Friday Updates - August 14, 2015

Friday, August 14, 2015

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LaRoche Farm located on Bennett Road. Courtesy Theresa Walker

Saturday is Durham Farm Day!  The Agricultural Commission invites you to join in the 3rd Annual Durham Farm Day, a celebration of the working landscape of farms and gardens around town and campus.  Lots of free, family friendly events.  Pre-registration required for two of the tours.  Full event schedule HERE. For more information, please call Theresa Walker at 659-7226, theresawalker@comcast.net #durhamnhfarmday

Durham Farm Day "Registration Required" Tours:
Walking Tour of Food Friendly Yards in Downtown Durham, 1:00-2:00 - You can grow lots of good food in your own yard.  In a month, one  4 X 10 raised garden bed produced 8 lbs. lettuce, 4 lbs. peas, 4 lbs. beets, 2 lbs. cukes, 1 lb. broccoli, 3 lbs. cabbage and too many tomatoes to count!


Meet at the entrance of Oyster River Middle School on Dennison Rd. to tour gardens on Bagdad Rd.  Register by August 14th via email or phone with Ellen Karelitz, ellenkare51@gmail.com or 868-6070 and leave a message.  

UNH Woodman Farm 70 Spinney Lane, 2:00-4:00 - Find out about important research happening right here in Durham.Tour the farm to learn about ongoing research to improve fruit, vegetable and ornamental production in Northern New England.  Register by August 14th with Theresa Walker, theresawalker@comcast.net or 659-7226.


Time will be allowed for travel from one tour to the other should you wish to take advantage of both.

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Town staff have been very active this week undertaking inspections on the various building projects under construction around town.  This morning Fire Chief Corey Landry and Administrator Selig walked through the buildings to evaluate progress.  In short, it is a race to the finish line for contractors and builing owners.

Council Chair Jay Gooze and Administrator Todd Selig hold a check in the amount of $650,000 made out to the Town of Durham for the closing on the former Town Office parcel.

TOWN CLOSES ON SALE OF FORMER TOWN OFFICE PARCEL AT 15 NEWMARKET ROAD

The Town of Durham closed this week on the sale of the former town office parcel at 15 Newmarket Road for a price of $650,000. 


The sale of the parcel is a significant development for the town and demonstrates the Council's commitment in carrying through with the plan to use proceeds from 15 Newmarket Road to offset a substantial portion of the cost of Durham's new Town Hall. 

The redevelopment of the parcel will bring a valuable tract of land within Durham's commercial core back onto the tax rolls helping the Town's bottom line by broadening our tax base.  The new buyers are planning to invest over a half million dollars into the project.  

The transfer preserved a deeded easement for the Town to utilize the 10 parking spaces (a 150¹ x 25¹ strip of land) along the boundary of the parcel with the Irving Station along Newmarket Road to support use of the old Town Hall/Courthouse on the corner.  

The deed also requires that the building remain a contributing structure within the Historic District.

We have been informed as well that George York and the Salases have signed an agreement addressing leased spaces behind the building for the use of Durham Village Garage.

Kudos to part-time Economic Development Director Mary Ellen Humphrey for working diligently to overcome numerous issues that arose as we worked toward a closing on the valuable parcel.  

DURHAM RECEIVES 1.72% INTEREST RATE ON BOND ISSUE THIS WEEK

As reported last week, Moody's Investors Service assigned a Aa2 rating to the Town of Durham's (NH) $3 million General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2015 (Bank Qualified Notes).


This week, Durham received eight bids on its bond issue with the winning offer at an interest rate of 1.72%.  Only one bid was over 2% demonstrating strong interest in the Town’s bonds among investors.  Having a strong bond rating is critical to have access to the market to fund the Town’s capital needs.


Durham’s Aa2 bond rating is an outstanding rating for a modestly sized community such as Durham.  For comparison purposes: Dover has a Moody’s bond rating of Aa3.  Rochester has a Aa3.  Manchester has a Aa2.  Keene has a Aa2.  The State of NH has a AA1.  

 

"TRAVERSING THE TOWN GOWN CHALLENGE" ARTICLE IN BUSINESS NH MAGAZINE

This month, Business NH Magazine did a detailed article on the relationships between college campuses in NH and their host communities.  Durham is prominently featured in the article.  To view it, click HERE.

UPDATE ON DURHAM’S EFFORTS TO LOCATE A LARGE SOLAR ARRAY IN ITS GRAVEL PIT ON PACKERS FALLS ROAD IN LEE – Durham officials to attend Monday’s Selectboard meeting in Lee | Presentation Scheduled for Monday’s Town Council Agenda

As reported in the past, the NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has chosen 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 will 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.  


By way of background, Phase I of our solar efforts in Durham revolved around the installation of a 99 kW solar array at the Churchill Rink, a 15 kW solar array at the Durham Public Library, and a 6 kW solar array at the Durham Police Department -- all made possible through a 2013 Power Purchase Agreement in partnership with ReVision Energy.  Durham has been working with ReVision Energy for the 1.5 years since then on a Phase II project in which we hoped to install a large solar array at the Packers Falls Road gravel pit in Lee, or at other potential locations in Durham, to offset more of our municipal electrical load through renewable sources.  Ultimately, the gravel pit in Lee was determined to be the preferred location, as we would be using space within the wellhead protective radius of the new Spruce Hole Well (which cannot be utilized for other purposes).  Placement in this location allows for the continued operation of the pit itself by our Department of Public Works.  


The Durham Energy Committee had the opportunity to meet with ReVision Energy on several occasions this year to discuss a large and small version of a solar project at the gravel pit.  Durham had worked with ReVision Energy to submit an application to the PUC last fall for a large array but we had received no word for many months, and then pessimistic news as other projects in NH received limited PUC funding.  The committee was unanimous and enthusiastic in its support of either option, but especially interested in the larger array as it was particularly well matched to our town’s available space and electricity usage.  


At that time of the Energy Committee’s May 2015 meeting, the state grant was still not in the picture, so we had reluctantly concluded that the Town should set aside the larger project as financially infeasible.  When the committee met again in early June of this year, its members were happily surprised to learn of this revived grant opportunity.  


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 one crucial 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.  To be clear, there is no guarantee that Durham will actually save money through this effort although historical trends would suggest that we would.  


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 would like to offer 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.  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.  


At this time, IGS Generation proposes to sell the Town of Durham energy at about a quarter of a cent below the existing Eversource twelve-month weighted average rate with an annual increase of 3% over the 20 year term.  As long as Eversource pricing remains true to historical increases (with price increases averaging 4% annually), this scenario is expected to produce a savings to the Town of Durham at a rate of approximately $12,000 per year over the first six years of the PPA.  If the Town of Lee was interested in assigning sufficient energy meters to absorb the full 10% residual production of the Packers Falls gravel pit array, Lee could benefit by both transitioning a significant portion of its electrical load to renewable sources and through the benefit of 10% of Durham’s projected energy cost savings.   If the market rate of electricity through Eversource dropped, the array could do worse or even result in a loss for Durham in which case Lee (or another governmental partner) would also experience increased electrical cost through its relationship with Durham.  


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 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 has requested that the Town of Lee consider entering into such a payment in lieu of taxes arrangement with IGS Generation for the sum of $1, plus 10% renewable electrical production per year with the Town of Durham for the term of the PPA until such time as Durham exercises its option to buy out the array commencing no earlier than year 7 as described above.    


On Monday evening, August 17, 2015,  at 6 PM, Charles Forcey (Durham Energy Committee Chairperson), Stephen Hinchman (ReVision Energy), and Administrator Selig plan to attend the Selectmen’s meeting to discuss the project further.  


Later on that night, Mr. Forcey and Mr. Hinchman will provide the Town Council with an overview of the project to date in order to keep the Durham community apprised of the opportunity.  

To view the letter sent by the Administrator to the Lee Selectmen regarding this matter, click HERE.

 

Pauly's Pockets building on Main Street

PAULY'S POCKETS ARCHITECTURE - HALF-CIRCLE LINTEL ADDRESS OVER FRONT CORNER OF BUILDING TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS NOT DONE PER APPROVED PLANS BY CONTRACTOR

The ornamental half-circle shaped lintel over the front corner of the Pauly¹s Pockets building at 49 Main Street which includes the address of the building (#49) will have to be replaced as it was not constructed per the approved Planning Board drawings and the font of the number "49" is not correct.  Last week, the Planning Board appointed citizen architectural design committee for this particular project met on site with the owner¹s project team and made this determination.


A set of steps along Main Street was also installed incorrectly by the contractor.  The Code Enforcement Department staff has required that these be removed and reinstalled correctly.


Additional required architectural elements required by the approved Planning Board drawings which would have to installed prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy include:  decorative crowns over a number of the exterior windows, ornamental dentils along the roofline, a series of decorative diamonds between the second and third stories, decorate lighting, and the missing entry stairway at the front corner of the building. 

The owner must still return to the Planning Board to address signage for the businesses within as well.


The owner has informed the Planning Board appointed citizen architectural design committee for this project that he prefers not to install the front entry stairs and the decorative diamonds between the second and third stories and will return to the Planning Board to seek a plan amendment to eliminate these elements.  The design committee has believed these items to be important design elements for the project.

 

Note the decorative crowns shown on this approved plan for the Pauly's Pockets building, the decorative diamonds, stairway locations, and dentils along the roofline.

WHY ARE THE LIGHTS OFF ON THE SCAMMELL BRIDGE?

The pretty bridge between Durham and Dover en route to Newington has gone dark and many residents routinely contact the Town Offices to find out way.  


The reason is that this bridge is owned by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, not the Town of Durham, and as part of state cost cutting efforts and corresponding budget reductions at NHDOT, the lights have been turned off.  


The NHDOT has determined that the lights on the bridge exist primarily for aesthetic reasons, rather than for safety.  Hence, they are no longer illuminated.  


The NHDOT is in the process of turning off streetlights across NH if they are not deemed to be essential for public safety. 

UNH/DURHAM WATER SYSTEM DECLARES STAGE 1 WATER CONSERVATION ALERT

Due to the very dry weather over the past month and the subsequent receding flows in local rivers, the managers of the UNH/Durham Water System (UDWS) are officially declaring a Stage 1 Water Conservation Alert.  Durham receives most of its drinking water from the Oyster River and the Lamprey River, and therefore the amount of river water available for water supply becomes limited during dry spells.  According to the UDWS Water Conservation Plan, Stage 1 Water Conservation Alert calls for all community members to implement the following voluntary measures:

• Limiting the watering of gardens, landscaping and lawns to the hours of 8 PM and 7 AM.
• Refraining from washing vehicles and non-essential equipment (boats, motorcycles, etc.), or washing of pavement.
• Refraining from filling swimming pools, or other outdoor recreation that uses water.
• Generally limiting all unnecessary outdoor water use.
• Check all indoor and outdoor water fixtures to ensure they are leak free.

Community members are also encouraged to conserve on indoor water use where possible such as only doing full loads of laundry, reducing length of showers, etc.  The UDWS’s goal for Stage 1 is to maintain water demand at constant rate for at least a two week period following its implementation.  If this dry weather continues, the UDWS may be considering a Stage 2 alert within the next 10 days.

 

PERSONNEL CHANGES AT DURHAM POLICE

Officer Steve Misek, a veteran of the department for the last seven (7) years has accepted employment at the Barrington Police Department and his last day of full-time employment was Thursday.  He is widely known throughout the community as Durham’s first Problem Oriented Police (POP) officer focusing upon topical issues that impacted the community. We are pleased that Steve will remain on staff as a Reserve Officer assisting us periodically in that capacity.  We wish him good luck at our neighboring community!

As a result of his notice, a hiring process to identify a new officer commenced earlier this summer and Randy Pelletier was chosen from a field of over 60 persons that applied for the vacancy.  Randy is an Air Force veteran and is currently working at the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office and living with his wife and young child in Somersworth.  Randy has an Associate’s degree in Law Enforcement and will begin his career on Monday August 17th and will be attending the New Hampshire Police Academy on August 31st graduating in December!  Chief Kurz wanted to publicly thank Durham residents Ute Luxem and Christopher Guerrette for their involvement in the oral board segment of the selection process.  The police department is committed to involving residents in the process of identifying those persons ideally suited to work for the community of Durham.  

As many residents may be aware, the POP position is federally funded through the award of a three-year grant to support this innovative project.  As such the position of POP officer must be filled to meet that obligation.  Officer Pam Donley has been assigned to the position and will begin in earnest August 24th as she works with off-campus student housing and other topical issues impacting the community.  Pam is looking forward to expanding that role by engaging with Durham’s emerging active retired residents.  One of her planned presentations will be at Spruce Woods discussing contemporary issues that impact this age group that may involve law enforcement.  Residents are urged to contact Officer Donley via email pdonley@ci.durham.nh.us or 868-2324 for voice mail if you have an idea for a presentation or a question pertaining to her efforts.  

 

MILL PLAZA PARKING LOT TO BE REPAINTED

The Mill Plaza parking lot will be repainted on Sunday morning August 16th with a crew preparing the surface as early as 3AM. Obviously the repainting must be accomplished when the parking area is empty.  The Durham Police have also been advised by the complex management that effective this UNH academic year, the parking lot attendants will be using a mechanical boot on cars that are parked illegally.  As this is private property, the use of the mechanical boot is allowed under New Hampshire law, as is the towing of a vehicle.  New signs will be placed prominently throughout the parking area advising persons of the booting and towing for those not legitimately using the parking lot to conduct business within the plaza.

 

DURHAM STILL EXPERIENCING TELEPHONE SCAMS

Chief Kurz advises that the police department has had several residents contact them about continuing telephone scams.  It is clear that the desire to separate people from their money has no bounds as scammers become very innovative in attempting to do so!  The calls have been very similar in nature with a foreign sounding voice contacting the residents about problems with their IRS tax payments and they can clear the matter immediately by returning a phone call and sending payment.  In some incidents, the caller ID may even indicated “IRS”.   Residents should be aware that the IRS NEVER calls a person who allegedly owes money without sending a letter to the person first! If you have not received an official letter from the IRS the call by its very nature is a scam!


The Durham Police is sharing this information for awareness purposes and to help prevent fraud and/or identity theft from occurring during these purposely stressful telephone calls!  As always the Durham Police urge residents NEVER to provide personal and/or credit card information via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or telephone solicitation. Even though these criminal enterprises appear to be centered in off-shore locations, it is requested that any suspicious solicitation activity be reported to the Durham Police for further assessment and review.

 

WHAT IS MISSING FROM THIS PICTURE?--Letters Stolen from DURHAM Public Library Sign

If you look closely in the picture above, a key series of letters is missing.  The word “DURHAM” is no longer in place.  Last week the library reported that someone or more than one someone had stolen letters from our library sign.  If residents have any information about the missing letters, please contact the Durham Police Department at 868-2324.

 

UPDATE ON STATUS OF RFP PROCESS FOR 66 MAIN STREET SITE

This week, the Foster’s Daily Democrat did an overview on the status of the former ATO redevelopment efforts between Durham and UNH.  To view the article, click HERE.

ANNUAL MUNICIPAL LAW LECTURE SERIES

Beginning in September, the New Hampshire Local Government Center will hold its Annual Municipal Law Lecture Series in communities throughout the state.

 
These lectures are intended for municipal officials with an interest in, or responsibility for, any aspect of municipal land use to include members of planning boards, zoning boards, conservation commissions, and councils/board of selectmen, as well as planners, building inspectors, and code officers. All lectures are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM.

 

To view the schedule of lectures, click HERE.

For information on registration, call 800.852.3358, ext. 3350, or email NHMAregistrations@nhmunicipal.org.

 

The Durham fire department has taken delivery of a new Marion pumper this week. The new pumper carries 750 gallons of water, has a 1500 gallon per minute pump and carries all the existing equipment from the  old truck.  This new pumper replaces a 2000 American LaFrance that has been plagued with mechanical issues.  Training with the new truck has been scheduled for the upcoming weeks and the truck should be in service before the end of the month. The public is welcome to review the new truck before the council meeting on Monday night Aug 17th.

DURHAM BIKE & SPORTS NEEDS BIKES!

The shop is seeking bikes that can be donated or sold on consignment basis. (if in good to excellent condition).

Many UNH students are unable to buy a new bike and need a mode of transportation from Dover, Madbury/Lee, The Commons/Lodges and other on and off campus locations.

Students return on August 28 so the sooner the donation/consignment, the bike-better!

 

A freshly painted sharrow stencil on Main Street

MAIN STREET STRIPING, CROSSWALKS, AND BICYCLE SHARROWS SYMBOLS BEING INSTALLED THIS WEEK – SPEED TABLES COMING TO COE DRIVE

Frequent drivers of Main Street will note that the Department of Public Works has been busy this week repainting lines and markings along Main Street and elsewhere in Durham following the repaving of a section of the downtown loop.  Coe Drive will be striped in the coming week along with the installation of two speed tables there within the school zone.

WHAT IS A SHARROW?  

A “sharrow” or shared-lane marking is a street marking installed at locations in the United States and other countries. This marking is placed in the center of a travel lane to indicate that a bicyclist may use the full lane.


Shared-lane markings are used to:

• Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in lanes that are too narrow for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to travel side by side within the same traffic lane;
• Alert motorists of the lateral location bicyclists are likely to occupy within the traveled way;
• Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists;
• Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling; and   
• Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in a shared lane with on-street parallel parking in order to reduce the chance of a bicyclist’s impacting the open door of a parked vehicle.  

Durham has a sharrow on Garrison Avenue between Madbury Road and Main Street, as well as one on Main Street in front of Libby’s.  UNH also has several sharrows on campus.

 

For more information on sharrows, click HERE.

PAVING IN PETTEE BROOK PARKING LOT SCHEDULED FOR TODAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND

The Department of Public Works will be repaving the reconfigured Pettee Brook Parking Lot over the course of the day today and this weekend.  The new lot reconfiguration includes a pedestrian way through the middle linking to the new ornamental bridge over the Pettee Brook linking into the new pedestrian corridor that is being established through the Madbury Commons project all the way to Madbury Road.

 

FOOD-FRIENDLY YARDS TOUR ON DURHAM FARM DAY, AUGUST 15TH
Have you been thinking about growing food, flowers, and fruit in your yard?

Maybe you've considered getting a few chickens but aren't sure how to integrate them into your landscape?  The Food Friendly Yards Tour may be just the inspiration you need to get started.

Visit 5 properties on Bagdad Road to see how families are growing food and supporting pollinators.

The tour, which is part of the Durham Agricultural Commission's Farm Day,  will be from 1:00-2:00 on Saturday August 15th.  Pre- registration is required so contact ellenkare51@gmail.com to register.  

 

MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND

The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week  All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below. Click on the meetings listed below to view agendas and other information.

Town Council - Monday, August 17, 2015

Economic Development Committee - Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Land Stewardship Subcommittee - Friday, August 21, 2015 (8AM - The Works at the Mill Plaza)

All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.

VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule.

DCAT Programming Schedule.

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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If you missed the last “Music by the Bay” series on July 16th, no worries, DCAT 22 Studios was there to capture the show.  Watch the Marcy Drive Band play many of your classic rock favorites, or just tune in and have it on as background music.  This video is only 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.

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.

Fall Programs - Durham Parks & Recreation Department has an exciting fall planned with a full slate of programs, classes and events to keep everyone moving and busy!  Community members can look forward to several NEW programs staring this fall!  Keep your eye out for our Fall Program & Event Guide that will be online and distributed in the next few weeks.  Programs are scheduled to start mid September.  

Here’s a sneak peek at some of our new offerings!

• Pickleball
• Children’s Yoga Classes (ages 3-5)
• Dirt Divas- Women’s Meet Up Mountain Bike Group
• Teeter TOTters Parent- Child Playgroup
• Saturday Yoga Hikes
• Sunset Kayak Trip with Seven Rivers Paddling
• After School Adventures (5th grade +) Fall Paddling & Mountain Biking with Seven Rivers Paddling.  
• Drums Alive Classes

Music By The Bay Summer Concert Series at Wagon Hill Farm

Mark your calendars for our final Music By The Bay Summer Concert Series of  the 2015 season.  On Thursday, August 20th (rain date 21st), Granite Planet will delight Wagon Hill Farm waterfront with upbeat, danceable rock and pop music, ranging from the 60s to today's hits.  This is a free community event taking place from 6pm-8pm.  Parking is available in the apple orchard with a short walk to the waterfront.  Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner, chairs/blankets, bug spray and some friends! View more on Granite Planet!

Durham Day at Wagon Hill Farm - Saturday, September 26th from 12:30-4:00pm - Durham Day is a free community celebration with live music, BBQ, boat rides, KidZone activities and much more!

WANTED:

Exhibitors/Participants:  We are currently looking for businesses and organization to be part of the Durham Day celebration. This is a great way to get the word out about what you do and give back to the community.  Registration forms are available at Durham Town Hall, the Parks and Recreation Department office and by visiting our website. Registration details HERE.

Boats and drivers:  Boat rides around the bay is a Durham Day favorite.  If you are available to donate your boat and time for group tours,  please sign up, we’d love to have you!  Boat rides will take place from 12:30-2:00pm (changed due to tides).

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to make Durham Day a success!  Please email Rachel at rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us if you’re able to assist with the logistics and coordination for this event.

Participants are enjoying the free Thursday evening yoga class taking place at 5:00pm at Wagon Hill Farm!  Classes will continue through September 17th for those who are still interested in participating.

Parks and Recreation Committee Vacancies

The Parks and Recreation Committee has three vacancies to fill (2 regular member and 1 alternate).  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.

 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Sprint Race for Canoe and Kayaks, Saturday, Aug 15, 2015, hosted by The Great Bay Stewards. Fund-raiser for the educational and research efforts of the Great Bay Estuarine Research Reserve. Race will be 5 miles in length going from Jackson Landing in Durham to Durham Point and back.  Pre-registration recommended:  greatbaypaddle@greatbaystewards.org. On-site registration will begin at 10AM with a wave race start at noon to coincide with high tide in the river. $25 registration fee will be waived if a boat can raise $50 or more for the cause.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Group - A support group for adults who have lost someone to suicide. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:15-7:15pm, Waysmeet Center, 15 Mill Rd.  Next meeting 8/19.  For additional information please contact Amy and Sean at sosldurhamnh@gmail.com.

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Adult Programs Coming in October - Healthy Living Series, October Wednesdays @ 6:15 pm, Unraveling the Mysteries of Classical Music, October Mondays @ 4pm.  Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Upcoming for Children & Young Adults - The September calendar is finalized and many of your favorite programs will start up again.  Please check the calendar for a sneak peak of dates and events.  The calendar is found on the DPL website under Children's pages.  Family Movie: Cinderella, Sat. Sept.19, 2 pm, Storytimes, Lego Club, Game Monday, Crafternoon, Knitting Club, monthly movies, Baby Lap Sit, Patch Club and more!
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.  
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  
Humanitarian Expedition Wednesday September 23, 6:30-8pm - Information presented by Durham resident, Christine Watts. Refreshments served.  Interested in working at an orphanage and remote Andean villages to improve the lives of street children and orphans? Travel to Machu Picchu, Cuzco ruins, Lake Titicaca and help children on Uros floating islands.  Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us or Christine Watts artnic@comcast.net.   Generations Humanitarian is a nonprofit corporation committed to transform street children toward an abundance of health, hope and loving homes thereby breaking the cycle of scarcity for generations to come.
Adult Writers Meet-Up - September 3 & 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
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.
Beach Reads   - By request, the Friends of the Library are offering pocketbook "Beach Reads" for sale in the Library cafe.
$300 Prize for Photography Contest   - Need a camera to participate in the photo contest? Borrow a camera at the circulation desk.  Contestants chronicle Durham, in a series of 7 photos that express Durham’s character. Contest rules & application found on the library website http://durhampubliclibrary.org
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.

 

Check out the Durham Public Library website for more information.

SUMMER HOT DEALS!

The "Summer Hot Deals" listed below will run through August 15th. Please contact the businesses directly with any questions.

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3 Bridges Yoga, 37 Main St., 603-590-0010, http://3bridgesyoga.com/

$30 5 class card, limit one time use per customer. Classes cannot be shared or transferred. All sales final.

A Drop of Om, 8 Willey Rd., 571-338-3229, http://adropofom.com/

30% off Crystal Chakra Balance healing sessions and 10 Pack In Your Home Private Yoga and Pilates classes with Damla Aktekin when you mention this email. Offer valid for purchases before August 31.

Amy's Frame Shop, 44 Main St., 603-868-2511, http://www.amysframeshop.com/

20% off a single custom framing order of $200 or more when you mention "Summer Hot Deals". Discount applied to materials only. One discount per customer. Valid for one item/art being framed & must include a custom frame. Order must be placed between Jun 15 - Jul 15, not to be used on past orders.

Domino's, 7 Mill Road, 603-868-6230, http://www.dominos.com/

Spend $10 and get free breadsticks or cinnastix. Spend $20 and get a free small 1 topping as well as free breadsticks or cinnastix.

Durham Bike & Sports, 72 Main St., Unit 1 in Aroma Joe's Bldg, 603-397-5140, https://www.facebook.com/durhambike

40% off all 2015 bikes - 20% off all helmets - 50% off all mens' and womens' swimsuits & swim gear.

Hair Dimensions, 3 Jenkins Court, 603-868-1323 http://www.hairdimensionsspa.com/

All hair services 20% off. Manicure & Pedicure Combo - $45 on Fri and Sat only

SolSistar, 9 Madbury Road, 603-397-5229, http://www.solsistar.com/

Take 25% off of one item every Friday this summer when you mention "Summer Hot Deals". Offer not valid on previous purchases and sale items.

The Candy Bar, 44 Main St., 603-397-5154, http://www.thecandybarnh.com/#!

20% off collectible candy tins, giant gummy bears/giant gummy worms, and black licorice when you mention this ad.

Town & Campus, 60 Main St., 603-868-9661, http://townandcampusunh.com/

Greeting cards 25% off, everyday.

UNH Dining Services, 75 Main St., 603-862-483, http://www.unh.edu/dining/

UNH Dairy Bar, 3 Depot Road. Conquer the 2015 ice cream trail and pick up a NH guide map. Get passport stickers from all the NH ice cream locations listed for a free sweatshirt. You will also be entered in a drawing with a chance to win a basket of NH Made goodies, sweatshirt, and one year membership to your local Planet Fitness.

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
1974 - The official seal was accepted by the selectmen. The rising sun background was from the original State Seal, but the foreground is the scene from the Falls bridge. The gundalow has had much to do with early livelihood of the Town. The seal was designed by Richard Brayton.

Starting this Sunday we will be removing asphalt from Pettee Brook Lane to start the installation of the new sidewalk. JTI excavators will be performing the work. Start time will be 10:00 PM and JTI will be off the road by 5:30 AM. We anticipate the operation will take two nights. There is no plan to close the road and a single lane will be allowed for traffic. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, NH

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

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

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