Friday Updates - May 31, 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

A cardinal couple feed their four new chicks, hatched in a nest located outside the dining room window at the Casey household in Durham.. Courtesy Bernie Casey. 

45 degrees and rainy last Saturday ... 90+ degrees today!  This could only mean one thing ... the Durham Farmer's Market opens Monday, June 3.

DURHAM’S PROMOTIONAL VIDEO – SPREAD THE GOOD WORD ABOUT DURHAM!

In the summer of 2009, the Town of Durham produced a short promotional video highlighting the many attributes which make Durham a fantastic place to live, work, and play as part of our economic development efforts to broaden the local tax base.  The film was forwarded to local realtors, placed on the home page of the Town website, showcased on Channel 22-DCAT, premiered to the Governor and Executive Council, and has been utilized by UNH as part of its orientation for new students.  The promotional video is still relevant today.  If you know of people or prospective businesses interested in Durham, please send them the link at https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/community/durhams-promotional-video.

This proposed rendering of the new Town Hall at 8 Newmarket Rd. will be

discussed by the Historic District Commission on Thursday evening, June 6th

NEW TOWN HALL PROJECT TO BE DISCUSSED AT HDC THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 6TH

The property at 8 Newmarket Road was most recently used as a bank, with commercial offices on the second floor.  The Town purchased the property earlier this year and is planning to expand the building for use as the new Town Hall.  The existing building is a Federal Style building that was built in 1980, and includes a bank drive-through window with a second floor office space that was added above the drive-through. There are currently two floors and a basement, for a total of 5,689 sq. ft. The proposed expansion for the Town Hall includes an extension of the two story building to serve as a central two-story lobby with stair and elevator access to the existing building, and a complementary Federal style 32’x44’ addition facing Newmarket Road for the Town Council chambers.  The existing drive-through at the rear of the bank will be filled in with office space on the first floor.  The expansion provides an additional 6,344 sq. ft. 

The Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing on the design proposal (see above) at its meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2013.  The meeting begins at 7 PM. The new proposed design incorporates feedback provided by members of the public at a public forum held on the project last month. For more information regarding the project, click HERE.

Residents may notice that the black shutters were removed from the front façade of the former bank building this week to provide an opportunity to see how this actually impacted the look of the building.  Feedback at the public forum supported removing the shutters.  Kaizen!

Residents of the Disrtict look on Thursday evening as Superintendent of Schools Jim Morse provides information regarding the idea of accepting additional tuition students at ORHS.  Courtesy, Todd Selig

A COMMUNITY DIALOGUE BEGINS REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL TUITION STUDENTS AT OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL

The Oyster River School District (ORSD) held an informative public forum last evening, May 30, 2013, regarding the possibility of accepting additional tuition students at the Oyster River High School (ORHS).

The District has been approached by three school systems, Barrington, Deerfield and Newmarket about the possibility of sending their students to ORHS. Barrington is currently sending 64 students to ORHS; but allows their students to have ‘choice’ to attend ORHS, Dover or Coe-Brown. Deerfield sends their students to Concord High School. They do not afford their students choice; they have an exclusive arrangement with Concord that is up for review, thus their interest in sending 188 students to ORHS. Newmarket currently has a high school but it does not meet state standards and must be vacated by 2015. Newmarket is investigating either tuitioning their students to ORHS or building a new high school. Newmarket has 280 students and they would like an exclusive tuition arrangement with the District, if that were the direction they choose.

To date NO decision has been made by the ORSD regarding this concept.

Enrollment within ORSD has been on the decline and this trend is expected to continue.  (School enrollment is declining generally across all of NH.)  Peak enrollment within the ORSD in 2000 was 2,393 students.  The enrollment at ORSD this academic year (excluding tuition students) is 1,944, a decline of 449 students over twelve years.  Projected 2022-2023 enrollment at ORSD is 1,552, a further decline of 392 students over the next ten years.

The intended purpose of accepting additional tuition students at ORHS would be to maintain current programs, enhance programs, decrease costs per student, generate alternate revenue for the district, lower the local school tax effort, and utilize ORSD’s state of the art high school facility to maximize the learning experience for ORHS students.

If no additional tuition students are ultimately accepted into the ORHS, it is anticipated by the District that high school course choice options will become limited, within ten years enrollment will drop to approximately 555 high school students (there are presently 606 students at ORHS), curriculum becomes restrictive, class size is likely to increase, staff are likely lose jobs to offset a shrinking enrollment base, cost per student increases for local taxpayers, and the ORHS facility would be inefficiently utilized.

ORSD has the capacity and the District has three school systems vying for those vacant seats, but none of these school districts has come forward yet and stated that they definitively want their students to go to ORHS. The ORSD is attempting to collect data and information that will help it make a quality decision on behalf of the school system that will have a generational impact.

To this end, at the District's request the UNH Survey Center recently conducted a survey of Durham, Lee, and Madbury households concerning the tuition issue.  Findings included:

• Most district residents rate the quality of education provided by ORCSD excellent (41%) or good (44%). Only 7% say the schools are fair or poor and 8% are unsure.
• Most residents (65%) are aware that the Oyster River District currently tuitions students to its school. Only 4% did not think that this was the case and 31% were unsure.
• Two out of three ORSD residents (67%) favor Oyster River tuitioning students with 40% strongly favoring and 27% not strongly favoring. Only 9% oppose it (5% strongly and 4% not strongly), 19% didn’t have an opinion and 5% said that it depends.
• Those who have lived in the school district for 5 years or less are less likely to favor tuitioning.
• Of those who said they support tuitioning, the most frequently cited reason was to share the tax burden/costs with others (24%). Other major reasons included maintaining educational quality, using excess capacity, being more efficient, providing a benefit to students, increasing funding to the school and getting better student diversity.  Reponses were very similar between the Newmarket and Barrington/Deerfield options.

• Of those who said they oppose tuitioning, the most frequently cited reason was that they would be adding too many students. Other frequent reasons included: changing the culture, education quality, taxes/home values, class/school size, tuition is not equitable to what they pay, and that children should stay in their own towns.

To view the UNH Survey Center survey results, click HERE.

The presentation was filmed for future broadcast on Channel 22.  Although over 4,500 postcards were mailed out to households within the district encouraging attendance at Thursday's forum, attendance was relatively light.

DURHAM’S SMITH CHAPEL ADDED TO THE NH STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

The NH Historical Resources Council has added Durham's Smith Chapel to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. Durham was notified of this honor via letter on May 13, 2013.

The State Register has helped to promote the significance of many historic properties across New Hampshire. Benefits of being listed on the State Register include:

• Special consideration and relief from some building codes and regulations;
• Designation of a property as historical, which is a pre-qualification for many grant programs, including Conservation License Plate grants and NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP); and
• Acknowledgement of a property's historical significance in the community.

Smith Chapel was built for and named after Hamilton Smith, who died in a boating incident on the Oyster River in 1900. His wife, Alice Congreve, had it built in Smith's memory. Many years later, the property was donated to the Town of Durham.

Modeled after a chapel in England where poet Alfred Lord Tennyson's father was rector, it is constructed in the English Gothic style with stone buttresses at each corner. Hamilton Smith was a wealthy and well-known philanthropist. He was originally from Kentucky, but lived in Durham when he was young and attended the Durham Academy.  He was an engineer and developed effective techniques for coal, gold and copper mining. He helped develop the London Underground, and founded the Exploration Co., Limited, headquartered in New York.

He married Alice Congreve. Congreve's family founded Congreve Rockets, which were used by the British at the battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. They were described as "the rocket's red glare," in Francis Scott Key's National Anthem. 

Both Congreve Hall and Hamilton Smith Hall on the campus of the University of New Hampshire were named after members of the Smith-Congreve family.

Special thanks are extended to resident Andrea Bodo for her yeoman's work on this project.

Durham's new Amtrak signage recognized nationally by Amtrak.

DURHAM HIGHLIGHTED BY AMTRAK AS “AN AMTRAK SERVED COMMUNITY”

Durham, NH is on the cover of Amtrack's national Spring 2013 newsletter, The Great American Stations!  The community is recognized for its recent efforts relative to the installation of new "An Amtrak Served Community" signage posted at the many entrances to Durham. The United States has tens of thousands of towns, cities, villages and unincorporated communities, but only about 500 of them can count Amtrak service among their assets—one that can support economic development, tourism, and other benefits.   New Hampshire has only three Amtrak Downeaster stations:  Durham, Dover, and Exeter.

The Downeaster carried over 540,000 passengers in FY2012 and is expected to add over 36,000 riders annually with its recent expansion to Freeport and Brunswick.

Earlier this year, the Durham station located at UNH on Depot Road (next to the Whittemore Center) celebrated its 500,000th passenger riding the rails from Durham north and south since the Downeaster’s inaugural run in December 2001.

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN RECAPUTRING A HONEY BEE SWARM HIGH ABOVE RESIDENT’S PROPERTY

Residents might imagine the Town’s fire department helping a resident retrieve a wayward cat from a tree … but a honey bee swarm?  That is precisely what happened this week at 106 Madbury Road, the home of Betsy and Wayne Burton.  To watch the very interesting YouTube video, click HERE. 

Not to worry, this story ends well with more little pollinators serving the blossoms of Durham and surrounding environs.

During Durham's annual Memorial Day Parade, while working the crowd for their Power of One project for the Wounded Warrior Project, Nina Messer (left) and Liz Paquette (right)

met Joe Lamborghini who spent time telling them about the Battle of the Bulge and General Patton. Though his voice was soft and halting, he had a great deal of pride and one heck of a grin. Courtesy Jeff Paquette

NOW AVAILABLE! – 2013 POOL PASS VOUCHERS

The “target” opening date for the 2013 UNH outdoor swimming pool season is Saturday, June 15, 2013. Pool pass vouchers are now available at the Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office, 15 Newmarket Road. The Town Clerk’s Office is open 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

There are pool vouchers available only for Durham youths ages 4-17 and senior citizens 62 years or over to receive a $45.00 discount off the full price of a season pass. Vouchers are issued on a first-come first-served basis. Vouchers must be picked up BEFORE purchasing a pool pass, which are sold at the Front Service Desk at the Hamel Student Recreation Center, located next to the Whittemore Center on the UNH campus. Passes will go on sale Monday, June 3, 2013.

For more information regarding hours of operation for the Hamel Recreation Center, rental rates, group rates, policies and regulations, pool programs, Mendum’s Pond programs, or the Hamel Recreation Center facility and programs, please call the UNH Campus Recreation Department at 862-2031 or visit their website at http://campusrec.unh.edu/.

ADMINISTRATOR SELIG TO RECOMMEND COUNCIL-INITIATED ZONING CHANGE AT JUNE 3, 2013 COUNCIL MEETING

At the June 3, 2013, Town Council meeting, Administrator Selig plans to recommend that the Council consider a proposal he has been developing with assistance from Durham resident Beth Olshansky and Dir. of Planning & Community Development Michael Behrendt to institute additional height and setback protections along the Madbury Road corridor. 

At the present time, the setback for new development in the Central Business District (CBD) along Madbury Road between Main Street and Garrison Avenue (the left side of Madbury Road heading out of town (traveling from Main Street toward Bagdad Road))is 0’.  Mr. Selig recommends that the setback along Madbury Road in the CBD between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane be increased to between 15’ (min) 20’(max), and that the setback along Madbury Road in the CBD be increased to between 20’ (min) and 30’ (max). 

At the present time, Durham’s zoning ordinance allows for four story buildings in the CBD and in the Professional Office (PO) district along the Madbury Road corridor.  Mr. Selig recommends that the height of new construction along Madbury Road in the CBD be capped at 3 stories.  The proposal also caps the height of new construction in all of the PO district to 3 stories.   The PO District is essentially the transition zone between the more intense CBD and the neighborhoods beyond in the RA districts (Woodman Road, Strafford Avenue, Madbury Road beyond Bagdad, etc.).  Heights exceeding 3 stories seem inconsistent with the intent of such a transition zone. 

DURHAM’S UNAUDITED FUND BALANCE EST. AT $1,484,830 – Up Significantly Over Projections

According to Business Manager Gail Jablonski, the Town’s unaudited unassigned fund balance as of Dec. 31, 2012 is estimated to be $1,484,830. This is an increase from the 2011 fund balance of $993,200 and the anticipated fund balance of $1,042,950 shown in the 2013 Fiscal Forecast. Several revenue lines have contributed to this increase.

We had set aside $300,000 in the overlay account and only authorized $116,000 in abatements which allowed $184,000 to be saved. In early February of 2012 the Business Office realized it had been including the Health and Dental Insurance Buyouts in the employee’s earning subject to NH Retirement. In 2008 the definition of “Other Compensation” had changed to eliminate these earnings. The Town received a “reimbursement” from the NH Retirement System in the amount of $101,000 for funds which had been paid into the Retirement System on the health insurance buyout option in error. Several other revenue accounts exceeded the projected revenue figures by the following amounts:

• Motor Vehicle Fees - $81,500
• Building Permit Fees (Capstone) - $30,000
• Capstone Inspection Fees  - $27,500
• Police Details - $40,500 (This offset the overage in the expenditure line)
• Court Fines - $25,000
• Parking Fund - $35,000

OVER EXPENDITURE OF DURHAM’S GENERAL FUND ANTICIPATED BY APPROX. $67,000 for FY 2012

While our FY 2012 audit is not yet complete, at this time the unaudited expenditures are showing a possible General Fund overage of $67,000 for FY 2012. The FY 2012 General Fund approved budget was $11,277,209.  The aggregate appropriation for all funds (General, Water, Sewer, Capital, Parking, etc.) in FY 2013 is $23,773,370.

While there were several departments showing overages such as Solid Waste and Welfare, the majority is attributed to the Police Department.  Special Details (which were offset by revenue) were over by $32,000, the overtime budget was exceeded by $60,000 and the vehicle maintenance and repair were exceeded by $23,000. Some of the maintenance and repair expenses can be connected to the Town’s deferred vehicle replacement program (intended to keep budget increases under control over the last few years) as several police transmissions had to be replaced.  Police overtime was necessary to fill the 3-month absence of a patrol officer as the officer fulfilled her military commitment. In addition, a midnight shift officer was required to be moved to light duty due to a medical issue and there was one resignation of an officer to accept other employment.  Overtime was also needed to cover late night weekend ramp ups at strategic times during the academic year. 

We are anticipating the FY 2012 audit to be finalized within the next month at

which point Business Manager Gail Jablonski will schedule a presentation for the Town Council.

DURHAM POLICE APPLY FOR $125,000 GRANT TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL OFFICER IN FY 2014

The Durham Police have applied through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) to hire an additional police officer using federal funds.  The COPS office is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice that is responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local, territory, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.  While Chief Kurz had requested a “twentieth officer” in last year’s budget proposal to the Town Administrator, which Mr. Selig had not ultimately supported for budget reasons, this grant offers an opportunity to have the cost impact lessened by an award of $125,000 divided over three years.  Administrator Selig therefore authorized the application to be filed.  If the grant proposal is successful, Chief Kurz plans on focusing an officer towards problem oriented policing. The focus would be upon root causes impacting the quality of life in the Town including a more efficient coordination with the Code Enforcement Officer on specific issues related to non-owner occupied rental properties, enhancing communication and coordination with the Durham Fire Department Inspectors office as well as various organizations in Durham including the Durham Landlord Association, Durham Business Association and UNH fraternal organizations.

Curtis Young was sworn in as the Town of Durham’s newest police officer on May 28th. He will attend the New Hampshire Police Academy starting June 10, 2013. Officer Young is a 2010 graduate of Plymouth State University with a Bachelors of Science in physical education. Officer Young recently worked as a personal fitness trainer at “The Works” prior to being hired by the Durham Police Department.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARRIVES IN DURHAM TODAY           

Special Olympians from across New Hampshire will come together to light the cauldron and begin the 44th Annual State Summer Games at the University of New Hampshire starting today. The Summer Games are Special Olympics biggest competitive event of the year with nearly 1000 athletes from 65 local programs competing.  Preceding the Olympians arrival into Durham will be police officers carrying the Flame of Hope in the Torch Run.  Police officers from across New Hampshire will have completed over 800 miles with one of the legs literally running through the State House before heading into Durham/UNH where the finish line culminates by Durham PD hosting a barbeque for the runners. 

New compost bins available at the Durham Town Office courtesy of the Newmarket Conservation Commission. 

COMPOST BIN, TURNER, AND RAIN BARREL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

The compost bin, turner, and rain barrel pictured above are on display in the foyer of the Durham Town Hall. Individuals interested in ordering these items may do so by contacting Fred Pearson at 603-659-3296 or cell # 603-674-9212. Composter:  $47.00; Turner: $18.00; Rain Barrel: $62.00. To view more information on these items, click HERE.

LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TAX RELIEF PROGRAM

The State of New Hampshire Low & Moderate Income Tax Relief Program has begun with applications being accepted until June 30, 2013.  To access the application form, click HERE. Applications may also be obtained from the Town Assessor's office. Once completed, they must be mailed to:

New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration

Document Processing Division

PO Box 299

Concord, NH 03302-0299

 

FREE WOOD CHIPS

Durham Public Works has left three dump truck loads of wood chips in the parking area at 48 Woodridge Road (the first lot on the left after you turn off Mill Road onto Woodridge).  Please help yourself.

DURHAM FARMER'S MARKET OPENS MONDAY, JUNE 3!

It's a new, exciting season for the Durham Farmers' Market, opening on Monday, June 3. The Seacoast Growers' Association, organizer of the Durham Farmers' Market, is pleased to announce that the farmers' market is expanding this year with new vendors and longer hours.

Located once again in the parking lot behind the Town Hall, the market will run every Monday from 2:15-6pm, rain or shine, until October 7. By adding an extra half-hour to the market, the SGA invites commuting residents who may be returning after 5:30pm. The farmers' market can now be an easy stop on the way home from work each Monday to pick up fresh, local products to start the week.

This season the Durham Market raises the total number of vendors possible at market each week to 24. This will create even more diversity in product at the market, and is the response to an exciting increase in vendors requesting a presence at the market. New vendors in Durham include Coppal House Farm, Saddleback Mountain Farm, Etta's Soaps and Jessica Seaton Pottery.

Also new this year at the Durham Market: visit the SGA information booth and "Ask a Master Gardener" - where local master gardeners will be on hand to answer you gardening questions all season long.

Find out what's in season, information about special events and vendor details, by signing up for weekly market emails at www.seacoastgrowers.org.

See you at market!

Oyster River Forest. Courtesy Jerry and Marcy Monkman, EcoPhotography.

CELEBRATE DURHAM'S NEW CONSERVATION LANDS ON JUNE 6TH

The Oyster River Initiative is complete! With the successful campaign to protect the Oyster River (formerly "Sprucewood") Forest and Amber Acres Farm, 210 acres are now permanently conserved for clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, productive farmland, and outdoor recreation. Join The Trust for Public Land, the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, the Town of Durham, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to celebrate with a walk in the woods.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

4 p.m.-5 p.m.: Site walk of the Oyster River (formerly known as Sprucewood) Forest

5 p.m.-6 p.m.: Light refreshments and presentation

RSVP by noon on Monday, June 3, to Sarah Erb by phone at 802.223.1373, ext. 10, or by email at sarah.erb@tpl.org.

 

Directions: From downtown Durham, take Mill Road all the way to the end (approximately 2.5 miles). Turn right onto Packers Falls Road. Almost immediately you will see a dirt road with a gate on your right. Please park along Mill Road and Packers Falls Road per instructions from the police detail the day of the event. If you see a trailer park or Jenkins Road on your left, you have gone too far. Bicycles and carpools are encouraged.

 

Want to know more about these two properties? Check them out via links from the website for the Durham Conservation Commission.

Lamprey River - Feedback is requested from Durham residents regarding the draft Lamprey River Management Plan.

DRAFT LAMPREY RIVER MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMENTS REQUESTED

The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has updated its Management Plan and is soliciting comments from Town government and community members.

Comments are requested by June 15th and can be emailed to Suzanne Petersen at spetersen.lrac@comcast.net, submitted by phone to Sharon Meeker at 603-659-5441, or mailed in using the review of draft/comment pages provided with a copy of the draft Management Plan located in the lobby at the Durham Town Hall.

To view the draft Management Plan and complete a comment form for submission, click HERE.

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION ANNUAL PICNIC

Pack your picnic supper basket and join the Durham Historic Association for its Annual Picnic on Tuesday, June 25th from 5PM-7PM at the home of David and Catherine Hills at 135 Piscataqua Road, the driveway on the left before the Emery Farm stand when heading toward Portsmouth from Durham. Following the picnic David will talk on the history of the family home. Parking is on the premises and carpooling is encouraged.  Be sure to bring your chairs and blankets. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a lovely summer evening in a pastoral setting at one of New Hampshire's oldest farms. It is also a fine time to become a member of the Durham Historic Association Inc., the oldest, continuously operating historical society in NH.  Individual membership $25, family membership $40.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WORKSHOP

"SAFE OPTIONS FOR PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN HOME GARDENS", a free workshop on Wednesday, June 19th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers of the Durham Town Office.  The workshop will be led by Dr. Cheryl Smith, UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist for Plant Health.

 
For more information and to register for the workshops, please contact Agricultural Commission Chair Theresa Walker at theresawalker@comcast.net, 603-659-7226. Information is also available on the Agricultural Commission website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/bcc.

Pendant lights hung in the entry arcades. Courtesy Walter Rous

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE   

A shortened work-week did not hamper the amount of work accomplished this week.  As the temperature steadily climbed 5 degrees each day (from 75 on Tuesday to 90 on Friday), the crews stepped up their efforts as well.

The carpenters set counters and shelves in the Staff Work Room and installed more base and window trim.  The painters completed work on the exterior trim and moved on to painting the walls in the Local History Room and the stair rails in Stair #2.  The flooring sub-contractor began the floor tile work in the first floor public toilet rooms and grouted the tile in the second floor and children’s toilet rooms.  The interior glass panels and sidelights were installed on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The main entry doors were installed and mid-week the handsome wood interior doors were delivered.  Installation of the interior doors and door hardware began Thursday.  The plumbers worked on the hot water piping and began installing the plumbing fixtures toward the end of the week while the mechanical sub-contractor completed duct terminations and began the installation of the ceiling registers.

Now that much of the above-ceiling work is complete, the suspended ceiling sub-contractor could resume work on the ceiling grid and began laying in the odd pieces of ceiling tile.  Work also resumed on the book lift and the elevator wiring.  The electricians began installation of the emergency lighting and hung lights in the children’s stack area and at the exterior arcade.  Project Manager Adam and Master Carpenter Tom skillfully raised and hung the shop-fabricated curved fir dropped soffit over the children’s librarian’s desk in a matter of only two hours.  And, it looks fabulous!

Another way in. Courtesy Walter Rous

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, June 3, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE. 

Public Hearing - Mast Road Sewer Extension - Tuesday, June 4, 2013

(5-6:00 PM)

Durham Energy Committee - Tuesday, June 4, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE. 

Historic District Commission - Thursday, June 6, 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.

GREAT BAY ROWING

As the weather warms, the days lengthen, and bodies emerge from winter layers, there’s no better time to try – or return to – the sport of rowing. Great Bay Rowing, a nonprofit community rowing organization based in Durham, greets the summer with opportunities for beginning and experienced rowers to get out onto the beautiful Oyster River and Great Bay.

Great Bay Rowing offers opportunities for sweep rowing (in boats of four or eight rowers; each rower has one oar) or sculling (each rower has two oars) in their fleet of rowing shells. Programs for both introductory and experienced rowers will be offered in camps throughout the summer as well as ongoing rowing opportunities. For more information, click HERE or visit the GBR web site at http://greatbayrowing.org/Home.html

 

DURHAM HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS
The New England Colonials International Basketball Club is looking for Durham area families to host our 2013 International Colonials players during the team’s June 26-27 visit to Durham.

This unique team will bring together 11 players from 11 countries this summer for a three-week basketball tour of New England. Players are 16 and 17 and they are all highly recommended to us by their club or school coaches overseas. Many play for their national teams and all speak English. Hosting assignments will be for two nights.

Countries represented this summer will be Austria, Brazil, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Sweden.

If you would like to welcome a young player from overseas to your home in June, please call Scott Bryson at 508-734-5660, or send an email to necolonials@aol.com.

To learn more about our nonprofit, all-volunteer program, visit http://www.newenglandcolonials.net/home.htm

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF WEEKLY "FRIDAY UPDATES"
The deadline for submissions of items for the weekly "Friday Updates" is Thursday each week. It is requested that submissions for upcoming events be provided closer to the actual event date. Please send information for inclusion in the "Friday Updates" to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

Durham Parks & Recreation is proud to introduce its new logo, designed by Durham resident Megan Sievert!

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.

2013 MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: A special "thank you" is extended to each individual and group who participated in and showed their support for the 66th Memorial Day Parade!

The Newmarket Militia fire three volleys following the celebration at Memorial Park downtown. 2013 marked the 66th Memorial Day Parade in Durham.  Courtesy Stefanie Frazee

DPR CLIMBING CLUB: Durham Parks & Recreation and the UNH Outdoor Education Department are proud to offer another round of the youth Rock Climbing Club!  Learn to climb, or practice your skills!  Who: Ages 12-18, When:  Middle School – 3:15-4:45 & High School – 5:00-6:30, Where: New Hampshire Hall (UNH), Cost: $65, $75 w/T-shirt.  Four Sessions:  Session #1 - 6/4; Session #2 - 6/5; Session #3 - 6/11; Session #4 - 6/12

 

To sign up: please email: ci.durham.nh.us/recreation. Registration deadline is May 31st.

COYOTE'S INKWELL: An evening of Storytelling with Michael Lang - storyteller and owner of The Coyote’s Inkwell: sharing folktales, fables, music, and original stories. Program designed for 1st through 5th grade ages, but all are welcome @ Parks & Rec Building. No registration required; just show up!

MAD SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP: Durham Parks & Rec and Mad Science have teamed up to offer:

Rockin' Rockets & Fantastic Flight - Jul 29-Aug 2, 2013; 9AM - 3PM, $250, for ages 7 to 12 years. Fantastic Flight will allow campers to build many different flying devices from balloon copter 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!

Secret Agent Lab - Aug 5-Aug 9, 2013, 9AM - 3:30 PM, $250, for ages 7 to 12 years. 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! For more information and to register, click HERE.

ADVENTURE PADDLE CAMP: 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; balance; self rescue skills; wildlife exploration; and conservation topics. For more information, please visit Seven Rivers Paddling on FB, or email: sevenriverspaddling@gmail.com

JOIN ANY CLASS, ANYTIME! 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.

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.

BOOT CAMP, Wed/Fri, 7AM

PILATES, Mon 9AM, Wed 6:30 PM (ORMS Multipurpose Room), Sat 10AM (ORMS Multipurpose Room)

ZUMBA - Mon/Wed 5:30 PM, Sat 9AM (All held at ORMS Multipurpose Room)

STRENGTH & STRETCH - Wed/Fri 8AM

TAI CHI (Beginner/Advanced) - Fri 4-5:30 PM. Find out more HERE.

TAI CHI (Moving for Better Balance) - Tue/Thu 9-10AM

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• Music By the Bay Summer Concert Series - June, July, August 2013 at Wagon Hill Farm. (Join us for the series kickoff on June 27th from 6-8 PM with BLISS!)
• Durham Day - Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Wagon Hill Farm (Rain Date: Sunday, September 22nd)

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

UNH Museum of Art Fine Art Fund-raising Auction - Saturday, June 8, 2013, 5-7:00 PM in Paul Creative Arts Center. Original drawings, prints and paintings by selected well-known northern New England artists will be up for bid and outright sale at Rose Moon, a fundraiser for the Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire. Prints in the portfolio and artworks to be auctioned may be viewed online at http://www.unh.edu/moa/.  Advance reservations are recommended: $50 for Museum of Art members, $60 non-members, $65 at the door. Reservations may be made by phone 603/862-3713 or online at http://www.unh.edu/moa/.

Bobcat Bolt/Oyster River Festival: Saturday, June 22, 2013, Oyster River High School, 9AM: Bobcat Bolt 5k/10k run/walk; 10:25AM: Kids fun run; 11AM-1:30PM: Oyster River Festival; 8:30PM: Board for Portsmouth Isles of Shoals Steamship Company Cruise. For more information, click HERE and HERE.

St. George's Episcopal Church in Durham community garden plots available. The raised beds are located in a sunny area behind the church. $20 for 4'x8' beds for the growing season and $10 for 4'x4' beds. Only a handful of beds remain. Please contact georgesgardens@comcast.net or call the Church office, 868-2785 to obtain further information and to complete a garden contract.

Oyster River Summer Camps 2013, July 9-August 9. Click HERE for registration information and form. 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Police Officer Michelle Montville participates in one of the Durham Public Library's storytimes.

A big thank-you to the Durham Police Department for their visits to our storytimes.  Thanks Officers Michelle, Jen, and John!

McGregor Memorial EMS Babysitting Course, Sat. June 1st, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - This course is designed to certify kids 12 & up who are looking to, or already babysit.  They will get a CPR and First Aid certification, learn about safety, how to handle emergencies, care and feeding of infants and children, the business aspects of being a babysitter, and more.  All students will receive a Babysitting certification. The Community Babysitting Classes cost $35 and payment is due upon registration. To register visit www.mcgregorems.org or call 603-862-3674.

McGregor Memorial EMS First Aid Course, Tues. June 4th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - McGregor Memorial EMS is proud to offer a First Aid Course at the library. The cost for the First Aid Class is $20, and payment is due the night of the class. Please register at www.mcgregorems.org.

Summer Reading Registration, “Dig Into Reading!” begins Tues. June 11th.  Our 5 week program will run from June 25th through July 26th.  Prizes, performers, animals, storytimes, wii night, children’s museum, games…  Don’t miss it.  More details coming soon!  Ages 12 & under and all are welcome! 

Come learn about the Peace Corps!  Wed, June 12th, 6PM. Find out more about the exciting opportunities all over the world. Rob Orton will tell us about his own experience in Costa Rica.The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.

Since that time, 210,000+ Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and contributing to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.

Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.

FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"

"Education and Religion - Durham Churches: The 1960s saw great growth in the Community Church. Mrs. L. Franklin (Helen) Heald became director of religious education in 1960; she had held a similar position at the First Congregational Church in Concord, New Hampshire. The need for more space was solved by a building fund drive in 1961 that raised $110,000, much to everyone's surprise. The next year, an education building, containing classrooms, ministers' studies, office space, a large activities room, a chapel, and a library-conference room was constructed. A week-long dedication involving the whole community was held in November 1963. Two years later, a Noack organ was installed in the chapel.." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

Have a very 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

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