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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Friday, February 22, 2013
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On Wednesday of this week a LEED charrette was held at the Durham Police Station focusing on the new Town Office project at 8 Newmarket Road (the former People's United Bank site). Pictured from right to left are: Alison Keay, The Jordan Institute; Paul Leveille, The Jordon Institute; Michael Lynch, DPW Director; Will Bennett, Bennett Engineering; Art Guadano, AG Architects; Gregg Mikolaities, Tighe & Bond; Gary Bertram, Hutter Construction; and Matt Lawton, AG Architects.
On Wednesday of this week, Administrator Selig organized a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) charrette for the new Town Office project at 8 Newmarket Road (the former People's United Bank site) involving our architectural, engineering, and construction team and representation from the Public Works Department from 12:30 - 5:30 PM at the Durham Police Station.
LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based program that provides third–party verification of green buildings. LEED has a profound effect on the way built environments are designed, constructed, and operated. Comprehensive and flexible, LEED addresses the entire lifecycle of a building, the surrounding environment, and sustainable practices as a whole. Participation in the LEED process is voluntary but it demonstrates leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Consistent with Town Council goals, the Administrator is a proponent of this approach. It provides building owners with a comprehensive framework to impact building performance and the bottom line, while providing healthy indoor spaces for a building’s occupants. While time will tel
l whether we actually pursue LEED with this project, these first steps will result in a better building design. Paul Leveille from The Jordon Institute facilitated Wednesday's charrette.
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2012 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT ONLINE
The 2012 Annual Town Report is now available online. To view the Annual Report, click HERE or visit the Town web site, http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/. Present and past Town Reports are located on the "Town Administration" page.
Copies of the Annual Report are available at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office and the Durham Public Library. Copies will also be placed on the table in the foyer at Town Hall.
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PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL CONTRACT WITH COMCAST
At the Town Council meeting on Monday, March 4, 2013, the Council will hold a Public Hearing relative to Durham’s cable franchise renewal contract with Comcast. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, beginning at 7:00 PM.
Residents may view the draft franchise and an overview of the status of the Town's efforts as part of this negotiation.
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ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR THE MARCH 4TH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
In addition to the Public Hearing on the cable franchise renewal contract noted above, the Durham Town Council will hold four additional Public Hearings at its meeting on Monday, March 4th. To view the notices concerning these hearings, click HERE.
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Runoff from Smith Park Lane onto Mill Pond Road. Courtesy Todd Selig
SMITH PARK LANE AND MILL POND ROAD/DANGEROUS SIDEWALK CONDITIONS CAUSED BY PRIVATE PROPERTY RUNOFF ONTO TOWN SIDEWALK
The Town has received several complaints over the last few years concerning runoff from the gravel portion of the privately-owned lower Smith Park Lane onto Mill Pond Road. In particular, in heavy rain or during melting periods, gravel and mud washes down Smith Park Lane over the Town's sidewalk causing freezing and a safety hazard forcing pedestrians to walk out into the busy roadway along Mill Pond Road on a challenging curve. This continues to be a challenging crossing for pedestrians (of whom there are more than you might think). Public Works Director Michael Lynch will be reaching out to the Durham Community Church, the owner of the property, over the course of the coming weeks to try to resolve the problem once and for all.
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WATER METER PROJECT
During the week of February 18, the Town’s contractor EJ Prescott will visit Durham's water meters radio read units (on the outside of homes) throughout the system to ensure that they are programmed and operating correctly. The Durham Water Department will also be overseeing their work as well. There will be multiple crews needed to complete this vital task as part of the completion of the water meter project. Their vehicles will be properly marked and all employees will have identification badges. The Durham Police Department has been notified of their presence and activity in Town. Any questions or concerns may be addressed to Assistant Town Engineer April Talon or Town Engineer Dave Cedarholm at the Durham Public Works Office, 603-868-5578.
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2013 MARCH TOWN AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS - MARCH 12, 2013
The 2013 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 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): Jay Gooze, Wayne Burton, Carden Welsh
Library Board of Trustees, 3 positions (3-year terms): Jenna Roberts, William Scho
onmaker, Holly Stark
Trustees of the Trust Funds, 1 position (3-year term): Craig Seymour
The following is a list of citizens that have filed for the ORCSD School Board and Moderator:
At-large (2 positions): Thomas Newkirk (Durham), Carl Piedmont (Madbury), Kenneth Rotner (Durham)
Moderator (1 position): Richard Laughton
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In addition to the Town elected positions above, a $2,500,000 bond referendum question will also be on the ballot relative to the replacement of sludge dewatering equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The question, and an explanation for the equipment replacement, appear below:
ARTICLE II
"Are you in favor of authorizing the issuance of not more than $2,500,000 of bonds or notes, issued in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33), for the replacement of the sludge dewatering equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and to authorize the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon. 2/3 vote required."
Reason for Proposed Bond: Durham’s wastewater sludge dewatering facility, located at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, dewaters the slurry of liquid and solids, otherwise known as sludge, which is removed during the wastewater treatment process. The facility’s sludge dewatering equipment had an expected life span of twenty years. It is now in its twenty-sixth year of operation and has exceeded its usable life. This improvement is included as part of the plant’s Facility Master Plan. Funding will be shared 1/3 Durham (or $833,333) and 2/3 UNH in accordance with the Water and Wastewater Systems Agreement dated November 2005 between the Town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire.
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NHDOT ROUTE 108 PROJECT PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013
On Wednesday, March 6, 2013, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Durham Town Hall, representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation will hold a public informational meeting relative to the Route 108 project consisting of the installation of bike lanes, shoulder widening, and intersection improvements that are included in the NHDOT's Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan. Items that will be presented include: Project background, Right-of-Way acquisition process, environmental review and findings, existing conditions, proposed improvements, and project costs and schedules. This meeting will be broadcast live, as well as taped and re-broadcast over Durham's cable channel, Channel 22.
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DURHAM’S FRIDAY DEALS
Friday Deals are offered by Downtown merchants. Click HERE to see the deals on food, health, and services that are being offered. Shop locally and support area business. Money spent locally stays local.
If your business has a Friday deal to offer please send it to Ken Entz at sentz@comcast.net.
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Courtesy Walter Rous
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The weather was not the factor this week that it has been the past several weeks although with another storm predicted for Saturday night and into Sunday, clean-up this coming Monday will be a challenge, again!
Siding, soffit and trim work continue to keep the carpenters busy on the exterior of the library. A rigging company showed up Thursday to assist in getting one of the main air handling units, all 1500#’s of it, up to the attic space above the storage room next to the Community Room. Installation of sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads, ductwork hangers and ductwork, water lines to the bathrooms, refrigerant lines for the compressors, electrical conduits and fire alarm lines all require a small army of skilled workers. Five tin knockers working beside four electricians who are trying to stay out of the way of five plumbers who are trying to avoid conflicts with the sprinkler lines takes an amazing amount of careful coordination. Adam Downs, Bauen Corporation’s Projec
t Manager, needs the orchestrating skills of Arthur Fiedler, which, thankfully, he has. He has to think a few weeks ahead for the planning piece while knowing exactly what is happening on a daily basis.
Art DiMambro’s daughter, Arnie, dropped by the site with her cousin Patric Bradley. As many know, it is Dr. DiMambro’s former home at 49 Madbury Road that serves as the “face” of the library. Though a bit nostalgic for the house, Arnie and Patric were very impressed with the new work.
Courtesy Walter Rous
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THE TOWN OF DURHAM PRESENT TO THE FUTURE DEWATERING PROCESS
Learn more about the Town of Durham’s present and future dewatering process. Hear from Superintendent Daniel Peterson about some of the challenges with the current equipment and dewatering process. Tour the solids facility.
The video is available on the Town's “On Demand” site, http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/. TV play times:
Sunday @ 5:00 PM
Monday @ 6:30 PM
Tuesday @ 6:45 PM
Wednesday @ 6:45 PM
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AN EVENING WITH AUTHOR AND GROUNDWATER EXPERT MAUDE BARLOW
This is a locally produced video, filmed at the Durham Community Church, that will be broadcast on Channel 22 on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 5:30 PM.
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JENKINS QUALITY GOODS - CLOSING SALE
Jenkins Quality Goods, located at 7 Jenkins Court, is currently holding a storewide sale of up to 60% off. website: http://www.7jenkins.com/
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PUBLIC 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.
Economic Development Committee - Tuesday, February 26, 2013. For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Planning Board - Wednesday, February 27, 2013. For 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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Durham residents Zoe and Gabi Selig collect signatures for a letter they wrote in support of basing the new Air Force tanker KC-46A at the New Hampshire Air National Guard Base located at Pease International Tradeport/Airport.
At the January 28, 2013 Town Council meeting the Council approved Resolution #2013-03 supporting the basing of the new Air Force tanker KC-46A at the New Hampshire Air National Guard Base located at Pease International Tradeport/Airport, Newington, NH. It seems that the Council's action motivated two little Durham residents to become active in local affairs. Zoe and Gabi Selig worked with the principal to set up a table in the common area at Moharimet to collect signatures over two days for a letter expressing support for the new refueling jet. After obtaining the signatures, the girls visited Col. Peter Sullivan, Vice Wing Commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing, and Lt. Col. Paul Kell, Pilot (also a Durham resident), at the New Hampshire Air National Guard Base on Fe
bruary 20th to read their letter. To read the article published in the Air Force Print News Today, click HERE. To read the letter of support, click HERE.
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SPRUCEWOOD FOREST PROJECT: HELP CLOSE THE SHRINKING GAP
It's a brand new year, and we've got a new window of opportunity to help bring the 172-acre Sprucewood Forest conservation project home. With a leadership gift of $150,000 from Durham resident Tom Haas, an extension from the landowners, and only about $110,000 (less than 3% to reach our goal) to go, Durham's nonprofit partner, the Trust for Public Land, is pushing hard to close by March 29.
Donations--large and small--may be made through the Trust for Public Land, Durham's nonprofit partner, via a donation form available at Town Hall or downloaded from the Conservation Commission's web site. To date over 70 gifts from other Durham residents, ranging from $10 to $5,000, have been received. Every donation demonstrates community support. (If you have already given, thank you!) If you would like to give to the campaign but are not sure whether you can do so before March 29, please call the Trust for Public Land at 617-780-8735.
Check out the February 8th private capital campaign News Flash! To learn more about the Sprucewood Forest, read the so-called case statement; please note that it has not been updated to reflect the campaign's fund-raising progress. To learn even more and to view photographs of the property, go to the Conservation Commission's website.
Think of Sprucewood Forest's benefits: a Town-owned Sprucewood Forest would protect over one mile of the Oyster River forest and over 50 acres of the Spruce Hole aquifer; provide habitat for the threatened New England cottontail rabbit; and expand Durham's public access to recreational lands for activities such as birding, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
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VOTERS GUIDE TO THE OYSTER RIVER SUSTAINABILITY WARRANT ARTICLES
The Oyster River Sustainability Committee began with an idea that was
advanced as a citizenʼs petition on the March, 2011 ORSCD Warrant. Following a successful vote, the committee was formed in April, 2011 and began meeting in May of that year as an ad hoc citizensʼ committee to advise the school district. The committee is comprised of 16 committee members, a collaboration of school district employees and community members from Durham, Lee, Madbury and UNH. In almost two years, the OR Sustainability Committee has built a respected relationship with the school district and the Oyster River Community based on a record of accomplishment. The committee concentrates its work in the areas of Energy: Facilities and procurement, Energy: Transportation, Food and Nutrition and education and Outreach. The OR Sustainability Committee's 'Green Oyster' web site houses a comprehensive record of the numerous projects, reports, and activities of the committee.
In March of 2012, the voters from the three towns reaffirmed the committeeʼs
standing and also voted to appropriate $47k to support selective committee initiatives. Of that amount, $25k was devoted to completing energy audits for Mast Way, Moharimet and ORMS, the ORHS energy audit had been completed prior to that date.
This $25k expenditure is projected to yield a $440k return on the investment over the next five years. In addition, the 2012 Warrant Article appropriated $14k for the purchase of fresh food from local farmers, which aligns with the ʻFarm to School Programʼ (UNH) and ʻKids Eat Localʼ, two ORCSD programs connecting our food service to local farmers. To date, we have purchased a range of products from beef to Gilfeather turnips from local farms, benefiting our local economy. Another $6k was appropriated to continue the conversion of our school bus fleet to Biodiesel 20(B-20), resulting in healthier, cleaner air and lower emissions inside the buses and on the road. By the end of 2013, 23 school buses will be operating on B-20. In addition, the amount of $2k was
appropriat
ed for Education and Outreach activities, which have included films, forums, and purchases to support initiatives.I
In December of 2012, the Oyster River Sustainability Committee officially
became an ʻAdvisory Committeeʼ to the ORCSD School Board. In this capacity, the Sustainability Committee will formally work with the School Board and the Superintendent on tasks and projects that align with the school districtʼs goals in the areas of sustainability. The Oyster River Sustainability Committee is truly advisory, having no decision-making authority or supervisory control. Along with the appointment of the Sustainability Committee as an advisory group, Warrant Article #4 was advanced
jointly by the Sustainability Committee and the School Board for the 2013 ORCSD Warrant. Warrant Article #4 requests $15k to continue the ʻKids Eat Localʼ /ʼFarm to Schoolʼ program and $25k
to implement ʻGreen Teamsʼ in each of the four schools and the SAU. This appropriation will enable the OR Sustainability Committee to customize its environmental science and conservation initiatives based on the specific needs at each building, empowering students, teachers, and community members to address
ʻsustainable choicesʼ through an engaged hands-on learning approach.
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CHURCHILL RINK AT JACKSON'S LANDING PUBLIC SESSION SCHEDULE FOR WINTER VACATION, FEB 25TH - MAR 3RD
Churchill Rink has released its Public Session schedule for Winter Vacation February 25 - March 3rd. The Spring schedule for March 4th through the end of the season…Sunday March 17th is also available now. To view both schedules, please visit the rink website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/churchillrink
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PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
New Session of Coyote Club starting in March! For more information, click HERE.
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Tai Chi - Advanced & Beginner
Come learn Tai Chi with Durham Parks and Recreation. Due to its popularity, we have added an additional 30 minutes of instruction to this class! The instructor is Lin Lin, who has taught and trained all across the country!
What to expect: This class is a step up from Lin Lin's Moving for Better Balance. New students are always welcome, and will have special instruction at the beginning of class.
Cost is $80/ 8 weeks (Every Friday 4-5:30 @ the P&R Building)
Register at the Parks and Rec Building or at the Durham Town Clerk's office.
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Summer Speed Camp - Do you have a Middle School athlete who is looking to improve their game, while having a TON of fun this Summer? Contact Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee for more information at sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us.
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Want to join a band? Do you have a Middle School musician? We may have just the program you're looking for this Summer! Contact Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee for more info. sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us.
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To view the schedule of classes for February, click HERE.
For more information regarding any of the classes or events offered by Parks and Recreation, visit the P&R web site at https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_parksrec.
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ORYA GIRLS TRAVEL HOCKEY PROGRAM TRYOUTS FOR THE 2013 – 2014 SEASON
The Oyster River Youth Association is hosting tryouts for the 2013-2014 girls travel hockey season for players in ages 8 through 14 on Wednesday, March 6th and Wednesday, March 13th. Tryouts will take place at Churchill Rink on Old Piscataqua Road in Durham, NH. Players are expected to attend both days from 5:30pm – 7:30pm and wear full hockey equipment each day. For more information, please contact David Smith, ORYA Hockey Coordinator, at davidsmith7007@comcast.net.
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Give & Take Seed Swap, Sunday, February 24, 2013, 12:30 - 2:30 PM, St. George's Episcopal Church. Free and open to all. for more information, contact Laura Williford at lly_williford@hotmail.com.
Durham Democrats Biennial Caucus, Tuesday, March 5, 2013, 6:30 PM, Raymond Burroughs Conference Room at the Durham Police Station, 86 Dover Road (½ mile north of Route 4.) All registered Durham Democrats are invited. The main official order of business will be to elect a slate of officers (Chair, Vice-Chair. Secretary and Treasurer), as well as 4 at-large delegates to the upcoming state convention. For more information contact the Town Chair, Rep. Timothy Horrigan, 603-868-3342, TimothyHorrigan@me.com.
Great Bay Rowing 2013 Information Night, Thursday, March 7, 2013, 6:00 PM, ORHS Cafeteria, 55 Coe. Great Bay Rowing is a community-based organization developed to foster interest in the sport of rowing on the seacoast. For more information visit http://www.greatbayrowing.org/Home.html.
One World Language School—Morning Classes for Preschool aged Children. Classes will be offered in French, German, and Spanish on Thursday mornings at the Lee Congregational y Church. Classes will be held on Thursday mornings. The 12-week session starts on Thursday, March 7th. For information on this program click HERE. For more general information on the One World Language School click HERE. To register, contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org or 603-866-0364.
Durham Garden Club Presents "Hydrangea Love Affair: Old Favorites and New Varieties" with Jeff O'Donal of O'Donal's Nursery in Gorham, Maine, Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6:30 PM, Madbury Town Hall. Social Time and refreshments. Non-members welcome to attend as guests.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Make-it-Take-it Craft all week during Oyster River School Vacation Week (2/23-3/1) – Stop by the Children’s Room all week to make a fun craft. There are no Storytimes this week.
Mary Kelley and Steve Blunt Musical Performance, Thurs. Feb. 28th at 10:30 a.m. at ORHS Multi-purpose room - Join us for this fun joint library (Durham, Lee and Madbury) vacation performance by these two singer/songwriters. Children love to listen and dance to their fun songs. All are welcome.
Read Across America with the Northeastern’s Ballet “Cinderella”, Sat. March 2nd at 10:30 a.m. - Come and see parts of the Northeastern Ballet's spring production of "Cinderella". We will celebrate this fairy tale as well as Dr. Seuss' Birthday at the Durham Library. We will also make a fairy tale craft and have a birthday cake.
Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4th Grade Book Group, Tues. March 5th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Join us for our 2nd-4th grade book group. This month's books are your choice either "Harold's Tail" by John Bemelmans Marciano and/or "Starry River of the Sky" by Grace Lin. Come discuss the book(s), authors, play some games,
and make a craft. Copies of these books are available at the Circulation desk. All are welcome.
Young Adult Writing/Blog Group, Tues. March 5th, 7:00 p.m.-7:45 p.m. - Join us for this monthly writing group for Young Adults (10 yrs & up). We do writing exercises, talk about your writing and post your writing to our blog "Write Away". We also talk about books, movies. All are welcome!
New England’s Haunted Lighthouses, Weds. March 6th, 6:30 p.m. - This presentation will focus on some of the macabre tales of New England’s coastal beacons, including the lovelorn spirit known as Ernie at Connecticut's New London Ledge Light and the piano playing ghost of Maine's Seguin Island Light. Also included will be accounts of strange happenings at our two New Hampshire lighthouses, Portsmouth Harbor and White Island. Jeremy D’Entremont has personally taken part in many lighthouse investigations by paranormal research groups. Jeremy has been called the leading expert on New England’s historic lighthouses, and is the author of nine books. This program is suitable for adults and kids ages 12 and up. Jeremy gives it a PG-13 rating for some of the spoo
kier tales.
Middle School Art Display at the Library – Come and see some ORMS 5th graders works of art. The theme is “Significant Places around Durham, Lee and Madbury”.
Register for Tales for Tails! Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child.
Join the Patch Program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years. Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag. If new to the program, stop by and register. Thanks to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for their continued support of this program.
Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.
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FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"
"Farm Life in Durham: This brief look at farm life in Durham during the twentieth century would not be complete without a history of Adams Point and the Adams family farm and boardinghouse. Indeed, there have been so many great changes at Adams Point, its history almost deserves a separate chapter.
Adams Point
Adams Point juts into the deep waters of Furber Straits, dividing it into Little Bay and Great Bay and forming one of the largest estuarine systems on the eastern seaboard. On the earliest maps of the area, this point of land was shown as an island. Even today during high tides accompanied by heavy storms the causeway to the Point is churned by three feet or more of water, briefly returning it to the island it was in the past.
John Adams (1791-1850) acquired Adams Point, then called Mathes Neck, in 1830 through default of a $500 debt from Timothy Dame. From 1835, when he moved his family here from Berwick, Maine, until 1959, descendants of John Adams and his wife, Sarah (Sanderson), lived, died, and were buried on Adams Point."
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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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