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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Friday, November 16, 2012
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Who doesn't love a classic?! This antique Saab was parked last week outside the Town Hall. Courtesy Todd Selig
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In celebration of Mama Mac and More’s one year anniversary, there will be an open house on November 18th at the store located at 38 Main Street. The open house will run from 2 to 5 PM and feature samples of mac n cheese, baked goods, and sandwiches. In addition, the store will hold an eating contest. For more information, please stop by the store to sign up.
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TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
All Town Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23, 2012. All offices will reopen for business on Monday, November 26th at 8:00 AM.
Refuse and Recycling Schedule During Thanksgiving:
There will be no collection on Thanksgiving day. Thursday's collection will occur on Friday (Nov 23).
There will be no commercial collection on Friday (Nov 23).
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NO "FRIDAY UPDATES" ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2012
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no "Friday Updates" next week. The next "Friday Updates" publication will be on Friday, November 30, 2012.
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Sprucewood Forest - Courtesy Jerry Monkman
THE OYSTER RIVER INITIATIVE: SPRUCEWOOD FOREST AND AMBER ACRES ON TRACK
On November 5, the Town Council unanimously approved a request from the Conservation Commission to accept title to the 172-acre property that has become known as the Sprucewood Forest. This follows an approval in July to accept executory interest in a conservation easement on the 39-acre adjacent Amber Acres Farm. These two properties will permanently protect over a mile of the Oyster River and a significant portion of the Spruce Hole Aquifer.
Public access for Sprucewood Forest will include low-impact recreational uses, such as birding, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The property provides easy access from an abandoned forest road and affords significant opportunity for trails on the property itself and as part of a network of trails on nearby properties.
Even with the financial commitments by the Town, an additional $700,000 in private contributions must be raised by year-end. To learn more about Amber Acres and the Sprucewood Forest, view photographs of the properties, and find out how to contribute to the fundraising campaign, go to the Conservation Commission web site (Please note that although one may donate to Amber Acres via the Southeast Land Trust of NH's website, the website for The Trust for Public Land is not set up at this time to accept contributions specifically for Sprucewood Forest.)
Amber Acres - Courtesy Robin Mower
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2012 DURHAM TAX RATE SET BY NH DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ADMINISTRATION
The Town has received confirmation of its tax rate for 2012 from the NH Department of Revenue Administration as part of the annual tax setting process and is now prepared to bring the confirmed rate to the Town Council meeting on Monday evening, November 19th, along with the Warrant directing the Tax Collector to collect the appropriate taxes for the second-half billing cycle.
The new rate for the Town (municipal) portion of the bill is up .53% over last year (or 4 cents) from $7.57 to $7.61. This is what had been projected last year as part of Durham's budget process. The total School (local and state) rate is up by 2.2% over 2011 (or 40 cents) to $18.42. The County rate is up 4.21% over 2011 (or 11 cents) to $2.72. This increases the full tax rate for Durham (municipal, local school, state school, & county) for 2012 by 1.95% (or 55 cents).
In terms of the allocation of taxes in Durham across governmental jurisdictions, the Town (municipal) portion of the rate comprises 26.47% of the overall tax bill received by property owners. The School (local & state) comprises 64.07% of the annual tax bill. The County comprises 9.46% of the annual tax bill for 2012.
The following is a breakdown of the numbers noted above.
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An egret flock on the saltmarsh at Great Bay. Courtesy Rachel Stevens
UPDATE ON THE DURHAM/UNH INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE OYSTER RIVER – A POTENTIAL MODEL APPROACH WITH NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Durham and the University of New Hampshire are once again partnering to address the impact human development has on our natural ecosystem -- in this case, the Integrated Watershed Management Plan is looking to accomplish two primary goals: (1) help Durham and UNH to reasonably and sustainably comply with its three federal discharge permits (Durham’s wastewater NPDES permit and its MS4 stormwater permit, and UNH’s MS4 stormwater permit); (2) continue Durham’s proactive and innovative results driven approach to addressing the water quality issues impacting the Great Bay Estuary from the Oyster River watershed.
The Integrated Watershed Management Plan approach is a “triple bottom line” initiative that considers the combined financial, social, and environmental impacts and benefits and is consistent with the Town’s Kaizen/LEAN philosophy.
Background & Project Overview
On March 19, 2012 Town Engineer David Cedarholm gave a presentation to the Durham Town Council introducing a partnership between the Town of Durham and UNH to develop and implement an Integrated Watershed Management Plan for the Oyster River Watershed as means of complying with the federal NPDES discharge requirements and sustainably address growing concerns about the decline of Great Bay’s water quality.
The integrated watershed management plan approach was first suggested at a meeting in Durham between EPA and Durham/UNH representatives in October 2011, and further discussed at a follow-up meeting with EPA and NHDES staff on April 23, 2012 at the EPA Region 1 headquarters in Boston.
More recently on October 17, 2012 Durham and UNH officials met again with EPA and NHDES staff at UNH to provide an update and discuss the projects goals and action items.
EPA and NHDES staff are extremely supportive of Durham and UNH pursuing an integrated watershed management plan approach and are encouraging the further refinement of the watershed plan which has the potential of becoming a model to be adopted by other communities in the Great Bay Estuary or possibly nationwide.
At the October 17, 2012 meeting, EPA and NHDES helped set some groundwork for how Durham and UNH might in effect combine its three federal discharge permits into one single permit. Also in attendance at the meeting were Durham’s watershed consultant team VHB and Woodard & Curran, Bill Taylor and wastewater consultants from Wright-Pierce, in addition to water quality and stormwater researchers from UNH who will be contributing to the efforts, and representatives from the Conservation Law Foundation at Durham’s invitation.
The discussion at the meeting covered such topics as the available water quality data collected over the years from various agencies and research groups, the project’s data needs, proposed public engagement/outreach efforts, and the implementation of non-point source pollution controls to begin addressing the water quality issues.
Durham’s proactive nitrogen removal measures at the WWTP were highlighted at the October 17th meeting. The WWTP upgrades and operational improvements implemented since 2006 are evident by the deep sag in the data trend line during the summer months. The result is a seasonal average (April through October) of Total Nitrogen discharge of well below 8 milligrams per liter during the past 3 years. This period of April through October is the season of concern with respect to excess nitrogen since this is when excessive algae growth has the greatest impact on the Great Bay’s water quality.
The EPA officials at the October 17th meeting continue to be very supportive of the integrated watershed plan, and because of Durham’s proactive nitrogen removal measures at its Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) they offered to give Durham and UNH as much time as needed, within reason, to further develop and refine the Integrated Watershed Plan and focus on a comprehensive one-permit approach to NPDES compliance.
The Town Council will receive an update on this topic from Town Engineer David Cedarholm on November 19th.
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$2.5 MILLION DURHAM WASTEWATER SLUDGE DEWATERING UPGRADE PROJECT OVERVIEW - Possible March 2013 Bond Referendum Item
The wastewater sludge dewatering facility is the first building on the left as one enters the Durham Wastewater Treatment Plant, and its purpose is to dewater the slurry of liquid and solids, otherwise known as sludge, which is removed during the wastewater treatment process.
The slurry is pumped into the dewatering facility from sludge holding tanks as mostly a liquid with less that 5 percent solids by weight. The dewatering equipment effectively squeezes the liquid from the slurry to achieve the greatest solids content possible, and then the dewatered sludge, which at this stage is referred to as a biosolids, is transported to a composting facility in Holderness, NH for beneficial use as agricultural fertilizer.
Currently, the Town uses a pair of gravity belt thickeners and belt filter presses to dewater its sludge to a finished biosolid with between 14 and 18 percent solids which can be very finicky and needs to be constantly monitored. Additionally, there is a large amount of ancillary equipment associated with dewatering, such as polymer feed systems, multiple sludge pumping systems, and conveyors.
Despite impeccable maintenance performed over the years by the WWTP staff, this 25 year old equipment has reached the end of its useable life and is requiring an increasing level of maintenance to remain functional. The existing dewatering equipment at the WWTP is in need of a comprehensive upgrade to ensure continued equipment function and reliability.
The Town’s wastewater engineers at Wright-Pierce provided a preliminary design report in August of this year which evaluated all the existing dewatering and ancillary equipment, worked closely with the WWTP operators and the Town Engineer to assess the needs, and developed a list of recommended equipment upgrades.
There have been significant advances in dewatering technologies over the last decade that have resulted in much more energy efficient equipment that achieve a dryer (higher percent solids) biosolid, and are more automated.
The recommended major dewatering equipment component to replace the old and finicky belt thickener and filter presses is an inclined screw press that uses an inclined screw type auger that rotates very slowly inside a hollow shaft producing finished biosolid with a solids content of greater than 30% solids by weight. A dryer biosolid means significantly less liquid being transported at a cost of $75 per ton, and since the equipment is much more automated it does not require constant monitoring during operation.
The more efficient new dewatering equipment is expected to translate into a cost savings on the order of $100,000 per year from reduced biosolids trucking costs, less maintenance, and more efficient operations.
The $2.5 million project cost will be shared 1/3 Durham and 2/3 UNH.
If approved by the Council, this project would be a bond referendum in March 2013.
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OLD CONCORD ROAD PUMPSTATION PROJECT MOVING FORWARD
On Monday evening, November 19th, the Council will take up an agenda item to award the construction phase contract for the Old Concord Road Pump Station Upgrade Project to Apex Construction, Inc. of Rochester, NH in the amount of $744,300. Unlike many governmental entities, Durham continues to work proactively to invest in aging, yet essential infrastructure.
The Old Concord Road station pumps wastewater from the west end of Durham into the College Road and College Brook Interceptors. The interior upgrades will include new pumps, new electrical equipment and wiring, plus new emergency standby power supplied by the newly installed natural gas pipeline on Old Concord Road. Additionally, the site will be regraded and additional fill placed to promote better site drainage. The new pump station will be sized to handle the estimated future flows from the west end.
The three lowest bids received were all within 1% of each other, indicating a competitive and fair bid price.
Durham Public Works pursued and was successful in securing a 20% Principal Forgiveness Grant on the SRF loan which would be for $150,000.
UNH’s 2/3 share of the project is $504,058 and the Town’s 1/3 share is $252,029.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM PROPOSAL FOR ALL RENTAL UNITS IN DURHAM -- DISCUSSION TO BE CONTINUED BY TOWN COUNCIL ON 11/19/12
Over the past several months, Town staff and the Rental Housing Commission have been working with community planning and economic development consultant Roger Hawk, Hawk Planning Resources LLC, to develop a Housing Standards Ordinance and fee schedule designed to protect the health and safety of occupants of residential rental properties in Durham. This would occur through a systematic inspection program that seeks to correct dilapidation, dangerous defects which are likely to result in fire, accidents, or other calamities, unhealthful lack of ventilation or sanitary facilities, or due to other unhealthy or hazardous or dilapidated conditions, including those set forth in Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) 48-A:7 “Standards for Public Agency”.
The Council began discussing this item at its November 5th meeting, but due to the lateness of the hour, continued discussion to the November 19th Council meeting.
This week’s Council’s packet contains a revised draft Housing Standards Ordinance taking into consideration discussion from the November 5th meeting, as well as a proposed amendment to the Fire Department’s Master Fee Schedule to include associated recommended fees to be implemented upon the ordinance’s passage. A draft inspection checklist developed by the Fire Department is also included. To view the packet of information for this item, click HERE.
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Durham youngsters Tess Pueschel and her friend Annalise Lanoue pose for a picture taken during a neighborhood block party where the fire department visits every year. Courtesy Charlotte Finigan
DURHAM FIRE AND POLICE SECURE $163,541 IN GRANT FUNDING FROM STATE OF NH FOR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
Durham town staff have been working diligently to seek and secure funding enabling the community to remain up to date with critical communications equipment. On Monday evening, November 19th, the Council will hold a public hearing on accepting state grant funding for each of the following:
Grant #1 – Radio Equipment Upgrades in Schools (Fire & Police): The fire department was awarded a 50% matching grant from the New Hampshire Department of Safety totaling $34,452.00 for the installation of an internal radio amplification system in both the Oyster River High School and Middle School. The Town’s share of the matching funds was included in the Fire Department’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) anticipating that the grant application would be successful. As the grant has now been awarded to the fire department, funds will be expended after January 2, 2013 and serve as the Town’s portion of the 50% match, with the Town’s portion being paid for by the School District.
Grant #2 – Portable Radio Replacement (Fire): This grant from the NH Department of Safety has a 50% match funding requirement of $102,024.00. With the acceptance of this award by the Town Council, the antiquated portable radios currently in use will be totally replaced for the Town expenditure of the 50% match, or up to $102,024.00. The price of each radio is $3,924.00 (52 x $3,924 = $204,048.00). During budget preparation, the Town’s share of the match funds was included in the Fire Department’s proposed 2013 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) anticipating that the grant application was successful. As the grant has now been awarded to the fire department once the 2013 CIP is approved, funds will be expended after January 2, 2013 and serve as the Town’s portion of the 50% match.
Grant #3 – Portable Radios Replacement (Police): Earlier this year, the police department had applied for and received a grant for the full cost of nine (9) portable radios. This fall, as a result of notification from NH Department of Safety, the police department again applied for a grant under the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) and was successful. This grant has a 50% matching funding requirement up to $27,065.00 which is part of the 2013 CIP budget proposal. With this award, the antiquated portable radios currently in use will be totally replaced. During budget preparation, the Town’s share of the match funds was included in the Police Department’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) anticipating that the grant application was successful. As the grant has now been awarded to the police department, funds will be expended after January
2, 2013 and serve as the Town’s portion of the 50% match.
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WATER SYSTEM REPORT/DISCUSSION
On Monday evening, November 19th, the Town Council will have the opportunity to schedule a discussion before the year’s end about the Durham/UNH public water system.
Building on his presentation to the Council on October 1, Town Councilor David Howland has written a report that offers an analysis from his perspective and some recommendations concerning the water system – its sources, state environmental regulations, and emergency drought measures. To view the report, click HERE.
For additional information on the Spruce Hole well project, click HERE.
The October 1 presentations are also viewable on DCAT.
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PUBLIC HEARING ON NAMING THE TRANSFER STATION AND RECYCLING CENTER AFTER THE LATE RAYMOND A. LAROCHE SR.
In 2002, after the Town received several requests to name Town facilities/infrastructure in honor of Town residents, the Town Council passed Resolution #2002-13. Resolution #2002-13 establishes a policy for the naming of public facilities, trails, forests or trees as noted below.
Process
The name of the individual and designated facility, street, trail, forest, or tree must be submitted by a citizen, local organization or Town Department to the Department of Public Works for review. The Department of Public Works will review the request, make comments, and then forward the proposal to the Town Council for consideration. A 2/3 vote of the Council shall be required for approval, following the close of a duly noticed public hearing. Names approved by the Durham Town Council will be memorialized by a resolution which shall be presented to the individual or family members.
Criteria
Qualifying facilities, trails, forests, trees, or other such municipally owned items must be under the ownership of, and be funded through, the Town of Durham.
The criteria for naming items after an individual will require that at least one of the following requirements is fulfilled as determined solely by the Town Council.
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A well known community leader, either elected, appointed, or a volunteer;
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A person who has positively influenced a large population within the Town through significant contribution of money, time, material or land;
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A person who has received national recognition for personal service and accomplishment above and beyond the call of duty with respect to the public good;
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An individual who had a major involvement in the acquisition or development of the facility;
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An individual whose civic leadership or volunteerism clearly contributed to the betterment of the Town;
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An individual who is deceased and whose personal attributes symbolized the principles and standards of a community organization.
The Public Works Department received two letters, one from Julian Smith requesting that “some appropriate facility at the Transfer Station, be named in honor of Ray LaRoche Sr.” The second letter was from Dorothy LaRoche, (Ray’s widow) stating that the family would be “honored to have the Durham Transfer Station/Recycling Center named after Raymond A. LaRoche Sr”.
The department has reviewed the criteria within Resolution #2002-13 and finds that the sixth criterion (“An individual who is deceased and whose personal attributes symbolized the principles and standards of a community organization") best meets the intention of this resolution.
About Raymond A. LaRoche Sr.
Ray Sr., as we affectionately called him, was a lifelong resident/farmer here in Durham. Ray Sr. started his career in the public works department on May 7, 1990 and was a joy to work with during his 22 year tenure. Ray Sr. spent the last dozen years with the Town as an attendant at the Transfer Station/Recycling Center. Ray Sr. was the greeter and good will ambassador often handing out dog treats to all his four legged friends. Ray Sr. surely did his part every day to make the trip up to the Transfer Station truly a social event.
The Department of Public Works is pleased and honored to recommend to the Durham Town Council that they consider naming the Durham Transfer Station/Recycling Center in honor of Mr. Raymond A. LaRoche Sr.
On Monday, November 5, 2012, the Council voted to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter for Monday, November 19th.
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WINTER PARKING BAN
The Durham Winter Parking ban commenced November 1st and will be in effect through April 1, 2013.
As many know, parking on Main Street, Jenkins Court and any Town owned parking lot is prohibited between 1:00AM and 6:00AM throughout the year. But the Winter Parking ban prohibits parking ON ANY STREET from November 1st to April 1st between 1:00AM and 6:00AM.
As the ordinance states, “Any vehicle so parked during the prohibited hours and dates shall be subject to being towed away at the owner’s risk. The owner or owners shall be required to pay all towing costs and a fine before the vehicle is released.”
For the first week, the Durham Police will endeavor to issue warnings but during snowstorms, vehicles may be towed to allow for Durham Public Works to more effectively plow the streets and roadways of Durham.
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DURHAM POLICE CONDUCT ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS
The Durham Police routinely conduct “compliance checks” of vendors who are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in Durham. On Thursday night another was performed with an underage person, working in conjuncture with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, who attempted to purchase at all twelve locations where alcohol is served including Knot Irish Pub, Durham Convenience, Libby’s Bar and Grill, Scorpions Bar and Grill, Tedeschi, Durham Marketplace, Ffrost/Sawyer Tavern @ Three Chimneys, Irving-Circle K, Phillips 66, Bellas, Mei Wei, and Thai Smile 2.
The young person used for the compliance checks is certified and is not attempting to fool or trick the establishments by saying anything that is not truthful or presenting false identification. They simply provide their personal New Hampshire license which indicates they are in fact under the age of 21. This fact should result in an immediate refusal by the establishments. It is the police department’s goal to confirm that the businesses in Durham are properly requesting the identification and when provided, ensuring that the identification confirms they are in fact of legal age to purchase alcohol. With a large young population residing in the community, it is imperative that the Durham Police take this additional step and remain vigilant in the area of alcohol sales. The fact that virtually every criminal action the Durham Police investigate has some f
oundation in alcohol consumption! Consequently, it is critical that we ensure that businesses are properly confirming the age and identity of those persons attempting to purchase alcohol. Each alcohol vendor in Durham is acutely aware of the problem illegal alcohol possession, consumption and intoxication poses to this community and it is our goal to confront this issue on multiple levels. In fact, Durham Police go one step further by sending “congratulations’ letters to each business that properly rejected the attempt to purchase.
Chief Kurz is delighted to confirm that every location in Durham passed this compliance check!
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Gable truss being lifted into place. Courtesy Walter Rous
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Nearly all of the wood framed exterior walls for the new library are complete. The second floor, home to the Town’s Community Room, is framed, although access at this point is by ladder since the stairs are not yet built and the elevator is months away from being activated. Nevertheless, a building is taking shape. The big change this week, however, was the setting of the roof trusses. As the framers stood on scaffolding and ladders, 85 year old Jean Lagasse and his nifty Tonka crane gently picked up each individual truss and carefully swung it into place. The framers then secured it to the exterior walls and tied each new truss to the adjacent truss until the bulk of the roof framing was complete.
There are a couple of ways to frame a roof. One way is to “stick” frame the roof using dimensional lumber such as 2 x 12’s. The other common method is to use pre-fabricated roof trusses designed for a specific use and setting. The main advantage to using pre-fabricated trusses is that they can be fabricated under controlled factory conditions, inside, out of the weather using equipment that assures consistency of construction. Another advantage is that less lumber is used in fabricating a truss than might be used in a “stick” built condition.
Courtesy Walter Rous
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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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CORNUCOPIA FOOD PANTRY IN NEED OF DONATIONS
Each year, The Cornucopia Food pantry at the Waysmeet Center provides food baskets to families and individuals in need. Last year over 525 food baskets were provided at Thanksgiving, Winter break, and Earth day. These fed over 2,100 people with an estimated food value of over $52,500.
Waysmeet is in need of food donations and food baskets to distribute to the community next Monday and Tuesday, November 19th and 20th, 9AM to 5PM. If unable to donate entire food baskets, then specific key items that are needed include: stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, onions, pumpkin, juice muffins and cake mixes, rice, cereal and vegetables, gift certificates to local supermarkets, and cash donations to help supplement areas where there is shortage of food.
To volunteer, please contact Megan at may68@wildcats.unh.edu or 862-1165. To make a food donation, please let Maggi Hanson know at mkb52@wildcats.unh.edu. To make monetary donations, checks can be made out to the Cornucopia Food pantry and mailed or dropped off to the Waysmeet Center, 15 Mill Road, Durham, NH 03824.
Please visit the Cornucopia web site at http://www.cornucopia.unh.edu/.
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17th ANNUAL LIGHT UP DURHAM LIGHTING CONTEST
The Durham Business Association encourages all businesses to light their business fronts and share in spreading the joy of the season.
It’s razzle-dazzle time! Harness your artistic, creative, innovative genes to start planning a lighted holiday display for your downtown Durham business or Greek House. The DBA is going for greater participation to make this year’s contest “bigger and better”!
The Annual Light Up Durham Annual Lighting Contest is intended to benefit the entire Durham community, which includes Durham residents and businesses, as well as UNH faculty, staff, and students. This is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and to encourage local support for our businesses.
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WMUR TV filming Scottish Highland Cattle grazing on Emery Farm's South Pasture. Courtesy Carol Soule
CELEBRITY CATTLE AT EMERY FARM
Durham's Emery Farm has two new grass mowers this week with the arrival of Storm and Cloud, Scottish Highland Cattle provided by Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, NH. The cattle have a job to do, grazing to maintain and fertilize the open fields and eating brush not easily accessible by the farm's tractors. David Hills, Emery Farm's owner, is providing the grazing land and helped with fencing costs. The owners of the cattle, Carol Soule and Bruce Dawson of Miles Smith Farm, raise chemical and hormone free beef which is being served at Young's Restaurant and Oyster River schools.
WMUR TV covered the arrival of the cattle. To view the WMUR news item, click HERE.
To learn more about Miles Smith Farm, visit http://www.milessmithfarm.com/. Doris Demers, Director of Oyster River Cooperative School District's Child Nutrition program is hard at work researching and purchasing locally grown food to serve in school cafeterias.
To find out more about this exciting initiative the Durham Agricultural Commission recommends you visit the Child Nutrition Program's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/OysterRiverChildNutrition
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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.
Town Council (Including Public Hearing on Proposed 2013 Budget) - Monday, November 19, 2012. To view the 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/.
Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, please click HERE.
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.
DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.
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LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS NEW WEBSITE
The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has been working hard on its new website. It features all of the committee's videos, research about the river, curricula for elementary and middle/high schoolers, river tour maps, and all sorts of information on history, wildlife, and recreation.
Explore http://www.lampreyriver.org/ and learn why the Lamprey River is such a significant resource for the area.
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ADMINISTRATOR'S PROPOSED FY 2013 BUDGET FOR DURHAM
This year’s budget cycle has resulted in a proposed 2013 General Fund budget totaling $12,410,419.00, a spending increase of $1,133,210.00 or 10.05% compared to FY 2012. Due to an infusion of revenue from a variety of sources (see General Fund Revenue section below), a number of which directly offset proposed expenditure increases for the coming year, non-property tax revenues are expected to increase dramatically in FY 2013 by $661,696.00 or 14.1% to $5,354,900.00. In total, this year’s budgetary proposal is projected to increase the 2013 local municipal portion of the tax rate by 36 cents (or 4.72%) to $7.97 from the estimated 2012 level of $7.61. If debt service associated with the new Durham Public Library project that overwhelming passed (74%) by referendum last year is subtracted from the equation, the municipal tax rate increase would be 1.77%.
Revenue projections do continue to include an annual $225,101.00 payment from UNH to Durham which began in 2009 to compensate the community for the University’s financial impact upon the Town in areas such as roadways, traffic, and policing services. Budgetary projections take into account this additional revenue, a projected $18 million infusion into the tax base associated largely with the Capstone project as of April 1, 2013 (an initial increase largely associated with Capstone was added to the tax base for 2012 totaling $15 million), holding Overlay at $300,000 due to a number of outstanding property tax abatement appeals pending with the Board of Tax and Land Appeals/Superior Court, no use of fund balance, and recommended expenditures.
The proposed Sewer Fund budget reflects a 0% increase in user fees in 2013 (a rate of $5.75 per hundred cubic feet), while the proposed Water Fund budget carries an anticipated 5.3% increase in user fees (a rate of $4.18 per hundred cubic feet) for FY 2013.
For comparative purposes, the twelve-month September 2011 to September 2012 Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) numbers are: U.S. City Index – 2.0%, Northeast Urban Index – 1.7%, and Boston-Brocton-Nashua-MA-NH-ME-CT – 1.7%.
As background information, the Town Charter in Durham states:
Sec. 5.2. Budget procedure. At such time as may be requested by the Administrator or specified by the Administrative Code, each officer or director of a department shall submit an itemized estimate of the expenditures for the next fiscal year for the departments or activities under his control to the Administrator. The Administrator shall, based on these estimates and other data, prepare a recommended budget which he shall, together with these department estimates, submit to the Council no later than the last workday prior to November 1 of the current year. The Council shall review the budget for the following fiscal year and make such modifications and amendments as it desires.
Sec. 5.4. Final date for budget adoption. The budget shall be adopted not later than the last workday of the preceding fiscal year. . .Failure by the Council to adopt a budget by the deadline established in this section will establish the budget as recommended by the Administrator as the adopted budget.
To view the full 9 page transmittal letter providing an overview of the FY 2013 Administrator's proposed budget, click HERE. To view the draft 2013 Operating Budget, click HERE. To view the draft 2013-2022 Capital Improvement Plan, click HERE.
A public hearing will be held on the proposed budget on November 19th as part of the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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CHURCHILL RINK IS OPEN FOR THE SEASON!
The rink has been open since October 22nd and all systems are go for a great skating season! New Rink Manager Bill Page began work the day after Labor Day and since then has changed the face of the rink for the better considerably. With help from Rink Attendant’s Kirk Sim, Tim Murphy, and Dave Smith from ORYH, users have been pleasantly surprised to see the many improvements at the facility. Improvements include much cleaning, a fresh new office/concession interior, clean comfortable restrooms with new partitions, new paint on a lot of walls, and clean locker rooms. Please stop by and have a look.
For additional information, click HERE.
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PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Annual Turkey Trot event. On Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, start Thanksgiving Day off with a gobble at the annual Turkey Trot event held at Wagon Hill Farm and put on by Oyster River Parents & Preschoolers (ORPP) and the Parks and Recreation Committee. Young residents gather at Wagon Hill for a Thanksgiving story reading, then stroll along the dirt road collecting biodegradable feathers that "Tom the Turkey" has left behind. The event ends at the waterfront with hot chocolate and donuts!
Light Up Durham is Back!
Come get into the holiday spirit! On Friday, December 7, 2012 beginning at 6:00 PM on Main Street in front of Memorial, Durham's "Light Up Durham" will be held featuring the lighting ceremony as well as many other activities.
For more information regarding any of the classes or events above, visit the P&R web site https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/recreation
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Oyster River High School Drama Department presents "Noises Off". (See information below)
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Oyster River Folk, Saturday, November 15, 2012, 7PM, Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Enjoy music of Scotland. Ballads, fiddle tunes, and folk songs with Kate McNally & Eric McDonald.
Durham-Great Bay Rotary Club Food Drive to support local food pantries, Fri. and Sat., November 16 & 17. Durham Marketplace sidewalk is the collection point. Articles may be dropped off between 3-7PM on Fri., and 10AM-4PM on Sat. Cash donations also accepted.
OR High School Drama Department Presents NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn, Directed by Meredith Freeman-Caple, Fri and Sat, November 16 & 17, 2012, 7:00 PM. ORHS Box Office call for hours, 868-7156. $5/Sr. Citizens and students; $7/adults. Concession opens at 6:30 PM. For tickets call parent volunteer Armida Geiger, 603-868-7156. Flowers will be for sale at $5 by Red Carpet owner Kaitlyn Bassett.
Mast Way School Holiday Shopping Bazaar, Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM, Mast Way School. Great shopping with local vendors and artisans. PTO will be selling soups and baked goods. For more information or re information or to become a vendor, contact Laura DiMeglio, lmdnh70@gmail.com.
Book Study of "The Transition Companion: Making Your Community More Resilient in Uncertain Times", Sunday, November 18, 2012, 3-4:30 PM, St. George's Episcopal Church. Free and open to the public.
Fresh, A Documentary, Thursday, December 6, 2012, 7-8:30 PM, ORHS auditorium. This movie celebrates the farmers, thinkers, and business people who are re-inventing the country's food system. Discussion following the movie. Free to the public. For more information, visit http://www.freshthemovie.com/
The Nutcracker is Coming to Durham! Saturday, December 8, 2012, 2-7:00 PM, Oyster River High School auditorium. 13 Oyster River students will join the Northeastern Ballet's professional cast for this year's performance. The show will also premiere on Saturday, December 1st at 2:00 and 7:00 PM. For more information, click HERE.
Gingerbread House Construction Fundraiser for On Belay, Saturday, December 8, 2012, 10 AM-3 PM, MUB Food Court at UNH.All supplies provided for your family to build something great. $15/team pre-registration and $20/team at the door. Email Allie.birchmeier@unh.edu to pre-register.
Movie Matinee, Saturday, December 8, 2012, 1:00 PM, UNH MUB, Theater 2. ParaNorman in 3D. $2/person; $2 for reusable 3D glasses (if you do not have them already). Visit http://www.unhmub.com/
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Pictured (l-r): Poet Laureate finalist Emily Howard, 2012/13 Poet Laureate winner Catherine Geiger, and last year's Poet Laureate Daniel Belshaw. Courtesy DPL
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Congratulations to our new Oyster River Poet Laureate, Catherine Geiger! Congrats to Poet Laureate finalist, Emily Howard as well. Poems were read by Catherine, Emily and last year’s Poet Laureate, Daniel Belshaw. It was a great night of poetry!
Preschool Storytime Tues. Nov. 20th at 10:30 a.m. – This week: Thanksgiving! All are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard and a craft.
Thanksgiving Holiday Hours: The Library will be closed starting Weds., Nov. 21st at 5 pm and will re-open on Sat. Nov. 24th at 10:00 am. Happy Thanksgiving!
Special Pajama Storytime: Dance/Music with Dancers from the Northeastern Ballet Company and the Nutcracker! Tues. Nov. 27th at 6:30 pm – Join ORPP and the Durham Library for our monthly Pajama Storytime. This month: Dance and Music! Join us for this special storytime. Dancers from The Northeastern Ballet Co. and their upcoming performance of "The Nutcracker" will visit this storytime. Come and hear stories about dance/music and see a short performance of the Nutcracker as well as meet some dancers from The Northeastern Ballet Co. We will also make a craft. ORPP supplies a snack. All are welcome.
Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4t
h grade book group, Tues. Dec. 4th at 6:00 p.m. - Join us for this 2nd-4th grade book group. This month's books are "Spunky Tells All" by Ann Cameron and/or "Falling In" by Frances O'Roark Dowell. We will discuss the books, play some games and make a craft. All are welcome.
Young Adult Writing Blog/Group, Tues. Dec. 4th 7:00 – 7:45 p.m. - Like to write? Join this writing group for Young Adults (10 & up). We do writing exercises and talk about your writing. We post your writing on our blog "Write Away". All are welcome.
Nicola McEldowney Puppet Show, Sat. Dec. 8th at 10:30 am - Join us for this fun family puppet show. Nicola will perform fun Winter and Wishes stories. Don' miss this fun show for all ages!
Check out the library's website at http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/durham/ for more information.
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FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"
"Farm Life in Durham: "Going southwest of town on Mill Road, just over the Oyster River, was the farm and orchard of Henry Bailey Stevens, a university extension service agent of international repute. The land was sold in the early 1980s for a development of residential homes, after Stevens' death. Some of the fruit trees from the fine, big orchard are still standing in the 1980s." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.
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WEEKLY ARREST REPORT
*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.
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Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
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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