Friday Updates - June 2, 2017

                    NEWS & HAPPENINGS...

Friday, June 2, 2017

Yesterday, Durham resident Daniel Keefe found this fawn, only a few days old, hiding in the brush behind his barn off of Route 4.

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Monday's Memorial Day parade and ceremony was a nice opportunity for the community to come together in order to honor those who have served and died for our country. The cool weather light mist was fitting for the occasion.

Be sure to read below about today's Supreme Court decision ruling in Durham's favor regarding utility assessments, a proposal to conserve a portion of Emery Farm, and an update relative to the 66 Main Street property downtown.

WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK ASKED THE US SUPREME COURT TO REVIVE A TEMPORARY TRAVEL BAN, DURHAM REMAINS A WELCOMING COMMUNITY

On Thursday of this week, President Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive his plan to temporarily ban travelers from six Muslim-majority nations after it was blocked by lower courts that found it was discriminatory.

The administration filed emergency applications with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to block two different lower court rulings that went against the President’s March 6 order barring entry for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days while the U.S. government implements stricter visa screening.

Meanwhile, on May 1, 2017, the Town Council adopted Resolution 2017-19, affirming Durham as a diverse and welcoming community within New Hampshire’s seacoast region, and host to the University of New Hampshire, that embraces residents and visitors of various cultural and ethnic identities from across the country and around the world. View the Town Council resolution HERE.

EXPLANATION/CONTEXT CONCERNING LAST WEEK’S SURVEY FROM TWO ORHS STUDENTS CONCERNING THE MILL POND AND THE HISTORIC MILL POND DAM

Last week there was a link to a survey two Oyster River High School students had put together as part of an extensive, year-long class project they are doing on the Mill Pond and the historic Mill Pond Dam. To this end, they sought the Town’s input on possible actions to take concerning the health of the pond’s ecosystem. The survey had nothing whatsoever to do with the Town of Durham’s policy-making process – it was simply a survey from two students at ORHS as part of their class. The Town had not planned to receive, nor will we receive to my knowledge, the results.

The fact that the issue was included in last week’s Friday Updates prompted several very concerned emails from residents who support the preservation of the dam.

To emphasize once again, the survey has no bearing on the Town of Durham’s decision-making processes.

I do applaud ORHS students Troy LaPolice and Cyrus Hull for taking an interest in a topic that is close to the hearts of many people in Durham, which is likely why the young men selected the topic in the first place. The two had actually come a week earlier to have their survey run, but I was not able to include until last week.

To view the survey from last week, click HERE.

As you know, the Town of Durham is in the process of selecting an engineering firm and establishing a scope of work to look at the health of the Mill Pond, what can be done to improve that health and associated estimated costs, as well as what needs to be undertaken in the foreseeable future to address known deficiencies with the historic Mill Pond Dam. Residents who are following this issue can expect the Town Council to receive an update on this work during the summer.

WHILE THE US ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK IT WAS WITHDRAWING FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD, DURHAM MOVES FORWARD ON SUSTAINABILITY
President Trump announced Thursday afternoon that he is withdrawing the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement, a move to honor a campaign pledge that dismayed America’s allies and thwarted the global effort to address the warming planet.

The Town of Durham remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability. One of the Town Council’s top goals this year includes: Pursue long-term economic and environmental sustainability and resiliency, anticipating the community’s and the region’s future needs considering multiple elements including society, ecology, economics, transportation, agriculture, recreation, food and drinking water, climate, and energy resources.

While the President has the ability to make the decision he has made on behalf of the United States of America, the Town of Durham is within ours to pursue initiatives that address the reality of climate change.

Residents can look forward to additional initiatives in this regard. As an example, at Monday evening’s Town Council meeting, the board will take up Resolution 2017-21, endorsing the formation of a multi-state task force to explore the potential for offshore wind development along the Maine and NH coastline. The initiative has been brought forward by the Durham Energy Committee.

TEENAGERS AND GRADUATION
As spring approaches, high school students across the United States will celebrate proms and high school graduations. Some people believe that the season of celebration comes with a rite of passage that includes the use of alcohol even with parental supervision. As a result, the time of celebration can turn dangerous and deadly as the number of car accidents caused by drinking and driving increases during the spring months.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration car accidents related to alcohol increase during the spring months of April, May and June, which are also the time of year when most proms and graduations occur. Another sobering figure is that car accidents are the leading cause of the death for teenagers in the United States, and nearly 40 percent of teenage car accidents are caused by drinking and driving. Therefore parents and teenagers should have a talk about expectations during the season of celebration to prevent alcohol related car accidents and other preventable dangers.

It is widely recognized that open and regular communication between parents and teenagers positively affects the decisions teenagers make. Accordingly, teenagers who have parents who set expectations are less likely to engage in drinking, drug use and sexual behavior. According to the National Institutes of Health the part of the brain that regulates risky behavior is not fully formed until age 25 and heavy alcohol consumption before that age can create negative long-term effects. Therefore even though parents feel they can protect teens in a supervised environment the use of alcohol can still lead to danger.

View a list of 10 graduation safety tips every parent and graduate should know HERE.

Durham PD held a barbecue lunch for those participating in the torch run today.

DURHAM/UNH POLICE HOST NEW HAMPSHIRE SPECIAL OLYMPICS' RUNNERS

There are twenty-five (25) legs of the 2017 New Hampshire Law Enforcement Torch Run where police officers make their way across New Hampshire. The officers seek donations for each mile they run which supports the games at UNH. The motto of the run for police is “we run for those that cannot!” Today, Friday, June 2nd, the Durham Police Department School Resource Officer Holly Malasky and several students from Oyster River High School joined other police officers at the State House at 4:00AM for the final leg of the torch run into Durham. There they started the 35 mile run with the Flame of Hope and were joined by yet more police officers where they ran to the Durham Police Department where they enjoyed a BBQ and a shower. Later this evening a police cruiser parade comprised of vehicles from across New Hampshire guided the Flame of Hope to the podium where the large flame was lite signifying the opening of the Summer Games for the Special Olympians!

For athletes and officers alike, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a story of success, love, respect and commitment between law enforcement officers and Special Olympic athletes.

WORK TO BEGIN SHORTLY ON BARN AT WAGON HILL FARM
The Town’s CIP sheet indicates the barn and carriage house at Wagon Hill Farm date to around 1890. The wagon was placed atop the hill in the fall of 1968. The Barn and Carriage House were in poor condition back when the Town purchased the 139-acre Wagon Hill Farm in 1989. Over the past 28 years DPW has made several band aid repairs to both structures, the most notable one being the jacking up of the barn roof ridge beam and installing new center support beams. DPW also cabled together the north and south end walls to pull in/ plumb these walls to eliminate them from buckling. The project that is moving forward will demolish/remove all the rotted, cracked, and poor conditioned wood, and salvage and recut all the structural timbers and recreate from photographs all historic features such as the 3-hole toilet.

DPW has met with the Town's Historic District/Heritage Commission twice and reviewed the project historically. Mike Lynch presented the project to the Council on April 17th .

WORK IS CONTINUING ON THE UPDATES TO THE TOWN OF DURHAM/UNH TRAFFIC MODEL

Resource Systems Group, our consultant, gathered vehicle and pedestrian volume information at 49 locations during March and April and has processed 90 hours of count data at 12 key locations in town. Volumes from these locations have been analyzed to identify the peak traffic periods that will be modelled. Traffic volumes at the remaining 37 locations will be now processed to support the final model development and calibration.
 

EMERY FARM/HILLS CONSERVATION EASEMENT TO BE DISCUSSED BY TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 5TH
Ryan Young of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) has submitted materials to be reviewed by the Town Council relative to conserving some 36 acres of land located on the Emery Farm/Hills property located off of Route 4/Piscataqua Road, across from the Emery Farm farm stand and immediately west of Wagon Hill Farm. Owner David Hills previously conserved 58 acres of the farm on the north side of Route 4.

At its meeting on November 13, 2014, the Durham Conservation Commission expressed its desire to move forward with the purchase of the Emery Farm/Hills conservation easement and voted to commit up to $250,000 from the Conservation Fund for use in purchasing the easement. In addition to the Town, the Natural Resource Conservation Service has committed $765,000 to the project, and the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program has committed $300,000 to support the easement purchase. Mr. Hills and his family are donating $206,250 to the project as well.

A site walk of the property was held on May 23, 2017 with members of the Conservation Commission and members of the Town Council. A Public Hearing on this matter is scheduled for the Conservation Commission’s meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2017.

After reviewing this proposal, in conjunction with available funds in the Conservation Fund, combined with reviewing the Council’s goals, Administrator Selig concurs with the Conservation Commission in recommending the project to the Council for protection.

At this time, Administrator Selig has recommended that the Town Council move forward with scheduling a public hearing on a resolution to accept an executory interest in the purchase of the Emery Farm/Hills conservation easement in accordance with paragraph 2 (C) of the Town’s acquisition policy which states: “After receipt of the Conservation Commission’s recommendation, as well as a recommendation by the Town Administrator, the Town Council shall schedule the proposal for discussion at a regular meeting and determine whether to move the project forward to public hearing. If the Council is inclined to move ahead with further consideration of the project, it shall hold a duly noticed public hearing on the proposed project.”

Authority to expend the $250,000 from the Conservation Fund is a decision of the Durham Conservation Commission.

The Council will take up the matter on Monday evening, June 5th.

PRESENTATION ON RSA 79E - COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION TAX RELIEF INCENTIVE

Town Planner Michael Behrendt gave a presentation to the Planning Board about RSA 79E – The Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive.  View the presentation HERE.

Rose Bebris, Library Director

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS NEW DIRECTOR - ROSE BEBRIS

Rose Bebris hired as new Library Director The Durham Public Library Board of Trustees welcomes Rose Bebris, as the new Director of our library. The staff and Trustees are hard at work getting Rose oriented and adjusted to her new position.

We would like to invite you to meet Rose on Saturday, June 10th, 10:00-11:00am. This is also the same day of the much anticipated “Bag of Books” Sale coordinated by the Friends of the Library. (The book sale is 10:30am-1:30pm.)

Rose’s Background:
Rose grew up in Pelham NH. She attended public high school then set her sights on an BA in English from UNH-she graduated Cum Laude. Rounding out her academic career, Rose graduated with a 4.0 GPA from the University of Arizona, obtaining a Master of Arts in Information Resources and Library Science.

In addition to her outstanding academic background,Rose has spent her entire career in the library—starting as a page in high school at the Nashua Public Library, later advancing to a Library Assistant position at the Chandler Memorial Library and Ethnic Center in Nashua.

Rose then worked in children’s services in Pelham and Hudson before making the move to Arizona where she spent 12 years as the Director of the Florence Community Library. The diversity of her library experiences coupled with her cheerful disposition and passion for her work won over the Board during the national search and extensive interviews conducted.

Because of an injury her initial early-January start date was delayed—we are so glad she is here now!

Please be sure to stop in, say hello and welcome Rose back to NH and to our lovely community.

LET'S DO LUNCH, DURHAM - An invitation for residents to patronize downtown Durham restaurants this summer

Activity in downtown Durham slows during the summer months creating a challenge for some of our businesses. With the students away, foot traffic customers significantly decline. Take advantage of the slower summer activity and at the same time support our local businesses by Doing Lunch with your friends. It would be terrific to have several groups frequenting different eating establishments downtown. So gather your friends or tag along with us. Let’s do lunch, Durham! mehumphrey@ci.durham.nh.us

LIKE CELEBRATING DURHAM NH - A new Facebook page has been created by Durham businesses and members of the EDC

Please Like https://www.facebook.com/CelebratingDurhamNH

Durham businesses and other interested folks are working on ways to promote our town. They have created a new facebook page called Celebrating Durham NH. Please find it, like, and share with everyone to grow connections.

Any Durham business is welcome to join in this grassroots effort. If you have any ideas or thoughts, please feel free to share in the conversation, online, via email (mehumprey@ci.durham.nh.us) and in person on Tuesday June 6 at 9 AM at the Town Hall. You may also call my office 603 590-1387. Everyone is welcome!

TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTS 2017-18 GOALS

At its meeting on Monday, May 15, 2017, the Town Council adopted its list of goals for 2017-18. To view the final goals list, click HERE.

TOWN OF DURHAM SUBSIDIZES RESIDENT COSTS FOR UNH OUTDOOR POOL MEMBERSHIP
The Durham Town Council has committed to subsidizing resident costs for UNH Outdoor pool memberships up to a sum of $30,000. When purchasing one of the various pool pass options from the University of New Hampshire, Town of Durham residents will receive a 20% discount off the purchase price. Passes need to be purchased in person at Campus Recreation and proof of residency must be provided to receive this subsidy. Additional information and membership fees can be found HERE.

SEEKING SWAP SHOP VOLUNTEERS
The Swap Shop at the Transfer Station, a Town favorite hot spot generously organized by a handful of volunteers, is desperately seeking additional volunteers.

Any help is welcome, interested parties can contact Jane at 868-7598. Thank you!

Durham residents, Colin and Julie, and their twin daughters brave the cold weather to enjoy the 70th annual Memorial Day parade. Courtesy John Pacheco

PROPERTY TAX BILLS 
The property tax warrant for the 1st half 2017 property taxes has been approved and the bills have been mailed out, due Friday, July 5th.  

As always, if  residents are unable to pay the entire amount by the due date, it is to their advantage to pay as much as they can and as often as they need. This will decrease the amount of interest that will accrue.

Questions and concerns should be addressed to the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office at 603-868-5577.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
All Town Offices will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

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REFUSE & RECYCLING SCHEDULE: The Transfer Station and Recycling Center will also be CLOSED on TUESDAY, JULY 4TH. There will be regular curbside collection on Monday, July 3rd, however there will be NO curbside trash and recycling collection on July 4th. It will push one day forward for the rest of the week (Tuesday’s route will be picked up on Wednesday, Wednesday on Thursday, etc).  NO commercial recycling on Friday, July 7th.

Walpole trails consultant, Lew Shelley, led a volunteer trail workday at the Oyster River Forest, beginning with a review of trail tools and proper techniques.

DURHAM LAND STEWARDSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE WEEKLY REPORT --

A successful volunteer work day at the Oyster River Forest
Last Saturday, 10 volunteers helped re-route several sections of eroded trail at the Oyster River Forest. Trails consultant Lew Shelley guided the volunteer crew on the proper techniques of various trail tools, considerations when determining a new trail location, and suitable materials for trail treads and bridges. Additional trail workdays will be scheduled for this summer and fall to complete the bridges and other trail improvements.

Still Time to Join us Tomorrow for the Conservation Easement Monitoring Workshop, Saturday, June 3, 2017 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Durham Town Hall
This workshop will offer best practices for performing annual monitoring of conservation easements. We'll spend a couple hours learning indoors before heading outside to a nearby property that has a conservation easement to put our new skills to work. Please bring your lunch, plenty of water, and dress for the weather. Emma Tutein, Natural Resources & Land Conservation Field Specialist, UNH Cooperative Extension and Ellen Snyder, Durham Land Stewardship Coordinator, are leading this workshop.

The workshop is free; pre-registration is required. Sign-Up through The Stewardship Network: New England

Any questions contact ellensnyder1@gmail.com.

DEVELOPMENT OF SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN DURHAM AND UNH RELATIVE TO 66 MAIN STREET/FORMER ATO SITE REDEVELOPMENT
Administrator Selig and UNH officials have been working over the last month on a successor agreement to the 66 Main St. property Memorandum of Understanding dating to February 2015, this time in the form of a simplified Letter of Intent between Christopher Clement (UNH VPFA), Catherine Provencher (USNH Asst. Chancellor), and Administrator Selig representing Durham, which will outline the basic expectations of the parties as part of a potential new development at the former ATO site, now owned by UNH (and acquired by UNH at the request of the Town to prevent it from becoming either another megaplex student housing development or a Miracle Mile drug store).

We expect to finalize this within the next few days. UNH hopes to issue a new RFP within the next month. The Letter of Intent will include mutual goals for the downtown development as well as a commitment by the parties to work together and with a developer selected by UNH to achieve:

• A hotel with management that will partner with the UNH Hospitality Management Department for the benefit of UNH’s students.
• Possible commercial uses and its supporting parking.
• The development will comply with local zoning requirements.
• The development will be taxable or subject to a payment in lieu of taxes equal to the ad valorem taxes which would otherwise be assessed on such land, buildings and improvements.
• The design will be consistent with quintessential New England college town architecture.
• The design will meet Durham’s architectural design guidelines.
• A commitment from Durham that it is willing to discuss with the developer how the Town’s south parking lot which is adjacent to 66 Main Street and fronts on Pettee Brook Lane might be beneficial to the proposed development.

DURHAM PREVAILS IN SUPREME COURT APPEAL REGARDING UTILITY ASSESSMENTS
In two important decisions issued this morning, Appeal of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and Appeal of Public Service Company, the New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed decisions of the Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) that had upheld municipal appraisals of utility property in the face of challenges to those appraisals in over 60 municipalities, including Durham.

This decision represents significant victories for the municipalities and vindication of their valuation methods, despite appeals to the contrary for several years by utility companies and their supporters.

Among other things, the utility companies had argued that the method used by the NH Department of Revenue Administration to appraise utility property under RSA 83-F for purposes of the statewide utility property tax was a better indicator of value than the local appraisal methods. The Supreme Court rejected that argument.

In the PSNH case the NH Supreme Court noted, “The BTLA determined that the . . . [DRA] appraisals did not result in credible opinions of market value . . . . The BTLA’s findings are supported by the record.” (Emphasis added.)

More specifically, the court stated, “The BTLA found that [DRA] did not provide an independent opinion of the market value of PSNH’s property in individual towns,” a failure that is inconsistent with the requirement of RSA 72:9 that utility property “be taxed in each town according to the value of that part lying within its limits.”

The court also noted that DRA’s method had improperly allocated value for construction work in one town to numerous other towns, and identified other inconsistencies that “had a dramatic effect upon the values allocated to individual towns.” For example, under the DRA appraisals, “the value allocated to the Town of Whitefield increased by $1,000,000 between 2011 and 2012 despite there being no changes to the assets located within that municipality.”

These decisions are especially important as the legislature ponders HB 324, a retained bill that would require the use of DRA’s appraisal method for local property tax purposes. It is difficult to see how the legislature could possibly justify requiring the use of a method that, at least as used in these cases, has been found significantly lacking.

Kudos to the Town of Durham’s legal counsel at The Mitchell Group for expertly handling this complex, multi-year appeal. This NH Supreme Court case preserves millions of dollars in utility assessment value here in Durham that is appropriately valued in accordance with state law.

Blacklegged (or Deer) Tick

DURHAM URGES RESIDENTS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TICKS AND THE MULTIPLE DISEASES THEY MAY CARRY

The ticks are already out in Durham and across New Hampshire. As such, residents are reminded to take precautions against being bitten by ticks and potentially being exposed to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

New Hampshire has one of the highest incidence rates of Lyme in the country. According to the DHHS Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), there were an estimated 1,373 cases of Lyme disease identified in the State in 2015, the most recent year for which data are available.

But tick bites can cause other diseases besides Lyme disease.

In 2015, there were also 110 cases of anaplasmosis reported, which is caused by a bacterium, and 53 cases of babesiosis, which is caused by a parasite. There have also been two cases of the Powassan virus in New Hampshire residents, the first in 2013 and second in 2016, but it is not known if these were acquired in New Hampshire. The majority of Powassan cases are seen in the Northeast and upper Midwest, which is similar to anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Lyme disease. These diseases are all transmitted by the blacklegged (or deer) tick.

Ticks are out, and while we want to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors, we also want to encourage people to take steps to prevent themselves, family members, and pets from being bitten by ticks.

Preventing tick bites is the best way to avoid getting sick from any number of diseases that ticks can carry.The NH Department of Health and Human Services recommends taking the following precautions to prevent tick bites:

• Avoid tick-infested areas such as overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus every time you spend time outdoors
• Wear protective clothing (long pants and long sleeves) to keep ticks off skin
• Do daily tick checks on yourself, family members, and pets after being outdoors
• Reduce ticks around your home by keeping grass short and removing leaf litter
• Speak with your healthcare provider if you are bitten by a tick or if you notice a large bull’s-eye rash anywhere on you
• To remove an embedded tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible or if none is available use your fingernails. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
• After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

For more information about Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, visit the DHHS website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

A good crowd showed up and marched in the annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, despite the cool temperature and periodic sprinkles of rain.  Courtesy Cozette Carroll Russell

BILL TIGHTENING VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS PASSES NH HOUSE DESPITE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY TOWN OF DURHAM AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES

A NH Senate-passed bill that modifies the definition of domicile to tighten up on voter registration in New Hampshire passed the House with amendments on Thursday, 191-162.

SB 3 has been the focus of efforts by the Republican majority in the state Legislature to eliminate what they call “drive-by voting” by non-residents such as campaign workers or tourists.

If the bill is signed into law by Gov. Chris Sununu as expected, a person registering to vote 30 or fewer days before an election would be required to provide the date they established their domicile in the state, and would have to complete a registration form to prove it.

Those who lack the required documents would still be allowed to vote, but would have to mail or present the proof to the town clerk’s office within 10 days after the election, or within 30 days if the clerk’s office is open fewer than 20 hours a week.

The supervisors of the checklist will be required to follow up on those voters who failed to mail or present their domicile evidence. They could examine public records at town hall or, if necessary, deploy local officials to verify that the voter is legally at the address presented for registration. The House amendments also allow towns that don’t want to conduct the verification process locally to pass those cases off to the secretary of state.

The bill now goes back to the Senate to consider the House amendments, one of which makes it clear that college students would still be able to vote in New Hampshire elections if they meet the eligibility standards already in current law.

Gov. Sununu has indicated he is ready to sign the bill if it is approved by the legislature.

Democrats have argued that the bill is not necessary and will needlessly complicate the voting process.

Some Republican representatives felt the bill doesn’t go far enough because individuals without the proper paperwork will still be allowed to vote on Election Day, although they will be removed from the checklist for the next election if their affidavit is not successfully verified.

DURHAM STILL EXPERIENCING TELEPHONE SCAMS WITH A NEW TWIST

Chief Kurz advises that the police department has had several residents contact them about a continuing telephone scam that displays a Durham phone number! In one case, the number had been active but is now disabled. This type of “robo-calls” is the newest sophisticated strategy to get residents to answer their phone. It is clear that the desire to separate people from their money has no bounds as scammers become very innovative in attempting to do so!

The Durham Police is sharing this information for awareness purposes and to help prevent fraud and/or identity theft from occurring during these purposely stressful telephone calls! As always the Durham Police urges residents NEVER to provide personal and/or credit card information via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or telephone solicitation. When someone is initiating a call to you and ultimately requests credit card or other financial information it is a SCAM!

The Department of Public Works hosted a “touch the trucks” event for the Oyster River Parents of Preschoolers (ORPP) group on Thursday morning this week. Courtesy DCAT Studios

DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE - Durham has a Leash Law
We periodically receive reports of dogs off leash.  Town ordinances require that a dog be on a leash no longer than 8 feet at all times when off the private property of the owner.  If the dog bolts from the owner’s property to harass or frighten people this is a violation of the Town Ordinance.  

We all love our pets but there are some who may be frightened of a dog they are not familiar with and it is ultimately the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their animal is restrained when off their property limits.

SOLICITING FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS CONCERNING IMPACTS OF UNH STUDENTS WITHIN DOWNTOWN DURHAM NEIGHBORHOODS
The Town is planning to focus efforts over the course of the summer concerning enhancing its strategies in concert with UNH relative to the various impacts students may have upon traditional Durham neighborhoods surrounding the downtown core.

Students bring innumerable positive benefits to Durham, as does the presence of the University here for our town. At the same time, there are challenges posed. While we believe we have a pretty good list of concerns including noise, trash, intoxication, etc., we thought it made sense to ask the community for feedback.

If residents have topics they would like to share so we are sure to capture them all, please email these suggestions along to Todd Selig at tselig@ci.durham.nh.us.

KENNETH ROTNER, MD JOINS CORE PHYSICIANS IN DURHAM

The Town has received notification from Core Physicians (an affiliate of Exeter Hospital) that Kenneth Rotner, MD has joined the Mill Pond Family Practice located on Route 108 in Durham. Dr. Rotner received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and received his MD from State University of New York in Stony Brook, NY. He completed his internship and residency at State University of New York in Buffalo, NY. He is board certified in family medicine.
 

Two weeks ago a woodchuck decided to visit the Town Hall. He was found huddled up in the corner of the building by the front door. Fish and Game was called to come remove him, but he eventually dashed off on his own. He was last seen making his way to the bushes located in the back parking lot. Courtesy DCAT Studios

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. View past meetings on DCAT On Demand.

Town Council - Monday, June 5, 2017

Durham Energy Committee - Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Integrated Waste Management Committee - Thursday, June 8, 2017 (7AM)

Land Stewardship Subcommittee - Thursday, June 8, 2018 (8AM)

Conservation Commission - Thursday, June 8, 2017

All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.

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.

Summer Day Camps!

DPR is offering a variety of weekly camps beginning June 26th through August 25th. Campers can look forward to Wicked Wacky Lab Week, Wicked Cool Vet School, Paddle-Pedal-Peak Camp, Field Trip Week, Adventure Paddle Camp and Rocket Science Camp! Additionally, Durham Parks & Recreation has once again partnered with the SAU to offer five weeks of R.E.A.C.H.. Students enrolled in a morning SAU camp have the option to make it a full day by joining DPR for the afternoon. (Please note, you do not need to be enrolled in a morning SAU Camp to register for the afternoon camp option.) We will have fun hitting up the UNH pool, adventures to Wagon Hill Farm, playing games, hiking, fishing, creating crafts, and the list of fun goes on! Five Friday field trips are also planned as part of R.E.A.C.H. to complete each week. To register for R.E.A.C.H. morning and afternoon camps please visit: sendmoneytoschool.com. To register for other DPR camps outside of REACH, please visit durhamrec.recdesk.com.

Summer Stargazing at Wagon Hill Farm-Wednesday, June 28th 8:00-10:30pm
Join the Wagon Hill Farm Stargazers for a summer evening of stargazing.
WHO: Astronomer, John Gianforte and Durham Parks & Rec. WHEN: Wednesday, June 28 from 8—10:30 PM (6-29 cloud date)
COST: $10/person or $20/family
WHERE: Wagon Hill Farm- Meet at the “Orchard”
Please pre-register by Monday, June 26 by calling Durham Parks &
Recreation at 603 -817-4074; emailing:
recreation@ci.durham.nh.us or online at: durhamrec.recdesk.com
We’ll spend the evening exploring the surface of the Moon and learn why the Moon looks the way it does. We will also identify and learn some of the summer constellations to help us understand why the sky looks the way it does and why it changes with the seasons. No science or astronomy background is necessary. This is an event for families— all ages are welcome. We’re asking all stargazers to bring a small flashlight with them. Our first activity will be to turn those flashlights into astronomers’ flashlights. Insect repellent is recommended.
Celestial sights we’ll be seeing this evening:
-The six day old Moon—just about 1st quarter
-The Summer Triangle
-The Ring Nebula
-The Double Double—a quadruple star!!
-Albireo—a colorful double star Jupiter and its moons and cloud belts

Adult Summer Programs & Trips
Stay tuned (https://durhamrec.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/) for a detailed schedule of summer programs for adults!
-Pick Up Pickleball at Jackson’s Landing/Churchill Rink
-FREE Yoga at Wagon Hill Farm
-Guitar and Ukulele Lessons
-Bootcamp, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, Yoga & Strength & Stretch classes.
-Stargazing at WHF
-Trips: Mt. Major Hike, Lighthouse & Lunch Tour, Franconia Notch State Park, Maine Mead Works & Old Port, Surf Nights & The Fells.

Family Camp Out at Wagon Hill Farm- Saturday, June 24th-Sunday June 25th (4pm-9am)
June is National Camping Month and DPR is celebrating with a special night of camping at Wagon Hill Farm with the family!
You supply all of your camping gear and DPR will supply a BBQ dinner, (optional) scavenger hunt, craft, storytelling, and s’mores by the campfire. A camping checklist will be provided to those registered.
Pre-registration required by Wednesday June 21st. Space is limited- register early. $35/family. (Rain date: July 15th.)

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Homegrown Hearts Fundraiser to benefit The Waysmeet Center and Cornucopia Food Pantry - Saturday, June 3, 2017, 7:00-9:00 pm at Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 20 Madbury Rd., Durham. Enjoy savory appetizers, delicious desserts, live music by Pangea Pop, and friendly fun! Bid on a variety of silent and live auction items to support The Waysmeet Center's programs.Tickets are $25. More information or to purchase tickets, click HERE or call 862-1165. 

Great Bay Rowing, 16th Annual National Learn to Row Day, Saturday, Jun 3, 2017, 11AM - 3PM, 31 River St., Dover. Free event. GBR also offers summer camps and rowing programs for all ages, rowing out of Jackson Landing on the Oyster River in Durham and on the Cocheco River in Dover. More information HERE.

Dennis Harrington Retirement Celebration, Sunday, Jun 4, 2017, 1-4PM, special presentation at 2:30 PM, ORHS Athletic Field. Fun, kid-centered activities, music, photos and stories, light snacks, and more. Please bring your own chairs/blankets. No childcare provided.

Silent Film Night, Silent film classic Sherlock Jr., featuring Buster Keaton. Saturday, Jun 10, 2017, 7PM, Portsmouth Music Hall. With the ORMS Jazz Band and Studio Orchestra, under the direction of David Ervin, Marc LaForce, and Andrea von Oeyen.  Tickets/$16 can be purchased at the ORMS office or The Music Hall Box Office, 603-436-2400, 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth.  Online purchase HERE.

9th Annual Bobcat Bolt 5K and Kids Fun Run, hosted by OR Alumni Association, Saturday, Jun 17, 2017, ORHS. 5K Run/Walk begins 9AM; Kids Fun Run (ages 10 and under) begins approx. 10:15am on the new ORHS track. Pancake breakfast from 9 - 11AM. Breakfast included with 5K & Fun Run registration and is $5 for spectators. Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band will play. Register for the 5K and Fun Run. Proceeds benefit the ORHS Josh and Nate Hardy Awards and other local Oyster River youth initiatives. Bobcat Bolt is still accepting business sponsorships. Contact Anita Mathur, orhs92@yahoo.com.

One World Language School currently accepting students to join language program that begins in October 2017. Its mission is to make foreign language learning accessible at a young age, starting as early as 5 years old. Primary languages taught include French, Chinese, German, and Spanish. Space limited to 8 students per class. Classes held after school at OR Middle School and Moharimet Elementary.  Contact Pranav Dadarwala at 207-370-8398 or email pranav@oneworldlanguageschool.org

Growing Places Summer Programs. There are still have a few spots left. More information HERE.

UNH Summer Youth Program Registration is Open! Students explore interests while experiencing the local campus (and other sites) through UNH’s summer programs for youth. Participants learn from faculty, staff, and students with individualized instruction and have the opportunity to utilize state of the art facilities.

Programs offered for ages 6-18 in areas such as STEM, the Arts, Academic Enrichment, Athletics, and Recreational/Water programs. UNH hosts numerous programs for High School students!  View offerings by grade level.

To learn more and to register: UNH Learn for Life

University of New Hampshire Celebrity Series Upcoming Events. View the schedule of events HERE.  Tickets can be purchased on line HERE. or by calling the Box Office at 603-862-7222(PCAC). Hours:  Mon-Fri, 12 - 5PM as well as one hour before each event.
UNH Museum of Art Upcoming Events. View schedule of events HERE.

Black Bear Happenings in New Hampshire Wednesday June 7, 6:30-7:30 pm

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

WELCOME TO ROSE BEBRIS, OUR NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR! - Please stop by to meet Rose at the library on Saturday, June 10, and then continue on to our Bag of Books Sale.

Children’s and Young Adult Programs:

“Build a Better World” Summer Reading Program!
Register for our fun 5 week summer reading program starting June 12th. The theme this year is “Build a Better World!” Our program runs from June 26th through July 28th. When you register you will receive a packet including your reading logs, calendars, some gifts and a fun bag! Keep track of your reading minutes and have them checked once a week to earn a prize of the week. You will receive a new book, and prizes at the end, as well as a reading certificate! Also add to our visual display in the library. Some of the fun events planned:
Summer Reading Kick-Off Celebration with “Cactus Head Puppets”, Wednesday, June 28th at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room. Join the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries for this creative puppet show. All are welcome.
Mondays, June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24 6:00 p.m. – Family Movie Nights – Moana, Trolls, Sing, The Lorax and Lego Batman. Popcorn is served!
Mondays, June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Middle and High School) – YA Try-It-Time! Stop Motion, Paper Airplane Challenge, Green Screen Photography, Spanish Night, and Pendulum Art!
Tuesdays, June 27, July 11, 18, 25 10:30 a.m. – All ages storytimes (preschool) – Construction, Robots, Worms and Let’s Dance Themes! Stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft!
Tuesdays, June 27, July 11, 18, 25, 6:30 p.m. (9-12 yr. old group) – Take Apart Tuesday, Tech Tuesday, Trash Art Tuesday and Tuesday Art! We will also share what we’re reading. Win prizes!
Wednesdays, June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Team Art! Drop in to create group art for the library: Mural Painting, Totem Poles, Paper Roll Tree and Cityscapes. (All ages)
Wednesdays, June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Music on the Library Lawn – Atwater Donnelly, Fiddling Thomsons, Ben Baldwin, Joel Cage and Marvel Prone. Bring a blanket/chairs and come hear some great music on our front porch! In case of rain will be held in our community room.
Thursdays, June 19, July 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30 (all ages) – Thursday Specials: Marshmallow Bridges, Pen Pals, Wildlife Encounters (at the Madbury Town Hall), Gardening and Bubble Wrap Painting. Drop in Program for all ages.
Thursdays, June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27 3:00-4:00 p.m. (6-8 yr. old group) – Homemade Tinker Toys, Friendship Bracelets, Tech Toys, Recycled Art, and Art Afternoon.. We will hear stories, play games, do puzzles, crafts and share what we are reading.
Thursdays, June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27 6:30-7:30 p.m. (all ages) – Family Game Night! Come and play some board games new and old. Held in the Storytime/Craft Room. All are welcome.
Thursday, July 13, 10:30 a.m. Madbury Town Hall– All ages Wildlife Encounters with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries. Come and meet animals and learn about them.
Friday July 28, 10:30 a.m. at the Durham Library – All ages Finale Celebration with talented performer and juggler, Steve Corning! Join us in celebrating your summer reading accomplishments. Steve Corning’s show will astound you with his contortions, juggling and more. This show is tremendous fun. 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, The Candy Bar, Fro-Zone, Hayden Sports, Young’s Restaurant, Franz’s Food, Water Country, Canobie Lake Park, Water Country, The Candy Bar, Subway of Durham, Wildcat Pizza, Golick’s, Durham House of Pizza, The Juicery, Pauly’s Pocket and other local businesses for their prize donations.
Also, Trivia Question of the Week, Guessing Jar, and Weekly Challenges!
Check out our website, www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.

Adult Programs:

DPL FRIENDS' BAG OF BOOKS SALE ONE DAY ONLY Saturday June 10, 10 am - 1:30 pm - ONLY $5 PER BAG! We have the books and the bags...you do the filling.
Book Donation Week Tuesday May 30 through Saturday June 3 - The Friends of the Durham Public Library collect gently used books and DVDs the last week of every month. Please drop off books/DVDs in a bag or container that does not need to be returned. We appreciate your donations, but please no textbooks, dictionaries, or encyclopedias. Thank you!

New England Quilts and the Stories They Tell Tuesday June 6, 7-8:30 pm - Quilts tell stories, and quilt history is full of myths and misinformation as well as heart-warming tales of service and tradition. Pam Weeks of the New England Quilt Museum weaves world history, women’s history, industrial history and just plain wonderful stories into her presentation. Participants are invited to bring one quilt for identification and/or story sharing.

First Aid Class Mon. June 5, 6-8 pm - McGregor Memorial EMS offers a First Aid class. Contact Sean Madden, 603-862-3674. For cost and registration information visit http://cprsafe.org

Oyster River Knitters Tuesday June 6, 7-9 pm - Join in for a couple hours of knitting relaxation and conversation. This is a great time to pick up that knitting project you’ve wanted to finish. There's no need to pre-register; just show up. New participants of all skill levels are welcome! Contact: Janet, 868-1142, jadoty@comcast.net

DPL Friends Meeting Wednesday June 7, 1-3:00 pm - The Friends of the Library meet the first Wednesday of every month. All are welcome to attend. Come for social time from 1-1:30, followed by a business meeting.

Black Bear Happenings in New Hampshire Wednesday June 7, 6:30-7:30 pm -
Wildlife Stewards Doug Whitfield and Dennis Walsh will discuss the life cycle and habits of black bears, with a focus on preventing human-bear conflicts that arise out of careless human interaction and lack of understanding about bears. This is a program of the N.H. Fish and Game Department’s Fish and Wildlife Stewards Program.

CPR & AED Class with McGregor Memorial EMS Monday June 12 6-8 pm -
Contact Sean Madden 603-862-3674. For cost and registration information visit http://cprsafe.org

Oyster River ASD Friends Tuesday June 13, 6:30-8 pm - Join our group for parents of teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. Conversation, resource sharing, and speakers to address how we can best encourage and support independence. This month, Lisa Harz, Vocational Rehabilitation State Director is coming to have a conversation about VR and how it works with teens and young adults. Contact Julie, 603-767-4190, jsmithnh@icloud.com.

Acoustic Open Mic with Mike Wednesday June 14, 6:30-7:45 - All types of acoustic (non-amplified) music. First time performers and original music are particularly encouraged. Acoustic Open Mic with Mike is a welcoming supportive intimate gathering. Meet in the Library cafe. Light refreshments are provided.

MUSEUM PASSES - Many of our patrons aren't aware of a wonderful perk of having a Durham Library card - free or discounted passes to 12 different museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the New Hampshire Children's Museum, and, recently added, beautiful Bedrock Gardens in Lee. All are available through the generosity of the Friends of the Durham Public Library. For more information, go to http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/museum.asp
 

The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology: computers, iPads & cell phones, eReaders (Nook, Kindle, etc.) Call to check on availability of the volunteers and set up an appointment. 868-6699 or email durhampl@gmail.com