Friday Updates - April 7, 2017

                    NEWS & HAPPENINGS...

Friday, April 7, 2017

View of the Old Town Landing from the footbridge over the Oyster River. Courtesy Carol Birch

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We are in that swing season as winter turns to spring.  Nicer weather is not far off in our future.  Note above that ice and snow is now gone from the Old Town Landing.

And speaking of nicer weather, the Public Works Department is looking for local residents and youth (18 years of age or older) to work for us this summer.  See farther below for more information.  This is a super opportunity for Oyster River High School students/recent graduates.

Passover begins Monday at sundown.  

Thomas B. Merrick

October 6, 1936 - March 30, 2017

PASSING OF LONGTIME DURHAM RESIDENT, THOMAS B. MERRICK

On Thursday, March 30, 2017, longtime Durham resident, Thomas B. (Tom) Merrick, passed away.  Formerly of Atkinson, N.H. and Andover, Mass., Tom was born on October 6, 1936, in Boston, Mass., to the late Lathrop B. and Barbara (Hall) Merrick. Tom attended schools in Andover, Mass., Dover, N.H. and graduated from UNH with his BSEE in 1959 and his MSEE in 1962. From 1959-1960, he worked for Hughes Aircraft and was immediately hired by Bell Laboratories where he worked until his retirement in 1999.

Tom served over 20 years on town and school budget committees, Durham Community Access Television Governance Committee, Community Church of Durham Warden, and the ORCSD Advisory Budget Committee. He was also a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and Tau Beta Pi.

Tom liked helping others and cared very much for family. Education was vital and he was concerned about conservation issues and wilderness preservation. He helped to add wilderness protection to federal lands within the White Mountain National Forest in Wild River Valley and in the Sandwich Range. His hobbies included reading, photography, ham radio, hiking, and backpacking. Tom married Mary Elizabeth (Howes) Merrick in 1971.
 

In March 2005, the Town Council voted to approve the purchase of a conservation easement from Mr. Merrick on a 21.5 acre portion of his 23.5 acre property, which is bounded by Canney Road, Route 108, Bagdad Road, and Route 4.  A significant portion of the value of the parcel at the time was donated to the Town by Mr. Merrick at no cost to Durham.  

Town Councilor Wayne Burton offered words of remembrance for Mr. Merrick at Monday night's Town Council meeting.

CALEA ASSESSMENT TEAM INSPECTS DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

As many residents know the Durham Police are an accredited law enforcement agency through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

CALEA is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a credible and best-in-class body of standards, developed by a highly regarded group of public safety organizations; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence through a highly coveted, comprehensive awards program.

Part of that process designed to validate that the Durham Police Department’s professional standards and processes for decision-making are being followed is accomplished by a team of independent, unbiased (out-of-state), CALEA-trained assessors who inspect the department.

On Thursday of this week, two assessors, one each from Florida and North Carolina, finished their review of the department and will complete a comprehensive report for review by the Commission at their July meeting in Providence, RI this July.

By all accounts, the department successfully demonstrated their compliance to the assessors.

APRIL 15TH IS FAST APPROACHING!

April 15th is the last day to submit veteran’s tax credit and exemption applications. However, since April 15th falls on a Saturday, applications are due on Monday, April 17th.

Applications and information pertaining to a veteran’s credit or tax exemption may be found on the Town’s website under the Assessing Department.

If you have any questions, please contact the Assessing Department at 603-868-8064.

REVISED INCOME, ASSET, AND EXEMPTION AMOUNTS FOR DISABLED AND ELDERLY EXEMPTIONS - Approved by Durham Town Council – Effective April 1, 2018

At the Town Council meeting held on April 3, 2017, the Council approved the recommendations presented by Durham’s Assessor, Jim Rice. These revisions will not go into effect until 4/1/2018. Those revisions are as follows:

DISABLED EXEMPTION

ELDERLY EXEMPTION

Under the elderly exemption, there were no changes warranted for the asset limit of $200,000 for single or married persons, and no changes required for the exemption amounts of $125,000 to a person 65 years of age up to 75; $175,000 to a person 75 years of age up to 80; $225,000 to a person 80 years of age or older.

ZONING PROPOSAL ELIMINATING MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE CBD DIES ON FIRST READING BY COUNCIL
Town Councilors on Monday evening failed to pass a proposal on first reading, intended eliminate new student housing from being built in the Central Business District, by a vote of 2-7. Lacking a majority vote, the measure died.

The proposed zoning amendment would have barred new student housing by removing multi-family residential as a conditional use in the downtown central business district. Councilors Kenny Rotner, Jim Lawson, and Allan Howland read from a joint statement Monday during the meeting urging the Council to abandon the proposal. In the statement, they expressed a commitment toward creating a more diverse downtown but suggested the amendment was not the answer. Councilors Rotner and Lawson were two of the three Councilors who had originally brought forward the measure. Informal meetings held in the days leading up to Monday’s vote between these two Councilors and affected downtown property owners and town staff brought greater understanding to both sides, according to the statement.

Councilor Firoze Katrak, who was the third Councilor that originally sponsored the measure, spoke in favor of the proposal as a necessary step to achieve the vision of the community as a whole as outlined in the Master Plan. He and Councilor Carden Welsh ultimately voted in support of moving the measure on to a public hearing.

Downtown property owners had filed a protest petition with the town, requiring a 2/3 vote by the Council for passage of the measure.

During the Town Council deliberations, the goals of the Master Plan were discussed, which call for Durham to diversity its commercial activites in order to develop a healtier downtown business environment and to promote new uses that appeal to an audience beyond the student market.

Downtown property owners had expressed their view repeatedly over the last six months that they felt the proposal was unfair and unnecessary. They pointed out that since December 1, 2014 when the Town Council had adopted Ordinance #2014-14, increasing the required habitable square footage per occupant in unrelated household apartments from 300 to 600 square feet, no new student housing had been built in town.

DURHAM’S UNUSUAL FORM OF TOWN GOVERNMENT – Town Council/Town Manager 

There are two basic forms of town government under New Hampshire law: (1) traditional, board of selectperson/town meeting form; and (2) town council/town manager form described in RSA Chapter 49-D. Each form has several variations.

The board of selectperson/town meeting is the traditional, "pure democracy" form of town government, where the voters themselves, acting at town meeting, are the legislative body of a community. Budgetary and other questions are put before the voters in the form of warrant articles, the merits of which are debated, and then voted on at the meeting held on or around the 2nd Tuesday in March.

The selectboard acts as the governing body and carries out the decisions of the town meeting and manages the prudential affairs of the town over the course of the year including town property and municipal staff. The board of selectpersons sometimes create “administrative assistant" or “town administrator” positions, which have only those powers specifically delegated to them by the Selectboard, which can change from year to year as the selectboard changes. Madbury and Lee have an administrative assistant and town administrator, respectively, which fall into these categories.

Alternatively, a town at the annual town meeting may adopt the provisions of RSA 37, establishing a statutory town manager position. The town manager is selected with special reference to education, training, and experience to perform the duties of the office, and without reference to political belief. When a town manager position is created, the management of town property and the hiring and firing of municipal staff is transferred from the selectpersons to the town manager. The selectboard, therefore, assumes more of a policy focus with the town manager carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities of managing the municipality.

The town council/town manager is the second form of town government (with a few possible variations) allowing a town to adopt a charter establishing a representative body - the town council - which has powers similar to those of a city council. The charter must provide for the appointment of a town manager by the council, who shall have all the powers of town managers as set out in RSA Chapter 37 (however the Town Manager may be referred to by a similar name - in Durham it is the “administrator”). The council may have as many as 15 members, and must have an odd number unless the vote of the chair is reserved for breaking ties. Durham’s Town Council, approved in 1988 at Town Meeting and put into effect in 1989, has 9 members.

The adoption of a town council-town manager charter abolishes the traditional board of selectperson/town meeting form of government.

The town council functions as both the governing body and legislative body, as do city councils in cities. Where the town council is both the governing body and the legislative body, it generally has all the powers and duties of selectmen, city councils and boards of aldermen, and may address all matters that general law requires to be done at town meetings, all as provided by RSA 49-D:3, l(a).

Durham's town council may both make local laws (called ordinances) and adopt a budget without further action of the town. The "administrator" proposes an annual budget to the Town Council.  Only bond questions on a single issue with proposed debt in excess of $1 million must be approved by referendum (i.e., the police station bond referendum last month).

The Town of Newmarket operates under a slight variation of the town council-town manager format. In Newmarket, the town council may adopt ordinances, but the budget still requires adoption by the community at a special annual budgetary town meeting.

The only other town in NH that operates exactly like Durham is Derry, NH. Durham and Derry are in essence towns that have the governmental structure of cities.

View the Town of Durham's Charter HERE.

FUTURE LAND USE COMMUNITY FORUM - SATURDAY, MAY 13

Let’s talk!  You are invited to the Future Land Use Community Forum on May 13 at Holloway Commons at UNH.  This is an opportunity to help plan the future of Durham.  Where should commercial activity be directed?  Should we encourage more single-family subdivisions?  Should Durham preserve more open space and where?  This will be a fun and engaging event.  Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Durham residents Jim and Carly Hellen, 2017 recipients of UNH's Center on Aging and Community Living "Age of Champions Wildcat Inspiration Award".

JIM AND CARLY HELLEN RECEIVE AGE OF CHAMPIONS WILDCAT INSPIRATION AWARD

Each year the University of New Hampshire's Center on Aging and Community Living recognizes local community members for their commitment to healthy aging lifestyle with the "Age of Champions Wildcat Inspiration Award". One of this year's recipients are longtime Durham residents Jim and Carly Hellen.

Jim and Carly met at UNH during their senior year (class of 1957) and married the following year.  Throughout their adult lives they have been models of what being a volunteer is all about, both as part of the UNH family and in the Durham community.  Whether being teachers or Disaster Relief Workers following Hurricane Katrina for the Red Cross; sponsoring refugees; serving on numerous UNH and church groups,  on town committees, or on the Board of Directors and committees for the Active Retirement Association (ARA); the Hellens have always given of themselves.  They are the true definition of volunteerism and an inspiration to all.

Congratulations Jim and Carly!

The Historic District Commission thanked Heidi Ely for her invaluable service to the commission at its meeting on Thursday.  Heidi, holding her ten beautiful pink tulips, is flanked by Andrea Bodo, HDC Vice Chair, and Peter Stanhope, HDC chair.

CEDAR POINT ROAD – EVALUATING THE POSSIBILITY OF PAVING THE GRAVEL SECTION OF ROADWAY – AN UPDATE

The Town has hired an engineering firm to evaluate and provide options for potentially paving the gravel section of Cedar Point Road. The loose schedule in place for this effort follows:

2017
February – April, Survey and construction design.
May – July, Public Hearings, discussions, possible vote.
August, Possible project inclusion in CIP Budget.
November, Budget approval/cut.

2018
June, Possible paving/drainage project.

Administrator Todd Selig. Courtesy Fosters Daily Democrat

TOWN COUNCIL AND MR. SELIG AGREE TO 9 YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION
This week the Town Council unanimously approved a 9 year Employment Agreement with Todd Selig that runs through 2025. The deal calls for an initial $10,000 raise to $137,500 a year and an extra week of vacation (from 5 weeks to 6 annually), but also requires Selig to pay a larger share of health insurance premiums (moving from a 12.5% contribution to 20%). Aside from the length, Selig will receive base-pay raises of 2 percent a year, but the agreement stipulates his salary will reset every two years based on the average pay of managers from a comparable group of nine New Hampshire communities, including Bedford, Concord, Derry, Dover, Hanover, Keene, Merrimack, Portsmouth, and Rochester. In those years, the pay increase will never be less than 2 percent.

Prior contract terms intended to ensure long-term stability for Durham and for Selig also remain. For instance, the contract requires Selig to give eight months notice if he plans to leave, effectively limiting his options. In return, it calls for a one-year paid severance if Selig is terminated without formal cause.

Selig shall receive a vehicle stipend of $7,500 annually, up from $6,500, and a contribution of $18,000 annually on Selig’s behalf into a Section 457 deferred compensation plan, up from a max annual contribution of $15,000 from the prior agreement.

Upon his 21st anniversary with the Town in 2022, and every 6 years thereafter for so long as he is in Durham’s employ, Selig shall receive a 6 week paid sabbatical.

Selig is entering his 17th year of service with the community.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Syracuse University with a dual degree in History and Medieval/Renaissance Studies, Mr. Selig went on to complete a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of New Hampshire. He has served in a variety of positions within both the municipal and school sectors including positions in Raymond (Asst. Town Manager), Laconia (Special Projects for the City Mgr.), New Boston, (Town Administrator) Hopkinton School District - SAU #66 (Asst. Supt./Business Manager), and now Durham.

In 2003, Todd Selig was awarded the Caroline Gross Fellowship allowing him to attend the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Mr. Selig returned to the Kennedy School in 2013 to participate in a Harvard Executive Education curriculum focusing on negotiation and mediation entitled, "Building Agreements Across Boundaries."

He is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), a member of the Municipal Management Association of NH, and a member of the Durham Historical Association. Originally from Laconia, NH, Mr. Selig resides with his wife and two daughters in Durham — on Nobel K. Peterson Drive abutting the beautiful Merrick conservation easement.

View the article in this week’s Foster’s Daily Democrat about the new Employment Agreement HERE.

THE TELEPHONE SCAMS CONTINUE

This was a busy week for scammers calling Durham residents who have been contacting the Durham Police frequently. While the Durham Police have been in close contact with Federal law enforcement, there appears little that can be accomplished as all indications point to off-shore locations supported by relatively sophisticated software that is making the calls appear as though they are originating within the United States, in some cases, even from a Durham number! Efforts to focus law enforcement initiatives upon these software providers is being explored by the Federal entities and as yet, Durham Police have not been informed of the success or status of these efforts.

In the interim, Chief Kurz remains focused upon informing Durham residents of the scams with the goal that to be aware is to be forearmed! NEVER provide any detailed information to ANYONE who calls your home seeking information.

NHDOT ROUTE 108 WIDENING PROJECT TO RESUME IN APRIL 2017

Phase B of the Route 108 Project, from the Durham Town Hall to Hamel Brook Bridge, and Stagecoach Road to Newmarket, is expected to begin in April, however prior to that date, utility crews will begin working on moving poles in Durham.

NHDOT will require that the contractor maintain two-way flowing traffic during the morning and afternoon commute –one-way traffic is permitted only during the hours of 8AM – 3PM.

Durham DPW has attended preconstruction meetings with NHDOT and the contractor American Excavating. We will have direct communication with them in regards to scheduling and sharing of information. If you have questions about the project please contact Town Engineer April Talon at 603-868-5578 or via email at atalon@ci.durham.nh.us.

MADBURY ROAD SPEED TABLE RECOMMENDED
At the Traffic Safety Committee, the Madbury Road corridor has been discussed on a number of occasions centering upon the quality of the traffic which is often speeding above the 30MPH posted limit. The Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) has reviewed speed tables, chicanes, road deviations and other traffic calming strategies designed to slow the traffic. These conversations have not resulted in a concrete or permanent solution. At its most recent meeting it was determined that something needed to be accomplished as police presence on a continuous basis was simply not feasible given the demands upon the department and the neighborhood concerns still remained a valid issue to the TSC.

Consequently it was decided that Public Works Director Mike Lynch will design the placement of two (2) speed tables but will install only one this summer (2017). As an FYI, a speed table is a midblock calming device that raises the entire wheelbase of a vehicle to reduce its traffic speed. Speed tables are longer than speed humps and flat-topped, with a height of 4 inches and often a width that can be as much as 22 feet. Vehicle operating speeds for streets with speed tables range from 25–45 mph so the 30MPH speed on Madbury Road is an appropriate fit.

With the speed table placed, the TSC can then garner resident’s comments with the knowledge that in 2020/21 Madbury water lines are scheduled for updating/ replacement meaning there will be an opportunity to add additional speed tables, design chicanes or road deviations at this time of reconstruction.

The speed table will be of the exact same design as those along Coe Drive.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RELEASES PROMISING POLICING STRATEGIES TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

Chief Kurz was pleased to note that in this publication, which provides resources to help build relationships of trust between law enforcement agencies and communities of color, Durham’s Community Survey was recommended as a “Best Practice” instrument. Bridging the Trust Gap Between Law Enforcement and Communities of Color Toolkit identifies challenges that often plague law enforcement and communities of color, while offering proven strategies for success in overcoming those challenges and developing communities of trust. It is exciting that Durham’s policing initiatives are recognized as national best practices and recommended for communities in search of proven strategies designed to bring community and police together.

Student apartment building at 2 Brook Way

CONVERSION OF STUDENT APARTMENT BUILDING TO A SORORITY

The Planning Board approved an application to convert the student apartment building at 2 Brook Way to a sorority.  Phi Sigma Sigma will renovated the entire interior for 36 residents plus a resident director.  The exterior is currently being resided with wood composite clapboards.  New porches will be added.  Phi Sigma Sigma expects to be open for Fall 2017.  Here is an old photograph of the site.

DURHAM/UNH WATER MAIN FLUSHING/VALVE EXERCISING

The Town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire will be exercising gate valves starting Monday, April 24th through Friday, May 5th from 5AM- 1:30PM. In addition, they will flush water mains beginning on Monday, May 8th and ending on Friday, May 19th. Flushing will be done at night between the hours of 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

These procedures are necessary to eliminate the buildup of sediment in the water mains. Flushing of the mains and gate valve exercising may cause temporary discoloration of the water however the water remains safe for drinking. This discoloration will disappear with normal household use. It is suggested that sensitive laundry not be washed if the water is obviously discolored. Try not to draw water if you observe flushing in your area.

Please call the UNH Water Supply at 862-1390 or the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 with questions and/or concerns.

PART-TIME SEASONAL SUMMER WORK AT PUBLIC WORKS

Seasonal summer help wanted for the Department of Public Works- mowing, general landscaping and facility maintenance, support to other DPW staff, etc. If interested, please feel free to fill out an application at the Public Works office located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive. Pay will start at $11/HR or more depending on experience. All applicants must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license to apply.

Applications may also be requested via e-mail at publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us or by calling 603-868-5578. Application and copy of valid driver’s license to be submitted to the Public Works Department no later than 4:00 PM, Friday, May 12, 2017.

SPRING CLEANUP

Residents should have received the spring newsletter in the last few weeks, it is attached here as well for your convenience. One item in the newsletter coming up soon Spring Cleanup - PICKUP BEGINS MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017. Please place materials curbside NO EARLIER than April 29th and NO LATER than 7AM on May 1st. Details are in the newsletter.
 

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PRESENTATION

Town Planner Michael Behrendt gave a presentation on Tax Increment Financing to the Planning Board on April 5. The Powerpoint slides can be viewed HERE. Michael will give a presentation to the Planning Board on RSA 79E – Downtown Revitalization at an upcoming board meeting.

RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EDUCATIONAL SESSION SCHEDULED FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY - TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

The members of the Town of Durham’s boards, committees, commissions, Town Council, and Library Board of Trustees serve as members of public boards and are therefore responsible to act in accordance with the Right-to-Know law in the State of New Hampshire. The Preamble of the Right-to-Know law reads: “Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people.”

In order to ensure that the members of Durham’s public boards are given the resources they need to act in accord with RSA 91-A, a Right-to-Know law educational session has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2017, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Durham Town Hall Town Council chambers.

Attorney Laura Spector Morgan from The Mitchell Group will be present to provide an overview of the Right-to-Know law and to answer any questions that board members may have. The general public and Town department heads are invited and encouraged to attend the session, or to view it on Durham Community Access Television (Channel 22).

Oyster River School Board members are also invited to attend, as well as the Selectmen and board members from the communities of Lee, Madbury, and Newmarket.

DURHAM'S ASSESSING DEPARTMENT

For those residents that received a letter to schedule an appointment with Jim Rice, Durham’s Municipal Assessor to inspect recent renovations/demolition made to their property and did not; he will be reviewing these changes over the next few weeks without scheduled appointments.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Assessing Office at 603-868-8064.

HAVE YOUR APPLIED FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION YET?
Persons that own property in Durham and recently installed a “solar energy system” that utilizes solar energy to heat or cool the interior of their building, heat water, or to provide electricity, may qualify for a solar exemption.

The Town of Durham has adopted the Exemption for Solar Systems per RSA 72:62 which gives qualifying residents a solar exemption from their property tax assessment.

In order to qualify for this exemption, a PA-29 exemption application must be received by the Assessing Office by April 15, 2017. Applications may be downloaded from the Town website or may be picked up at the Assessor’s Office located on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall building at 8 Newmarket Road. Applications must also include the total installation cost and a detailed list of what equipment was installed on an applicant's property.

If approved, this exemption will be applied to 2017 assessments.

Please contact the Town Assessor at 603-868-8064, jrice@ci.durham.nh.us, with any questions regarding the solar systems exemption.

VOLUNTEER RIVER MONITORS NEEDED

A program to monitor the quality of water in the Oyster River and its tributaries will continue this summer and fall. Volunteer river monitors are needed to collect water samples and record data on water clarity, levels of dissolved oxygen and other substances, and acidity at various sites along the river. Sampling is conducted in teams, one morning per month; volunteers can be involved at different levels. Training is provided.

The program is sponsored by the Oyster River Watershed Association, UNH Water Utilities, and the Volunteer River Assessment Program of New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services. For information, contact Emily Poworoznek, EL@unh.edu (603-862-4168), by May 1st.

Blue-spotted salamanders will be on the move on The Big Night, along with other salamanders, frogs, and toads. Courtesy Ellen Snyder

DURHAM LAND STEWARDSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE WEEKLY REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ON TOWN PARCELS – The Big Night!

Many of Durham’s conservation areas and parks help protect wetlands of various sizes--places that are critical to frogs, toads, salamanders, among other wildlife. This week’s spring rains signal that these amphibians will soon be on the move from overwintering uplands to breeding pools and marshes. This movement happens at night, and when conditions are ideal--thawed ground, heavy rain, warm temperatures (above 40 F)--then amphibians often move en masse, called The Big Night. This could be any night now.

Most of us have experienced a Big Night, perhaps without realizing it. Those dark, rainy spring evenings when you see lots of frogs hopping across the road? That was probably a night when amphibians were on their big move. Roads (although, more accurately, driving on roads during these times) are hazardous to these small creatures. Many get run over.

Across New Hampshire volunteers are stepping out on big and smaller nights to help amphibians cross roads, by giving them a lift. The most organized, are the Salamander Crossing Brigades coordinated by AVEO at the Harris Center for Conservation Education in southwest New Hampshire. In recent years, The NH Chapter of The Nature Conservancy has led similar efforts in Newmarket and Wilmot. And citizens in Durham, Lee, and Newmarket have expressed interest in forming crossing brigades in our area.

AVEO (http://www.aveo.org/) has excellent resources for anyone interested in helping amphibians cross roads on these critical spring nights. Visit their salamander crossing brigade website to download a volunteer handbook and Big Night data sheets. If you venture out a few key points: take a headlamp and a flashlight, wear a reflective vest, avoid lotions or insect repellent—hands should be free of any contaminants, pick up amphibians carefully – not by the tail, and STAY SAFE as you will be on dark, rainy roads at night.

FOOD FRIENDLY YARDS

The Durham Agricultural Commission encourages residents to participate in home food production and small scale farming. Learn how to make your yard a nourishing, chemical free space for people, wildlife and pollinating insects.

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 6:30 - 8PM at the Durham Public Library, Ag Commission member Ellen Karelitz will discuss a variety of ways to grow vegetables, introduce animals for food production, increase soil fertility and improve habitat for pollinators. Don't just grow a lawn! Make the most of your yard's potential, make it a FOOD FRIENDLY YARD!