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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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DPW employee Arthur (Artie) Nutter and Administrator Selig. Courtesy Andrea Bodo
In an effort to stay up-to-date with the day-to-day experiences of the DPW Sanitation Division, Administrator Todd Selig road along and worked with DPW employee Arthur (Artie) Nutter on the solid waste collection vehicle last Wednesday, July 3rd.
Mr. Selig notes that residents are asked to slow down and exercise caution while driving when they pass the collection vehicles undertaking their work.
To read the Foster's Daily Democrat article, click HERE.
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DURHAM’S FRIDAY UPDATES – PASS THEM ALONG
If you find Durham’s “Friday Updates” to be of value, please pass them along to other individuals who may also find them of interest. The email list serve also doubles as an emergency broadcast system for the town during times of crisis such as flooding events, power outages, large scale events, etc.
People can sign up on the Durham home page at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/. Scroll down under "Friday Updates" on right side of the page and sign up!
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243 DOGS REMAIN UNLICENSED
State law requires Town Clerk Lorrie Pitt to issue Civil Forfeiture Notices to all “owners or keepers” of dogs that are not licensed. The Civil forfeiture is a $25.00 fine and requires immediate licensing of the dog(s). These notices will be issued by August 25th.
Residents are encouraged to take it upon themselves to register their dogs. Staff have NO desire to bother residents further concerning this matter.
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Courtesy Todd Selig
THANK YOU TO DURHAM-GREAT BAY ROTARY CLUB FOR ORGANIZATING DURHAM’S JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
A hearty thank you is extended to the Durham-Great Bay Rotary Club for organizing Durham’s annual fireworks celebration. A thank you is also extended to UNH for graciously allowing for the use of Cowell Stadium and Boulder Field as part of the celebration. Durham’s police, fire, and public works personal are also integral to supporting the annual celebration.
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PHASE IV OF THE TOWN-WIDE STATISTICAL UPDATE IS UNDERWAY
There are five major phases to a statistical update: Data Collection, Market Analysis, Valuation, Field Review, and Informal Hearings. During these phases many tasks will be implemented in order to successfully update the assessments in Durham as part of the ongoing statistical update of all property valuations in Town -- including residential.
During the months of May and June, the first three phases (Collection of Data, Market Analysis and Valuation) of the statistical update were completed for the residential and commercial properties. During these three phases, income and expense questionnaires were mailed to the appropriate commercial, industrial and apartment complex owners asking for rental income and operating expenses for the different types of properties. Also, data collectors reviewed those properties that have sold during the last two years and analyzed the data to determine the new property values.
The revised property values, which are only preliminary at this point, will be applied to all of the residential and commercial properties in preparation for the fourth phase (Field Review).
We will keep the community up to date as the process continues.
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Durham DPW shown resetting the curb line along Madbury Road at Pettee Brook Lane. Courtesy Todd Selig
PUBLIC WORKS RESETS CURB LINES IN DOWNTOWN AREAS
Durham Public Works staff have been busy this week resetting granite curb lines along Main Street and Madbury Road. Over time the granite curbs move, heave, break, twist, etc.
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LIBERTY MUTUAL VOLUNTEERS ASSIST THE TOWN OF DURHAM ON NUMEROUS PROJECTS | DONATION OF 4K TO COMMUNITY
On June 18, 19, and 20th, approximately 210 volunteers from Liberty Mutual Insurance assisted the Town of Durham with a variety of projects as part of the annual Liberty Mutual “Serve with Liberty” event.
Approximately 140 volunteers assisted with painting the barn, farmhouse, and wagon at Wagon Hill Farm as well as making improvements along the waterfront and elsewhere on the property.
25 volunteers worked on picking up trash and pulling invasive plants along the Pettee Brook in downtown Durham while another 25 volunteers will do the same along College Brook.
Another 20+ volunteers assisted with sprucing up downtown plantings and with making some improvements to the grounds of the new Town Hall site at 8 Newmarket Road.
As part of the effort, Liberty Mutual will be sending the Town a check for 4,000.00 dollars to reimburse us for supplies, etc. A thank you is extended to Liberty Mutual and its employees for all of their efforts.
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DURHAM RESIDENT AND NOW UNH ALUM ALEX FRIED IS AT IT AGAIN WITH A NEW INITIATIVE: THE POST-LANDFILL ACTION NETWORK
You may know Alex Freid as the ORHS student who helped create a wonderful educational sculpture made out of recycled bottles and cans for the Town Office lobby years ago, as the organizer of the Trash to Treasures (T2T) project at UNH while he was a student there up until last year, or simply as a member of the Durham community.
Regardless, as a recent UNH alumnus Alex is involved with a new and exciting initiative: the public launch of PLAN: The Post-Landfill Action Network.
Check out a nice video that explains the project and what the organization will be doing as it works to expand. Click HERE.
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THE IDEA GREEN HOUSE EXPANDS AND MERGES WITH THE NH INNOVATION COMMERCIALIZATION CENTER | OPEN HOUSE/”Pivot Party” AT NEW 9 MADBURY RD. LOCATION ON JULY 18TH
Durham’s very own Idea Greenhouse, started by resident Tom Elliott, is no more. It has joined forces with another great organization to make the innovation scene in the Seacoast even more promising.
Residents who have followed the Idea Greenhouse (IGH) for the past three years will know that they work hard to collaborate. Among their many partners, the University of New Hampshire's Office for Research Partnerships & Commercialization (ORPC) and the NH Innovation Commercialization Center (NH-ICC) stand out.
First, UNH ORPC signed on as The Idea Greenhouse’s anchor tenant and partner in many events and initiatives, with an intent to benefit both the Durham/UNH community and the larger Seacoast entrepreneurial universe.
Led by Marc Sedam, ORPC made great use of IGH. Together they fostered an entrepreneurial energy and connected UNH students, staff, faculty, and Durham residents to the local startup scene, and it to UNH.
Over a 1,000 people visited the IGH Jenkins Court location for a long list of events, trainings, meetings, and to work on their best ideas.
In late 2012, ORPC brought IGH together with the NH-ICC, a nonprofit organization with this mission "to accelerate the development of early stage high technology startups and to the commercialization of UNH intellectual capital."
Together, they agreed to join forces and create a bigger, better, more sustainable hub and home for innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs at UNH, in Durham, and across the region.
Back in early June, the former Idea Greenhouse location on Jenkins Court closed, and moved into a bigger, brighter, and more flexible space at 9 Madbury Road (on the fourth floor above the Froyo World and SolSistar women's clothing store.)
Now operated by the NH-ICC and its new CEO Mark Kaplan, the "9Mad" space is reportedly “excellent.”
An open house “Pivot Party” will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 PM on July 18, 2013, at 9 Madbury Road, 4th Floor.
For more information, click HERE.
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HANOVER FOLLOWS DURHAM’S LEAD AND ADOPTS NEW HOUSING STANDARDS ORDINANCE
After at least 10 drafts in more than 25 years, Hanover has followed Durham’s lead and adopted a Housing Standards Ordinance focusing on rental properties.
Hanover’s adoption of the ordinance, like Durham, enables it to enforce the minimum standards set forth in RSA 48-A:14, which are outlined in the state’s housing standards and include working fire alarms, sufficient heating systems, clean water and other basic safety measures. For more information, click HERE.
Manchester, Belmont, and Pittsfield also have Housing Standards Ordinances in place.
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NO ALCOHOL AT LIBRARY’S GRAND OPENING
Some time ago the Library Trustees had inquired whether the Town would allow alcoholic beverages to be served or made available at the Library's grand opening celebration this September as Town policy prohibits alcoholic beverages in municipal facilities and on Town property.
Although his initial inclination was to simply deny the request, Mr. Selig acknowledged that there are sometimes issues in which there is no easy answer. This was one of them given the enormity of the upcoming Library celebration.
Mr. Selig put the question to the Town Council for its guidance and after some discussion the board took the position that we should not alter Town policy in this matter. Consequently it will not be possible to have sparking champagne or other alcoholic beverages at the grand opening.
Mr. Selig has suggested non-alcoholic apple sparkling cider or orange juice. Either beverage would also be quite lovely.
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WAGON HILL FARM COMMUNTIY GARDENS AGREEMENT SIGNED
The Town of Durham acquired the 139-acre Wagon Hill Farm in 1989. The Farm’s lands have been cultivated for over 350 years, and those preparing its Master & Management Plan in 1995 agreed that it was important to set aside some farmland for future agricultural activities.
In 2009 a group of Durham residents organized by Dennis Meadows established Community Gardens for All (CGA), met with town officials, and proposed to start a community gardening program on that plot. The group offered to function as the steering committee of the Wagon Hill Farm Community Gardens. The Town provided a permit to use its land at the property for this effort and this permit has been renewed each year as the number of gardens has grown from 9 to almost 100.
The growth of the community gardens at the property and the level of support within the Town for agriculture suggested to Dennis Meadows and Todd Selig that it was time to develop a new contract that will ensure greater continuity for the gardens. On June 21st, Administrator Selig and Mr. Meadows executed a Letter of Agreement for this purpose. To view it, click HERE.
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2014 BUDGET PROCESS PLANNING WITH TOWN COUNCIL
The Business Office soon will be sending out its annual request to department heads and various Town boards, commissions, committees, and outside agencies asking for submissions of their proposed 2014 budgets. Department heads will be asked to prepare a budget that, from their perspectives, meets the needs of the Town and is consistent with Town Council goals. Departments will also be asked to initiate additional items they believe are necessary to support or enhance their departments, or create new efficiencies to benefit the Town.
At the Town Council meeting on Monday evening, July 15th, the Administrator will be seeking guidance from Councilors in order to begin the process of preparing the proposed 2014 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. This was on the Council's July 1st meeting agenda, but due to the lateness of the hour was moved out to the following Council meeting.
Councilors will also be provided with information relative to a benchmarking effort to compare Durham’s cost drivers to those of other comparable communities.
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PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK ON NEIGHBORS DURING HEAT WAVES
Residents are cautioned that high temperature and humidity can cause a variety of health problems for people of all ages, particularly if air conditioning is not available. Please take a moment to consider whether you have neighbors who could utilize assistance as a result of the high temperatures. If you have concerns or know of someone who needs assistance, please contact the Fire Department at 868-5531.
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1ST ANNUAL DURHAM FARM DAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Farms and gardens across Durham and the UNH campus will be open to the public with many free, family activities, including an antique tractor show, livestock demonstrations, and garden tours. More information will soon be posted on the Agricultural Commission's website: http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_agricultural
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MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND
The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below.
Town Council - Monday, July 15, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee -Tuesday, July 16, 2013 (1PM at Durham PD Community Room). To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Economic Development Committee - Tuesdsay, July 16, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Durham Energy Committee - Wednesday, July 17, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.
DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.
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FARMERS' MARKET EVERY MONDAY, 2:15 - 6:00 PM, THRU OCTOBER 7TH
The Farmers' Market organized by the Seacoast Growers Association, is located in Durham at the Town Office lot located at 15 Newmarket Road just behind the Town Offices. New hours this year are from 2:15 - 6:00 PM every Monday, rain or shine, until October 7th.
For more information on the market, and to view an interactive market map with details on each vendor, visit the Seacoast Growers Association website:
http://www.seacoastgrowers.org/durham-farmers-market/.
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US SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE OFFICE HOURS
A member of US Senator Kelly Ayotte's staff, Neva Varsalone, will be visiting the Durham Town Hall on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 from 3:00-4:00 PM in the Town Council chambers. Members of the public are welcome to stop in and speak to Ms. Varsalone during that time.
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PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
Families sat by the bay at Town Landing last Wednesday and enjoyed an evening of storytelling with Coyote's Inkwell. Courtesy Stefanie Frazee
Meet & Greet Event @ Cottages of Durham: Durham Parks & Recreation invites you to this special meet and greet event. Curious about the Cottages of Durham? Come check them out on Wednesday, July 24th from 6-8 PM! Event will feature tours of facilities, movies for children, and introduction of their new GM, Jack Williams. Light refreshments will be provided.
FREE Afternoon Yoga @ WHF: Get outside! Join us for a complimentary, relaxing 1-hr. yoga session at Wagon Hill Farm by the bay on the following dates: July 11,18,25 (12-1) No sign up, just show up! August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Summer Concert Series: Two great shows coming up in August at Wagon Hill Farm. Bring a chair, bring a friend, bring family!
Thursday, Aug 8, 5:30-8:00 PM: The Westminster Hillbillies
Thursday, Aug 15, 6:30 PM: Fling
Storytelling Around The Fire – New Date & Time! Durham Parks & Recreation and Durham Public Library present Michael Lang, storyteller and owner of The Coyote’s Inkwell, sharing folktales, fables, and his own original stories around the fire. Wednesday, July 3rd (6:30PM) at the Durham Town Landing Parking Lot. Cost is FREE! Bring family and chairs!
It's Kayak Time: We have tours scheduled all summer!
For more information, click HERE. Visit Seven Rivers Paddling.
Adventure Paddle Camp: Durham Parks & Recreation is teaming up with Seven Rivers Paddling to offer kids kayaking camps this summer! We are offering a series of week-long sessions for kids ages 6-8 and 9-13. Each session will guide the participants through basic paddling techniques. For more information, visit Seven Rivers Paddling on FB, or email sevenriverspaddling@gmail.com
Don't Miss Out on Mad Science Summer Camp:
Rockin’ Rockets & Fantastic Flight - From the earliest flying machines to the first rocket, Fantastic Flight will allow campers to build many different flying devices from balloon copters and kites to rockets! Learn about navigation tools and see how Newton’s Laws of Motion help explain how things move and how rockets fly! July 29-Aug 2, 2013; Ages 7 to 12 years old; 9AM-3:30 PM, ORMS, 250 dollars.
Secret Agent Lab - Look out 007 – the Mad Science Secret Agent Lab is in session! From decoding messages to metal detectors and night vision, you will get a chance to check out cool spy equipment and even create your own edible message in a hands-on look at the science that spies use! Aug 5-9, 2013, Ages 7 to 12 years old, 9AM-3:30 PM, ORMS, 250 dollars. Register/ find out more HERE.
Mark Your Calendars:
Music by the Bay Summer Concert Series – July, August 2013 @ WHF
Dam Centennial Celebration – September 15th @ Three Chimneys Inn
Durham Day – September 21st (rain date September 22nd) @ WHF
A Spooktacular Day in Durham – October 25th
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Food Drive to Benefit Cornucopia Food Bank at Waysmeet Center, July 1-31, 2013, being held by Nationwide Insurance. Collection box is located upstairs in the Nationwide Insurance office located at 20 Madbury Road, Suite 1, Durham.
Adult Basic Education Classes, offered by Dover Adult Learning Center, Tuesdays/Wednesdays, 9AM to noon in Dover and Rochester. Run Jul 9-Aug 14, 2013. For more information call 603-742-1030.
Resource for Orphaned and/or Injured Wildlife. Anyone finding or needing assistance with an injured or orphaned bird/small mammal including, birds of prey, raccoon, fox, squirrel, possum, skunk, groundhog etc., please call Maria Colby at 603-428-3723 or Patsy Pratt in Durham at 603-868-2125. For more information, click HERE.
UNH MUB Summer Series. FREE movies. For the full printable schedule, click HERE.
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Tooling the control joints in the sidewalk. Courtesy Walter Rous
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Despite overcast and fickle weather – rain is not welcome when casting concrete – the seeming chaos of a project site in the final throes of construction is exciting and a cause for celebration. Of course, the “chaos” is under complete control. It is just that so many of the trades are attempting to complete their work, the hustle and bustle has a certain frantic and frenetic feel.
On the interior of the library, the book stacks were installed and await the end panels to be attached next week. Plumbing and electrical work in the Café were completed. Data lines were patched and general interior cleaning of windows, walls and floors was initiated. On the exterior, loam and seed were spread for the grassed areas that didn’t receive sod last week. Speaking of sod, a huge shout out to Public Works Director Mike Lynch who dedicated an enormous amount of time to making sure the sod was properly watered over the blisteringly hot July 4 weekend. Stair and guard rails for the northwest exit were installed. Dodging the rain, the granite curbs were set and almost all of the concrete ramps and sidewalks were cast. So what’s with the joints in the sidewalks and ramps? The concrete and the soil on which it sits will move slightly and it is important to control where the concrete might crack. Hence the use of control joints.
Dave Piscopo scattering grass seed. Courtesy Walter Rous
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
The Library closed its old location on Weds. July 10th. We are packing, moving and will re-open at the new library at 49 Madbury Road on Tues. July 23rd at 10 a.m. See you there!
Any items that you have checked out should be held and returned to the new library on/after Tues. July 23rd. Thank-you!
DPL Furniture auction! The Library will be selling off tables, chairs, bookcases, and desks. All items are labeled and listed on a spreadsheet at the circulation desk. You may bid on as many items as you like including computer chairs, reading area seating, a coffee table, large wooden tables, children's tables, and staff desks. Bidding starts at five dollars/item. Come to the old library by Tuesday, July 16th at 3 pm (knock on door) and make an offer. Items not sold will be available at our yard sale on Saturday, July 20, here in the Mill Plaza.
Library Yard Sale at the old location (Mill Plaza), Sat. July 20th, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Everything must go!
Week 4 of Summer Reading. Summer Readers keep reading! This week we have two programs at the ORHS Multi-purpose room!
Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. at the ORHS Multi-purpose room – All ages Family night –– Center for Wildlife from York, Maine will visit with their burrowing animals/diggers! Meet these animals and learn about the Center!
Thursday, July 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (ages 10 and up) – Marek Bennett Comic Workshop. This is a joint library program with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries at the ORHS Multi-purpose room. Sign-ups required.
Week 5 of summer reading at the new library (49 Madbury Road)!
Tuesday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. – All ages storytime (preschool) – Things that go/Dirt!
Tuesday, July 23, 6:30 p.m. – (9-12 yr.old group) – Cupcake decorating and game night!
Wednesday, July 24, 6:30 p.m. – All ages Family night – NH Children’s Museum Visit, Fish Aren’t Afraid of the Dark! Learn about why sea animals glow and make a glowing fish art activity!
Thursday, July 25, 3:00-4:00 p.m. (6-8 yr. old group) – Lego Afternoon (Egypt)!
Thursday, July 25, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (young adult group) - Write for our library blog!
Friday July 26, 10:30 a.m. at the Durham Library – All ages Finale Celebration with Wayne From Maine, Musician, with the Durham and Madbury Libraries! Join us in celebrating your summer reading accomplishments. Wayne from Maine is a talented and interactive musician for all ages. He will have everyone on their feet moving to his music. Wayne from Maine’s performance is generously sponsored by the Byrne Foundation, CHILIS, the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, the NH Library Association, the NH State Library and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. A special thank-you to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for all their support. Prize books, reading certificates, and Bagel Works Prize will be handed out. Cake will also be served. A big thank-you to the The Bagel Works, The Sea Dogs, Dunkin Donuts, Pauly’s Pockets, The Candy Bar, Hayden Sports, Young’s Restaurant, Froyo World, Durham House of Pizza, Wildcat Pizza, The Stratham Fair, the Durham Market, the Happy Market, Franz’s Food, Water Country and other local businesses for their prize donations.
Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.
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FROM "HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A BRIEF HISTORY OF DURHAM, NH, 1600 - 1976 written by Philip A. Wilcox and members of the Durham Historic Association.
1624 - Lumbering tall trees along the waterways was a profitable occupation, for England needed timber for construction of its navy. Later shipbuilding was done along the shores, and log rafts conveyed timber down stream for masting enterprises in the coastal fitting yards.
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Have a very nice weekend and a safe Fourth of July!
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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