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NEWS & HAPPENINGS...
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Friday, February 10, 2017
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Durham House of Pizza owner Steve Petrovitsis shoveling this afternoon following yesterday's storm. Courtesy Todd Selig
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What is it they say, “feast or famine!” Very little snow for weeks on end and then wham, a foot in one storm! Another large storm is being tracked approaching our area potentially bringing up to 24” of additional snow.
As a safety reminder, be sure to dig out all of the exhaust vents along your home/apartment/business foundation to ensure they do not become blocked as a result of deep drifting/piled snow. Blocked exhaust vents can cause harmful gasses to back up into the structure with potentially dangerous results.
And if you still have energy after digging out your home, the Durham Fire Department would very much appreciate help digging out hydrants along local roadways.
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The seal of the Town of Durham.
WHAT'S THAT LITTLE, BUT MIGHTY VESSEL IN THE CENTER OF DURHAM'S TOWN SEAL? (A gundalow, of course!)
A gundalow is a shallow drafted type of cargo barge, once common in the Gulf of Maine’s rivers and estuaries. The Piscataqua gundalow began as a simple undecked barge, first appearing in the mid 1600’s, poled or rowed with long oars. From the 1700’s into the 1900’,s gundalows evolved into fully decked flat-bottomed cargo carriers with a cabin and lateen sail that could be lowered to “shoot” under bridges. The sail acted as an ‘auxiliary engine’ since gundalows depended on the tides to take them upriver on the rising tide and downriver on the falling tide.
Built from wood lot timber, most salt-water farmers, fishermen, or traders simply built their own. No two gundalows were alike. The Fanny M. was launched from Adam’s Point in Durham in 1886 by Captain Edward H. Adams. It was the last gundalow to operate commercially in the area.
We actually have two beautiful framed sketches of the Fanny M. in the Town Hall’s upstairs conference room donated by The Malcolm Chase Family.
Gundalows were the equivalent of today’s tractor-trailer rigs, sometimes measuring over 70 feet long and 19 feet wide. They could navigate shallow rivers, carrying freight of up to 50 tons between ocean-going schooners and the growing towns of the Piscataqua region such as the Oyster River Plantation, later known as Durham. Raw cotton, spices, bricks, and other goods from around the world were transported from the schooners to area businesses and factories. Farm produce, oysters and fish, lumber, manufactured goods, locally made bricks, native-hewn granite, cordwood and coal were all carried on gundalows.
So when you see the gundalow on our seal, you are seeing an important and interesting component of the early part of our community’s history. To learn more about these interesting vessels, visit the Gundalow Company at Strawberry Banke or learn more on line HERE.
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Durham and Emery Farm are working together as part of a pilot public-private partnership to address the needs of each organization.
DURHAM-EMERY FARM INFORMAL PARTNERSHIP | PARKING AND HOT CHOCOLATE
As you may know, during busy sledding days at Wagon Hill Farm, we are sometimes are challenged with sufficient parking. Parking is prohibited along busy Route 4 for safety reasons.
Emery Farm is also working diligently to attract business, and is hopeful that WHF sledders and their families might be interested in driving across the street to warm up with some delicious hot chocolate/coffee, and peruse their home grown and NH Made inventory.
To this end, Emery Farm is agreeable to host overflow WHF sledding parking in their lot along the south side with cars facing Route 4. This would allow for additional parking for numerous vehicles and still allow continued access for Emery Farm’s regular patrons during these times. For its part, Durham will allow simple signage letting people know that hot chocolate and other snacks are available at Emery Farm.
If Durham police note that there is overflow parking being used during busy sledding days, we’ll divert an officer over to help shuttle families across the roadway. At all times, however, residents should utilize due caution crossing busy Rt. 4.
It makes for a unique partnership. On one hand Durham would be supporting a local farm, which is an overt Town goals, and we would also ensure adequate WHF parking without further parking expansion there. For Emery Farm, it could entice possible customers to frequent Emery Farm who might not otherwise do so. It would also keep cars from parking dangerously along busy Route 4.
With Thursday’s snowfall upon us and another significant storm system moving in on Sunday evening into Monday, I think we may have a real opportunity at a win-win partnership between public and private.
Wagon Hill Farm is sure to be hopping this weekend with young sledders and their families.
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DURHAM TOWN ELECTION - TUESDAY MARCH 14, 2017
The town election will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Voters will park in reserved spaces along the front of the school and use the Multipurpose Room entrance.
The following is a list of citizens that have filed for the Durham elected offices:
Town Council, 3 positions (3-year terms):
Katherine (Kitty) Marple
Sally Tobias
Carden Welsh
Library Board of Trustees, 2 positions (3-year terms):
Anne H. Knight
Susan Roman
Town Clerk-Tax Collector, 1 position (3-year term):
Lorrie Pitt
Treasurer, 1 position (3-year term):
Karl VanAsselt
Trustees of the Trust Funds, 1 position (3-year term):
William Cote
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OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION INFORMATION
The filing period for the ORCSD elected offices for the March 14, 2017 closed today at 5PM.
The following list of citizens filed for the School Board elected offices:
At Large School Board, 2 positions (3-year terms)
Denise Day – Durham
Michael Williams – Madbury
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DURHAM SANCTUARY CITY DISCUSSION TO CONTINUE WITH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
After a lengthy debate Monday night, the Town Council appears unlikely to pursue "sanctuary city" status in Durham.
Instead, the council directed its Human Rights Commission to formulate a "resolution of values" that promotes diversity but stops short of any formal action regarding local enforcement of federal immigration law.
"The emphasis of the resolution will not be that Durham will become a sanctuary city," Council Chair Kitty Marple said Tuesday to the Foster’s Daily Democrat. "We want to send a message of inclusion, that we are aware what is going on at the national level and that we are watching."
To learn more about the meeting as reported in Foster's Daily Democrat, click HERE.
To watch approximately 90 minutes of public comment and an additional 70 minutes of Council discussion, visit DCAT On Demand. The issue was discussed during two sections of the meeting: Public Comments & New Business, which can be accessed on the right in the Index Points.
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2016 Town Report cover. Courtesy Jennie Berry. Photo by Todd Selig.
PRINTED VERSION OF 2016 DURHAM ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE AT TOWN OFFICE
The printed version of the 2016 Town of Durham Annual Report is ready to be picked up by interested residents/taxpayers at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office. Copies will also be available at the Durham Public Library.
The report has also been posted on the Town website for easy access to any and all and can be viewed HERE.
Kudos are extended to Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry for her hard work and effort on this annual document!
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SIDEWALK VENDORS AND THE CHALLENGES THEY CAUSE DOWNTOWN | Feedback requested from local businesses.
As many local business have reported, when various vendors set up downtown along our roadways to sell their wares, it creates additional pressure on downtown parking, results in large crowds of young people crowding sidewalks and dangerously weaving in and out of cars along busy Main Street to wait in line, and also, according to local businesses, unfairly competes with them as the itinerant vendors do not pay property taxes, etc. The Durham Book Exchange has expressed considerable frustration in the past, for example, regarding book sellers/buyers setting up their vans.
While the Town cannot address the competition issue, RSA 31:102-a allows the town to make “restrictions as to the areas of the municipality open to licensees and the hours and days of their operation.”
It appears to us that implied in this is that the restriction needs to be reasonable, but if the Town can make a legitimate health, safety, and welfare argument that having these vendors on Main Street is simply too dangerous due to the traffic, then Mr. Selig believes the Town can very likely ban all vendors from Main Street and move them to the side streets to mitigate the concerns the community might have.
To this end, Mr. Selig has asked Chief Kurz and Deputy Chief Kelley to spend some time crafting a Council communication addressing the safety-related issues caused by the activity on Main Street.
If residents or business have feedback concerning this issue, please email dkurz@ci.durham.nh.us or rkelley@ci.durham.nh.us. You can also call them at (603) 868-2324.
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LIGHTING ON THE SCAMMELL BRIDGE | LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS MET THIS WEEK AT NHDOT HQ IN CONCORD
On Wednesday morning of this week, 2/8/17, Senator David Waters, NHDOT officials, representatives from Eversource, Durham Dir. Mike Lynch, and Admin. Selig met at NHDOT HQ at 7 Hazen Drive, Concord concerning local interest in seeing the Scammell Bridge lighting transitioned to LED technology and re-illuminated.
All were very respectful of the fiscal constraints placed on the NHDOT by the legislature, and the local officials certainly appreciated the NHDOT’s need to ensure that there is consistency in the methodology applied to state owned/maintained bridges with sidewalk lighting. At the same time, the state officials were cognizant of the constraints we face at the local level with limited funding availability, particularly with significant state cost downshifting to localities experienced in recent years.
Given these realities, it appears that if there is a desire on the part of the parties to reenergize the Scammell Bridge lighting with LED technology, we will need to identify an out of the box solution likely involving the cooperation and participation of each of the parties, and potentially interested private individuals/businesses as well.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Mr. Selig offered to coordinate a site walk at the bridge involving Durham, Dover, NHDOT, Eversource, and Affinity Lighting in order to ascertain the condition of wiring, fixtures, desirable wattage of LED replacements, # of fixtures involved, and recurring electrical/equipment costs.
In addition, town officials will evaluate whether Durham businesses or the municipality itself might have an interest in sponsorship of some kind, or if Dover might.
There will also be some evaluation of whether the Scammell Bridge would be an appropriate mitigation measure candidate associated with the General Sullivan Bridge project along the Spaulding Turnpike.
Durham officials appreciated the willingness on the part of the NHDOT to sit with us to discuss and problem solve relative to this issue.
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A Durham snow plow during Thursday's storm keeping Nobel K. Peterson Dr. clear and passable. Courtesy Todd Selig
LARGE STORM SYSTEM APPROACHING NH SEACOAST SUNDAY-MONDAY
The National Weather Service in Gray, ME is tracking another coastal low weather system expected to bring significant snowfall accumulations to New Hampshire this weekend, particularly Sunday evening into Monday. Here is the latest forecast information:
Light snow accumulations of 1-4” will overspread the State on Saturday.
Another significant coastal low is currently forecast to impact the NH on Sunday evening into Monday afternoon. Model confidence has increased over the last 24 hours that a major storm will impact the state. The strength and track of the system are still uncertain at this time. A slight change in track can cause large differences in snowfall totals across the region.
Precipitation should be mainly snow across NH, but mixed precipitation and rain along the coast cannot be ruled out. Freezing rain does not seem likely at this time. Wet, heavy snow is possible along the coast as well.
Snow could begin in southwestern NH as early as Sunday morning and spread northeastward during the day.
Potential exists for 6-24” of snow, with the highest amounts in coastal Rockingham and southern Strafford counties and lesser amounts west and north.
The strongest winds will likely develop across the region on Sunday night into Monday as the storm intensifies over the Gulf of Maine. Blizzard conditions may be possible at times and blowing and drifting snow is likely, with the greatest chance of occurrence being along coastal and interior NH.
High temperatures will be in the mid 20’s to mid 30’s through Sunday and Monday.
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TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE INDICATES MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE INTERRUPTED FEB. 17-22, 2017 - Planned computer upgrades at DMV are the cause.
The NH Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles is pleased to announce that a new computer system (VISION) will be implemented in the month of February. As a result, there will be an interruption of motor vehicle registration processing statewide.
Town/City Clerk’s offices, along with the DMV offices, will be unable to process new or renewal registrations over the President’s Day holiday weekend, beginning Friday, February 17, 2017, and will be resuming transactions on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Throughout this process, the Town/City Clerk’s office may be open for other transactions not related to vehicle registrations during their normal, scheduled hours of operation. Please check with your local municipality for their specific hours during this time.
If you have a new registration, a temporary plate or your registration renewal is due during the month of February, please make sure you are aware of the processing interruption.
Please feel free to visit the DMV website at http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/ for updates concerning this implementation.
What does this mean for Durham residents?
Simply stated, although the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office will be open as usual, they will not be able to complete motor vehicle transactions beginning Friday, February 17th thru Tuesday, February 22nd. If you need to renew your registration in February, you may renew online or by mail and the Town Clerk's Office will process it when they are back on-line. If you would like to come in person, avoid Friday – Tuesday, February 17th – 21st. If you have a special circumstance, please call the Town Clerk’s Office (603-868-5577), as soon as possible, so that you can be advised on how to proceed.
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TOWN CLERK-TAX COLLECTORS OFFICE CLOSED TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21st
The Town Clerk-Tax Collectors Office will be closed Tuesday, February 21st for software training and instruction in the new VISION program adopted by the State of New Hampshire.
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FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR OYSTER RIVER FOREST | SELECTIVE CUT ACCOMPLISHED
The 171.7 +/- acre Oyster River Forest is a conservation property acquired by the Town in March 2013. Primarily forested, the land also contains emerging shrubland, wetlands, and nearly 1 mile of frontage on the Oyster River.
Based on a study of the property’s forest, habitats, and natural resources, a recently completed Forest Management Plan (January 2017) provides management recommendations and an implementation plan to create New England Cottontail habitat; control exotic, invasive plants; protect water quality and surface water resources; enhance wildlife habitat; maintain forest health and provide resilience; manage recreational areas; and protect historic features.
Charles Moreno, consulting forester, prepared the plan for the Town.
As part of the Town’s newly focused efforts to more actively maintain/manage the inventory of conservation/protected lands under its control, Durham recently conducted a selective timber cut on the property overseen by Mr. Moreno.
At this week’s Land Stewardship Subcommittee meeting, Mr. Marino reported that the selective cut was very successful.
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WILDLIFE HABITAT PROJECT WILL CLOSE OYSTER RIVER FOREST TRAILS FOR ONE TO THREE WEEKS
Starting this week, the presence of logging trucks on the main access road of Oyster River Forest will mean trails will be closed to the public through early February. The Natural Resources Conservation Service has planned a wildlife habitat improvement project to create more shrubland habitat for New England cottontail rabbits, a key reason the land was protected in 2013. Many other wildlife species will also benefit from this management.
The Conservation Commission and the Land Stewardship Committee worked with NRCS and the consulting forester (Charlie Moreno) to protect trails and sensitive areas during the harvest.
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DURHAM-UNH SHOULDER SEASON TRAFFIC COUNTING
Durham and UNH are completing analysis of 2016 traffic counts done to isolate university academic traffic impacts on the Town. This will be one part of discussions regarding potential UNH contributions to Durham for roadway improvements.
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DURHAM-UNH TRAFFIC MODEL UPDATE
Durham and UNH have signed an MOU to move forward on a contract with RSG Associates of Vermont to update the existing joint traffic model held by the Town/University. New traffic counts for AM and mid-day or PM peak traffic periods will be completed this spring. The consultant will work with the Town and University through summer. The model is a shared traffic analysis tool used by Town, University, and private developers for analyses of traffic impacts of major projects.
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MILL ROAD VISITOR LOT PARKING DECK STUDY
UNH Campus Planning staff have had their first meeting with the engineering consultants working on the study regarding feasibility of a parking deck or structure on the Mill Road visitor lot. This project is being explored jointly with Durham for possible partnerships.
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Sergeant Kathryn Mone
DURHAM POLICE SERGEANT KATHRYN MONE ATTENDS LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Sgt. Mone recently attended the Woman’s Leadership Institute which is a weeklong class focusing upon women in law enforcement who may face a number of challenges as they become leaders in law enforcement. The Women’s Leadership Institute is an entrepreneurial effort to create an academically rigorous training program which recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities women face as they rise through leadership positions in public safety organizations nationally and internationally. The science-based and dynamic curriculum integrates the art and science of leadership with professional and personal development strategies of importance to women in public safety. The WLI leverages IACP’s highly-respected Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) program while integrating new content with a focus on enhancing the business, leadership and personal effectiveness skills of female leaders.
Residents may not know that Sgt. Mone is from Durham!
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SHIFT/STAFFING CHANGES AT THE DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
With the resignation of Detective Sergeant Mike Bilodeau to accept the Police Chief position in Newington, Sergeant Jack Dalton has been assigned to be the Detective Sergeant position overseeing all felony investigations. This assignment created a void in the area of patrol supervision which Chief Kurz filled by assigning POP Officer Greg Ruby as an acting Sergeant. With the department vacant one position, a hiring process has begun to identify a qualified candidate.
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IDENTIFYING SUPER BOWL REVELERS
Three vehicles that were parked on Main Street were damaged in the aftermath of the Patriots victory in the Super Bowl. While there were an estimated 3,000 revelers that thronged to the downtown area, a number of people chose to celebrate inappropriately by jumping upon these three vehicles. One vehicle has been deemed a total loss by the insurance carrier while the Durham Police await reports from the remaining two as to the cost estimate of the significant damages each sustained. Durham Police are working diligently to identify those responsible through the numerous videos of the persons on the cars themselves. Eleven (11) persons have been identified to date with additional persons in the process of identification. Chief Kurz will have additional information in next week’s Friday Updates on the investigation’s progress.
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DURHAM TO WORK WITH SRPC IN UPDATING MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Liz Durfee from the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) will be getting together with the Town’s department heads at noon on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall, 8 Newmarket Road, to discuss and begin the process of updating Durham’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is up for renewal in 2017. The plan must be updated in order for Durham to remain eligible for FEMA funding going forward.
At the first meeting, the Planning Committee will review the Multi‐Hazard Mitigation Plan and update process and discuss existing mitigation strategies, programs, and policies.
All citizens, businesses, municipal officials, and interested parties from Durham and other communities are welcome to attend the meeting.
If you are unavailable to attend, please forward any ideas or concerns to: Liz Durfee, Senior Regional Planner, Strafford Regional Planning Commission at 603-994-3500 or edurfee@strafford.org or to Todd Selig, Administrator/Emergency Management Director at tselig@ci.durham.nh.us.
This update of the 2012 Plan is funded by FEMA under contract to Strafford Regional Planning Commission and is a collaborative planning process with the Town of Durham.
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Still Life. Naomi Kornhauser
February Artist In the Gallery at the Durham Public Library - Naomi Kornhauser - Artist Reception, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. All are invited.
DURHAM RESIDENT NAOMI KORNHAUSER IS FEBRUARY'S "ARTIST OF THE MONTH" AT THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
Members of the public are invited to a reception and opening for Naomi this Tuesday, February 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Come by to see her landscapes and still lifes and to enjoy a chocolate heart for Valentine’s Day. Her scheduled opening on February 7 was postponed due to the snow storm that day. Naomi’s work will be on exhibit in the library gallery all month.
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FY 2016 TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) AWARDED TO UNH!
UNH was awarded its full request for a $460,000 submitted application for new sidewalk on the south side of Main Street from the roundabout to the Field House. The application received full support from Durham. The program will provide 80% federal funding (FHWA) with a required 20% local (UNH) match. UNH expects to be given a notice to proceed for design this summer with construction currently planned for summer 2018.
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REFERENDUM QUESTION ON THE MARCH 14, 2017, TOWN ELECTION WARRANT - asking residents if they are in favor of raising and appropriating not more than $1,960,000 for the expansion/renovation of the Durham Police facility
At the January 9, 2017 Town Council meeting, the Council voted unanimously to place the following referendum question on the March 14, 2017 Town Election Warrant relating to bonding for the expansion/renovation of the Durham Police facility:
"Are you in favor of raising and appropriating the sum of $1,960,000 for the purpose of the expansion/renovation of the Durham Police Facility, with said sum to be in addition to any federal, state or private funds made available therefor, and of authorizing the issuance of not more than $1,960,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provision of the municipal finance act, RSA Chapter 33, and authorizing the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon. The Council unanimously recommends this appropriation. 2/3 ballot vote required."
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Sketch of proposed renovation/addition at Durham Police Department. Courtesy Bill Schoonmaker, Schoonmaker Architects
DURHAM POLICE RENOVATIONS/ADDITION PROPOSAL - Additional information for residents in a new video from DCAT.
The second video pertaining to the proposed renovations/addition to the existing police facility is now available. Kudos to Craig Stevens of DCAT who developed this 2nd of 3 videos available on "Video on Demand" at the Durham website. While the first 13 minute video focused upon the three critical and immediate needs that challenge the agency, this video offers insight to the working areas of the department that the public rarely sees. Future information will focus upon the following items:
- Breaking down the pricing cost centers for the $1,960,000 renovation/addition
- Highlighting the positive energy efficiency that the renovations will accomplish
- Define the useful 30-50 year life expediency of the project’s outcome
- Discuss the existing attractive interest rates that would be financed over a number of years.
If there are any residents who would care to see their police facility first-hand, please contact Chief Dave Kurz and he will be happy to arrange for a tour.
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VOLKSWAGON EMISSIONS SUIT SETTLEMENT FUNDING
UNH intends to complete an ‘intent to apply’ for electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the campus. The proposal would be funding for infrastructure for public use EV charging during the day used by UNH fleet at night. Durham has partnered with Durham in the past with the installation of our EV charging station in the Pettee Brook metered lot.
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LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE WINTER NEWSLETTER
The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has published its 2017 winter newsletter which is available for viewing HERE.
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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. Click on the meetings listed below to view agendas and other information.
Agricultural Commission - Monday, February 13, 2017
Integrated Waste Mgt. Advisory Committee - Thursday, February 16, 2017 (7AM - Town Hall 1st Floor Conference Room)
Land Use Committee - Thursday, February 16, 2017 (7:30 AM - Town Hall Council Chambers)
Parks & Recreation Committee - Thursday, February 15, 2017
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All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
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DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22
Don’t miss the latest episode of “ In the Biz; Durham Business Spotlight”. This episode features Young’s Family Restaurant. Meet owner Ken Young and hear his strategy on how he keeps his restaurant on the cutting edge of the ever changing restaurant scene, he’ll also talk about how he brings his customers the freshest product available. There are a few surprises too. This video is available on DCAT 22 TV at 12:30 & 6:00 PM, DCAT on Demand, & our website
Total run time: 11 minutes
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Durham Police Facility Video. DCAT 22 Studios has created the first two videos in a series of three which are designed to inform residents of the needs of the police facility. These videos focus on critical and immediate needs that challenge the agency. While the department will be presenting and hosting opportunities to tour the facility, these series of short videos will offer some exposure to areas at the police department that the public rarely sees. The video airs on DCAT Cable Channel 22: Saturday & Sunday @ 7:30 PM. It’s also available On Demand.
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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.
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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.
February Vacation Week Camp: STEM Fundamentals Using Lego - 12:30-4:30pm, Monday, February 27th-Friday, March 3rd at the Oyster River Middle School MPR. Ratchet up your imagination with tens of thousands of LEGO! Build engineer-designed projects such as Motorcycles, Castles, Airplanes, Boats, Snowmobiles, Catapults, Merry-Go-Rounds and Monorails. Then use special pieces to create your own unique design! New and experienced students can explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO building system with the guidance of experienced Play-Well instructors. For grades 1st-4th. $150/student. Register HERE by February 20th.
After School Indoor Rock Climbing Club: 3:00-5:00pm, Fridays 3/3, 3/10, 3/31 & 4/7 at the UNH Artificial Climbing Wall. Durham Parks & Recreation has once again teamed up with UNH Outdoor Education for the Youth Rock Climbing Club. Team members will work closely with UNH Outdoor Education students who are also AMGA certified instructors to learn belaying skills, knots, equipment, climbing technique, problem solving skills, and more—New and experienced climbers welcome.
DPR Staff will walk students from the middle school to New Hampshire Hall. Ages 10+, $55/student, all equipment is provided. Pre-registration is required by March 1st. Min of 10, Max of 24.
After School Winter Outdoor Adventure Club- Tuesdays: March 7th-28th. After school-5:00pm. Durham Parks & Recreation has teamed up with Seven Rivers Paddling for some after school fun in the outdoors! Students in 1st-4th grade are invited to register for a four-week session of XC skiing, snowshoeing and other outdoor adventures!! We will use the trails and fields surrounding Moharimet School and Madbury Town Hall.
$85/student- All equipment is proved for this program. Bus transportation is available from Mast Way to Moharimet on Bus #84.
Pre-registration required by March 1st- Min. of 4, Max of 10.
Upcoming Events-Save The Date!!
Slush Cup Pond Hockey Tournament- Saturday, March 18th. 10am at Churchill Rink. Enjoy one last hoorah of the season before ice is out with this 3vs3 cross-ice double elimination tournament! Gather a team and enter into one of our age appropriate divisions. Great prizes and family fun! $30/team or $10/player (teams can have up to 4 players per team or register as a single and get placed on a team). Register your team by March 15th.
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Movies at the UNH Memorial Union Building, every weekend in state-of-the-art theaters and snack bar. Week of 2/9 - 2-12: Movies are The Edge of Seventeen and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Admission is $4/under the age of 12 and $6 for all others. Buy tickets at the box office or online HERE. View a full list of all the movies and times HERE.
Active Retirement Association General Meeting, Monday, Feb 13, 2017, 1:30 PM, Durham Evangelical Church (lower level), Dover Road, Durham. Will feature
UNH Extension educator Malin Clyde sharing images of New Hampshire’s natural beauty through the lenses of New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau ecologists and photographers Ben Kimball and Dan Sperduto.
Newcomers Unlimited Meeting, Friday, Feb 17, 2017. Social: 9-10AM. Presentation: 10AM, Durham Community Church (please park in lower lot). Will host "Ramblin' Richard" Kruppa Celebrates Music. Kruppa will entertain with songs and their stories about the Valentine's and Presidents' Day holiday.
Community Dance, Wildcat Fitness, Saturdays: Feb 18, Mar 18, & Apr 18, 2017, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Cost: $5/person. All ages can dance in their own way to bouncy, up-beat music.
Climate Impacts Maple Breakfast with special guest, Senator Maggie Hassan, Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017, 7:30 AM, UNH Huddleston Hall Ballroom. Sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters, Mom’s Clean Air Force, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Environment New Hampshire. RSVP HERE.
Wildcat Fitness: $10 to Join in February and only $39.99 a month for the gym and all the classes you can take. (Save $90) Students $19.99 a month. More information HERE.
Three Chimneys Inn. Celebrate Valentine’s Day all month with Three Chimneys Inn.
Includes overnight accommodations, dinner voucher, champagne, strawberries, and a Valentine rose. Full Breakfast and extended check-out time. Packages applicable for stays February 1-28, 2017. To make a reservation or for more information call Guest Services, 603-868-7800.
Growing Places Upcoming Teacher Workshop Days & School Vacations Programs. To view their Time and TimberNook options, click HERE.
UNH Programs and Events - UNH is offering a number of programs and events throughout the month of February that are free and open to the public. View the schedule of activities and events HERE.
Emery Farm - Market & Café Winter Hours - Wednesday through Friday 7:30 AM – 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8 AM – 5 PM. View a full menu HERE.
Main Street Makery - $5 Craft this week. Drop in anytime and create whimsical and colorful magnets. Select from a wide assortment of printed papers; floral, geometric, sayings and more. Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm.
STEM program for students in grades 5-8, sponsored by the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at UNH. Tech Kid U is a new initiative in which Middle school students will have the opportunity to explore the world of science and engineering. Runs for three consecutive Saturdays: March 11, 18, & 25. Features hands-on projects and problem solving in various topics related to science and engineering. View more information HERE.
OR High School Weekly Athletic Schedule. View the schedule HERE.
UNH Museum of Art Upcoming Events. View schedule of events HERE.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Children’s and Young Adult Programs:
Lego Build-It Family Program, Sat. Feb. 11th at 10:30 am – Come and build some awesome Lego Structures.
YA Mondays Monday, Feb. 13th from 2:45-4 pm (ages 10 & up) – Stop by the YA room for movies, crafts, snacks and games. This week: Create a Flextangle and Valentines.
Storytimes - Tues. Feb. 14th and Thurs. Feb. 16th at 10:30 am - “Valentines & Friends!”
Baby Lap-sit (ages 2 & under with care giver) - Weds. Feb. 15th at 10:30 am
Knitting and Craft Club for 3rd-5th graders - Weds. Feb. 15th 4-5 pm (register at the Children’s desk).
Join us for Lego Club (K-4th grade) - Thurs. Feb. 16th at 3:30-4:30 pm! We will have fun weekly challenges and of course free build. This week: “Cakes”.
Fun and Games Fridays - Fri. Feb. 17th all day! Come and create a drop-in craft and play some fun board games. All ages.
Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade) Tues. March 7th, 6:00 pm - Join us for Raccoon Readers, our monthly 2nd-4th Grade Book Group. This month's book is "The Double Cross and Other Skills I Learned as a Superspy" by Jackson Pearce. We talk about books, authors, play some games and make a craft.
Seacoast Reads, UNH tutors, will start again in February. Have a child who could use some help with their reading and are in grades 1st-4th? Sign up now at the Children’s desk for a weekly after school session at the library. This is a weekly commitment through early May. Spots are limited so sign-up early.
Family Movie: Secret Life of Pets! Sat. Feb. 18th at 10:30 am - Join us for this fun family movie: Secret Life of Pets! This movie is shown upstairs in the Oyster River Room. Popcorn is served and all are welcome!
Jack & Annie Book Club (Grades K-2) Tuesday, February 21st at 4:00 – 5:00 PM - Join us for our new monthly book club made just for kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade! During our meeting we will talk about our book club book, play games, and make a craft. This month’s book is "Mummies in the Morning" by Mary Pope Osborne. Books are available at the circulation desk. Registration is required. Please sign-up at the Children's desk!
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Weds. Feb. 22nd 2:45-4:00 pm – Join us for this month’s book group. This month’s book is “Nimona” by Noelle Stevenson. Ruth Wharton McDonald is the facilitator. Books are available at the circulation desk. Pizza is served.
Teen Advisory Board Mon. March 6th, 6:30 pm – PicWits, Board Games and Ice Cream! The teen advisory board is open to kids in middle and high school. We want to hear from you! Tell the staff about books you would like added to the collection, activities you want to try, movies you want to watch or anything else you feel we should know. This month: Come and play some PicWits and Board Games and eat some Ice Cream!
Join the Patch Program! Come and join and collect your patches! This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Durham Public Library.
Adult Programs:
February Artist In the Gallery- Naomi Kornhauser - Artist Reception, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30-7:30. All are invited to meet Naomi and view her paintings! Refreshments are served.
Pop-Up Book discussion Wed. Feb. 22, 4-5:30 pm - There are pop-up exhibits, galleries and boutiques, so why not a Pop-Up Book Discussion at a new day and time! A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean. The short (100 pages) story is about 2 brothers and their father, a Presbyterian minister, whose religion could be said to be fly fishing. Discussion led by Jennifer Lee. Books are available at the library and on-line. Sponsored by the Friends of DPL.
IPad Training for Seniors through UNH Sat. Feb. 11, 10 am - 2 pm - Orientation workshop for working with the iPad.
Oyster River ASD Friends Thurs. Feb. 16, 6:30 (Due to Valentine's Day on Tuesday) - Join our group for parents of teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. Conversation, resource sharing, and speakers to address how we can best encourage and support independence. We gather for conversation at 6:45. Meeting/presenter 7:00. Contact Julie, 603-767-4190, jsmithnh@icloud.com.
McGregor Memorial EMS Mon. Feb. 20, 6-8 pm CPR & AED Class - Cost and registration information found at http://cprsafe.org
Dick Wollmar/Durham Agricultural Commission Special Collection Sat. Feb. 25, 11 am-12 pm - Come and see the treasures in the Dick Wollmar/Durham Agricultural Commission Special Collection at the Durham Public Library, at a program hosted by Professor John Carroll and Nancy Miner of the Durham Public Library. The contents of this interesting assortment cover a wide variety of agricultural and gardening topics, ranging from recent research to out-of-print books from the 19th century. The entire collection of books will be available to see and most can be checked out.
Message from Naomi Kornhauser, Interim Adult Program Coordinator. - I'm pleased to be here! Please contact me with questions or suggestions about adult programming. Call me at the library at 603-590-1117, email me at nkornhauser@ci.durham.nh.us or stop in to say hello!
Book Donation Week Feb. 27 through Mar. 4 - Accepting gently used books and DVDs. Please drop off donations in bags or containers that do not need to be returned. Thank you from the Friends of DPL!
The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology: computers, iPads & cell phones, eReaders (Nook, Kindle, etc.) Call to check on availability of the volunteers and set up an appointment. 868-6699 or email durhampl@gmail.com
For more information, visit the Durham Public Library website.
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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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Corner of Madbury Road and Woodman Road. Courtesy Durham Police Department
Finally, the picture above was taken by Durham police officers during Thursday's snow storm, 2/9/17. Not even a blizzard keeps UNH students down when they have a mind to get together!
Have a very nice weekend, and a Happy Valentine's Day on Tuesday, February 14th.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
T: 603-868-5571
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
Website: https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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