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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Town Council Chair (and police department volunteer) Jay Gooze receives a present from Santa during the Police Department's annual Holiday Party on Wednesday evening this week at the Durham Evangelical Church. Courtesy Todd Selig
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Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, passed away this week.
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DURHAM'S TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION - POSTPONED TO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH
Due to rain and wintry mix expected for this evening, the Durham Parks & Recreation Department has decided to move the tree lighting celebration to tomorrow evening, Saturday, December 7th from 6-8PM on Main Street.
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TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
All Town Offices will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24th and 25th, for the Christmas holiday.
The Town Hall will close at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, December 31st for New Year's Eve. All Town Offices are closed on New Year's Day, January 1st.
Refuse and Recycling Schedule During Christmas:
Normal collection on Tuesday, Dec 24th.
NO COLLECTION on Wednesday, Dec 25th, pushed ahead one day for rest of week (i.e., Wed. route will be picked up on Thu; Thu. route will be picked up on Fri., etc.). All items out by 7AM as always. No commercial collection on Friday.
TRANSFER STATION CLOSED on Tuesday, Dec 24th.
NO COLLECTION OF REFUSE AND RECYCLING on Wed., January 1st. Pushed ahead one day for rest of week. No commercial collection on Friday, January 3rd.
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DURHAM TOWN PLANNER TO PRESENT "THE ARCHITECTURE OF DURHAM: ICONIC BUILDINGS, RECENT PROJECTS, AND CURRENT PROPOSALS"
Town Planner Michael Behrendt will present "The Architecture of Durham: Iconic Buildings, Recent Projects, and Current Proposals" at the Durham Public Library on Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The slideshow and discussion will explore Durham’s building legacy and how newer buildings fit into this landscape.
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NO "FRIDAY UPDATES" ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2013
There will be no "Friday Updates" publication on Friday, December 27th. The next publication will occur on Friday January 3, 2014.
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TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION
The Town Council will hold a work session on Monday evening, December 9, 2013 beginning at 7PM. There will be allowance for public comments to be made relating to the budget at the beginning of the meeting.
To read an article that was in Foster's Daily Democrat regarding the proposed 2014 budget entitled, "Few Frills in Durham Proposed Budget Proposal", go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131204/GJNEWS_01/131209756&template=GreatBayRegion.
In addition, there is another more detailed overview on the budget farther down in this week's "Friday Updates." This includes a link to some alternative suggestions two Town Councilors have offered for consideration by the board.
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UNH OUTDOOR POOL – Setting the Record Straight by UNH President Mark Huddleston
This past weekend, UNH President Mark Huddleston crafted an Op Ed which was printed in the Foster’s Daily Democrat as follows:
“UNH and Durham are truly one community. While we might not always agree, we have a long history of working together to resolve important community issues. From the first day of my tenure as president seven years ago, maintaining a positive and constructive relationship with our neighbors has been one of my highest priorities.
Recent news coverage, editorials, and letters on these pages have blurred the facts around UNH’s plans for a safe, clean, and accessible outdoor pool that will serve the campus and local community. Because this relationship is so important to me personally, I must set the record straight.”
To read the full piece, click HERE.
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DURHAM TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION THAT URGES UNH TO RECONSIDER CLOSURE OF THE OUTDOOR POOL
On Monday evening, Town Councilor Wayne Burton introduced a Resolution urging the USNH Board of Trustees and UNH administrative leaders to reconsider their decision to close the outdoor pool for the summer of 2014 and encourages them to engage in planning that honors the pool’s historical significance, and preserves, as closely as possible, its historic form.
To read the full Town Council Resolution, click HERE.
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ADMINISTRATOR SELIG REQUESTS THE UNIVERSITY RECONSIDER DECISION TO CLOSE POOL IN 2014 - Letter Sent Following Through with Monday's Town Council Resolution
Following up on the Town Council Resolution adopted Monday evening, Administrator Todd Selig sent a detailed letter to UNH
concerning the outdoor pool.
The letter states, in part:
“It is my request on behalf of the town of Durham that UNH will comply with the spirit of the 2006 pool agreement, retract the pool closure announcement, and proceed toward a mutually satisfactory resolution of the outdoor pool issue.”
To read Administrator Selig’s letter to UNH, click HERE.
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DURHAM AND UNH DISCUSS OUTDOOR POOL - Report from Meeting on Nov. 21st
Town and University representatives discussed several options concerning the UNH Outdoor Pool Thursday afternoon, November 21, 2013, from 3-5 PM at Thompson Hall including designs for a new campus swimming pool ranging from 10,000 to 16,000 square feet, as well as a retrofit to the existing pool which would decrease its size from around 42,000 square feet to 32,000 square feet.
No decisions were made.
Refined cost estimates for the various designs were not available.
In the spring, UNH provided the Town with preliminary cost estimates for various pool configurations as follows:
Existing pool retrofit - $6,600,000 - $7,000,000
16,000 sq. ft. facility - $4,800,000
13,500 sq. ft. facility - $4,200,000
10,000 sq. ft. facility - $3,700,000
Durham and UNH representatives discussed a possible layout for a 32,000 sq. ft. facility, two options for a 16,000 sq. ft. facility, and two options for a 10,000 sq. ft. facility. The University’s pool engineering and architectural consultants also provided a “shadow analysis” illustrating the impact of shadows cast from the existing Hamel Recreation Center as well as the possible expansion of the recreation facility in different configurations in mid July at 3 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM.
Finally, the group saw three possible configurations of the future Hamel Recreation Center expansion project, only one of which impacted the UNH Outdoor Pool’s present footprint.
The University’s architectural and engineering design team will take into consideration suggestions made by the group and will return with refined plans. After that time, more detailed pricing will be developed for the benefit of the parties.
Unfortunately, it appears that the time it will take to obtain pricing will not align with the town’s annual 2014 budget process which must be wrapped up by December 31, 2013.
There has not been discussion to date within the group relative to whether areas identified by NHDES as deficiences relative to a modern pool facility could be retrofitted complete with associated costs, and whether waivers from NHDES could be obtained for grandfathered aspects of the pool, thereby ensuring health, safety, project affordability, and preservation of the historic structure. UNH has thus far indicated that the outdoor pool facility must meet or exceed modern pool standards.
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New Town Hall building at 8 Newmarket Road. The support columns shown above
do not have steel within as shown on as built design plans Courtesy Todd Selig
NEW TOWN HALL UPDATE
WHAT -- NO STEEL IN THE DRIVE THROUGH SUPPORTS AT THE NEW TOWN HALL?
Although the as built design drawings on file for the former People's United Bank building at 8 Newmarket Road, the site of the new Durham Town Hall, showed that the drive through brick supports were reinforced with steel beams in the center designed to hold up the building above the drive through windows, when Durham Public Works dug into the brick beams to confirm this, there was not in fact steel inside! A tremendous example of why professional code enforcement is needed as part of construction projects. The Town Hall project will now have to address this unexpected situation. Architect Art Guadano and Hutter Construction have both been made aware of the deficiency.
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2013 TAX RATE FOR DURHAM (TOWN, SCHOOL, AND COUNTY)
The Town has received confirmation of its tax rate for 2013 from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration as part of the annual tax setting process.
The new rate for the Town (municipal) portion of the bill is up 9.59% over last year (or 73 cents) from $7.61 to $8.34. The total School (local and state) rate is up by 4.29% over 2012 (or 79 cents) to $19.21. The County rate is up 5.15% over 2012 (or 14 cents) to $2.86. This increases the full tax rate for Durham (municipal, local school, state school, & county) for 2013 by 5.77% (or $1.66).
The 2013 approved municipal budget projected a Town (municipal) tax rate of $8.27 or an increase of 8.60%. In 2013 the Town underwent a statistical update of properties which resulted in a change in the assessed valuation; a reduction of .77%. Single-family homes fell in value by an average of 5.56% as part of the statistical update with condominiums dropping by an average of 8.84%. If the tax rate was computed using the 2012 valuations it would have been $8.27 as proposed.
Because the overall Durham rate increase is very close to the reduction in average valuations for homeowners, most residents will see their 2013 tax bills remain relatively flat compared to 2012. This is not true in all cases, however, as each house is assessed based on individual characteristics to reflect its value within the broader market.
In terms of the allocation of taxes in Durham across governmental jurisdictions, the School (local & state) comprises 63.17% of the annual tax bill. The Town (municipal) portion of the rate comprises 27.43% of the overall tax bill received by property owners. The County comprises 9.40% of the annual tax bill for 2013.
The primary driver impacting the Town (municipal) portion of the tax rate in the 2013 budget was the Town Council’s decision, based upon public feedback, to move the 2013 road program totaling $331,407 from debt service to a cash basis. Although impacting the tax rate for 2013, it will actually save the Town significant dollars in interest costs over the next 20 years.
The following is a breakdown of the numbers noted above.
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BUDGET UPDATE FOR 2014 PROPOSED BUDGET
In accordance with the Town Charter, the Administrator’s proposed 2014 Budget, which includes the General Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, Library Fund, Parking Fund, Depot Road Lot Fund, Churchill Rink Fund, Stone Quarry TIF Fund, and Downtown TIF Fund budgets, as well as the Administrator’s proposed 2014-2023 Capital Improvement Plan was made available to the Town Council.
This year’s budget cycle has resulted in a proposed 2014 General Fund budget totaling $13,612,993.00, a spending increase of $905,435 or 7.13% compared to FY 2013. Non-property tax revenues are expected to increase in FY 2014 by $295,961 or 5.5% to $5,672,456. In total, this year’s budgetary proposal is projected to increase the 2014 local municipal portion of the tax rate by 36 cents (or 4.35%) to $8.63 from the estimated 2013 level of $8.27. If recommended General Fund funding – totaling $270,000 -- allocated as an annual contribution toward preserving as close to possible the existing footprint of the UNH Outdoor Pool were removed, the municipal tax rate increase would be .97%.
In 2014, the tax base is projected to increase by $11 million or approximately 1.2%.
The Town Council received feedback from the public on Monday, November 18, 2013, during a public hearing on the proposed 2014 budget and CIP plan at the Town Council meeting regarding the Administrator’s proposed 2014 budget. After more than 90 minutes of public feedback regarding the UNH Outdoor Pool, the Council voted unanimously to remove the proposed $270,000 allocation from the budget. In addition, Councilors – Jim Lawson and Carden Welsh – have subsequently developed a list of suggested spending reductions for consideration by the Council. To view this list which has been distributed to members of the Council, click HERE.
The Council will next discuss the Administrator’s Proposed 2014 Budget on December 9 as part of a budget worksession. Public comments regarding the budget only will be accepted at the start of the worksesion on December 9. If the public has additional feedback, the Council will continue to accept written and verbal feedback though December 16th. December 16th is the last scheduled Council meeting for 2013 and the board has until December 31st to approve the budget or the Administrator’s proposal becomes the budget by default.
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SECOND DURHAM TV CHANNEL IN THE WORKS
As part of the Town’s new franchise agreement with Comcast, a new TV channel (channel number TBD) will be added to the local television line up dedicated to the Oyster River School District. Presently, Durham and ORSCD share Channel 22/DCAT. This change will give both entities more bandwidth for broadcasting. We believe the new channel will be on line within the next month to two months. DCAT Coordinator (and Durham resident) Craig Stevens is managing the task of bringing this new channel on line.
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DURHAM MARKETPLACE DONATION TO HELP NH FOOD BANK
The Durham Marketplace will make a generous donation to the NH Food Bank today, December 6th – a Freightliner Refrigerated Truck plus a check for close to $3,000 collected from area businesses.
At noon, Durham Marketplace owner Chuck Cressy, Store Manager Perry Shaw, and Perishable Products Manager Eric Chiasson will arrive at the NH Food Bank with the truck and a giant check representing the cash gift.
Combined with the cash, the value of the donation is well over $15,000.
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WATER/SEWER AND PROPERTY TAX BILLS - DUE DATES
Water/Sewer Bills: Due to the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office on Thursday, December 12, 2013.
Property Taxes: Due Monday, December 23, 2013
Please contact the Tax Collector's office at 868-5577 with an questions.
NOTE: If residents disagree with their new assessment, they may apply for an abatement using the application on the Town website, https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/assessing/abatements. The application is due on March 3, 2014 (Normally due on March 1, but this date falls on a Saturday in 2014.)
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Durham's newest Police Officer, Max Castricone, was sworn into office by Town Clerk-Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt on September 3, 2013. Courtesy Durham PD
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PLANNING BOARD
Public Hearing - 49 Main Street. Design Review for redevelopment of a commercial site with a three-story mixed-use building. Paul Eja, proprietor of Pauly’s Pockets, applicant; Michael Sievert, MJS Engineering, engineer. Tax Map 5, Lot 1-2. Central Business Zoning District.
Recommended action: Discussion and continue public hearing and design review to January 8.
16 Strafford Avenue. Modification to approved site plan for an office building to change the dumpster location, slightly reconfigure the parking layout, eliminate the propane tank, and extend the fence onto an abutting property. Xemed Holdings, LLC, Bill Hersman, applicant; DeStefano and Associates, Butch Ricci, contractor. Tax Map 2, Lot 8-3. Professional Office Zoning District. Recommended action: Final action.
6 Jenkins Court. Modification to approved site plan for mixed-use building to use one of two on-site parking spaces for a utility trailer that will transport solid-waste containers. Michael Sievert, MJS Engineering, engineer; Matt Crape, property owner. Tax Map 4, Lot 8-0. Central Business Zoning District. Recommended action: Final action.
Public Hearing (continued) - 17 & 21 Madbury Road. Formal site plan and conditional use application for “Madbury Commons,” a complete redevelopment of multifamily site known as “The Greens” for mixed use project with student/multifamily housing for 460 +/- residents, office/retail, and parking. Golden Goose Properties, Barrett Bilotta, Ken Rubin, and Eamonn Healey (applicant); Rose Lawn Properties, Laura Gangwer (owner of 17 Madbury); GP Madbury 17, Barrett Bilotta (owner of 21 Madbury); Michael Sievert, MJS Engineering (engineer); Shannon Alther, TMS Architects (Architect), Robbi Woodburn, Landscape Architect. Tax Map 2, Lots 12-3 & 12-4. Central Business Zoning District. Recommended action: Discussion and continue to January 8.
Discussion with Dave Cedarholm, Town Engineer about Town water and sewer capacity and inspection process.
Zoning Amendment proposed by the Economic Development Committee to allow Elderly Housing, Mixed Housing Types in the Durham Business Park Zoning District. Recommended action: Discussion and set public hearing for January 8.
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MCGREGOR MEMORIAL EMS SELECTED FOR RADIO INTERVIEW
McGregor Memorial EMS has been selected to appear on The Financial Exchange on WRKO AM 680 and locally on WTSN AM 1270 on Friday, December 13, 2013. During the month of December, The Financial Exchange will be using their program as a charity fundraising tool by inviting selected small, charities onto the program and then soliciting listeners to donate. In addition, The Financial Exchange will pledge $500 to the charity.
McGregor Memorial EMS is celebrating 45 years of providing emergency medical care to the communities of Durham, Lee, Madbury and the University of New Hampshire. A private, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, McGregor EMS is comprised of over 70 volunteer members and staff who provide professional emergency medical care. McGregor's educational "Institute of EMS" works to educate New Hampshire's next generation of emergency responders and is home to the CPR Safe Program for schools. For more information about McGregor including volunteer opportunities, visit http://mcgregorems.org/
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The 2013 DBA annual ornament commemorating the new Durham Public Library
ORNAMENT SALES
The 2013 Annual Ornament commemorates Durham’s new public library, sold exclusively through the Durham Business Association. The ornaments come beautifully gift boxed for $20 each. The ornament can be purchased at Durham Marketplace, Emery Farm, Federal Savings Bank, people’s United Bank, Town & Campus, Hayden Sports, and the Town Hall.
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SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST WILL MEET ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH
The Supervisors of the Checklist will meet on Saturday, December 7, 2013, from 11:00 – 11:30 AM at the Durham Town Hall to accept new voters and to make corrections to the checklist. This session is in preparation for the Special Election that will be held December 17. Since this is a regular election and not a primary, changes in party registration can also be made at this session as well as on election day.
Prospective voters are required by law to show proof of identity, Age (18 by election day), domicile/residence in Durham and U.S. citizenship. A driver’s license with a Durham address and a passport are ideal proofs, but others are accepted. If proofs are lacking, affidavits may be signed under oath.
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SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION - DECEMBER 17, 2013
In October the Town Council requested the Governor and Executive Council to schedule a special election for the purpose of filling the vacancy of the seat formerly held by Representative Philip Ginsburg as soon as possible.
The period for declaration of candidacy has closed with two persons filing for the District 6 seat: Democrat Amanda Merrill of Durham and Republican Deidre Lepkowski of Madbury.
Because there is not a contested race within each party, the primary election is cancelled and the actual election will occur on the primary date -- December 17th.
Absentee ballots are now available. Please contact the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office at 603-868-5577.
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CORNUCOPIA FOOD PANTRY SENDS HEARTFELT THANKS!
Cornucopia wishes to thank everyone for their wonderful suppot and generosity during the Thanksgiving Food basket distribution at the Cornucopia Food Pantry at the Waysmeet Center in Durham. Over 150 volunteers distributed 215 food baskets, serving over 1,100 people with over 10,000 pounds of food and food valued at over $21,000. There was wonderful response from Durham residents, businesses, community groups, as well as UNH students, student organizations, athletic teams, offices and departments, residence halls, and classes. It was truly a wonderful collective and communtiy effort.
Special thanks to the Durham businesses and organizations who have been so wonderful and generous. Thank you especially to Calling All Cargo in Dover, Bella's Restaurant, The Candy Bar, the Durham Marketplace, Wildcat Fitness, Breaking New Grounds, The Works Cafe, When Pigs Fly Bakery, Hannaford's in Dover, and Trader Joe's in Newington. Cornucopia is also thankful for community organizations such as the Community Church of Durham, the Durham-Great Bay Rotary Club, Oyster River Middle School students and staff, Seacoast Eat Local, SolAmor Hospice, Unlimited Possibilities, the Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, UNH Slow Foods, UNH Community Leadership Program, Wildcat Friends, and the NH Food Bank.
Winter holiday baskets will be done on December 17th and 18th. Baskets will be put together on Tuesday the 17th and distributed on Wednesday the 18th. As UNH is out of session at that time, more community volunteers and resources are need. Please consider volunteering on one or both days, and also donating food or funds if possible. Here are some ways to help:
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Providing a ham, gift certificate or monetary equivalent to allow Cornucopia to purchase food.
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Providing an entire food baskets with specific items to feed one family for the holidays. A food donation packet and list is attached.
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Providing several of the specific items on the food list, in particular, cereals, eggs, dairy and cheese, stuffing mix, muffin mixes, cranberry sauce, gravy, flour, potatoes, onions and celery.
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Providing one or more of any of the items on the suggested food list.
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Providing gift certificates of $20.00 or more for local supermarkets. wee put one of these in each food basket.
Persons 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, Catherine Lee, or Emily Dickman at 603-862-1165 and MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.cornucopia.unh.edu" claiming to be "waysmeet@comcast.net". Cornucopia's website is http://www.cornucopia.unh.edu/. Persons in need of a food basket may fill out a request form at this web site.
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.
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.
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At the December 2, 2013 Town Council meeting, Council Chair Jay Gooze presented Durham Firefighter Richard Stevens with a Certificate of Appreication recognizing his 20 years of dedicated service. Courtesy Todd Selig
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CHURCHILL RINK AT JACKSON'S LANDING SKATE SCHEDULE
For details on the schedule, please go to https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/churchillrink or call the rink at 868-3907.
Public Skate Schedule:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:00pm - 3:20pm
Tuesday's:12:00pm - 4:20pm
Thursday's: 12:00pm - 1:50pm
Saturday & Sunday 2:00pm -3:45pm
Public Skate Admission: $5.00 (13 and up), $3.00 Child (12 & Under)
Individual Season Pass $75.00
Family Season Pass $150.00
Open Stick & Puck (unstructured hockey)
Monday - Friday 10:50am - 11:50am
Sunday 11:00am - 12:20pm
$5.00/pp
Drop in Hockey (limited to 20 and 2 goalies, full gear required)
Monday, Wednesday Friday 12:00pm - 1:20pm
Monday & Wednesday 3:30pm - 4:50pm (ends November 13th)
Friday 8:00pm - 9:20pm
Sunday 9:30am - 10:50am
$10/pp
Family Pond Hockey (Helmet required)
Sunday 12:30pm - 2:00pm
$5.00/pp
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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.
Town Council - Monday, December 9, 2013. Budget & CIP Work session. To view agenda, click HERE.
Conservation Commission - Monday, December 9, 2013 - Meeting followed by Site Walk (9:30 - 11:00 AM). To view agenda, click HERE.
Zoning Board of Adjustment - Tuesday, December 10, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Planning Board - Wednesday, December 11, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Conservation Commission - Thursday, December 12, 2013. 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.
Tree Lighting Celebration Moved to Saturday
December 7th from 6-8PM on Main Street
Don’t miss the $2 raffle; we have everything from a $100 HomeGoods gift certificate to a $50 flower bouquet and free pizza vouchers!
Some raffle participants include: Seacoast Soapstone Company, PLAY!, The Works, FroyoWorld, Masiello Group, Red Carpet Floral Shop, McLauchglin-Hills Gallery, The Works, and GoLite.
Play games and win prizes! Dance and sing along to Holiday classics! Take your family photo with our special guests! Make your own ornament to hang on the Town tree! Sip hot chocolate from The Candy Bar! Stay warm by the bonfire right in the middle of Main Street! Stop by Red Carpet Flower Shop for baked goods and special discounts! Help us count down to the Annual Tree Lighting!
Yoga for Seniors – NEW! - Find out more HERE.
Beginner’s Tai Chi – COMING SOON!
Classes will begin on January 7th, and take place each Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10-11AM. Contact: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to be added to our email list today!
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
UNH Wildcat Club Hockey Team First Annual Granite State Cup Game to Benefit Make-A-Wish, Friday, Dec 6, 2013, 7:30 PM, Whittemore Center. Admission is FREE, donations to Make-A-Wish appreciated. Read more about the event, HERE.
UNH Physical Education Parent's Night Out, Friday, Dec 6, 2013, 5-8:00 PM, UNH New Hampshire Hall Gymnasium. $15/child, $10/each additional child. Parents can drop off children ages 5 and up and have a night to themselves. Children will be provided with pizza and activities. RSVP by Dec 2nd to Sarah McVerry, smcverry73@gmail.com.
Moharimet Elementary School Silent Auction, Saturday, December 7, 2013, Stone Church in Newmarket. Doors open at 6PM, auction from 6 - 8:15 PM, followed with performance by Juston at 9:15 PM. Adult-only event. Tickets: $30/each includes heavy hors d'oeuvres. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
Oyster River Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, Dec 7, 2013, 10AM - 3PM, OR High School Gym. All proceeds go to support the ORMS PTO.
Oyster River Holiday Gingerbread House Construction Fundraiser to Benefit On Belay, Saturday, Dec 7, 2013, 10AM 3PM, MUB Food Court (UNH), $15/team pre-registration, $20/team at the door. To register email allie.birchmeier@unh.edu.
Holiday Skating Party for UNH/Durham Community, hosted by UNH, Tuesday, Dec 10, 2013, 3:30 - 7PM, Whittemore Center Arena. Bring unwrapped toy or gift for a local child or teenager. For more information, click HERE.
Granite State Ringers Present Bells in Winter Concert, Sunday, Dec 15, 2013, 3PM, Community Church of Durham. Tickets: $10/person; $25/family, available at door or at church, Mon-Thu, 9AM - 3PM. Proceeds used to address hunger needs.
Boy Scout Troop 154 Christmas Tree Sale, weekends 9AM - 4PM, Durham Marketplace parking lot. The tree sale has been the troop's sole fund-raising effort for approximately 50 years.
Christmas Trees for Sale at Albright Tree Farm, 172 Packers Falls Road, weekends 9AM to dark; weekdays by appointment. Call 603-502-9208.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Affordable Health Care Act sign-up help by appointment at the library on Thurs. Dec. 12th from 4-8 pm. If you want to sign up for the Affordable Health Care Act, you must be enrolled by December 23rd to receive coverage that begins by January 1. Mary Moynihan, a Certified Application Councilor from Goodwin Community Health, will be here to help anyone that wants to apply or enroll for the program. Register at the library for an appointment that day, or let us know if you need help but can't make it at that time. Appointments available 4-8 pm on Thursday, December 12. Call 868-6699 or email at durhampl@gmail.com.
Toys for Children, Late Fee Amnesty – Want to do a good deed and get your overdue library late fees erased? Bring in a new, unwrapped toy for the Durham Fire Department’s Toy collection or diapers for A Safe Place. We will erase your late fees. This does not apply to lost items. Deadline is Dec. 13th.
Chess and Board Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up), Monday Dec. 9th 3:00-4:00 p.m. – Join us every Monday afternoon now in the Young Adult room for a game of chess (or other board games). This will be our last one of the year. We will start again on Monday, Jan. 13th at 3:00 p.m.
Pre-school Storytimes: Tues. Dec. 10th and Thurs. Dec. 12th at 10:30 a.m. – The theme is: Bears!
Libros Lovers, High School Book Group, Weds. Dec. 11th 2:45-4:00 p.m. – Join us for this high school book group. This month’s book is “Every Day” by David Levithan. Ruth Wharton-MacDonald is the facilitator and pizza is served. All are welcome.
Lego Club (1st-4th graders), Thurs. Dec. 12th at 3:45-4:45 p.m. – Join us Thursdays to make Lego creations. Lego Club is in need of Lego Donations! Have any Legos that you would like to donate to the library? They will be put to good use at our very popular Lego Club. This will be our last one of the year. We will start again on Thursday, Jan. 16th at 3:45 p.m.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Friday Dec. 13th, 10:30 a.m. – This week: England. We will hear books, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft. This group is geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome. This will be the last one of the year. We will start again on Friday, Jan. 17th at 10:30 a.m.
Crafternoon – Fri. Dec. 13th 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Stop by the Children’s craft room on Fridays for a fun craft.
Storytelling with Sean, Family Program Saturday, Dec. 14th at 10:30 a.m. – Join us for this fun family program. Local storyteller Sean Middleton will release his new CD and tell us Classic folk stories. Don’t miss this fun event.
Pajama Storytime, Tues. Dec. 17th, 6:30 p.m. – This month: Holidays! Join ORPP and the Durham Library for PJ storytime. Come wearing your Pajamas! This month we will read stories about the Holidays and make a fun holiday craft. Snack provided by ORPP. All are welcome. This is a fun way for parents and children to meet.
Family Movie Afternoon, “The Polar Express”, Sat. Dec. 21st 2:00 p.m. – Join us upstairs for this month’s movie “The Polar Express”! Get your train ticket at the door for this fun movie afternoon. Popcorn and special treats will be served and all are welcome!
Make-It-Take-It Craft all week in the Children’s room during Oyster River School Vacation week, 12/23-12/31 – Stop by the children’s room to make a fun craft.
Patch Club! Earn patches and a library bag for your reading time. Register at the children’s desk.
Baby Lap-sit has ended for the year. We will start again on Sat. Jan. 11th at 10:30 a.m.
Visit the DPL website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.
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WEEKLY ARREST REPORT
*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May
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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.
1718 - Known as the second falls in 1694, the "hole streame of Lamprele River for erecting mills" was sold to Capt. Thomas Packer of Portsmouth, and others. The name Packers Falls did not appear in Town records until 1759, but since the name has been used for the road and the district.
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Have a nice weekend.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, New Hampshire
T: 603-868-5571 F: 603-868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us http://www.ci.durham.nh.us
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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