Friday Updates - December 5, 2014

Friday, December 5, 2014

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The Stark family in Durham was just a little bit happy to have their power restored after the heavy snowstorm that came across New Hampshire the day before Thanksgiving. Courtesy Mica Stark

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A thank you is extended to resdients for their patience and understanding during the Thanksgiving power outage.  

ABOUT 60 RESIDENTS ATTENDED MONDAY AND TUESDAY’S TOURS OF DURHAM's NEW TOWN HALL

On Monday and Tuesday evenings this week, December 1st and 2nd, members of the Town Council provided tours of Durham’s new Town Hall. 

Approximately 35 people stopped in for a tour on Monday and another 30 residents on Tuesday.  The tours seemed to go very well. 

Upon the departure of a group of residents on Monday evening, Town Councilor Julian Smith said, “We hope you enjoyed the tour of the ‘Toddj Mahal’!” 

If it has to be, I’m happy to have my name associated with such good public project, even in jest. :)

Kudos and appreciation is extended to all of the various Durham public boards, staff, architect/resident Art Guadano, Public Works Director Mike Lynch, and the numerous interested citizens who provided significant input as part of the design process for the project.  

TALKING TRASH IN DURHAM:  DID YOU KNOW ...

PROPERTY TAX BILLS BEING MAILED TO PROPERTY OWNERS

Property Tax Bills have been mailed and are due December 22, 2014.  Payment may be made by cash, check or debit/credit card, however; a fee of 2.75% will be charged by the debit/credit card if you choose to use it. 

Payments can be made in person or by mail to our office @ 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824 or use the return envelope included with your bill to our lock box off site.

If residents find that they are having difficulty paying the entire bill, it is to their advantage to pay as much as they can by the due date and make payments on the balance as soon as they are able.  Interest will only be charged on the remaining balance.  Please feel free to call the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office with any questions, 868-5577.

DURHAM'S HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION - Postponed to Rain Date - 12/13/14

Due to the weater, the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on Saturday, December 13th from 6-8 pm. Crafts, live music, bonfire, special guests, and refreshments will be available for the whole family.  Roast marshmallows and make your own s’more, or participate in our raffle, featuring great items from local businesses.  See you there! 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us.   Thank you for your cooperation.

FREE PARKING IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM OVER HOLIDAY SEASON

In coordination with the Durham Business Association, the parking kiosks in the immediate downtown business area will allow free parking to encourage residents and others to shop the downtown during the holidays.  The screen on the applicable kiosks will inform parkers of the free parking and will not accept any payment. The grace period that allows for free parking for shoppers will commence Monday December 15th and run through Friday January 2nd.  Note that the parking along all of the shops on Main Street and in the Sammy’s Lot always has 1 hour free parking (and a second hour free for residents with a valid Durham sticker) after obtaining a receipt from the parking kiosks.

COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES ZONING CHANGE THAT INCREASES THE MINIMUM SQUARE FOOTAGE OF HABITABLE FLOOR AREA PER OCCUPANT IN AN APARTMENT FROM 300 TO 600 SQ. FT.

At Monday evening’s Town Council meeting, following a public hearing, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2014-14, a Planning Board initiated zoning amendment regarding habitable square footage, Article II, Section 175-7, Definition of Household:  Table II-1 dwelling density by type.  This change has the effect of altering the minimum square footage of habitable floor area per occupant in an apartment from 300 square feet to 600 square feet (from 1 to .5 occupants per 300 square feet). 

The change in effect requires more square footage per person which is intended to discourage additional small sized apartments in Durham that are typically rented exclusively to UNH students, and to instead encourage future development to be targeted more toward adults and families, both of which require more space. 

The Council received oral and written testimony in favor of the change as well as feedback from a representative from the owner of Durham’s Mill Plaza spoke who spoke against the zoning change at the meeting. 

AN EXAMPLE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS LIVING IN/AMONGST A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY – Cleveland, Ohio

Inside the Judson Manor retirement community in Cleveland, Ohio, they have about 100 senior residents.  They also host several college students who live in apartments there. All are studying at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and were offered free rent in exchange for monthly performances.

It seemed like a common sense plan to bring music to the elderly, but it turned out to be much more than that.

Not only did the young people inject life into the community, but they also developed close friendships and discovered that they, themselves, are benefiting most from the innovative exchange program.

To learn more about this interesting initiative, click HERE.

UNH GRAD STUDENTS PLAN PRESENTATION EVALUATING DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT’S ALCOHOL ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE

A group of UNH graduate students will be making a presentation on a research project evaluating the Durham Police Department's Alcohol Enforcement Initiative.

Earlier this summer Chief Kurz had invited/asked UNH Professor Donna Perkins to have one of her research classes evaluate the Durham Police Alcohol Enforcement Initiative. 

Dr. Perkins was able to set up the parameters of a project where her grad students accompanied officers, surveyed students, and have now analyzed the data to give the department feedback on its hypothesis which is that if police officers physically arrest a person for an offense, others seeing the arrest will be deterred from further arrestable activity -- hence creating a more effective deterrent. 

Dr. Perkins and the class will be making their presentation to the department on Wednesday December 10th @ 9AM at the Town Hall, Council Chambers.  The public is welcome to attend.

FY 2015 BUDGET PROCESS DELIBERATIONS

The Foster’s Daily Democrat reported Wednesday on the FY 2015 budget process currently under deliberation by the Town Council.  To see this week’s article, click HERE.

OYSTER RIVER ENROLLMENT UPDATE FROM SUPERINTENDENT JAMES MORSE

Every year the New Hampshire Department of Education requires school districts throughout the state to report enrollment on October 1st. This year the official enrollment report shows an increase to 2,095 students from 2,058 students last year. Oyster River's enrollment has consistently grown for the past four years and if preschool students were to be added to this count, the District is over 2,100 students.

To read the Superintendent's full report regarding enrollment, click HERE.

DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION - 2014 ANNUAL ORNAMENT

Ornaments come beautifully gift boxed for $20 each, and can be purchased at the following locations: Durham Marketplace, Durham Town Hall (Town Clerk-Tax Collector Office), Emery Farm, Federal Savings Bank, Hayden Sports, People’s United Bank, Town & Campus.

    

BUNKER CREEK BRIDGE – CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS WANTED BY EXECUTIVE COUNCILOR COLIN VAN OSTERN

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is considering its plans to replace the bridge carrying Route 4 over Bunker Creek in Durham. 

To further this along, they have asked Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern to appoint three members of a Highway Layout Commission who can help facilitate a public hearing this fall on the matter in order to ensure local input. 

This work will be supported by the professional staff of the NH Department of Transportation, so it usually is not an intensive work project for the three members of the public who volunteer.

Typically, members are reimbursed for mileage as well as a modest per diem.  If residents are interested and able to help, please send Executive Councilor Van Ostern your address and phone number at colin@vanostern.com.

DO YOU HAVE 4 HOURS OF EXTRA TIME A WEEK?
The Durham Police Department is a member of the national Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program, and the department is seeking to add new members. They would welcome your “donation” of time to assist them with some simple clerical work that includes answering telephones and greeting visitors/customers at the police facility. 

Chief Kurz reports that there are several exceptional volunteers who are already contributing four (4) hours a week from 8:00AM to 12:00PM.  After a familiarization of the work involved, scheduling is as simple as signing up for these hours on any Monday through Friday.  If you can’t volunteer one week or two, it is fine, as the department truly appreciates the need for your flexibility. 

Each volunteer would have an abbreviated background check due to the confidential nature of position but if you have some free time and want to engage with community volunteering, Chief Kurz would love to talk to you.  Please contact him via dkurz@ci.durham.nh.us or by telephone at 868-2324.   

LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES NEED YOUR HELP!

Durham is fortunate to have two local food pantries that serve the wider Durham and UNH communities, the Cornucopia Food Pantry at the Waysmeet Center at 15 Mill Road, and the St. Thomas More Food Pantry on 6 Madbury Road.  Both pantries provide holiday food baskets for families at Thanksgiving and Winter holiday times. St. Thomas More expects to do approximately 100 food baskets and Cornucopia expects to do 200 or more.  Both accept and deeply appreciate help from the greater community in providing supplies and resources for these food baskets.  


This year, food resources from the NH Food Bank will be less than in past years, due to their own shortages in donations and the increased demands on food pantries across the State. Cornucopia is particular in need of stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, muffin and pancake mixes and eggs, and turkeys for the winter baskets.   Community Members who are able can help in the following ways:

1. Providing a turkey, gift certificate or monetary equivalent to allow Cornucopia to purchase turkeys.
2. Providing an entire food baskets with specific items to feed one family for the holidays.  A food donation packet and list is attached.
3. Providing several of the specific items on the food list, in particular, stuffing mix, muffin mixes, cranberry sauce, gravy, flour, potatoes, onions and celery.
4. Providing one or more of any of the items on the suggested food list.
5. Providing gift certificates of $20.00 or more for local supermarkets.

The food pantries welcome volunteers to help organize and distribute food baskets.  Thanksgiving food baskets will be organized on Monday November 24th, from 9-5, and distributed on Tuesday November 25th, from 9-5.  Winter baskets will be organized on Tuesday, December 16th, and distributed on Wednesday, December 17th, all at the Waysmeet Center on 15 Mill Road.


Folks interested in helping in any way or who have questions may contact Larry Brickner-Wood at Larry.brickner-wood@unh.edu or by calling Larry or Emily Dickman at 603-862-1165.and www.cornucopia.unh.edu.


People in need of a food basket may fill out a request form HERE.


The Cornucopia Food pantry is open weekly on Tuesday from 4-5:30 p.m.and Fridays from 12-2 p.m.  All are welcome and we always welcome community members as volunteers.


The St. Thomas More Food Pantry is open on Thursday from 4-6 p.m. and questions can be directed to 603-868-2666 and Cynthia Racic at cynth95419@aol.com.

 

TOY BANK BOX AT TOWN HALL

The Durham Professional Firefighters have placed a Toy Bank box at the Town Hall in the lobby to collect unwrapped toys for children for Christmas.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CAR BURGLARIES IN DURHAM

Chief Kurz wishes to remind residents that vehicles parked in your driveways should be locked.  While it is a sad commentary of the times, leaving vehicles locked provides enough deterrent to thieves that they will simply move on to vehicles that are not locked and remove anything of value they can locate quickly.  Historically in Durham locking your vehicle has been enough of a deterrent as locked vehicles have not been tampered with!   With crimes of opportunity such as these events, locked vehicles and motion activated outside lights are very effective in creating a secure environment.  Again, if you see or hear something that you deem suspicious, please call the Durham Police via 911 or 868-2324 as we are poised to quickly alleviate your concerns.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

The Town Hall will close at 3:00 PM on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th. All Town Offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 25th & 26th for the Christmas holiday.

 

The Town Hall will close at 3:00 PM on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31st. All Town Offices will be closed on New Year's Day, January 1st.

 

Refuse and Recycling Schedule During Christmas:

Normal collection on Wednesday, Dec 24th.

 
NO COLLECTION on Thursday, Dec 25th, pushed ahead one day (i.e., Thu. route will be picked up on Fri.)  All items out by 7AM as always. No commercial collection on Friday the 26th.

 
NO COLLECTION OF REFUSE AND RECYCLING on Thursday., January 1st, pushed ahead to Friday. No commercial collection on Friday, January 2nd.

VACATIONS IN THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE

Due to vacation schedules, the Town Administrator's Office will be closed the week of December 29, 2014 through January 2, 2015. Business Manager Gail Jablonski will serve as Acting Administrator during that time.

"FRIDAY UPDATES" PUBLICATION

There will be no publication of "Friday Updates" on Friday, December 26, 2014 or Friday, January 2, 2015. The first publication of the updates in 2015 will be Friday, January 9, 2015.

 

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.

Conservation Commission - Thursday, December 11, 2014

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 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.

Churchill Rink - Churchill Rink has a new website!  You can check the schedule, look up programs, and find out more information HERE.

Like Churchill Rink on FACEBOOK!

Advertise with us! Dasherboard advertising available for the 2014-2015 season. Please contact us for further pricing and information. Call us at 603-868-3907 or info@icerinks.com.

 
Birthday party packages:

Public session- Just $10 per person, includes, public skate admission, 2 pizzas and soda for your party. Bring your own cake and decoration a locker room for your party. Minimum of 10 participants.

Private ice parties also available. Please contact us at 603-868-3907 or info@icerinks.com.

Fall Hours - Please note that some class times and locations have changed for the fall. View our weekly calendar and class descriptions HERE!
Drop in to most of our fitness classes for only $10!

Durham's Tree Lighting Celebration – Moved to rain date- Saturday, December 13th

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Oyster River Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, Dec 6, 2014, 10AM - 2PM, Oyster River Middle School Cafeteria. Come shop local vendors and artisans for beautiful and tasteful gifts. This event supports the children of the Oyster River Middle School!

Oyster River Folk, Saturday, Dec 6, 2014, 7PM, Durham UU Fellowship. Featuring NE Folk Musicians David Surrertte, Susie Burke, and Kent Allyn. Tickets: $12.00 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Kids are free.

Reiki Clinic, Thursday, Dec 11, 2014, 6-8PM, Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street. Session last 15-20 mins. Appointments suggested. Walk-ins welcome. $10 donation. 30% proceeds donated to the church. Questions, contact Diane Gallant, diane@riverlighthealing.com, 603-396-4147.

Gingerbread House Contest, Saturday, Dec 13, 2014, 10AM - 3PM, UNH MUB Food Court. All proceeds benefit On Belay. Come build a gingerbread house and possibly win a prize! To pre-register for the event, click HERE. Contact Jason.Leach@unh.edu with questions.
Boy Scout Troop 154 Annual Christmas Tree Sale, every Saturday & Sunday now until Christmas, 9AM - 4PM, Mill Road Plaza. This is the Troop's only fund-raising event and funds its entire year of activities. Visit http://www.durham154.mytroop.us/ or contact Tom Richardson, 603-799-7610 for more information.

The Candy Bar is for Sale. If you or someone you know has always wanted to own a retail shop in Durham please contact Karen to set up an appointment, 603-397-5154, karen.lar@comcast.net, or come in person to the store located at 44 Main Street, Durham.

Mothers of Preschools (MOPS) supports and strengthens mothers in the care and nurture of children.  A new group has started meeting the third Friday of the month, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, at St. George's Episcopal Church, One Park Court.  All moms welcome!

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Decorate a Gingerbread Graham Cracker House Family program, Sat. Dec. 6th at 10:30 a.m. – Join us in the storytime room to decorate gingerbread graham cracker houses.
Crafternoon – Sat. Dec. 6th, from 12:00-4:00 p.m. – Join us in the storytime for a fun craft!
Toys for Tots Late Fee Amnesty! Bring in a new unwrapped toy before Dec. 19th 2014 for the Durham Fire Dept. Toy collection and we will erase your late fees! (Does not apply to lost items).
Game Afternoon: ages 10 & up, Mon., Dec. 8th at 2:45 p.m. -   This week’s game is:  "Ticket to Ride (America)"
Storytimes: Tues. Dec. 9th and Thurs. Dec. 11th at 10:30 a.m.  This week:  Snowmen and Snow!  We read stories, do fingerplays, feltboard and a craft.

Join the Bookeaters, a middle school monthly book discussion group on Weds. Dec. 10th from 2:45-4:00 pm.   This month’s book is “Gone” by Michael Grant.  Walk from the Middle School.  Ruth Wharton-McDonald is the facilitator.  Books are available at the library and pizza is served.
Acoustic Open Mic Night, Weds. Dec. 10th 6:30-8:00 p.m. – Can you sing? Play an instrument? Need an outlet for your talent? Then bring your instrument, whatever it may be and join in the fun at this monthly event hosted by Peg Chaffee and Cheryl Sager. Open Mic Night is held in the cafe. Refreshments will be served.
Oyster River Middle School Drama Club Production of “Alice in Wonderland”, Weds. Dec. 10th at 7:00 p.m. – Join us for this fun production of a classic with the ORMS Drama Club.
Upcoming Food Event, Weds. Dec. 17th  at 6:30 p.m. -   Presented by Chef & Professor Charlie Caramihalis from UNH Thompson School of Applied Science.  Sample a tasty fish treat, win a dinner at 180 Blue Restaurant, recipes, fish buying tips and fun! No reservation needed.  Free event. Contact Armida Geiger  ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us. Notice-This program is cancelled. Get To Know More About Sustainability in our community Mon. Dec. 8th 6:30PM
Lego Club, Thurs. Dec. 11th at 3:45 p.m. This week:  Comics, Cartoons & Graphic Novels!  For k-4th graders.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Fri., Dec. 12th at 10:30 a.m.  This week: Winter Fun and Sports!
Adult Games: Informal, drop-in on Fri. Dec. 12th at 12:30-2:00 p.m. Seeking chess players. Bridge, UNO, Scrabble, Checkers, etc. Contact: Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham
Family Storytime, Sat. Dec. 13th at 10:30 a.m.  This week:  Hats & Mittens!  Join us for stories, songs fingerplays, feltboard and a craft!  Next week, Dec. 20th:  Time to get Clean!
PJ Storytime, Tues. Dec. 16th at 6:30 p.m. – This month:  Holidays!  Join ORPP (Oyster River Parents and Pre-schoolers) and the library for this month’s PJ Storytime.  We read stories, do feltboard, sing songs, fingerplays and make a fun craft.  Snack provided by ORPP.  Wear your pajamas and all are welcome!
Family Movie, Sat. Dec. 20th at 2:00 p.m.  This month: Elf!  Join us in the community room for this month’s fun movie.  Popcorn is served.
Make-It-Take-It Craft in the Storytime room during School vacation week, Tues. Dec. 23rd – Weds. Dec. 31st.  – Join us for a fun, drop-in craft in the storytime room.
New for 3rd-5th graders!  A knitting club starting Weds. Jan.14th from 4-5 p.m.  Come and learn to knit for 6 weeks.  Space is limited.  Sign-up at the Children’s desk.
The Library will be closed at 3:00 p.m. on Weds. Dec. 24th and re-open on Mon. Dec. 29th at 2:30 p.m. for the Holidays.  Happy Holidays!  We will then close at 5:00 p.m. on Weds. Jan. 31st and re-open on Fri. Jan 2nd at 10:00 a.m.  Happy New Year!
In The Gallery...Neville Caulfield Photography Exhibit. Exhibit will continue to be on display for your viewing pleasure! Great photos from Caulfield, a Junior at ORHS.
Patch Club:  reading incentive program for ages 2-12 years.  Sign-up at the Children’s Desk!
Tales for Tails:  Read to a trained therapy dog K-4th grade - sign-up at the Children’s Desk.
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.

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.

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
1909 - The Boston Post newspaper gave a gold-headed cane to each New England town to be transmitted to the oldest resident. True Lovering was our first recipient, then J. Smith, E. Griffiths, C. Scott, S. Runlett, Jr., C. Pettee, A. Clough, A. Craig, F. York, H. Hatch, W. Dean and E. Hitchcock.

Please have a nice weekend.  It looks like a wintry mix of rain and snow will be moving into the greater Durham area tonight.  Changes of precipitation are, well, 100%...

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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