Friday Updates - January 15, 2016

Friday, January 15, 2016

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963, issuing his famed “I Have a Dream” speech. (Newscom/Getty Images/AFP)

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR./CIVIL RIGHTS DAY HOLIDAY

A reminder that all Town offices will be closed on Monday, January 18th, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day holiday.

There will be NO CHANGE to the regularly scheduled refuse and recycling routes. As always, residents are asked to please have all items out by 7AM on their respective collection days. To view the 2016 curbside collection holiday schedule, click HERE.

2016 ELECTION YEAR - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

It’s another Presidential Election Year and that means there will be four elections! 

February 9th is the tentative date for the Presidential Primary and will be the 100th Anniversary of the New Hampshire First in the Nation Presidential Primary.  The date is not confirmed until the time to challenge New Hampshire’s first in the nation status has past. No challenge has been made to date.

As in the past, election officials will be recruiting a small army of volunteers.  These volunteers are crucial to the smooth running of very busy elections. 

In addition to recruiting new volunteers, election officials are asking experienced poll workers to once again step up and help.  No experience is necessary and training will be provided. 

Please consider volunteering for a shift on Election Day during this very important election season.

To sign up, or for more information contact Lorrie Pitt, Town Clerk, (603) 868-5577.

 

CALLING ALL RESIDENTS - If you have not yet registered to vote, avoid the long lines at the polls and do so on or before January 30th

For those residents that are not registered to vote and want to vote in any of the 2016 elections REGISTER NOW!  The lines to register at the polls can be extremely long.

Residents can register to vote at the Town Clerk’s office, M-F, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The Supervisors of the Checklist will also have regular publicized sessions to register voters prior to all elections. 

SAVE TIME and PAPERWORK, by bringing a birth certificate or passport to show citizenship, driver’s license for identity, and some proof of residency (a piece of mail will suffice if a driver’s license is not New Hampshire).  

Parents, please encourage your college children to register and request an absentee ballot while they are home for Christmas break.

Any registered voter can volunteer to work at the elections, please consider volunteering.  Call Town Clerk-Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt for more information or to sign up, 603-868-5577.

See the notice below from the Supervisors of the Checklist as well for upcoming additional registration periods scheduled.

NOTICE FROM THE SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST 

People new to Durham wishing to vote in the upcoming Primary may register at the Town Hall in the Town Clerk’s office during their regular office hours (8AM - 5PM).  Besides this, the Durham Supervisors of the Checklist will meet at the Town Hall three times in January to accept new voters and to make corrections to the checklist:   


Tuesday January 19     7:00–7:30 PM

Saturday January 23    11:00-11:30 AM

Saturday January 30    10:00 AM –12:00 noon  


Changes in party registration will not be accepted again until after February 9.  January 30 is the last day new registrations will be accepted until the February 9 election.  Anyone who is eligible to vote in Durham is welcome to do so at the polls (ORHS) on election day.  However, expect long lines for registration.


Prospective voters are required by law to show proof of identity, age (18 by the election day), domicile/residence in Durham, and U.S. citizenship.  A driver’s license and a birth certificate or passport are useful.  Affidavits of domicile and citizenship may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking.

 

Durham’s ballot box, issued by the Secretary of State in 1892, is currently on display in the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office.

1892 DURHAM BALLOT BOX - On Display in Clerk's Office

This year, in order to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the first New Hampshire Presidential Primary in 2016, the Secretary of State’s Office gave special recognition to those communities that have used their original ballot boxes since they were issued by the Secretary of State in the election of 1892, as well as communities which have used them in each presidential primary since New Hampshire's first in 1916. 

1892 was the first time the State of New Hampshire provided a ballot box and printed ballots for every polling place at a state election. In this historic election, President Grover Cleveland, who had a summer home in Tamworth, was elected to a second term.

The ballot box pictured above has been in Durham's Historic Museum located on the second floor of the brick building at the corner of Route 108 and Main Street. The Town Clerk's Office had it brought to the Town Hall so that it could be placed on display.

An unsigned note was found tucked down in the box, which reads as follows:

I don't know how I happened to have this box, except I know I've had it ever since I can remember. It has gone along with me wherever I have moved and was known as my "Keepsake box". In it we kept diaries, old letters and trinkets of past years.

This is really an old ballot box used in Durham and may be of interest for you to keep. I have an idea that my father, O.V. Henderson, thought it too good to throw away when a more modern ballot box was brought in.

FILING PERIOD DURHAM LOCAL ELECTED OFFICES FOR MARCH 8, 2016 TOWN ELECTION

The filing period for local Durham elected offices for the March Town Election is Wednesday, January 20, 2016 through 5:00 PM Friday, January 29, 2016. There is no filing fee required.

Citizens who might choose to become involved in Durham Town government may file for one of the positions below at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office during the filing period noted above. Questions may also be directed to that office by calling 603-868-5577 or emailing Town Clerk-Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt at lpitt@ci.durham.nh.us

Residents interested in learning more about any of these positions are invited to contact the Administrator's Office at 603-868-5571 or write to tselig@ci.durham.nh.us.  The 2016 Town elections will take place on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours will be from 7AM to 7PM

 

Town Council, 3 positions (3-year terms)

Town Council, 1 position   (1-year term)

Library Board of Trustees, 3 positions (3-year terms)

Moderator, 1 position (2-year term)

Supervisors of the Checklist, 1 position (6-year term)

Trustees of the Trust Funds, 1 position (3-year term)

OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION INFORMATION AND IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

The filing period for the ORCSD elected offices for the March 8, 2016 Election is Wednesday, January 20, 2016 through 5:00 PM Friday, January 29, 2016. There is no filing fee required.

Moderator, 1 position (1-year term)

At-Large School Board, 2 positions (3-year terms)

Vote in Town of residence:

    Durham             ORHS                            7AM - 7PM

    Lee                    Lee Safety Complex      7AM - 7PM

    Madbury            Madbury Town Hall        11AM - 7:30 PM      

Important ORCSD Dates to Remember:

January 13 - Bond and Budget Public Hearing, ORHS Auditorium, 7PM. Snow Date: Jan 14

January 19 - Lee Selectmen Meeting, 6PM, Lee Safety Complex, School District Budget Overview

February 16 - Candidates' Night, ORHS Location C-120, 7PM. Snow Date: Feb 18

Report of the District February 2016 Edition will be available the beginning of February at the SAU Office, Town Halls, Libraries, Schools, and posted on the ORCSD website.

If unable to pick up a report, please contact Wendy at 603-389-3286 or via email: wdifruscioorcsd.org.

Budget information can be found HERE.  

Asst VP/Branch Mgr Cara Dello Russo and Asst Branch Mgr Chelsea Molinaro show Admin Selig around the new Kennebunk Savings Bank branch on Madbury Rd.   Courtesy Todd Selig

KENNEBUNK SAVINGS BANK OPENS IN DURHAM – A New Local Business at Madbury Commons

The Kennebunk Savings Bank has just opened a new branch here in Durham expanding financial opportunities for town residents.  Located within the new Madbury Commons development at 17 Madbury Road, the branch is not your great-grandparent’s stodgy bank! 

Mr. Selig was surprised to find a Keurig bar area with sofa and comfortable sitting chairs, WiFi access, a counter for plugging in and charging personal electronic devices, a newfangled Video Teller Machine or “VTM” (which we demoed connecting us to a very nice young woman from Kennebunk Savings customer service),  IPads for online banking, teller line, and branch management offices for private discussions with customers. 

The Kennebunk Savings motto is:  “The power of local.”

Stop in anytime and say hello to the friendly staff.

A grand opening is being planned for the branch at the present time.    

2015 DURHAM MASTER PLAN FINALIZED AND APPROVED

We are pleased to note that the Durham Master Plan has been finalized and adopted.  It is available for review HERE. It can also be accessed at the Planning Department or Planning Board web pages.

Click on the first item to see the entire Master Plan.  It will take a minute to download as the document is quite long.  You can also examine any particular part of the Master Plan by clicking on other specific items, including the individual chapters.  The plan consists of introductory material, the ten master plan chapters, supplemental materials for six chapters, and larger versions of maps contained in the document.  We will have paper copies of the entire document available for viewing at the Library, Planning Office, and Town Clerk’s Office.


This has been a long process, having started over five years ago when the Master Plan Steering/Advisory Committee was formed.  We plan to add a Proposed Land Use Chapter in 2017 and possibly several other chapters after that as needed. 

You can also click on “Other Plans/Studies” on the right side of the web page to see other master plans, including the prior 2000 Master Plan, and various plans and studies. 

The 2015 Durham Master Plan is the official Town Master Plan but there is still a great deal of useful and relevant information in the other documents.  A master plan is a planning and policy instrument and does not carry the force of law.  Nonetheless, it is an essential document to guide decision making for the community in the coming years.  


Thank you to the following parties for their indispensable contributions in developing the 2015 Durham Master Plan.

• Planning Board
• Master Plan Advisory Committee
• Agricultural Commission
• Conservation Commission
• Economic Development Committee
• Energy Committee
• Historic District Commission
• Historic Resources Chapter Committee
• Parks and Recreation Committee
• Town Council
• Town staff, and in particular Planner Michael Behrendt and Econ. Dev. Dir. Mary Ellen Humphrey
• Strafford Regional Planning Commission – Cynthia Copeland, Liz Durfee, Kyle Pimental, and Matt Sullivan
• The countless residents of the town who provided input to the Planning Board and committees

IS WAGON HILL FARM SLIPPING AWAY UNDER FOOT AND PAW?

Residents may find a write up of interest on the NH Coastal Adaptation Workshop (NHCAW) Blog dealing with ongoing, slow but steady erosion at Durham’s Wagon Hill Farm.  


From the article…  

“Standing on the beach at Wagon Hill Farm in Durham, NH, it’s easy to appreciate the natural beauty of coastal New Hampshire. From this vantage point, you can look across Little Bay, and depending on the tide, you will see (and smell) expanses of mud flat or blue water dotted with boats and kayaks. You might see terns diving for fish, hear an osprey’s call or the rattle of a woodpecker working in nearby oaks and pines. You will likely notice something else – you are not alone.


Wagon Hill Farm, purchased and conserved in 1989 by the town of Durham, is often a busy place filled with dog walkers, families and picnickers to name a few. The property, conserved for public access and the protection of scenic views, wildlife habitat, and water quality, boasts rolling hills, stands of forest, a historic farmhouse, trails, and a community garden. It also features 1,600 feet of diverse shoreline where Little Bay meets the mouth of the Oyster River. This shoreline is made up of narrow bands of sensitive saltmarsh habitat, rocky outcroppings, and steep, tree-lined banks, as well as a small, maintained beach area. It’s not hard to see why this beach, which offers a mowed grass picnic area to the north and overlooks Little Bay to the south, is a popular spot for human and canine visitors alike. So popular that the very land under foot (and under paw), is threatened by the heavy traffic.”

To see the full article with some very nice, descriptive photographs and map, click HERE.

NHCAW is a collaboration of 21 organizations working to help communities in New Hampshire’s Seacoast area prepare for the effects of extreme weather events and other effects of long term climate change.


For more information, please feel free to contact one of the NHCAW Co-chairs:


Sherry Godlewski, NH Department of Environmental Services Email: sherry.godlewski@des.nh.gov


Steve Miller, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, NH Fish & Game Email: steve.miller@wildlife.nh.gov

 

Mini Cooper Parking used here by Code/Zoning/Health Officer Audrey Cline and Admin. Selig

Courtesy Todd Selig

WHAT PREVIOUSLY FIT ONE, NOW FITS TWO - MINI COOPERS THAT IS!

Former Enforcement Officer Tom Johnson drove a large black pickup truck and parked in a single space on the Mill Pond Road side of the new Town Hall.  Audrey Cline, our new Code Officer, drives a Mini Cooper.  Because the vehicle is quite small, actually … mini … we are able to fit her vehicle and Mr. Selig’s silver Mini Cooper into the same space as shown above.  Talk about efficiency … Kaizen!  


If everyone drove Mini’s, think of how many more cars we could park downtown…

 

REVIEW OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA

Chief Kurz annually produces a review of pedestrian accidents in the downtown area.  The report shows an updated list of all reported pedestrian accidents in the downtown area between the railroad overpass on the westerly side of downtown and the intersection of Main Street and Route 108 to the east. 

The report includes public access parking lots in the imeediate vicinity that have reported pedestrian events.  In addition, the report identifies where the pedestrian was located at the time of the collision and the factors that may have contributed to the event.  All of the pedestrians were injured to varying degreees and transported by ambulance to Wentworth-Douglas Hospital.  All vehicle operators were issued summons for failure to yield to a pedestrian if the pedestrian was in the crosswalk.


While the document was initially developed in 2003, it has been updated periodically to maintain anaccurate portrayal of accidents involving pedestrians between the years 1996-2015.  


Trends noted in the report follow ...

• During this period there have been two pedestrian fatalities occurring in 2004 and 2008.  One was outside of a crosswalk and the second was within a crosswalk.  

• 73 pedestrian accidents have been reported to the Durham Police Department between 1996-2015.

• 74% of the pedestrian accidents occurred while the pedestrian was within a crosswalk.  

• 58% of the accidents occurred in areas where two-way traffic existed.

• 48% of the accidents occurred during daylight hours.

• 10% of the accidents were attributed to “solar blindness” during sunset or sunrise occurrences.

• 74% of the accidents occurred in clear weather.

• The posted speed limit at all locations is 25 MPH.

• Each year there is an average of 3.65 pedestrian accidents in Durham.  2015 had the highest recorded number of accidents with pedestrians with 10.  Previous to 2015, the years 1999, 2008, and 2014 each had 6 accidents.  The years 1998, 2001, and 2009 had the least with only 1 accident in each year.  

To view the full report dated December 22, 2015, click HERE

FARMERS MARKET LOCATION – Discussion and the Evaluation of Various Sites Continues

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback last week regarding the possibility of using the Pettee Brook Parking Lot for the Farmer’s Market in Durham.  As reported previously, the location of the Seacoast Growers Association Farmer’s Market at Jackson’s Landing in Durham has met with mixed review from growers.  Consequently, the Town is evaluating alternative locations.


The market typically runs from the first week in June through the first week in October, from 2:30 PM to around 5:30 PM.  Typically, the area used for the market bust be coned off first thing in the morning to ensure that spaces are free when the growers arrive to set up around 1 PM.  


In our discussions thus far, and with feedback received from local businesses, while there are absolutely merits to hosting the market in the downtown area, we are concerned that although Pettee Brook Lot worked five or six years ago, it may in fact create significant parking challenges today with increased demand for downtown spaces while UNH is in session.  


Consequently, we continue to evaluate possible locations.  Possibly Mill Pond Road or part of the Town Hall lot?  More details to come in the future.

 

STRAFFORD COUNTY SCHEDULES PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED BUDGET

Residents/taxpayers sometimes forget that their single annual tax bill issued by the town includes four components:

                                            Municipal

                                            School (Local)

                                            School (State)

                                            County

 

The Town of Durham only has oversight over one of these portions of the local tax pie – municipal totaling $20,813,681 (inclusive of all funds before revenues are deducted). 

The Oyster River Cooperative School District oversees the school section, the State of New Hampshire technically dictates the School (State) section, and Strafford County oversees the County portion of the bill.  


While the 2016 budget for the Town of Durham has been set by the Town Council in Dec. 2015, the School Board and the County are still hard at work on their budgets.  


A public hearing and meeting before the Strafford County Delegation will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 7 PM (SNOW DATE: Wednesday, February 3, 2016) in Superior Courtroom II, Second Floor of the William A. Grimes Strafford County Justice and Administration Building, 259 County Farm Road, Dover, NH on the Strafford County Commissioners’ Proposed Operating Budget for 2016.  The Public Hearing is to receive public input on the Proposed Operating Budget.  A Public Meeting will be held after the Public Hearing to hear any other business that may legally come before the Delegation at that time.  


The Strafford County Commission is proposing a budget totaling $60,058,257 in operating expenditures with revenues of $29,787,822.  The proposed amount to be raised by taxes is $30,118,545, an increase of 1.47% over 2015.  For the fourth year in a row, the County is authoring a budget that stays within the best estimated tax caps for the muncipalities of Strafford County.  


A copy of the budget book from the County is available for public viewing at the Durham Town Hall in the Business Office.


2015 Tax Rate Breakdown between components of government as reflected on Durham tax bills:

ORCSD PROPOSED 2016‐17 BUDGET UPDATE - Information from Superintendent Jim Morse on 1/8/16

The Oyster River Cooperative School District School Board has spent many months deliberating over the school budget. This year has been particularly difficult due to the projected 16.8% increase in health insurance costs. This health insurance increase approaches $600,000. Another way to look at the health increase is that it represents to the SAU 5 budget a 1.5% increase all by

itself. This increase would have been 5% higher except that the District pools its insurance through HealthTrust.

To read Superintendent Morse's update in its entirety, click HERE.

 

ORCSD TO OFFER FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN IN THE FALL

After eight years of investigation and preparation the Oyster River Cooperative School District will move from a half-day Kindergarten program to a Full-Day Kindergarten program next fall.  

 

The ORCSD needs your help spreading the word.  If residents have or know of a family with a student entering Kindergarten for the next school year please share this important message.

 

There will be a Full Day Kindergarten Informational meeting on January 12, 2016 at 7:00pm in the Oyster River High School Auditorium. Child care will be provided.

Should families of incoming Kindergarten students not be able to attend, the session will be videotaped and placed on the ORCSD web page.  

Dick Dewey has recently passed away at age 103 Courtesy Dick Lord

FORMER DURHAM RESIDENT, DICK DEWEY, PASSED AWAY ON DECEMBER 17, 2015

The Town was notified recently that Dick Dewey, a longtime former resident, passed away at the age of 103 on December 17, 2015.

The following is a brief recollection by resident Richard (Dick) Lord of being Dick Dewey's neighbor for 4 decades.

One couldn't grow up just down the road from the Dewey’s place without seeing and hearing about Dick’s pride and joy, his Packard 12-cylinder open touring car. Built during the peak of the depression, it was one of a very small production run offered to the few elite who were unaffected by the misfortunes of the rest of the country. Dick salvaged it and lovingly rebuilt it and restored it to pristine factory condition. For many years, “Twin-six” was a prominent participant at the front of the town’s Memorial day parade.  Dick also frequently drove it half way across the country to participate in vintage car meets.  He had little use for the folks who brought their cars to the meet on trailers, never to move under their own power.  What was the point of restoring the appearance without experiencing the joy of driving it?

After the four Dewey children were grown, Dick and his wife, Bea, decided to put their home to use as a bed & breakfast, which they named “Hannah House” in honor of Bea’s family.  For many years before the Dewey’s bought it, the house had served as the up-scale “Colonial Mansion” part of the nearby Highland House guest house business nearby on Bennett Rd. so the place was well suited for again serving visitors to the area. Dick took great joy in meeting and entertaining the endless stream of guests, and many a lively discussion took place in the historic living room.

 

The Twin-Six  Courtesy Dick Lord

MEDIAN EQUALIZATION RATIO ASSIGNED TO DURHAM BY NH DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ADMINISTRATION – Values Still Within State Parameters

The NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) is charged by the state with the responsibility for annually equalizing the local assessed valuation of municipalities throughout NH.  The DRA conducts a sales-assessment ratio study using market sales, which have taken place in each community between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015.  Based on this information, the DRA determines the average level of assessment of land, buildings, and manufactured housing (if applicable) as of April 1, 2015.  


Durham’s median ratio has dropped from 95.6% to 93.4%.  The median ratio is the generally preferred measure of central tendency for assessment equity, monitoring appraisal performance, and determining reappraisal priorities, or in evaluating the need for reappraisal within a given community. This means that on average, the assessments of properties in Durham were approximately 6.6% below market value during 2015.  It is also the ratio to be used to modify market values of properties for tax abatement purposes.


Statistically, all of the ratios for Durham are still well within the statistical guidelines per RSA 75:1 outlined as follows:


Median Ratio must be between 0.90 and 1.10:

2015 – 93.4%

Coefficient of Dispersion (COD) must be 20.0 or less:

2015 – 8.1%

Price Related Differential (PRD) must be between 0.98 and 1.03:

2015 – 1.01

 

If you have any questions, please contact Assessor Jim Rice directly at (603) 868-8064 or email him at jrice@ci.durham.nh.us.  

 

ABATEMENT DEADLINE FOR 2015

The deadline for 2015 property tax abatement requests in Durham is March 1, 2016.  Please contact Assessor Jim Rice for more information at jrice@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

MORE TELEPHONE SCAMS IN DURHAM!

In previous Friday Updates, Chief Kurz has advised about a variety of telephone scams and wants to inform you of a new variation on an old IRS scam! In this case, thankfully the resident did not pick up the telephone as they did not recognize the number on caller ID.  The message left was intimidating and stated:

“This message is intended for ___.  This is Mark Johnson with Department of legal affairs with US treasury and I want to reach you in regards to a very important issue. This is a verbal notification for ______ in regards to a law enforcement action that has been started against you.  My number is 347-4679-6296.   I hope you take this seriously and call me right back.  Again this Mark Johnson from the Department of legal affairs with US treasury.  I’m looking forward to speak with you. Have a blessed day and God bless."

There are a number of issues that should alert Durham residents that this call is not legitimate.  First, the Federal government, specifically the Treasury Department, will not institute notice of a “law enforcement action”, whatever that is, over the telephone.  Additionally, no U.S. governmental entity will end the call with any statement that has any semblance to religious overtones such as this message has done.  


Residents should be alert to such subtleties as they are factors that point to the call being a scam.  As always, when in doubt, contact the Durham Police at 603-868-2324.

 

LED MUNICIPAL STREET LIGHTING PILOT PROGRAM

The Public Works Department initiated a new pilot program last week installing 5 new LED (Light Emitting Diodes) municipal street lights in 5 different location for residents to check out this new technology.

The 5 locations are:

Bagdad Road @ 39 Bagdad Road

Newmarket Road @ Mill Pond Road

Packers Falls Road @ Wiswall Road

Hampshire Ave @ Scotland Road

Madbury Road @ Garrison Avenue

 

The AEL Autobahn Roadway Lighting LED fixture is the most state of the art LED Street Light on the market today. This 60 watt LED fixture replaces the current town standard of 100 watt High Pressure Sodium fixture, The new LED fixture has a 100,000 hour rating which equals an expected life of 24 years versus the current HPS lamp which has a 36-42 month life. The new fixture is nighttime friendly and restricts backlighting to within normal sidewalk depth. The Town has 351 current fixtures which are 30-35 years old, once all 351 fixtures are replaced with new LED fixtures the town will save 198.26 kW annually and $31,000 annually in operating costs which equals a 53%-58% annual savings.

 

DPW is currently applying to Eversource for a rebate program of up to $100 per fixture. The new AEL Autobahn roadway LED fixture is currently priced at $301.  

 

DPW recently received the following email from resident Brad Skotko of Scotland Road:

Mr. Lynch,

I stopped by the DPW office to pick up our 2016 town stickers and had a great talk with two of the personnel about the new street light fixture that went in outside our house. Eversource installed one of the new LED street lamps outside our house at the intersection of Hampshire and Scotland Rd. I just wanted to write to tell you how much better these light fixtures work.

First, the color of the light is very appealing compared to the orange light of sodium vapor lamps. Second, since the elements are such a low profile, they don't stick out beneath the housing and cast light into our bedroom window. This was always an annoyance for me and this new style doesn't do that. It directs the light where it is supposed to go. Third, the coverage of the lamp seems to be much better as it is easier to see at the intersection and the light appears to disperse up Scotland Rd more than the previous lamp. This helps from a safety standpoint and provides more lighting to areas that didn't have any before. Finally, these should provide a significant cost reduction in maintenance and operation.

So, thanks again for your efforts in getting these kinds of lights implemented in Durham. Please feel free to utilize this email in any way necessary to further the cause of improving street lighting in our area.

Thanks also to the DPW staff that explained the struggle you have gone through and took the time to show me one of the fixtures up close. It was a great experience.

 

DURHAM AND OWNER OF MILL PLAZA REACH SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON LAWSUIT

A settlement agreement has been reached by and between the Town of Durham and Colonial Durham Associates, LP, relative to the redevelopment of the Mill Plaza.  The application will now move on to the Durham Planning Board and will proceed through the planning process subject to several conditions.  


To view the settlement agreement, click HERE.

 

COLONIAL DURHAM ASSOCIATES REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Economic Development Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 19th at 8:00 AM in the Council chambers. Representatives from Colonial Durham Associates will be present to discuss the redevelopment project at the Mill Plaza. This meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 22, as well as taped and rebroadcast at future dates. The full EDC agenda is available below.

DURHAM PUBIC LIBRARY HAS NEW CIRCULATION SYSTEM

The new circulation system, Atriuum by Book Systems, has been launched at the Durham Public Library. Please bear with the Library while the staff there transitions to working with the new software.  Note: What were "passwords" in the old system are now called "PIN's" and they are not restricted to 4 digits.  If your password contained letters, the old system automatically capitalized them, so know that the user and pin here are case sensitive.

If your log in didn't work as you expected, please consider how it appears in the computer (the first letter of your last name should be capitalized), and try again.  Contact Nancy Miner at the DPL if you have difficulty at nminer@ci.durham.nh.us or call 603-868-6699.

 

US SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE OFFICE HOURS

A member of US Senator Kelly Ayotte's staff, Sean Knox, will be visiting the Durham Town Hall on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 10:30 - 11:30 AM in the Town Hall lobby. Members of the public are welcome to stop in and speak to Mr. Knox during that time.

 

TOWN COUNCIL 2015/16 GOALS - UPDATED PROGRESS REPORT AS OF 12/31/15

On Monday, May 18, 2015, the Council adopted its goals for 2015/16. Since that time, the Administrator provided Councilors with an updated progress report on October 19, 2015 which outlined the status of each goal at that time. To view the current progress report of the Council's’s 2015/16 as of December 31, 2015, click HERE.

Durham resident Rad Nichols clears the Mill Pond for skating. Courtesy DCAT Studios

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION MEETING - SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016

The Durham Historic Association will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, January 24, 2016 (Rain Date: January 31) at 2:00 PM in the Town Hall Council chambers.

The program will include "Who was Major General John Sullivan?"  Sullivan was a Major General in the Revolutionary War and elected NH Governor three times. He lived his entire adult life in Durham, a life of important roles in the creation of the United States. His story will be told by Doug MacLennan, owner of the General Sullivan House here in Durham.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WORKSHOP

Never too early to plan your garden!  Save this date - Wednesday, March 9th at 7pm - for a Seed Starting Workshop at the Durham Public Library.  Sponsored by the Durham Public Library and the Durham Agricultural Commission.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WEEKLY MINI FILM SERIES

Durham's Agricultural Commission's has begun featuring a Mini Film Series in the weekly "Friday Updates".  Each week a short video on an agricultural topic will be posted that Commission members hope subscribers will enjoy and find helpful.

This week's mini film series is Ten Tips for Starting Seeds Indoors.

WINTER WARM-UP WITH WOMENADE

We at Oyster River Womenade are excited to announce Winter Warm-up With Womenade! an Oyster River Eats Out event to support Womenade.


The businesses listed in the above poster in Durham, Lee, Madbury, and Newmarket, have generously agreed to participate in this first of what we hope will be an annual January event.

Who we are: Oyster River Womenade is a local non-profit organization that serves women, men, and children in the towns of Durham, Lee, Madbury, and Newmarket. The unique appeal of Womenade is our ability to react quickly to the needs of the community. There is no national organization guiding our mission, our organization works solely within the local community to raise money through sponsored events and generous donations from businesses and individuals. It really is about using local resources to help local people.


Here are some examples of how Oyster River Womenade has helped community members:

• emergency fuel for an injured elderly woman left unable to work, she had no heat and her house temperature was down to 40 degrees
• food gift card for a single mother with two severely autistic children
• temporary assistance with a water bill for a family who has a high school student suffering from a brain tumor

The Event:  Choose a participating restaurant and treat yourself on the day they have selected during the week of January 18th to January 23rd, 2016. Come in from the cold and raise money for local families in need.

Note: for Kume, please bring in a copy of their flier, which can be found HERE.


For more information about Oyster River Womenade, please feel free to visit http://www.orwomenade.org.

 

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.

Economic Development Committee - Tuesday, January 19, 2016 (8AM - Council Chambers)

Human Rights Commission - Wednesday, January 20, 2016 (3PM - Town Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room)

Parks & Recreation Committee - Thursday, January 21, 2016

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 and then by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/

 
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule.

 
DCAT Programming Schedule.

 

DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22

First in the Nation Primary - Have you ever wondered how Iowa and New Hampshire got to be first?  DCAT 22 Studios recorded the program at the Durham Public Library.  Join David Moore and Andy Smith, authors of the book “The First Primary”, New Hampshire’s Outsize Role in the Presidential Nominations. Don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy this special program on your own DCAT 22.


Saturday & Sunday @ 1:30 PM

Also available on DCAT On Demand
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The "Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Presents SOCIAL MEDIA: A Predators Playground" presented at the ORMS on Monday, December 7th. The presentation was recorded by DCAT 22.  This presentation was offered in conjunction with the ORMS PTO, Durham Police Department, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  Learn about the dangers that face teens every day. In doing so, we’ll discuss how computers, cell phones, IPads, digital cameras, gaming systems, social networking applications, and Internet blogs all play a role in placing students and families at risk. This 1.5 hour presentation is specifically geared towards parents and educators who looking to better understand the technology available to teens today and the way in which child predators use it to exploit them.


DCAT 22 replay times: Saturday & Sunday @ 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM

Also available on DCAT On Demand

Run time: 1:22
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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.

 

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.

Winter Programs

Our Winter Programs and Events Guide is packed full of programs, classes, trips and activities to keep everyone busy this winter!  Check it out!

Discover Durham’s Trails

Durham Conservation Commission, Parks & Recreation and the Land Stewardship Committee are offering once a month guided treks for community members to get to know the trails and recreational spaces in Durham.  These treks will take place the third Sunday of each month at 10am. Participation is FREE!

Join us for the following treks:

Sunday, January 17th: XC Ski Beech Hill Trail (parking at the end of Beech Hill Rd)

Beech Hill Trail will be guided by Maggie Moore.

Sunday, February 21st: Snowshoe the Sweet Trail (beginning at Dame Rd parking area)

Sunday, March 20th: Snowshoe Wagon Hill Farm Trails

Volunteers Wanted

Are you interested in being a Field Trip Leader to lead or co-lead a trek for Discover Durham’s Trails?  We would love to have you!!  Please contact Parks & Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski for more details on this volunteer position.

 

February Vacation Week Camp!

Join Durham Parks and Recreation during February Vacation for a week of FUN, entertainment and adventure!  Participants are welcome to sign-up for specific days or for the whole week! Please visit us online to see what we have planned!


Who: Kindergarten -6th Grade

When: Monday, February 22nd- Friday, February 26th 2016

Where: Oyster River Middle School Gymnasium and MPR

Time: 9:00am-4:00pm

Cost: $40 per day per student or $185 for the week

Min. of 12. Max of 24 participants daily

Registration deadline: Monday, February 15th 2016

 

Community Archery Clinic

Archery In Motion will be instructing this four-week clinic which will focus on safety, proper form and developing technique to become more precise in order to enhance the archers’ abilities.


Who: Ages 7-107+!

When: February 2nd- March 1st (no clinic on Feb. 23rd)

Where: Oyster River Middle School MPR

Time: 4:00-5:00pm

Cost: $70/person

Min. of 8, Max. of 12

Registration deadline: Friday, January 29th, 2016

FREE Balance Workshop with Sally Baker, PT

Better balance prevents falls and injuries. Join Sally Ann Baker PT from Durham Physical Therapy as she shows you easy balance exercises, which will help restore some of the flexibility, and strength you remember.

As we get older, falling can result in more than the bruises we might have experienced in our youth; it can rob us of our independence.  Every year thousands of older people experience broken hips and head injuries. Don’t join this group!

Join Sally Thursdays at 12pm at the Durham Recreation Parks & Recreation building  located in the old court house on 2 Dover Road, for a half hour of fun, gentle, preventive exercise, a no sweat approach, which will arm you against the uneven surfaces and black ice of New England.

Call the Durham Parks & Recreation at 817- 4074 or email at recreation@ci.durham.nh.us for more information about this ongoing FREE program beginning Thursday, January 28th at 12:00pm.  Or just join us!

FREE Astronomy Workshop at Durham Public Library

Durham Parks & Recreation is teaming up with UNH Astronomer John Gianforte - The SkyGuy, to offer Stargazing at Wagon Hill Farm! Before we head outside, we will kick-off this exciting, family-friendly program with a FREE indoor astronomy workshop on Monday, February 8th at the Durham Public Library from 6 -7:30pm.   Please let Durham Parks & Rec. know you’ll be attending the workshop by Friday, February 6th so we can best prepare for the evening.

We want to hear from you!  Have a new exciting program idea?  Please be sure to share your vision with Parks and Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski.  Stop by the Recreation Department Office (2 Dover Road), or call/email the department at (603) 817-4074/ rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us. 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Groundswell/Natural Wonder Exhibition, UNH Museum of Art, Paul Arts Center, January 26-April 3, 2016. Opening Reception Friday, January 29, 2016, 5:30-7:30 PM.

Face to Face with Alzheimer’s: Learning, Accepting and Finding Hope, Jan 30th at 7:00 PM and Jan 31st at 3:00 PM, Community Church of Durham. Join us for a rare opportunity to hear the Church Choir perform “Alzheimer’s Stories.” The libretto is based on real stories by ordinary people whose lives have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease. Reception will follow in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Carly Hellen, OTR, at 603.397.501, with any questions.

UNH Celebrity Series - Walnut Street Theatre presentation of A Moon for the Misbegotten by Eugene O’Neill, Wednesday, Feb 10, 2016, 7PM, Paul Creative Arts Center’s Johnson Theatre, Durham.  Tickets can be purchased on line HERE.

Save the Date -- Warm up with Oyster River Womenade!

Come in out of the cold and treat yourself at one of these local restaurants:

Mei Wei and Frozone, Monday, Jan 18; Kume Bistro in Newmarket, Tuesday, Jan 19; Libby's Bar & Grill, Wednesday, Jan 20, Durham House of Pizza - TBD. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Oyster River Womenade.  OR Womenade provides financial assistance to families in Durham, Lee, Madbury, and Newmarket. For more information about OR Womenade, visit our website at www.orwomenade.org or email us at orwomenade@comcast.net.

The 2016 ORHS Poetry Out Loud participants including winner, Daiyao Zhang, and runner-up, Alana Ervin

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Congratulations to the ORHS 2016 Poetry Out Loud Competition Winner, Daiyao Zhang, runner-up Alana Ervin, and all the participants.

Library closed on Monday, January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

New! S.T.E.A.M. Program, Sat. Jan. 16th, 10:30-11:30am. This week’s theme: Paper Supports – Join us every Saturday for S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities in the Storytime/Craftroom. All ages welcome!
PJ Storytime with ORPP, Wed. Jan. 20th 6pm, theme: Stuffed Animal Sleepover – Bring a stuffed animal to sleepover in the library! We will read stories and do a craft. Snack provided by Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers (ORPP). All are welcome!
New! YA Tech Club, Tues., Jan. 26th 6:30-7:30pm– Come and try out some cool, new technology items from Sphero and beyond!  10+ year olds are welcome.
Chinese Calligraphy Exhibit Opening Reception, Mon. Feb. 1st 7pm - Runkun "Cara" Song 18 years old, shares her accomplishments and talents.

Workshop with Miss Song, Chinese Calligraphy, Tues. Feb. 2nd 5:30-7:30pm – An overview of Chinese calligraphy, registered participants create their own own work of art to bring home assisted by Miss Song. $5 fee for materials. Register with Armida Geiger, 603-988-6616;ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Midlife with Thoreau: Poems, Essays, Journals…Nature Memoir, Wed. Jan. 27th 7pm – Author Diane P. Freedman, Professor of English & Core Faculty Member in Women’s Studies at UNH. Purchase books for signing. Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Poetry Reading & NH Notables, featured poet Abigail Carroll, Tues. Feb. 9th 7pm – Words & Music for the Senses! Program includes UNH professors and students from the English Dept. and music from the UNH a capella group, The NH Notables. Intermission with light refreshments. Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us Make this your Valentine’s Destination!

Seacoast Reads – Want a UNH reading Buddy? Sign up your child (1st-3rd grade) to read with a college student trained by the UNH Education Department’s Seacoast Reads program. Register at the Children’s Desk or call # 868-6699. Program begins in February!
Game Afternoon resumes Mon. Jan. 25th 2:45-4pm, For ages 10 & up – Come and play some fun games and have a snack too.

Storytimes! This week’s theme: Kings & Queens, Tues. Jan. 19th and Thurs. Jan. 21st 10:30am, next week’s theme: Birds! Join us for stories, finger-plays, felt board, songs and a craft.
Baby-Lapsit, Wed. Jan. 20th 10:30-11:30am - For children & their care-givers, infancy to age 2.  Songs, stories, movement, rhymes & socializing afterward.
Knitting Club, Wed.  Jan. 20th 4-5 pm - 3rd through 5th graders knitting club. Please register at the Children's desk.
Lego Club (K-4th grade), Thurs. Jan. 21st 3:30-4:30pm – Like to build Legos? Join us to do Lego challenges and build cool structures. Please note the new start time.
Homeschoolers Group, Fri. Jan. 22nd 10:30am, Theme: Oregon Trail – Join us for books, games, and a craft. This group is geared toward homeschoolers, but all are welcome.
McGregor EMS CPR/AED Class, Tues. Jan. 19th 6-8pm
Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4th grade, Tues., Feb. 2nd 6-7pm -  “Half Magic” by Edward Eager. Discuss the book/author, play games, have snacks and more. Books available at circulation desk.
Bookeaters Middle School Book Group, Wed. Feb. 10th 2:45-4pm – “Spirit Animals: Wild Born” by Brandon Mull. Facilitator, Ruth Wharton McDonald. Pizza is served and books are available at the circulation desk.
Oyster River Knitters, Tues. Feb. 2nd 7-9pm – Contact Janet # 868-1142 jadoty@comcast.net
Library Museum Passes - Patrons need to be aware that museum passes must be picked up at the library before they can be used.  Museums will not accept the printout that confirms the reservation, or a phone shot of your confirmation: you must present the actual pass.  The Friends of the Library generously support the purchase of museum passes to 12 terrific museums, including 3 different children’s museums, the Peabody Essex, the Currier, MFA, Strawbery Banke and others.
Library Calendar for all programs & events. Pick up locations: DPL circulation desk, DPL Café and Durham Town Hall bulletin Board.
Free Ancestry.com at the library – Select the new Genealogy and Local History tab on the website homepage http://durhampubliclibrary.org  It will lead you to many helpful links for your research. The HeritageQuest module can be accessed from your home computer; just call DPL 603-868-6699 for the password. The Ancestry.com site is a special library edition, and can be opened from anywhere in our building. Other links take you to cemetery sites, census records, Latter-Day-Saints database, National Archives and many other digitized resources. Local history links take you to the relevant sections of the UNH catalog and other collections of local interest.
Tales for Tails – Have a child who needs to increase their confidence in reading?  Have them read to one of our Pet Partner dogs!  Your child will read ½ hour once a week to one of the dogs and their handlers. Sessions run for 4 weeks. Next session begins on Jan. 25th. Call the Children’s Dept.#868-6699 to sign up now!
Join the Reading Patch Club!  Ages 2-12 years - Earn patches and a tote bag for hours that you read! Program sponsored by The Friends of the Durham Public Library.
Technology Help - The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology, such as computers, iPads and phones. Call us to check on the availability of our volunteers at 868-6699 or email us at durhampl@gmail.com.

For more information, visit the Durham Public Library website.

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

*Academic year commenced August 28th and will be measured through graduation at UNH in May.

"Scout!" - a goldendoodle who resides with her

family on Nobel K. Peterson Dr. Courtesy Todd Selig

This morning after being told she could not do something she wanted, an 8 year old durham resident asked her dad:  

"Daddy, why does Scouty get to do anything she wants?"  

Her dad answered:  "Because she's the top dog!"  :)

Have a very nice weekend. 

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, NH

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us    http://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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