnic@comcast.net. Visit http://genhu.org Generations Humanitarian
Join the crowd of golden daffodils! - Want to beautify the library grounds and support programs like the Summer Concert Series, Open Mic, the children’s Patch Program? The Friends of the Durham Public Library’s annual membership drive gets underway September 1st and this year, with your ANNUAL dues of $20, a beautiful Dutch Master’s daffodil will be planted in the library garden!! Your name will be placed on a garden poster which will be displayed in the library. Stop by and pick up a membership form today! Contact Friends’ email: friendsdpl@yahoo.com
Durham Public Library @ Durham Day! Sat., Sept. 26 from 12:30-4:30 pm. - Come to Wagon Hill for Durham Day. Stop by and say hello to your friendly librarians, check out upcoming programs and create a fun craft at the crafting table.
Adult Writers Meet-Up - September 17, 6-8 pm. Breaks for August, will resume in September on the first and third Thursday of each month. Contact Mary Ellen Humphrey mary.ellen.humphrey@gmail.com Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Technology Help - The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology, such as computers, iPads and phones. Call us to check on the availability of our volunteers at 868-6699 or email us at durhampl@gmail.com.
For more information, visit the Durham Public Library website.
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WEEKLY ARREST REPORT
*Academic year commenced August 28th and will be measured through graduation at UNH in May.
The Durham Police measure arrest data in three specific categories, weekly, academic year and calendar year. Each category is designed to assist in the planning process of allocating police personnel at appropriate times and in the appropriate places. The arrest data for the first week of the academic year began anew on last Monday which explains why the week statistics may not match with the start of the academic year.
As UNH begins its academic year on different weeks each year, the statistics from this exact week in several years data would appear out of context and/or skew comparisions to those of previous years. Consequently the above matrix does not include data for some years as the academic year would have started another week. In any event, the weekly arrest data will begin anew with this report!
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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
1976 - Fishing preceded colonization in New England by many centuries, and fish and fishing have continued to be important to Durham. In may, a fish ladder over the Mill Pond dam was dedicated. This structure is remarkable in the seacoast region in that it was partially financed by the town.
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