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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Oyster River Squirts Hockey Team. Courtesy Melissa Janetos
Front row: Anthony (AJ) Bellabona, Wyatt Trahan, Alden Swiesz, Corum Nichols, Luka Fortin, Brian Rothstein (not pictured)
2nd row: Aidan Janetos, Charlie Rainer, Sean Moriarty, Chris Webb, John Kell
Coaches: Paul Janetos Jr., Sean Moriarty, Paul Kell, Jeff Fortin
The Oyster River Squirts Hockey Team won the Granite State Squirts Tier V State Championship last weekend. They should be very proud of the character and class they showed both on and off the ice. They came into the tournament, held in Meriden NH, seeded second. They defeated Henniker 3-2, and Hanover 4-0 in the first round. They defeated Berlin 3-1 in the semi-finals and went on to defeat New Hampshire East 6-2 in the finals. Congratulations!
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Don't forget to "spring" forward on Saturday evening before going to bed. Daylight Saving Time officially begins on Sunday, March 10th at 2:00 AM.
And...Town/School Elections are Tuesday, March 12th (see below for more information).
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2013 MARCH TOWN AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS - MARCH 12, 2013
The 2013 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Voters will park in reserved spaces along the front of the school and use the Multipurpose Room entrance.
The following is a list of citizens that have filed for the Durham elected offices:
Town Council, 3 positions (3-year terms): Jay Gooze, Wayne Burton, Carden Welsh
Library Board of Trustees, 3 positions (3-year terms): Jenna Roberts, William Schoonmaker, Holly Stark
Trustees of the Trust Funds, 1 position (3-year term): Craig Seymour
The following is a list of citizens that have filed for the ORCSD School Board and Moderator:
At-large (2 positions): Thomas Newkirk (Durham), Carl Piedmont (Madbury), Kenneth Rotner (Durham)
Moderator (1 position): Richard Laughton
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Durham's existing dewatering equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Courtesy DPW
ARTICLE II - REPLACEMENT OF SLUDGE DEWATERING EQUIPMENT AT WWTP
In addition to the Town elected positions on the March 12th ballot, a $2,500,000 bond referendum question will also be on the ballot relative to the replacement of sludge dewatering equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The question, and an explanation for the equipment replacement, appear below:
"Are you in favor of authorizing the issuance of not more than $2,500,000 of bonds or notes, issued in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33), for the replacement of the sludge dewatering equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and to authorize the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon. 2/3 vote required."
Rationale for Bond:
The Durham Town Council has unanimously endorsed the bonding of new sludge dewatering equipment at the community's Wastewater Treatment Plant. The present equipment is now in its 26th year of operation, six years beyond its expected lifecycle, and requires constant maintenance and repair. In addition, the existing facility generates high electrical demand, is costly to operate, requires continuous supervision and is labor intensive.
The proposed new equipment will be more efficient and significantly less expensive to operate, both from an electrical demand and a staffing perspective. In addition, because the percentage of water removed from the sludge processed will increase resulting in sludge that weighs less, the new equipment will reduce the Town's annual tipping costs for sludge removal saving approximately $10,000 per year for the municipal sewer system.
The project will minimize odors from the dewatering process, requires 50% less space freeing up the facility for other operations, and includes a solar wall which will further reduce long-term operational costs for sewer system rate payers.
The $2,500,000 20-year bond will not affect the Durham tax rate because the $833,000 Town share (UNH pays 2/3 of the bond totaling $1,666,667) is amortized strictly to sewer users over the twenty-year period.
Huber screw presses that would replace Durham's current dewatering equipment. (Equipment shown above is located at Dover's Wastewater Treatment Facility). Courtesy DPW
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ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS OF CITIZENS TO FILL VACANCIES ON VARIOUS TOWN BOARDS
On April 30, 2013, terms on various Town boards, commissions, and committees will expire. In mid-April, the Town Council will begin the process for making its annual appointments/reappointments to Town boards, with appointments to take effect May 1, 2013. The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to fill these vacancies.
Citizens interested in board appointments may complete an application and mail it to the Town Administrator’s office at 15 Newmarket Road, or submit it via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. Applications are available at the Town Clerk's Office on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road. Applications are also available on the home page of the Town’s web site: www.ci.durham.nh.us under "Forms" on the right-hand side.The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday, March 22, 2013.
Conservation Commission (2 regular vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)
Durham Agricultural Commission (2 regular vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)
Durham Energy Committee (2 vacancies)
Economic Development Committee (1 regular vacancy; 1 alternate vacancy)
Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (3 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)
Parks and Recreation (3 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)
Planning Board (2 regular vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)
Strafford Regional Planning Commission MPO Policy Committee (1 vacancy)
Zoning Board of Adjustment (2 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)
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DURHAM’S FRIDAY DEALS
Friday Deals are offered by Downtown merchants. Click HERE to see the deals on food, health, and services that are being offered. Shop locally and support area business. Money spent locally stays local.
If your business has a Friday deal to offer please send it to Ken Entz at sentz@comcast.net.
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Bringing the main trunk back toward an air handler in the mechanical room. Courtesy Walter Rous
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
What would a week at the library construction site be without some sort of weather event? Boring? Helpful? Anticlimactic? All of the above? Although a fresh layer of snow always gives the landscape a clean, Currier and Ives look, it tends to be, in this case, unhelpful.
Work this week on the interior of the library included continued roughing-in of the domestic water lines (toilet rooms and break room), completion of the electrical rough-in at the first floor in preparation for the gypsum drywall work, duct installation and insulation at the first and second floors and in the attic area, roughing-in for the temperature and air handling controls, miscellaneous interior framing and soffit bracing work and sprinkler installation at the second floor. Work at the exterior included extending the copper supply lines for the exterior hose bibs and installing sprinkler lines under the porch roofs.
Building, plumbing and electrical inspections are ongoing. All three inspectors visited the site on Thursday and found everything to be in good order. In addition to our local inspectors, there is a Commissioning Plan for the new library. Commissioning is a systematic process of ensuring that the building systems – mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, security – all perform interactively according to our functional, operational, and performance requirements. This is also an ongoing process beginning at the design phase and moving through the construction process to final acceptance with actual verification of performance.
Provided the weather cooperates, brick work should start next week!
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PUBLIC MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND
The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below.
Agricultural Commission - Monday, March 11, 2013. For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Durham Energy Committee - Monday, March 11, 2013 (7pm; Durham PD). For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Zoning Board of Adjustment - Tuesday, March 12, 2013. For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Planning Board - Wednesday, March 13, 2013. For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Conservation Commission - Thursday, March 14, 2013. For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Economic Development Committee - Thursday, March 14, 2013 (7pm; Durham PD). For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Parks and Recreation Committee - Thursday, March 14, 2013 (7pm; Hamel Recreation Center, UNH Campus). For agenda and other information, click HERE.
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.
DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.
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AMBER ACRES FARM FOR SALE BY SOUTHEAST LAND TRUST OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Durham Agricultural Commission would like readers to know that the Amber Acres Farm on Mast Road is for sale by the Southeast Land Trust of NH (SELTNH). SELTNH is seeking a buyer interested in farming the 39-acre property. The asking price is $85,000. The property is subject to a conservation easement. Information on the property is available at the SELTNH website.
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INFORMATION RELATING TO TUITION STUDENTS FOR THE OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Oyster River Cooperative School District Superintendent James Morse has prepared an update relative to revisiting the question of tuition students. To read Dr. Morse's statement regarding this matter, click HERE.
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Town Council Chair Jay B. Gooze presents Wastewater Superintendent Daniel Peterson with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his being named Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year. Courtesy Bill Cote
DURHAM SUPERINTENDENT OF WASTEWATER NAMED REGIONAL, US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
Durham's Superintendent of Wastewater, Daniel Peterson, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation at the Town Council meeting on Monday evening, March 4th. Dan was recognized for being named the Regional, United States Environmental Protection Agency Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year. The certificate was signed and presented to Dan by Council Chair Jay B. Gooze, and reads as follows:
"Presented this 4th day of March, 2013, in recognition of being named the Regional, United States Environmental Protection Agency Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year. Dan’s impressive 29-year wastewater career began with his position as a Wastewater Technician while on active duty at the Pease Air Force Base Wastewater Treatment Facility in 1983. In 1991 Dan became the Chief Plant Operator at the Pease WWTP working for the Pease Development Authority. In 1993 the City of Portsmouth took over the operation of the Pease WWTP hiring Dan as its Chief Plant Operator. In 2007 the Town of Durham was fortunate to hire Dan as its Superintendent of Wastewater. Dan has professional memberships in the NH Wastewater Association, New England Water Environment Association, NHDES Wastewater Operator Education Committee and the NHDES Wastewater Operators Licen
sing Board. Additionally, Dan currently (and for the past 17 years) has proudly served in the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
It is therefore with great pleasure that the Town of Durham conveys its sincerest congratulations to you for being named the USEPA Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the year for 2012. The professional, caring, and devoted service you have provided to the Town of Durham has earned you the highest degree of respect within the community. Thank you, Dan."
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THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUSTAINABILITY AT OYSTER RIVER
Want to do good and save money at the same time? Please take a minute to get informed about ʻSustainabilityʼ and Warrant Article #4 that appears the Oyster River School District ballot on March 12th!
In the two years of formally supporting a Sustainability Committee, Oyster River has accomplished much. Working cooperatively with school district personnel and the school board, there have been a number of successful projects. Phase 1 of the energy project at the high school resulted in an estimated $91k annual savings to taxpayers and a 22% reduction in natural gas use. Phase 2 of the mitigation and retrofits at the other three schools, which was funded in part by $25k from last yearʼs Sustainability Warrant Article, is projected to save $85k per year to the taxpayers and result in an
additional reduction in emissions. Thereʼs more:
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the 1,600 lbs. of solid waste diverted from landfills in first two months of
Moharimetʼs ʻcompostingʼ program;
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the estimated reduction of 86,200 plastic water bottles from the waste stream by the installation of hydration stations at each school;
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the conversion of 13 buses to biodiesel(B-20) and the implementation of aʻNo Idleʼ policy all school vehicles;
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the planting and maintaining of vegetable gardens at each school.
Warrant Article #4 requests the continued funding of ʻKids Eat Localʼ, the school district's local farm to school food program, and new funding for the formation of ʻGreen Teamsʼ at each of the district's schools. Supporting local farmers strengthens the economy and provides locally sourced food for the school lunch program.
To learn more please visit: http://greenoyster.wordpress.com/.
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OYSTER RIVER TEACHERS GUILD VOTER’S GUIDE
A questionnaire was sent to all candidates for School Board. Candidates were asked to respond to a number of questions pertaining to education in the Oyster River School District. This voter’s guide is a compilation of their responses. It is not intended to be an endorsement of any one candidate, but rather a source of information to assist district residents in making an informed decision. To view the guide, click HERE.
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JOHN HATCH MAP OF DURHAM, TOWN HALL: HISTORY SOUGHT
The three-dimensional map of Durham hanging in the lobby of the Town Hall (pictured above) was created by local artist and UNH professor John Woodsum Hatch (1919-1998) and donated by him to the Town in 1965. In creating the map, John drew on his experience as an aerial photo topographer for the U.S. Army Engineers during World War II, as well as his frequent wide-ranging walks through Durham, particularly its woods and open spaces.
At present, the map hangs without tribute to the artist, who received a "Lotte Jacobi Living Treasure Award" from Governor Jeanne Shaheen in 1997. The award "recognizes a professional New Hampshire artist, in any discipline, who has made a significant contribution to his or her art form and to the arts community of New Hampshire, reflecting a lifetime of achievement." John, his wife Maryanna, and the map itself also played key roles in the 1974 defeat of a proposal to build an oil refinery on Durham Point.
A Durham resident is compiling information about the artist and the map with the intent of providing a "curator's note" to accompany the map. If you would like to share your recollections of John Hatch, the map, or the 1973-1974 citizen campaign to "Save Our Shores," please send an email to Robin Mower, rmowertc@gmail.com.
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OR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT - PAY IT FORWARD PROJECT
As part of a seventh grade Pay-it-Forward student project, Oyster River Middle School student Lucas Schroeder made a video, "Stepping Up to the Plate With Healthier, More Sustainable School Lunches." Lucas' video highlights some of the farm-to-school sustainability initiatives underway in the district. To view his video, click HERE.
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PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
COYOTE CLUB - NEW SESSION STARTS MARCH 18TH
Coyote Club is a nature-based wildlife education program dedicated to bringing the children and adults of southeast New Hampshire the best in naturalist studies, survival skills, environmental education and more. “Instilling a sense of wonder, responsibility, and stewardship for the natural world through ecological studies and primitive skills exploration.” Find out more HERE.
JOIN US FOR YOGA: Mondays: 5:45AM and 5PM; Tuesdays: 7:15PM; Thursdays: 6:00AM. What to expect: Yoga is a series of physical poses which promote good posture, alleviate health problems, reduce stress, and make the spine supple. Yoga is often used as both an exercise and a form of physical therapy. Cost is only $40 for 8 sessions! Couples Yoga coming soon! Find out more HERE.
GET IN SHAPE WHILE HAVING FUN! Try one of our ENERGIZING classes today: BOOT CAMP * PILATES * ZUMBA * STRENGTH & STRETCH * TAI CHI Find out more HERE.
SUMMER SPEED CAMP - Do you have a Middle School athlete who is looking to improve their game, while having a TON of fun this summer? Find out more HERE.
INTRODUCING DPR CLIMBING CLUB - This program is filling up FAST so don’t miss out! Durham Parks & Recreation and the UNH Outdoor Education Department are proud to offer the youth Rock Climbing Club. Participants will have personalized instruction, and learn: belaying; knots; commands; problem solving skills; gear knowledge; confidence!
Who: Youths aged 12-18
When: Middle School – 3:15-4:45 High School – 5:00-6:30
Dates: (5 sessions - Fridays), 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19
Where: New Hampshire Hall
Cost: $80, $90 with t-shirt
To sign up: please contact Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee, sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us.
MAD SCIENCE FAMILY NIGHT - Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6-7PM, ORMS Multipurpose Room, just $7/family. Durham Parks & Recreation is proud to team up with ORMS to offer this exciting, family-friendly, educational experience. Come experience UP, UP, and AWAY! featuring the powers of air pressure; hot air balloons, and The Mad Science Hovercraft! Mad Science Family Night will be: highly interactive, educational, and fun.
SAVE THE DATE: The Annual Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2013 beginning at 11:00 AM at the Durham Town Landing.
For more information regarding any of the classes or events offered by Parks and Recreation, visit the P&R web site at https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_parksrec.
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The Oyster River Jazz Band will host a fund-raising auction and music-filled evening on Saturday, March 23 from 6 to 10 pm at Holloway Commons at the University of New Hampshire. The ORMS Jazz Band has been selected to perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida in May. Under the direction of Mr. Ervin, Music Teacher of the Year, the band members will play at Downtown Disney and also attend a workshop led by world-renowned musicians in one of the Disney recording studios.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
ORYA Girls Travel Hockey Program Tryouts, for players age 8 through 14, Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 5:30-7:30 PM, Churchill Rink, Old Piscataqua Road in Durham. For more information, contact David Smith, ORYA Hockey Coordinator, davidsmith7007@comcast.net.
Newcomer's Unlimited Club of Durham March Meeting, Friday, March 15, 2013, Durham Community Church. Social Hour at 9:00 AM and presentation by Blue Ocean Society for Maine Conservation at 10:00 AM.
Oyster River Jazz Band Fund-raising Auction, Saturday, March 23, 2013, 6-10PM, Holloway Commons at UNH. Tickets: $20/person and available at SolSistar, 9 Madbury Road in Durham or by contacting Belinda Kaya at (603) 205-5436. More information available on facebook.com/ORMSjazzband.
Durham Garden Club Presents "Hydrangea Love Affair: Old Favorites and New Varieties" with Jeff O'Donal of O'Donal's Nursery in Gorham, Maine, Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6:30 PM, Madbury Town Hall. Social Time an
d refreshments. Non-members welcome to attend as guests.
Yoga for Runners and Cross Training, Saturday, March 30, 2013, 9-10:00 AM and 10:30-11:30 AM, Durham Community Church. $15 per person. All proceeds help Team On Belay who is running the Wallis Sands 1/2 Marathon reach their goal of sending 100 kids to On Belay programs. Visit http://www.on-belay.org/
Northeastern Ballet Theatre Presents Cinderella Ballet, Saturday and Sunday, April 6 (7 PM) & 7 (2PM), 2013, Oyster River High School Auditorium. For cost and other information, click HERE, or call 603-834-8834, or email info@northeasternballet.org.
UNH Conference for Office Professionals. For office managers, executive and administrative assistants, clerical and office staff. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 9AM-4PM, Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth. $195 if registered by April 3; $235 after April 3. For more information, click HERE.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Durham Public Library Goes Mobile! Are you doing all your business from your cellphone these days? Would you like simple, direct access to the library’s website and catalog when you’re on the run? Then we have two new products for you. Scan the QR code below, or from the library’s homepage and you can download a version of the library’s website, specifically designed for mobile devices. It’s simple and easy to use. Want to access the library’s catalog from your iPhone or iPad? Well now there’s an app for that! Search the Apple App Store for “Surpass Library Trek”. Download the app, find the Durham Public Library using GPS and login to your account. If you’ve forgotten your library account ID and password you can ask us for it the next time you visit.
Preschool Storytimes, Tues. March 12th and Thurs. March 14th at 10:30 am – This week: Kangaroos and St. Patrick’s Day! Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft. All are welcome.
Learn to Download eBooks with Librarian, Nancy Miner, Tues. March 12th at 7 p.m. - Wondering how to download books to your eReader, but not sure how to get started? This class is for you! Join Librarian Nancy Miner for a hands-on class that is sure to get you comfortable with your nook, iPad, Kindle, or other handheld device. eBooks are great for travel; why not learn how to use them? Once you do, you can download books right
from our library website!
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Weds. March 20th, 2:45 – 4:00 p.m. - Join us for this Middle School Group! This month's book is "Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs. Walk from the Middle School to come and discuss the book of the month. This group is facilitated by Ruth Wharton-MacDonald. Pizza is served! All are welcome.
Lego Club is Back for 1st-4th Graders starting Thurs. March 21st from 3:45-4:45 p.m. -Like to build with Legos? Join us for this fun club for 1st-4th graders. We will meet for 5 Thursdays, March 21, 28, April 4, 11 and 18!
Pajama Storytime, Tues. March 26th, 6:30 p.m. - Join ORPP and the Durham Library for our monthly Pajama Storytime. This month: Science, Wind and Kites! Come and hear stories about Wind/Kites. Make a craft and do some fun science experiments! Come
wearing your pajamas. We read stories, do fingerplays, songs, feltboard and make a craft. ORPP supplies a snack. All are welcome.
Middle School Art Display at the Library – Come and see some ORMS 5th graders works of art. The theme is “Significant Places around Durham, Lee and Madbury”. Don’t miss these talented artist’s creations!
Register for Tales for Tails! Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child.
Join the Patch Program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years. Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag. If new to the program, stop by and register. Thanks to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for their continued support of this program.
Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.
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FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"
"Farm Life in Durham: This brief look at farm life in Durham during the twentieth century would not be complete without a history of Adams Point and the Adams family farm and boardinghouse. Indeed, there have been so many great changes at Adams Point, its history almost deserves a separate chapter.
Adams Point
By 1900 the Adams family had embarked on the hotel business, bringing Victorian age tourism to the shores of the Bays. Undaunted by the lack of modern conveniences, Joseph Martin Adams, one of the Reformation John's sons, and Joseph's wife, Olive (Esther Libby), launched enthusiastically into running the Adams House during the summer months. During the peak of the summer season the house bulged with as many as fifty guests at a time. It boggles the mind to think of the little boy whose duty it was to run back and forth to the spring about 200 yards from the house carrying water pails on a wooded yoke. Nonetheless, the boardinghouse days were a 'smashing' success, and hundreds of people visited and stayed on the Point over the years." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.
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Have a nice weekend.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, New Hampshire
T: 603-868-5571 F: 603-868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us http://www.ci.durham.nh.us
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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