Friday Updates - January 3rd, 2020

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Friday, January 3, 2020

 

The Old Landing, Durham. Courtesy Todd Selig

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We hope that everyone had a peaceful New Year's!

With all of the recent snow, a few people have reported that not all drivers are clearing the snow/ice off of their car rooftops. Please note that Jessica's Law in NH prohibits driving with snow/ice piled high on the roof of a vehicle. Jessica's Law is named after Jessica Smith, who was killed when ice from a tractor-trailer blew off, causing a second truck to collide with her car. The 2002 New Hampshire legislation requires drivers to clean their cars of snow and ice or face hefty fines!

 

YEAR END WRAP UP FOR 2019 - A summary of the significant issues/events/accomplishments in Durham over the last year.

Town staff, elected, and appointed officials are working to address community needs, control costs, and maintain the municipality’s fiscal position despite many competing pressures. From preserving the quality of life within our traditional residential neighborhoods, to grappling with human rights and societal issues, to managing development pressures, to exploring new ways to address solid waste and recycling amidst market headwinds, to striving to be sustainable on numerous fronts, many individuals have collectively worked diligently on behalf of the community in 2019. 

 

Moody’s Investors Services reported on Nov. 5, 2019 that the credit position for Durham is very good. Its Aa2 rating is slightly higher than the median rating of Aa3 for cities nationwide. The notable credit factors include a strong financial position, a very strong wealth and income profile, and a modestly sized tax base. The Town has a strong financial position, which is relatively favorable in comparison to Durham’s assigned rating of Aa2. The Town's cash balance as a percent of operating revenues (88.4%) far exceeds the US median and it remained stable between 2014 and 2018. Additionally, Durham's fund balance as a percent of its operating revenues (30.3%) is consistent with that of other Moody's-rated cities nationwide. These indices are indicative of measured success in realizing the Town’s fiscal goals. 

To view the full report, click HERE.

 

New Eversource pole structures in distance along left side of RR tracks looking toward Route 4 from Main St. Courtesy Todd Selig

EVERSOURCE TO UTILIZE HELICOPTERS TO STRING WIRES ON NEW POLES JANUARY 6-7 FROM ROUTE 4 TO UNH CAMPUS

Eversource will be using helicopters to clip in the optical ground wire on ten structures on the F107 line (Seacoast Reliability Project). This will take place Monday, January 6th, and Tuesday, January 7th (weather permitting, in Madbury and Durham (near UNH)

 

Haverfield Aviation will be flying a Hughes MD500 Helicopter with Tail Number N369TJ

 

The helicopter will take off and land at the end of the parking lot at 18 Gables Way in Durham

 

Flight Times: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., subject to weather conditions

 

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING IN JANUARY

There is currently only one (1) regular meeting of the Town Council scheduled in January for January 13, 2020.

 

HDC Vice Chair Andrea Bodo

"WHY I SERVE" - Some thoughts from Historic District Commission Vice Chair Andrea Bodo

Somewhere, I once read that the office of citizen is the highest office in the land. One of the best ways to participate in our democracy is by serving on a state board, commission or committee. These groups oversee and advise Durham’s elected officials., state agencies and organizations on a wide range of issues that affect public policy and welfare. These groups also play a vital role in promoting efficient, effective and honest government. For many like myself, serving on a board or committee is one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. 

 

Why Serve? Boards play a vital role in the administration of government operations. Twenty years ago, my husband Steve, a retired biomedical engineer and I (a retired nurse. musician and artist) retired to our cottage (which he built in 1985) on the waterfall in Durham. It seemed so idyllic with so many possibilities.  

To read the full piece, click HERE.

 

The UNH-Durham station for the Amtrak Downeaster. Courtesy Todd Selig

IN ITS 18th YEAR OF SERVICE, DURHAM-UNH RIDERSHIP SLIPS 4% FOR THE YEAR

December 15th is the 18th anniversary of passenger service returning to Durham on the Amtrak Downeaster line. 2019 saw a slight drop in Durham ridership to just under 57,000 trips. This moved the Durham/UNH station to the 3rd in the state as Dover ridership surged by 11%.

Overall, New Hampshire ridership was over 217,000 trips (up 4% for the year) or just under 40% of overall system ridership. That translates to an estimated 7 million NH based travel miles!

In 2020 UNH will begin design/engineering in conjunction with the Town for the planned 2021 platform expansion/north canopy project.

 

One of the three Zipcar "pods" at UNH and in Durham, in this case parked on Depot Rd. by the UNH-Durham train station. Courtesy Todd Selig

ZIPCAR IN UNH/DURHAM SEES 12% MEMBERSHIP DECLINE IN 2019

Zipcar is now entering its 11th year at UNH-Durham. Active membership fell for a second year by 12% to just under 500 active members. Utilization fell to just under 60,000 miles of use*.

UNH staff is in discussions with ZipCar regarding fleet commitments, pod locations and improved access. 2020 will likely bring a new competitive bid for car share services. (*ZipCar data was missing two months of information – these figures are estimates) 

 

Since ZipCar arrived in fall 2009, over 1,900 members have joined ZipCar from Durham and used the cars for over 56,000 hours and traveled more than a 425,000 miles.

 

ZipCar has expanded daily, monthly, and annual membership options. Students 18+ may join and memberships are currently $15/year. For more information about Zipcar in Durham, click HERE.

 

A PROFILE ON SHERYL BASS, DURHAM'S NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR - Prepared by Dir. of Planning Michael Behrendt 

Meet Sheryl Bass, Durham’s new Library Director. Her passion shines through. She is “absolutely psyched for the future of the library.” 

Before starting this position in November, Sheryl was the documents librarian at SubCom (formerly Tyco) in Newington. SubCom manufactures sub-sea fiber optic cable for intercontinental communications. Prior to that, she managed a library in Mason, Michigan. Sheryl has a Master’s Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit in Library and Information Science. 

She was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina and moved around, largely in the south, as her father was in the Air Force. She is now “home” in New Hampshire. Sheryl wanted to be a librarian since she was a little girl and was always absorbed in a book. 

Read the full profile on Sheryl Bass HERE.

 

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION 2019 REVIEW

The Parks & Recreation Department has been working hard to offer a wide range of recreational opportunities to the Durham community. Since the start of the year through November 2019, DPR has offered a total of 117 program opportunities. These program opportunities are broken down into the following offerings:

  1. Adult Programs: variety of fitness classes offered throughout the year including zumba, pilates, yoga, tai chi, bootcamp, strength and stretch, yoga at Wagon Hill Farm, Adult ARTS Trips (in partnership with the Community Church), pick up pickelball, and knitting class.
  2. After School Programs (elementary and middle school students): indoor rock climbing, kayaking, mtn. biking, xc skiing and snowshoeing, archery, outdoor edu./adventure edu. style programs, cooking classes, horseback riding and magic class.
  3. Youth Programs: Teacher workshop day field trips, vacation week programs and camps, fishing program, Kids Night Out
  4. Community Programs (all ages participating together): bird walks, karate, archery, snowshoe hikes, guided trail hikes and vacation week programs.
  5. Community Special Events: Family Sweetheart Dance, Slush Cup Pond Hockey Tournament, Annual Egg Hunt, Memorial Day Parade, Family Camp Out at WHF, Family Theater Night, Music on Main, Summer Splash and Potluck Picnic Dinner, Trot in the Trees 5K Trail Race (NEW- in partnership with ORYA), Downtown Trick, and Frost Fest.
  6. Summer Camps (ages 5-15): A total of 9 weeks of camps offered. Makers of the Future Camp, Dinos vs. Robots Camp, REACH Afternoon Camp (5 week partnership camp with the SAU), Outdoor Adventure Week, and Adventure Paddle Camp.

The number of RecDesk Members include...

913 Durham, 209 Madbury, 247 Lee, 157 Other

Some challenges for the department include:

  • Lack of indoor facility space for programming needs
  • Inadequate storage for program material and supplies
  • Limited staff

More statistics from 2019 are available HERE.

 

Check out upcoming 2020 programs for January and February HERE.

 

The Oyster River (Mill Pond) Dam on Friday. Courtesy Todd Selig

MILL POND DAM FEASIBILITY STUDY PROCESS UPDATE

The recent small drawdown and initial visual dam inspection went well according to DPW. A number of photos were taken as part of the inspection revealing a decent hole in the wall between two bays and cracking in the first bay closest to the fish ladder.

 

The Town’s contractor began constructing a gravel crane pad on the Town’s lot adjacent to the fish ladder on Thursday, January 2nd . New England Boring had been scheduled to mobilize to the site on Monday January 6th through Friday January 10th to complete the geotechnical work by floating a drill rig on a small barge in Mill Pond. Unfortunately, they canceled their scheduled geotechnical work in the pond that was scheduled for next week. At this point DPW and our consultant VHB/Pare Corp. will likely begin discussing this scope of work with a different boring contractor. We will reschedule this work for early Spring.

The first public informational meeting for the Dam Feasibility Study will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2020, in the Town Council chambers at 7 PM. The goal of the meeting will be to introduce the members of the project team, present the scope and projected timeline of the study, and to take questions and comments.

 

Questions and comments should be directed to Town Engineer April Talon at (603) 868-5578, or mailto:atalon@ci.durham.nh.us

 

MOUTH OF THE RIVER IS THE OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE - Adults in the community can subscribe, too!

Mouth of the River is the official news publication for Oyster River High School. The staff consisting of juniors and seniors works hard during the Journalism 2 class to produce a magazine that is informative and interesting to the ORCSD community.

To produce the magazine, the staff holds a quarterly Coffee House where singers, instrumentalists, stand up comedians, and artists are provided with the opportunity to share their talents with their classmates in a casual setting. Additionally, the magazine has sponsorships from local businesses.

Each year, the students produce four print editions of Mouth of the River, which can be found around the school or under the “Print Edition” tab on their website.

If you would like to receive a copy of Mouth of the River at your doorstep (to your inbox), click on the “Subscriptions” tab on our website.

There are interesting articles concerning Durham's recent Frost Fest, the new farmstead at Emery Farm, ORHS Winter Carnival, and more...

 

Admin. Selig pictured above with Ronnie Yavin (left) and Julliet Kahwaji from Women Wage Peace in Jerusalem, Israel on Dec. 18th.

SCOOTERS, BICYCLES AND LANDMINES: ADMIN. SELIG JOINS NEW ENGLAND MUNICIPAL LEADERS AS PART OF RECENT VISIT TO ISRAEL & PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

In Durham, local officials grapple daily with issues such as approving a new subdivision or increasing the age for cigarette and e-tobacco sales to 21.

 

To be sure, Admin. Selig said after returning from a recent trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, “these are important issues, but what we don’t have here is people shooting at each other, by and large.”

 

Selig traveled in late-December with about a dozen municipal leaders who visited Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Gaza and other territories to learn more about how their government works in the face of complex political and societal challenges.

The visit was sponsored/funded by the Jewish Federation of North America.

To read more about the trip in The Union Leader HERE.

 

APPLICANTS FOR THE PEASE RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD SOUGHT

The Pease Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) is a forum that provides the Seacoast community with the opportunity to become involved in the environmental restoration process at the former Pease Air Force base in Portsmouth, NH, either as a member or through attendance at RAB meetings. The RAB provides opportunities for community members to share their questions, concerns, and ideas with the agencies involved in the cleanup and to influence project decisions through discussion with decision makers.

 

RAB members are expected to attend 3-4 RAB meetings a year, generally held on a weeknight for 2-3 hours. They are expected to participate constructively and come to meetings prepared.

 

To be considered for membership in the Pease RAB, please complete an application and submit it by email or mail by January 25, 2018 to:

Attn: Ona Ferguson, The Consensus Building Institute, 100 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140, or mailto:oferguson@cbuilding.orgr

 

More information and the application may be found HERE.

 

The matrix above shows arrest data in Durham for 2019. Courtesy DPD

2019 CALENDAR YEAR ARREST DATA FROM DURHAM POLICE - Arrest data for 2019 is the lowest number since the conception of the data monitoring

As Chief Kurz has discussed on a number of occasions, arrest data in Durham is a very unique issue and warrants a more detailed explanation than just providing statistics. 

In years past, inquiries from Town Councils about the demographical information of those arrested in Durham, i.e., are they UNH students or not, caused the DPD to assimilate data in three separate categories. In the first instance, arrest statistics are accomplished by weekly activity, second by the UNH academic year, which is routinely September through May, and finally, by the calendar year which mirrors the Town’s financial operating budget. 

Each category allows for a better understanding of the demands facing the department during these periods. The information below is reflective of all 2019 arrest data.

 

The cumulative number of arrests made by all law enforcement agencies within Durham from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019: 844

 

The total cumulative arrests break down as follows:

 

Durham Police:   421 – 50%

UNH Police       414 – 49%

State Agencies:     9 – 1%

Total:           844 – 100%

 

Students: 528 - 63%

Non-Students:     316 – 37% 

Total:                  844 – 100% 

 

Last year there was one interesting deviation of the data, which placed 2018 as the highest percentage of UNH students arrested at 69% versus non-UNH affiliated arrests at 31%. Past statistical experience has this data hovering around 60/40 percent on a relatively consistent basis since 2005. This year’s data is more in line with that average. 

Durham and UNH Police routinely experience arrests of persons who have no affiliation with our collective community (neither Durham nor UNH) other than the desire to seek opportunities to party and all too often take advantage of young, somewhat naïve students and find themselves arrested for their activity. 

 

The New Hampshire State Police have been extremely supportive of fluctuating issues such as Homecoming, Halloween, Cinco de Mayo and the Super Bowl in February 2019 by sending a number of Troopers to Durham to support the Durham and UNH Police. Additionally, the New Hampshire Liquor Enforcement is a continuous presence as they monitor alcohol sales, misrepresentations and other specialty violations at locations where alcohol is sold. These organizations augment the Durham and UNH Police staff during peak weekend periods especially in the fall at the beginning of the academic year thereby saving on overtime expenditures from the Durham budget. 

 

The Durham Police continue to focus their resources upon those engaged in criminal activity and their status as a UNH student or not is irrelevant as to whether an arrest is made. 

Each week, Durham Police provides the UNH administration with the names of ALL persons arrested and the UNH Vice President’s Office determines student status from the arrest log. When compiled, UNH officials schedule personal meetings with each of the UNH students arrested to reinforce their obligations as students and responsible residents of Durham. We typically do not see recidivism. While police activity in Durham is clearly challenged at the opening of the academic year, our physical arrest strategy, rather than issuance of a summons, has demonstrated success especially in the area of recidivism which is virtually non-existent.

 

With the commencement of 2020, the arrest statistics for calendar year begin anew. The chart below represents all arrests within the jurisdictional boundaries of Durham to include those occurring on the UNH campus during the calendar years of 2005 through 2019. 

Arrest data for 2019 is the lowest number since the conception of the data monitoring and demonstrations a 15% decrease from that of 2018 and a full 19% below the statistical average during this period of data collection. Chief Kurz notes that there does not appear to be any single initiative to highlight which offers a magic formula for future years. Often simple things like a season with fairly warm weather throughout the Fall and opening of the UNH academic year can significantly escalate, or deescalate the activity level. Regardless of what 2020 holds for arrest data, Chief Kurz will continue to monitor the data to detect any emerging trends and keep the Durham community aware of activity throughout 2020.

 

Ice breaking up on the Oyster River. Courtesy Carol Birch

 

USE COMMON SENSE - THE BEARS ARE IN TOWN

And we don’t mean the Maine Black Bears! Over the past month the Durham Police have received several calls regarding a Black Bear roaming in the area of Bucks Hill and Emerson Road. One evening before Christmas around 5PM there was a bear lying on the porch of a Bucks Hill residence feasting on seed from two bird feeders he had pulled to the ground. 

While the Durham police officer was able to scare the bear off, and he removed the bird feeders for the homeowner. On nearby Emerson Road, several chickens were killed by a bear.

As the bears contemplate hibernation, they are actively seeking any and all food sources. 

Residents are reminded to remain clear of the bears and notify Durham Police at 868-2324 if there are any concerns.

 

DURHAM RECEIVES $10,500 GRANT FROM NH OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR EMERGENCY PLAN UPDATES

The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) has notified Fire Chief David Emanuel that Durham has received an Emergency Management Performance Grant). The amount of the Federal portion of this grant is $10,500.00 for the Local Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan Update project.

This amount represents a maximum of 50% of approved eligible activities.The remaining 50% match is to be supplied by Durham as in-kind contributions, primarily in the form of person power.

 

CIAO ITALIA PROJECT - Renovations progressing but more slowly than hoped

Doug Clark, the developer of the upcoming new restaurant Ciao Italia, provided an update on the project. Renovations to the red brick building at the corner of Main Street and Jenkins Court are progressing but more slowly than hoped for. Mr. Clark noted some challenges including structural issues, asbestos, ledge, lead times in procuring materials, and the availability of subcontractors. There are often hurdles in redeveloping in a dense downtown setting including these kinds of issues with a structure from the early 20th century, older utilities, and construction in a tight, active area with the goal to minimize disruption to nearby businesses and the public. Mr. Clark is working to accelerate the progress. He appreciates everybody’s patience and looks forward to opening this exciting new restaurant early in the New Year.

 

THE DURHAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION URGES YOU TO EAT FRESH ALL YEAR LONG!

The Durham Agricultural Commission encourages everyone to eat locally grown and produced food all year long. Winter Farmers’ Markets are bursting with fresh and local greens, meats, veggies, fruit, dairy and baked goods. Visit the Seacoast Eat Local website for a full list of markets HERE.

 

PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS TO BE PLACED ON THE MARCH 10, 2020 TOWN ELECTION BALLOT

On Monday, December 2, 2019, the Durham Town Council held a public hearing at its regular meeting relative to various proposed amendments to the Durham Town Charter for placement on the March 10, 2020 Town Election ballot.

 

For the past several years, the Administrator’s Office has been accumulating various Charter amendments that have been identified as needing to be made. Amendments to the Town Charter were last made in March 2009. In addition, the town’s attorney, Laura Spector-Morgan, has also reviewed the Charter and has identified other areas within the Charter she felt could also be amended. 

 

Below is a link to the draft language and format of amendments that are being recommended by unanimous vote of the Town Council for placement on the Town Election ballot for March 10, 2020. Explanations for each of the recommended changes are provided here for the Council’s information but cannot legally be placed on the election ballot itself. 

The most significant change is an increase in the bond threshold requiring a referendum vote of the Town. The current bond threshold of $1,000,000.00 has been in existence since the adoption of the Charter in 1987. One recommended amendment would raise the cap to reflect the rate of inflation since that time, which in today’s dollars would be $2,288,768.96. (Rounded to $2,300,000.00). In essence, $1 million today does not buy what it once did almost 33 years ago.

View the recommended Charter changes HERE.

 

2020 TOP DOG CONTEST - Entries accepted after January 1, 2020

The Town of Durham is proud to announce its first annual Top Dog contest. This contest was created to motivate and remind dog owners to license their pets every year by April 30, as state law requires. You will automatically be registered for the Top Dog contest if you obtain a dog license from the Town Clerk’s office before April 30, 2020.  

 

Rules and Regulations

  • Contestants will automatically be entered into the contest when they register their dog(s) before April 30 (only open to Durham residents).
  • Residents who DO NOT want to be included in the contest may opt out by writing, calling, or emailing the Durham Town Clerks office.
  • Contestants must be 18 or older and be the owner of the dog on file with Town Clerk's Office.
  • Durham employees are not eligible.
  • The contestant must have a 2020 Town of Durham dog license by April 30.
  • A current rabies vaccination will be required to obtain the license.
  • The Top Dog winner may submit a digital photo and brief biography of their dog to the Town Clerk’s Office (OPTIONAL). 
  • Photos of the Top Dog winner may be displayed in the Town Hall, Town of Durham’s webpage, and the Durham Friday Updates.
  • The winner will be drawn at random by the Town Council in May 2020.
  • The winner of the Top Dog contest will receive a certificate and a gift basket of donated goods and services from local businesses.
 

Courtesy Ellen Snyder

STEVENS WOODS 

The Town acquired a 25-acre parcel on Orchard Drive from the school district on October 17th. Several activities have already begun to make the property more accessible and to connect it to downtown Durham, as well as to a larger network of trails. Volunteers helped build a 0.25-mile trail across the property from Orchard Drive to East Foss Farm. Next year the Town will build a parking area and install an informational kiosk. Dennis Meadows led the successful private-fundraising effort to acquire the property and is leading the pursuit of funding and a design for a pedestrian bridge that will cross the Oyster River, linking the land with the center of Durham. In December, the New Hampshire Recreational Trails Program announced that it will provide a grant of up to $80,000 to support the bridge construction. Additional private funds have already been raised toward this project. A Right-of-Way deed conveyed from the Town to UNH is nearly complete; this will provide UNH a formal access to the abutting MacDonald Lot and East Foss Farm for forest management and trail maintenance. The interim working name for the parcel, Orchard Drive Woods, will henceforth be changed to Stevens Woods to commemorate the original donor of the property. 

 
 

DURHAM BUSINESS PARKING PERMITS WENT ON SALE AT POLICE DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 23rd

Downtown businesses have the ability to purchase parking permits that allow them to park in locations that are peripheral to the core downtown. Each year a new color coded hanging permit is offered for sale. The 2020 Business Parking Permits will be going on sale Monday December 23rd and will be effective January 1st, 2020! All downtown businesses will be receiving a hand-delivered notice about next year’s regulations and procedures within the next few weeks.  

 

FREE HOLIDAY PARKING IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM THRU JAN. 4th

The parking kiosks in the immediate downtown business area will allow free parking to encourage residents and others to shop the downtown during the holidays. The screen on the applicable kiosks will inform parkers of the free parking and will not accept any payment. No receipts on your dashboard will be required during the Holiday Parking period! The grace period that allows for free parking for shoppers will commence Wednesday December 18th and run through Saturday January 4th!  Merry Christmas . . .

 

UNH WINTER BREAK RUNS THRU JAN. 21st

UNH students are now in the midst of exams and presenting their research papers as classes ended on Monday December 9th with exams through Tuesday the 17th. Throughout this time span, students will begin gradually leaving Durham as they complete their tests and turn in their papers. The first day of the 2020 Spring semester is Tuesday January 21st. Enjoy . . .

 

MAIN STREET TOWN CROSSWALK REPAIRS PLANNED BY UNH FOR 2020 THROUGH CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS

UNH Facilities is planning continued crosswalk repair and replacement work next summer.  Current priorities include the Main/Depot Street and Main @ Lot A/Field House crossings.

 
 

TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS

Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?

Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

FacebookTwitter
 
 

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.

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, January 4th, 10:30 am-1:30 pm

STEAM Saturday: Snowflakes

Drop-in

 

Tuesday January 7th, 7:00-8:00 pm

Mindful Meditation with Jiong Jiong Hu

This month's focus:Ease into the New Year; Mind, body and spirit

Each session invites you to tune inward, explore the secret power of self-care and healing through gentle inquiry, mindful breathing and reflection. This opportunity provides time and space for you to learn tools to calm and balance your body and mind in midst of life's challenges. No registration required! All are welcome!

 

Wednesday, Jaunary 8th, 6:00-7:30 pm

Author Talk & Signing with Alex Myers

Join DPL to welcome Alex Myers, author and transgender advocate to speak about and sign his recently-published book, Continental Divide. He will use his own story of coming out as a transgender guy in 1995 to explain aspects of gender theory and transgender identity. The talk will consider the historical and cultural development of gender and explore more contemporary understandings. Open to all. No registration required. Books will be available at the event.

 

 

HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A Brief History of Durham, NH 1600 - 1976 (A little volume that was the Heritage Project of the Durham Historic Association Bicentennial celebration)

Preface - "Since before God made the first little green apples, oysters have probably been growin in the Oyster River; and some of the largest and juiciest to be found anywhere in the world are still growing here today. The following vignettes from rollicking history of Durham town on the Oyster River are therefore presented between the shells of an oyster."

________________________

1955 - The Oyster River Cooperative School District was formed, combining the schools of Durham, Lee, and Madbury. By 1956, all pupils, kindergarten through grade 12, were housed and no longer did local students have to go out of town to high school. Present enrollment (in 1976) is 1776, with 86 teachers.

 

Have a happy and healthy 2020!

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, NH

a: 8 Newmarket Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA

t: 603.868.5571 | w: www.ci.durham.nh.us

He/him/his pronouns

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