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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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The couple above participated in an antique car tour that spent last Sunday evening at the Three Chimneys Inn, along with other antique car enthusiasts. Courtesy Todd Selig
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Did you know that Durham has both a Facebook and Twitter Page? In addition to his other responsibilities managing DCAT/Channel 22, Craig Stevens is also working to infuse life into Durham’s Facebook and Twitter presence. We invite you to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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BLASTING AT ORION CONSTRUCTION SITE
Blasting has commenced at the Orion construction project on Main Street, on Church Hill. A loud signal is blown prior to each blast. The signal is audible at some distance from the site, so should you hear this, please do not be alarmed.
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VACATIONS IN THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE
Due to vacation schedules, the Town Administrator's Office will be closed the week of August 18-22, 2014. During that week, Business Manager Gail Jablonski will serve as Acting Town Administrator.
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TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
All Town Offices will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2014 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 2013/14 recycling Holiday Schedule, click HERE.
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CAMPUS EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM TO BE TESTED - FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014
Regular testing of UNH’s outdoor notification system will occur Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The test will include the siren, a “canned” message and a recording signaling the end of the test. The entire exercise will take less than 10 minutes.
In addition, the university will also simultaneously send test messages through its alert system to registered cell phones, pagers, BlackBerrys, PDAs and/or e-mail accounts, and a directed communication to all UNH faculty, staff and students.
The outdoor notification system is designed to not only alert the campus community when there is imminent danger but also follows up with voice instructions. This two-step approach, called Alert and Inform, helps reduce confusion and restore order.
Sirens are located on the roof of the MUB, the roof of Morse Hall, A-Lot and the dirt parking lot near the equestrian facility. The system reaches a distance of nearly a mile in all directions.
Contact Paul Dean, UNH's chief of police and executive director of public safety, at 862-1427 for more information or with any questions.
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PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSAL BY UNH TO BUILD FACILITY TO HOUSE THE NH VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC LAB - August 13, 2014
At its August 13 meeting, there will be a public hearing before the Planning Board for a proposal by UNH to build a new facility to house the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (NHVDL). The NHVDL provides diagnostic services for the NH Department of Agriculture Markets & Foods (NHDAMF) and to UNH’s veterinary clients, farmers, public health, wildlife, and other relevant state, regional, and federal agencies. The lab, which is staffed by University personnel, contributes to the education of students seeking training in the biomedical sciences. More information about the NHVDL is available at http://nhvdl.unh.edu/about-us
The NHVDL is currently located in Kendall Hall in the academic core of the campus, but the building, constructed in 1970, has deficiencies that now make the building unsuitable for science laboratory usage. The University is beginning the process of moving all of the science programs out of the building over the next few years. The NHVDL will be one of the first programs to be moved.
There will be a new 6,500 square foot one story building located near the intersection of Main Street and North Drive, adjacent to the MacFarlane Greenhouses. The building will house all of the offices and labs for the NHVDL, as well as a necropsy (autopsy) lab that will serve the Wildlife program as well as NHVDL. The location makes it more accessible for public access and delivery of test specimens and animal remains (live animals are not treated at this facility).
There will be limited impact to the adjacent wetlands, less than 3,000 square feet. The Durham Conservation Commission will have an opportunity to review this impact as part of that permit process.
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UPSIDE DOWN FRIDAY UPDATE PHOTOS – We Apologize for the Occasional Upside Down Photo
If you are a Windows user, you may have noticed that some of the pictures we include as part of the weekly “Friday Updates” taken with iPhones appear upside down. We apologize for any frustration this may cause! It is not intentional and often we cannot tell if a photograph will appear upside down after it is sent because the picture looks normal to us here at the Town Office.
The problem is caused when an iPhone user takes a photo upside down (buttons up). To allow the iPhone camera to take pictures quickly, there is no up/down notation stored digitally on the photo itself. Apple software is able to figure this out independently. But when that same photo is viewed outside an Apple environment, it may appear upside down. The morale of the story is to always take a photograph, buttons down.
For more information about the phenomenon, the following web link is helpful: http://iphonephotographyschool.com/iphone-photos-upside-down/
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Farmers Week, 1925 - Main Street looking from RR Bridge. Courtesy UNH Collection
MAIN STREET COMPLETE STREETS PILOT PROGRAM
This pilot project has been tweaked and discussed in a very deliberate manner due to the importance of the topics and the ultimate impact upon the Durham/UNH community. Thoughtful changes have occurred such as lessening the angle of the slanted, head-in parking making it less obstructive and difficult to back up into the travel lane, as well as additional signage and other adjustments designed to make the transition more effective and sensitive to the public’s comments.
At this week’s administrative Traffic Safety Committee meeting, discussion regarding placing a “stop sign” on Main Street at the intersection of Pettee Brook Lane extended for quite some time as the pros and cons of such an installation were debated, discussed, and contemplated.
The stop sign was seen as a significant change that would possibly disrupt traffic. Many viewed this as a positive attribute until discussion soon arrived at the reality that heavy pedestrian activity and vehicles yielding to the pedestrians would create desired gaps in traffic enabling movement of traffic to flow.
Ultimately the conversation took a wider view of the downtown vehicle circulation that offered this area as a large roundabout and the question was asked, “what if we view the downtown loop as a large roundabout and treated roadway signage that is entering the roundabout just like a roundabout?”
In other words at every entrance to the downtown circular pattern those that were in the loop would have the right of way and those attempting to enter the circulation would be required to yield and/or stop.
Much of that strategy currently existed with the stop sign at the post office directing Main Street traffic entering the loop to stop for those vehicles currently in the circulation. To continue this premise would cause the yield sign at Pettee Brook to move so that vehicles heading south on Madbury Road entering Pettee Brook would be required to yield and not those currently proceeding north on Madbury entering Pettee Brook as these vehicles would be considered in the “loop”.
Continuing along Pettee Brook those vehicles turning left and heading east onto Main Street would have the right of way as they merged onto Main Street and those entering the downtown circulation on Main Street would yield. This suggestion for considering the circulation of downtown traffic in this manner truly brought clarity to a very complicated situation of where to place signs for direction to vehicle operators. Conclusions:
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Focus upon incremental change with a Yield sign on Main Street at Pettee Brook and a “merge” sign guiding those turning left onto Main Street.
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Adjust/move the yield sign at Madbury to the opposite side guiding south bound traffic entering Pettee Brook Lane.
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UNH AUTOMATED PAY AND DISPLAY METERS BEING INSTALLED
UNH selected pay station vendor, Cale and is in the process of installing the first of 17 pay stations on campus with expected activation date of mid-September. The Pay stations will be coin and credit card format. Pay stations will be replacing the majority of UNH on-street coin meters. C-Lot will become pay station only. Other visitor lots with attendants will feature Pay stations as well – for convenience and for better coverage of the 7am-6pm enforced parking hours.
UNH is also adjusting the hourly rate for parking on campus as follows:
$1.25/hr. for all spaces east of tracks and Field House
$1.00/hr. for Visitor Center ($10/day)
Maintaining current maximum times (generally 2h with some 1 and 4h on street zones and 3+ hours in visitor lots)
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C&J BUS LINES TO DISCONTINUE OPERATION TO DURHAM/UNH
On Friday August 1, UNH received notice that C&J will not be providing bus service to UNH/DURHAM this academic year.
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C-LOT PARKING LOT RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE
UNH is completing curbing, striping, and sidewalk work on this small project to upgrade the C-Lot entrance. Three to four trees will be planted with the existing booth removed as the lot converts to pay station only. New signage for the lot will be installed shortly with pavement striping accomplished this week. UNH coordinated with Durham DPW to install new crosswalk signs on the west side of Mill Road which should handle both crosswalks in the immediate area.
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MAIN STREET WEST BUS PULLOUTS
Construction on this project will begin on Monday, August 11th and is expected to encompass no more than two weeks with minimal road impacts due to the installation of LED crosswalk flashers followed by sidewalks on UNH property. Unfortunately the project cost more than expected so there will be no bus shelters or supplemental path lighting at this time.
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UNH/DURHAM RAIL STATION STUDY
UNH is looking to expand the platform area at the station which serves both campus and the broader Durham community. Customer and constituent interviews/meetings were completed last week. Officials met with Pan Am, Amtrak, Town department heads and others to gather input. Consultants will be working on conceptual designs over the next two months.
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So you wondered what was at the end of the rainbow. Now you know! Courtesy Diane Gallant
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NHDOT TAP PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION TO BE JOINTLY SUBMITTED BY DURHAM/UNH
Letter of interest was due this week in collaboration between UNH and Durham submitting a grant application for consideration of a downtown round-about at Main Street, Pettee Brook Lane and Quad Way. There will be a mutual decision pertaining to the application for mid-September which essentially serves to keep options open allowing for discussions with NHDOT regarding the project.
There was an affirmation that UNH and Durham were each committed to a 50% funding match of those costs not covered by the grant. The total project cost could be in the $750,000 realm, but possibly less.
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ZIPCAR MOU UNDER DISCUSSION BETWEEN DURHAM AND UNH
Tentative discussions have been taking place between Durham and UNH regarding relocating a ZipCar off campus to Garrison Ave in front of Paul School were discussed with UNH working on a draft MOU with Town of Durham. The goal is to move the ZipCar off campus in a location that would be of interest to both students AND the broader community in furtherance of Durham’s sustainability goals.
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MAST ROAD (Field House to North Drive) RENAME
UNH has received an initial request from Durham Fire Department to rename Mast Road (from Field House to North Drive). UNH is expecting to give first notice to the UNH community in September with a plan to affect the changeover on July 1, 2015. Expect both UNH-supplied name and a necessary renumbering of the roadway TBD.
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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION HOLDS DISCUSSION WITH SCOTT MITCHELL -- Redevelopment of Current Town Office Site at 15 Newmarket Road as a Drug Store with Drive Through
At its meeting on July 10, the Historic District Commission held an informal discussion with Scott Mitchell, prospective developer of the current Town Office site at 15 Newmarket Road.
Mr. Mitchell presented a preliminary site plan at this stage. He discussed the basic layout of the site and possible ideas for the architecture, but no building designs have been submitted as yet. Mr. Mitchell hopes the HDC will provide some guidance on what it would like to see in terms of design for the redevelopment.
Under Mr. Mitchell's proposal, the site would be redeveloped as a drug store. A drug store use garners the highest economic sale value for the Town of Durham at $1.3 million. The proceeds from the sale of the current Town Office site are part of the fiscal plan that was developed to finance the new Town Hall presently under construction at 8 Newmarket Road. If the current Town Office site cannot be redeveloped as a drug store, the sale price will be significantly less.
At present, Mr. Mitchell is working with Rite Aid for the redevelopment of the site but if Rite Aid is ultimately not interested, he is able to work with other drug stores that have also expressed interest in the parcel.
The HDC will review any proposed designs carefully. It has authority to approve or deny the proposal to demolish the current building and to erect a new drug store. If the HDC after extensive review ultimately approved a redevelopment, the project would then also need site plan approval from the Planning Board, as well as a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to allow a drive through as Durham's Zoning Ordinance only allows drive through uses for financial institutions such as banks and credit unions.
The next meeting of the HDC/HC is Thursday, September 4, 2014.
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VACANCY ON TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS
Longtime resident Bruce Bragdon has resigned from the Trustees of the Trust Funds after 14 years of dedicated service. He and his wife, Irene, are retiring to Florida.
The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to fill a vacancy on the Trustees of the Trust Funds. This is an elected position and the Town Council will make the appointment to be filled until the March 2015 Town Election. The position will then be placed on the election ballot to be filled until the end of the term (March 2017).
The Trustees of the Trust Funds manage funds left in trust to the Town and the School District for identified purposes. The Trustees also manage the Town's cemetery and work in partnership with the Department of Public Works in caring for abandoned trusted graveyards, as well as the Smith Chapel.
Citizens interested in board appointments should contact the Town Administrator’s office at 868-5571 and ask for a board application form, or stop in at the Town Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road, and complete an application. Applications are also available on the Town’s web site. Completed applications may be mailed to the Town Administrator’s office, or submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
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COE DRIVE CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE – Why the Road is Closed to Through Traffic for a Time
Durham Department of Public Works is now working on the Coe Drive Culvert Replacement Project. This project includes replacing the existing undersized culvert with a 10’ wide x 6’ high precast concrete box culvert with appropriate headwalls and associated minor roadway reconstruction work. Additional work includes the upgrade of water, sewer, and drainage utilities.
Unitil is also replacing a section of their gas line within the project limits. PSNH will be relocating two poles to allow for the required clearance during the placement of the box culvert. Construction is intentionally taking place while school is out for the summer and Coe Drive will be closed to thru traffic at the culvert. Residents will still be able to access their homes from Bagdad Road and Dennison Road.
Feel free to contact Assistant Town Engineer April Talon, P.E. at 868-5578 with any questions regarding this project. atalon@ci.durham.nh.us
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DURHAM PARKING INFORMATION
It’s hard not to notice the newly placed parking kiosks throughout the downtown with their prominent solar panels and “pay here” parking signs. Out of necessity there has been a gradual transition to the sophisticated kiosks as we replace the antiquated and outdated mechanical meters that reliably provided parking time whenever a coin was inserted and the crank handle turned. With the kiosk “pay and display” system virtually all forms of compensation can be used to pay for parking such as coins, paper currency, debit, and credit cards. In fact, when the Town replaced the mechanical meters in front of the UNH President’s house with the kiosk system, revenue increased by 28% even though there were no new spaces. It was solely due to the expanded payment options.
While the meters are sitting idly at this time to enable appropriate programing of the kiosks and to provide the community with information about the new systems, the Police Department has put together an FAQ that has been distributed throughout the downtown merchants. It can be viewed HERE.
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ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGE RELATIVE TO PLACEMENT OF ELECTION SIGNS AND USE OF SNIPE SIGNS
With the Primary and Mid-term elections fast approaching, prospective candidates may be interested to know that the Town Council recently adopted an ordinance that would amend three sections of Durham’s Zoning Ordinance relative to the placement of political signs and use of snipe signs. The ordinance change is intended to bring the Zoning Ordinance in compliance with current state statutes and allow the Town to be more efficient with its enforcement while allowing for expression of political speech.
To view Ordinance #2014-06, click HERE.
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Ray LaRoche, Jr. at Farm Day 2013. Courtesy Vince Dell'Ova
SECOND ANNUAL DURHAM FARM DAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2014
The Durham Agricultural Commission proudly presents the 2nd annual Durham Farm Day on Saturday, August 16th from 10am to 4pm, to be held on seven different farms in town, rain or shine.
Ray LaRoche, Jr., Vice Chair of the Agricultural Commission and owner/operator of LaRoche Farm, says, “We’re looking forward to a full day of activities that will appeal to children and adults, from hayrides to cow rides and tours of UNH agricultural research projects. There will really be something for everyone.”
Some of the events are taking place at specific times, such as cow riding at Emery Farm from 12 - 2pm and the tour of UNH Woodman Farm from 2pm - 4pm.
Pre-registration is required by August 14th for the Woodman Farm tour; contact Theresa Walker at 659-7226 or theresawalker@comcast.net if you would like to join this tour.
Bring your family and friends to meander and explore Durham farms and see how good food is grown... right in our back yard.
A full schedule of Farm Day events is available on the Ag Comm webpage
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Hollister Farm, one of the many vendors at Durham's weekly Farmers' Market. Courtesy Todd Selig
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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.
Agricultural Commission - Monday, August 11, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Planning Board - Wednesday, August 13, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Conservation Commission - Thursday, August 14, 2014, 4:00 PM. Site walk at Emery Farm, Route 4. Meet at farm stand parking lot.
Conservation Commission - Thursday, August 14, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
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://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, please click HERE.
DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.
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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.
Camp REACH participants prepare to zip down the Alpine Slide at Attitash. Checking in at just over one mile in length, its the longest one in North America! Courtesy Kelly Sareault
FREE Summer Concert This Thursday - Join us this Thursday, August 7th at Wagon Hill Farm from 6:30-8PM for a fantastic performance by a band comprised of your favorite local artists: The Hamnesiac Acoustic Trio, featuring members of FLING! Bring a Picnic, Bring a Friend, Bring the Family…
On The Go!: Adventure Trips for Active Adults - On Thursday afternoon, a group of Durham residents enjoyed a tour of the Charles River and historical sites in Boston, aboard a Duck Boat named, “Theresa”. Immediately following the tour, they enjoyed dinner at Legal Sea Foods and shopping in the famous Prudential Center. To learn more about our On The Go! Trips, email: recreation@ci.durham.nh.us
Camp REACH
During Broadway Stars week, campers created scripts, acted in a short play, designed their own scenery, played theater games and learned how to practice improvisation! To learn more about upcoming adventure trips or camps, click HERE.
Today’s Adventure: Attitash Mountain
Next Week’s Adventure: Outdoor Climbing and Rappelling (Pawtuckaway State Park)
Next Week’s Camp: ARTastic – There’s something for the ARTist in everyone during this week! Each day begins with a new theme and challenge to build, paint, draw, mold, create, and design outrageous masterpieces! Bring your whacky, wild minds, and learn why ART is all around us! Sign up HERE.
Stay FIT This Summer: Please note that some class times and locations have changed for the summer. View our weekly calendar and class descriptions HERE!
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Save the Date:
Music by the Bay Summer Concert Series –
Studio Two - The Beatles Tribute (August 28th)
Camp R.E.A.C.H. – July 14 – August 22nd
Durham Day – Saturday, Sept. 27th. Click HERE to participate in Durham Day 2014
A Camp REACH participant jumps off a platform at Attitash, landing on a 60-by-60 foot airbag below during today’s Alpine Adventure Trip. Courtesy Kelly Sareault
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Echo Thrift Shop will have reduced hours during the month of August. Echo will be open Wed.- Sat. from 10AM - 2PM.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
On display in the Durham Public Library gallery on the 2nd floor: A Selection of Works by Nicholas Isaak, Jr. (1944-2011). Etchings, drawings, and oil paintings span from his student days in the Boston University MFA program to later in life. We invite you to view this collection of smaller pieces from the private collections of his son and daughter, Durham residents Nick Isaak and DPL Librarian, Nicole Isaak Moore.
McGregor Memorial EMS First Aid Course, Tues. August 12th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Visit cprsafe.org for information and to register. Fee is $20.00
Peace Corps Information Session, Tuesday August 19 @ 6:00-7:00PM - Serving in the Peace Corps is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn a new language, and have the experience of a lifetime. Join us at the Durham Public Library for an information session to learn about volunteer experiences, have your questions answered, and gain tips to guide you through the application process. Contact: Robert Orton 617-412-9587 rorton@peacecorps.gov
McGregor Memorial EMS CPR Course, Tues. August 19th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Visit cprsafe.org for information and to register. Fee is $20.00
Fall programming will start in September. Check our calendar soon for details.
Summer Readers! Stop by the Children’s Desk to pick up your reading certificates, Bagel Works certificate and prize books!
Join the Durham Public Library Birthday Book Club. Celebrate a child’s birthday in a unique way with a gift of a book to the library. Talk to the children’s librarian at the children’s desk for more details.
Visit the DPL website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.
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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
1815 - Durham Social Library was incorporated, used the Richardson bui8lding, and bought the property in 1883. The Library's share of Simpson house was sold to the church for $8,000. In 1893 the Town, Library Association and NHC consolidated, all contributing to support as they do today.
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