Friday Updates - November 22, 2013

Friday, November 22, 2013

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This abandoned sailboat has been beached at Adams Point for over a year.  Read more details below. Courtesy Todd Selig

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A reminder that all Town Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, 2013. All offices will reopen for business on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 8:00 AM.

 

ABANDONED SAILBOAT AT ADAMS POINT

Over the last month, the Administrator has reached out to the Harbor Master, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the NH Department of Environmental Services regarding an abandoned sailboat that is stuck near the ramp at Adam's Point.  The good news is that hazardous materials have been removed from the vessel.   Over the last two weeks the Town has begun the process of evaluating how Durham might partner with NHDES and the other agencies to address it.

REFUSE AND RECYCLING SCHEDULE DURING THANKSGIVING
There will be no collection of residential refuse and recycling on Thanksgiving day. Thursday's collection will occur on Friday (Nov 29) instead. As always, all items need to be out by 7AM. Commercial recycling will not be collected on Friday (Nov 29). To view the 2013 holiday schedule, click HERE.

NO "FRIDAY UPDATES" ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no "Friday Updates" next week. The next "Friday Updates" publication will be on Friday, December 6, 2013.

2013 TAX RATE FOR DURHAM (Town, School, and County)

The Town has received confirmation of its tax rate for 2013 from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration as part of the annual tax setting process.

 

The new rate for the Town (municipal) portion of the bill is up 9.59% over last year (or 73 cents) from $7.61 to $8.34. The total School (local and state) rate is up by 4.29% over 2012 (or 79 cents) to $19.21.  The County rate is up 5.15% over 2012 (or 14 cents) to $2.86.  This increases the full tax rate for Durham (municipal, local school, state school, & county) for 2013 by 5.77% (or $1.66).  

 

The 2013 approved municipal budget projected a Town (municipal) tax rate of $8.27 or an increase of 8.60%. In 2013 the Town underwent a statistical update of properties which resulted in a change in the assessed valuation; a reduction of .77%.  Single-family homes fell in value by an average of 5.56% as part of the statistical update with condominiums dropping by an average of 8.84%.  If the tax rate was computed using the 2012 valuations it would have been $8.27 as proposed.  


Because the overall Durham rate increase is very close to the reduction in average valuations for homeowners, most residents will see their 2013 tax bills remain relatively flat compared to 2012.  This is not true in all cases, however, as each house is assessed based on individual characteristics to reflect its value within the broader market.  

 

In terms of the allocation of taxes in Durham across governmental jurisdictions, the School (local & state) comprises 63.17% of the annual tax bill. The Town (municipal) portion of the rate comprises 27.43% of the overall tax bill received by property owners.   The County comprises 9.40% of the annual tax bill for 2013.

The primary driver impacting the Town (municipal) portion of the tax rate in the 2013 budget was the Town Council's decision, based upon public feedback, to move the 2013 road program totaling $331,407 from debt service to a cash basis.  Although impacting the tax rate for 2013, it will actually save the Town significant dollars in interest costs over the next 20 years.


The following is a breakdown of the numbers noted above.

How can you reduce your carbon footprint?

HOW CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT?  From Mini Van to Mini Car – Downsizing Vehicles Can Save Money, Reduce Fuel Consumption, and be Fun to Boot!

The Town’s new Climate Adaptation Chapter of Durham’s Hazard Mitigation Plan has motivated at least one Durham resident to do his part in reducing carbon emissions -- Administrator Todd Selig has downsized his personal vehicle from a mini-van to a mini car reducing his automotive CO2 emissions by approximately 4,811 pounds per year.  


Selig has historically driven an AWD Toyota Siena minivan, which averaged around 17 MPG.  Over the last several months he began to wonder whether downsizing could be a viable option for his family to do their part in being more environmentally conscientious.  


He looked at a variety of alternatives from subcompact to mid-sized sedans, including hybrids, and ultimately opted for a Mini Cooper which is rated for 35+ MPG highway and was within the family’s price range.   


The change is estimated to save around $900 in gasoline costs per year as well.  


This week, the Durham Fire Department’s A Shift met with Administrator Selig and evaluated the safety components of the Mini Cooper. The crew looked under the hood to better understand battery placement, emergency shut offs, etc.


To view an article in Foster’s Daily Democrat on this topic, click HERE.

To view the Durham Climate Adaptation Chapter on the Town’s web site, click HERE.

DURHAM AND UNH DISCUSS OUTDOOR POOL

Town and University representatives discussed several options concerning the UNH Outdoor Pool Thursday afternoon from 3-5 PM at Thompson Hall including designs for a new campus swimming pool ranging from 10,000 to 16,000 square feet, as well as a retrofit to the existing pool which would decrease its size from around 42,000 square feet to 32,000 square feet.

No decisions were made.

Refined cost estimates for the various designs were not available.  


In the spring, UNH provided the Town with preliminary cost estimates for various pool configurations as follows:  


Existing pool retrofit - $6,600,000 - $7,000,000

16,000 sq. ft. facility - $4,800,000

13,500 sq. ft. facility - $4,200,000

10,000 sq. ft. facility - $3,700,000


Durham and UNH representatives discussed a possible layout for a 32,000 sq. ft. facility, two options for a 16,000 sq. ft. facility, and two options for a 10,000 sq. ft. facility.  The University’s pool engineering and architectural consultants also provided a “shadow analysis” illustrating the impact of shadows cast from the existing Hamel Recreation Center as well as the possible expansion of the recreation facility in different configurations in mid July at 3 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM.


Finally, the group saw three possible configurations of the future Hamel Recreation Center expansion project, only one of which impacted the UNH Outdoor Pool’s present footprint.  


The University’s architectural and engineering design team will take into consideration suggestions made by the group and will return with refined plans.  After that time, more detailed pricing will be developed for the benefit of the parties.


Unfortunately, it appears that the time it will take to obtain pricing will not align with the town’s annual 2014 budget process which must be wrapped up by December 31, 2013. 

BUDGET UPDATE FOR 2014 PROPOSED BUDGET

In accordance with the Town Charter, the Administrator’s proposed 2014 Budget, which includes the General Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, Library Fund, Parking Fund, Depot Road Lot Fund, Churchill Rink Fund, Stone Quarry TIF Fund, and Downtown TIF Fund budgets, as well as the Administrator’s proposed 2014-2023 Capital Improvement Plan was made available to the Town Council.  


This year’s budget cycle has resulted in a proposed 2014 General Fund budget totaling $13,612,993.00, a spending increase of $905,435 or 7.13% compared to FY 2013.  Non-property tax revenues are expected to increase in FY 2014 by $295,961 or 5.5% to $5,672,456.  In total, this year’s budgetary proposal is projected to increase the 2014 local municipal portion of the tax rate by 36 cents (or 4.35%) to $8.63 from the estimated 2013 level of $8.27.  If recommended General Fund funding – totaling $270,000 -- allocated as an annual contribution toward preserving as close to possible the existing footprint of the UNH Outdoor Pool were removed, the municipal tax rate increase would be .97%.


In 2014, the tax base is projected to increase by $11 million or approximately 1.2%.


The Town Council received feedback from the public at Monday’s Town Council meeting regarding the Administrator’s proposed 2014 budget.  After more than 90 minutes of public feedback regarding the UNH Outdoor Pool, the Council voted unanimously to remove the proposed $270,000 allocation from the budget.  In addition, two Councilors are working to develop a list of suggested spending reductions for consideration by the Council.  


The Council will discuss the Administrator’s Proposed 2014 Budget on December 2, 9, and 16th.  If the public has additional feedback, the Council will continue to accept written and verbal feedback though December 16th.  December 16th is the last scheduled Council meeting for 2013 and the board has until December 31st to approve the budget or the Administrator’s proposal becomes the budget by default.

DURHAM'S TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION - Friday, December 6th 6-8PM

The Durham Parks & Recreation Department will hold their 2nd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, December 6th from 6-8PM on Main Street. The event will feature a wide variety of games and entertainment for the entire family, including a cozy bon fire and tasty refreshments.


Consistent with last year’s organization, Main Street will be blocked off to vehicular traffic from approximately 5:30PM-8:15PM from the corner of Main Street Mailing to the Candy Bar.  This will not impede vehicles from entering Jenkins Court or the Mill Plaza, as Durham Police Department will redirect them down both streets.    


The Celebration will include: games and prizes, two dollar raffle, magic snow, holiday treats, Santa and the Gingerbread Man, music, bon fire, countdown to the tree lighting, and much more!


All Tree Lighting Celebration activities, excluding raffle, are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Durham Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee at (603) 817-4074 or sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us.

Cover of new book written by Abigail Carroll

DURHAM RESIDENT AUTHORS INTERESTING BOOK ON THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MEAL – Abigail Carroll, a graduate of the Oyster River School District, writes a very interesting new book.

In Three Squares, food historian (and Durham native) Abigail Carroll upends the popular understanding of our most cherished mealtime traditions, revealing that our eating habits have never been stable—far from it, in fact. The eating patterns and ideals we’ve inherited are relatively recent inventions, the products of complex social and economic forces, as well as the efforts of ambitious inventors, scientists and health gurus.   To learn more about Ms. Carroll’s new book, click HERE.

PEAK CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT – The new large student housing project being built on Mast Road is 78% leased and not yet even built.

Peak Development informed Director of Planning & Community Development Michael Behrendt this week  that Peak’s rent up for the September 2014 semester is going very well.

 

For phase 1, which contains 316 beds (the total project including phase 2 contains 460 beds), the company has leases for 77.8% of the 316 beds.

BLACK HAWK HELICOPTERS OVER DURHAM

On Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, two Black Hawk helicopters will be landing and taking off from Boulder Field between noon and 4 p.m. This is part of the UNH ROTC program’s medical evacuation training for its cadets. The helicopters will be doing 20-minute flights starting at 1 p.m.

SECOND DURHAM TV CHANNEL IN THE WORKS
As part of the Town’s new franchise agreement with Comcast, a new TV channel (channel number TBD) will be added to the local television line up dedicated to the Oyster River School District.  Presently, Durham and ORSCD share Channel 22/DCAT.  This change will give both entities more bandwidth for broadcasting.  We believe the new channel will be on line within the next month to two months. DCAT Coordinator (and Durham resident) Craig Stevens is managing the task of bringing this new channel on line.

DECEMBER 2013 PROPERTY TAX BILLS
The second half Property Tax Bill for 2013, was mailed out today November 22, 2013 the bills will be due on December 23, 2013.  If you have any questions please, contact the Tax Collector's office at 868-5577.

NOTE:  If residents disagree with their new assessment, they may apply for an abatement using the application on the Town website, https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/assessing/abatements. The application is due on March 3, 2014 (Normally due on March 1, but this date falls on a Saturday in 2014.) 

DECEMBER 2013 WATER & SEWER BILLS

The water & sewer bills for the second half of 2013 were mailed out on November 12, 2013 and will be due on December 12, 2013.  Questions concerning your bills should be directed to the Tax Collector's office at 868-5577 or Public Works at 868-5578.

Public Works employees Shane Bickford and BJ Austin remove carpeting this week at the new Town Hall building site as part of the interior demolition. Courtesy Craig Stevens

NH SAVES – A Good Resource for Durham Homeowners and Businesses

NHSaves is a collaboration of New Hampshire's electric and natural gas utilities working with the NH Public Utilities Commission and other interested parties to provide NH customers with information, programs, and support designed to reduce energy use, save money and protect the environment.

Energy efficiency is a vital part of keeping New Hampshire's residents and businesses economically successful. New Hampshire utility customers help fund these energy efficiency programs through a monthly charge, based on their use of electricity and natural gas.



Durham residents and business owners who desire to research what more they might do to reduce their energy use may find the NHSaves site of interest at http://www.nhsaves.com/

Community Gardens at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Ellen Karelitz

COMMUNITY GARDENS AT WAGON HILL FARM

Ready for winter, waiting for spring, the community gardens are tucked in with their blankets of leaves and hay.  The gardeners with to thank the Department of Public Works for its support and assistance once again this season.

2013 STATISTICAL UPDATE OF DURHAM PROPERTIES HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND NEW ASSESSMENTS ESTABLISHED
In accordance with New Hampshire state law, the Town of Durham has completed the Statistical Update of all real property assessments with an effective date of April 1, 2013. 

The tax year begins April 1st and ends on March 31st of a given year.  Final notices regarding the new assessments of residential and commercial/industrial have been mailed and the values have been approved by the Town.  At this point, the Town is waiting for the new tax rate to be set by the Department of Revenue Administration.  The new assessments and tax rate will be used for the 2013 final tax bill which will be issued in December.    

The Town of Durham engaged the services of three companies to help perform the Statistical Update of all property assessments throughout Durham.  KRT Appraisal, LLC updated the assessments of the residential and vacant properties; Steve Traub of Property Valuation Advisors, LLC updated the assessments of the commercial/industrial properties; and George Sansoucy, PE, LLC updated the assessments of the utility properties and those with communication site leases. 

All three companies worked in conjunction with the Assessor’s Office.  Durham’s Assessor, Jim Rice updated the assessments of those properties owned by the University of New Hampshire.  Although UNH is owned by the State of New Hampshire and is exempt from property taxation per RSA 72:23 I (d), the assessments of all exempt properties must also be revised anew once every five years per NH Constitution, Article 6. 

The following data reveals the assessed value changes between 2012 and 2013 by property type.

Subtracting the exempt properties from the taxable properties reveals an average percentage change of less than 1% for all properties in Durham.

Assessments can be viewed on the computer in the lobby of the Town Office.  There is also an Excel spreadsheet on our website, as well as at the Town Hall, showing 2012-2013 assessment changes for all properties in Durham. 

The Vision database will be available again on the website starting November 7, 2013.

THE DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE 18TH ANNUAL LIGHT UP DURHAM 

The Durham Business Association (DBA) encourages all businesses and UNH Greek houses 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.    


Judging will take place Thursday, December 5, 2013 beginning at 5:30 PM.

2013 Information & Guidelines

Contest is open to all Durham Businesses and recognized Greek fraternities and sororities.

The guidelines for judging include:

• The effectiveness of lights creating the display.
• The placement and uniformity of the lights.
• The use of design and color to create the decorations.
• The use of special lighted displays
• The ingenuity, originality, and creativity exercised in the decorations.

Holiday Lights are available for sale at Town & Campus and Rite Aid. Support Durham’s local businesses. For more information please contact the Durham Business Association at durhambusinessassociation@gmail.com

The 2013 DBA annual ornament commemorating the new Durham Public Library

ORNAMENT SALES

The 2013 Annual Ornament commemorates Durham’s new public library, sold exclusively through the Durham Business Association.  The ornaments come beautifully gift boxed for $20 each.   The ornament can be purchased at Durham Marketplace, Emery Farm, Federal Savings Bank, people’s United Bank, Town & Campus, Hayden Sports, and the Town Hall.

SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST WILL MEET ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH

The Supervisors of the Checklist will meet on Saturday, December 7, 2013, from 11:00 – 11:30 AM at the Durham Town Hall to accept new voters and to make corrections to the checklist.  This session is in preparation for the Special Election that will be held December 17.  Since this is a regular election and not a primary, changes in party registration can also be made at this session as well as on election day.

 

Prospective voters are required by law to show proof of identity, Age (18 by election day), domicile/residence in Durham and U.S. citizenship.  A driver’s license with a Durham address and a passport are ideal proofs, but others are accepted.  If proofs are lacking, affidavits may be signed under oath.

SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION - DECEMBER 17, 2013
In October the Town Council requested the Governor and Executive Council to schedule a special election for the purpose of filling the vacancy of the seat formerly held by Representative Philip Ginsburg as soon as possible. 

The period for declaration of candidacy has closed with two persons filing for the District 6 seat:  Democrat Amanda Merrill of Durham and Republican Deidre Lepkowski of Madbury.

Because there is not a contested race within each party, the primary election is cancelled and the actual election will occur on the primary date -- December 17th.  

ENERGY COMMITTEE SEEKING MEMBERS

The heavy lifting is done on our Master Plan chapter (endorsed in July by the Planning Board), so we are on to devising both boring (insulation?) and ingenious (cooperative residential solar panel initiatives? "unplugged community nights"?) ways to help residents and the Town reduce energy consumption. Join the energy wonks or pitch in on a specific project, such as a household survey of energy use. We're a great group, if we say so ourselves, but we'd really appreciate new members willing to pitch in. Bicycle and pedestrian advocates welcome. (Think Durham should plan for electric cars? The Town's got a head start: there's a GE Watt EV plug charging station at the new library....)


Contact Kevin Gardner, the Durham Energy Committee Chair, at or download a membership application from the Energy Committee's website. Want to check us out? The Committee next meets in the small community room at the new library on Tuesday, November 19, at 7pm and again on December 3. Members of the public are welcome.

At the November 18, 2013 Town Council meeting, Council Chair Jay B. Gooze presented former Department of Public Works employee Brian Beers with a plaque acknowledging his 43 years of dedicated service to the Town of Durham. Brian retired on September 30th this year. Courtesy DPW

CHURCHILL RINK AT JACKSON'S LANDING NOW OPEN FOR SKATE!
For details on the schedule, please go to https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/churchillrink or call the rink at 868-3907. 

Public Skate Schedule:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:00pm - 3:20pm

Tuesday's:12:00pm - 4:20pm

Thursday's: 12:00pm - 1:50pm

Saturday & Sunday 2:00pm -3:45pm

Public Skate Admission: $5.00 (13 and up), $3.00 Child (12 & Under)

Individual Season Pass $75.00

Family Season Pass $150.00

Open Stick & Puck (unstructured hockey)

Monday - Friday 10:50am - 11:50am

Sunday 11:00am - 12:20pm

$5.00/pp

Drop in Hockey (limited to 20 and 2 goalies, full gear required)

Monday, Wednesday Friday 12:00pm - 1:20pm

Monday & Wednesday 3:30pm - 4:50pm (ends November 13th)

Friday 8:00pm - 9:20pm

Sunday 9:30am - 10:50am

$10/pp

Family Pond Hockey (Helmet required)

Sunday 12:30pm - 2:00pm

$5.00/pp

THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS FROM DCAT STUDIOS

Birdwatching in NH with Eric Masterson - Total run time: 58:00

DCAT 22 Studios is once again on the road at the Durham Public Library’s Community Room.  Join Eric Masterson, author of Birdwatching in New Hampshire.  His presentation is roughly 45 minutes long with a question and answer period at the end.  Eric discusses how to find more than 300 species of birds that occur annually in NH.  An original DCAT 22 Studios production.  This video is also available on our On Demand site.

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Climate Adaptation with Dr. Cameron P. Wake - Sundays @ 8:30 PM - Run time: 1:42

Join Dr. Cameron P. Wake, Research Associate Professor & Kyler Pimental, Senior Regional Planner of the Strafford Regional Planning Commission in a community conversation about climate change, sea level rise, and local preparedness for severe weather events.  This video will help you understand the potential impacts of climate change and hearing more about the Town’s recently developed Climate Adaptation Chapter.  This video is also available on our On Demand site.  An original DCAT 22 Studios Production.

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New Hampshire and the Greater Dover Economy; an armchair discussion - Sundays @ 4:00 PM - Run time: 1:38

Join Moderator, Michael Bolduc as he chats with Department of Resource & Economic Development Commissioner Jeff Rose and Dover Economic Development Director Daniel Barufaldi as they present: New Hampshire and the Greater Dover Economy; an armchair discussion.  DCAT Studios travelled to the Three Chimney’s Inn to record this event.  This video is also available on our On Demand site.

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.

THERE ARE NO PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25-29, 2013

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.

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.

Upcoming Events:
Feather Fest (previously Turkey Trot) – November 28th 10-11AM @ Wagon Hill Farm (festive story and walk, refreshments, games, FREE).

Sponsored by Durham Parks & Recreation and ORPP.  Find out more HERE.
Tree Lighting Celebration – December 6th 6-8PM @ Main Street

(special guests, tree lighting, music, $2 raffles, bonfire, crafts, giveaways, FREE).

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY:  Any local business interested in donating a raffle item or showcasing your merchandise during the Tree Lighting Celebration may do so by contacting the Director; each will receive promotion through a Town-wide mailing, local media, and be announced throughout the event.

Yoga for Seniors – NEW! - Find out more HERE.

Beginner’s Tai Chi – COMING SOON!

Classes will begin on January 7th, and take place each Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10-11AM. Contact: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to be added to our email list today!

Volunteer With DPR

Do you like being outdoors?  Do you have a group looking for ways to be more involved and give back to the community?  Contact: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to learn about local volunteer opportunities.

Get FIT With DPR:
THANKSGIVING DAY YOGA: Start your day off right - a special class with Sarah at 6AM (drop in for only $10)

HoopFIT Tuesdays: 5:30-6:30PM (ORMS Multipurpose Room) drop-in only ($10)

YOGA:  Mondays:  5PM; Tuesdays:  7:15PM; Thursdays:  6AM & 5PM

BOOT CAMP:  Wednesday/Friday – 7AM

PILATES:  Monday – 8AM; Wednesday – 6:30PM; Saturday – 10AM (ORMS Multipurpose Room)

ZUMBA:  Monday/Wednesday – 5:30PM (ORMS Multipurpose Room); Saturday – 9AM

STRENGTH & STRETCH: Wednesday/Friday – 8AM

TAI CHI Advanced:  Friday – 4-5:30PM. Find out more HERE.

TAI CHI MOVING FOR BETTER BALANCE: Tuesday/Thursday 9AM. Find out more HERE.

LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES NEED HELP

Durham is fortunate to have two local food pantries that serve the wider Durham and UNH communities, the Cornucopia Food Pantry at the Waysmeet Center at 15 Mill Road, and the St. Thomas More Food Pantry on 6 Madbury Road.  Both pantries provide holiday food baskets for families at Thanksgiving and Winter holiday times.  St. Thomas More expects to do approximately 100 food baskets and Cornucopia expects to do 200 or more.  Both accept and deeply appreciate help from the greater community in providing supplies and resources for these food baskets.  


This year, food resources from the NH Food Bank will be less than in past years, due to their own shortages in donations and the increased demands on food pantries across the State. Consequently, they are scrambling to find alternative sources.  They are asking for help from the Durham community in one of the following ways:

1. Providing a turkey, gift certificate or monetary equivalent to allow Cornucopia to purchase turkeys.
2. Providing an entire food baskets with specific items to feed one family for the holidays.  A food donation packet and list is attached.
3. Providing several of the specific items on the food list, in particular, stuffing mix, muffin mixes, cranberry sauce, gravy, flour, potatoes, onions and celery.
4. Providing one or more of any of the items on the suggested food list.
5. Providing gift certificates of $20.00 or more for local supermarkets.

Volunteers are also welcome to help organize and distribute food baskets.  Winter baskets will be organized on Tuesday, December 17th, and distributed on Wednesday, December 18th, all at the Waysmeet center on 15 Mill Road.


Persons interested in helping in any way or who have questions may contact Larry Brickner-Wood at Larry.brickner-wood@unh.edu or by calling Larry, Catherine Lee or Emily Dickman at 603-862-1165 and http://www.cornucopia.unh.edu/


People in need of a food basket may fill out a request form at http://www.cornucopia.unh.edu./request.html


The Cornucopia Food pantry is open weekly on Tuesday from 4-5:30 p.m.and Fridays from 12-2 p.m.  All are welcome and we always welcome community members as volunteers.


The St. Thomas More Food Pantry is open on Thursday from 4-6 p.m. and questions can be directed to 603-868-2666 and Cynthia Racic at cynth95419@aol.com.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Mast Way PTO Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, Nov 23, 2013, 9AM - 2PM. Food, fun, and raffles. The PTO will be selling refreshments.

Durham Garden Club - Tuesday, Nov 26, 2013, 6:30 PM, Durham Public Library. O'Donal's Nursery owner, Jeff O'Donal of Gorham, Maine, will give an up-to-date review of the trees and shrubs that were give the Cary Award in recognition of their beauty, hardiness, and suitability for New England. Free and open to the public.

UNH Physical Education Parent's Night Out, Friday, Dec 6, 2013, 5-8:00 PM, UNH New Hampshire Hall Gymnasium. $15/child, $10/each additional child. Parents can drop off children ages 5 and up and have a night to themselves. Children will be provided with pizza and activities. RSVP by Dec 2nd to Sarah McVerry, smcverry73@gmail.com.

Gingerbread House Construction Fundraiser to Benefit On Belay, Saturday, Dec 7, 2013, 10AM 3PM, MUB Food Court (UNH), $15/team pre-registration, $20/team at the door. To register email allie.birchmeier@unh.edu.

Holiday Skating Party for UNH/Durham Community, hosted by UNH, Tuesday, Dec 10, 2013, 3:30 - 7PM, Whittemore Center Arena. Bring unwrapped toy or gift for a local child or teenager. For more information, click HERE.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

The Library will be closing at 5:00 p.m. on Weds. Nov. 27th and will re-open on Sat. Nov. 30th at 10:00 a.m. – Happy Thanksgiving!
Baby Lap-Sit! For infants to age 2 with their caregiver, Sat. Nov. 23rd at 10:30 a.m. - Join us for stories, fingerplays and songs.  There will be a time after for you and your baby to play and socialize with other parents and babies.  This program is geared to ages 2 and under with their parent/caregiver.  This is the last lapsit until January.  All are welcome.
Chess and Board Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up), Monday Nov. 25th and  Monday Dec. 2nd 3:00-4:00 p.m. – Join us every Monday afternoon now in the Young Adult room for a game of chess (or other board games).
Pre-school storytime: Tues. Nov. 26th at 10:30 a.m. – The theme is Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!
Pajama Storytime, Tues. Nov. 26th, 6:30 p.m. – This month:  Thanksgiving and Hanukah!  Join ORPP and the Durham Library for this month's PJ storytime.  Come wearing your Pajamas!  This month we will read stories about Thanksgiving/food and Hanukah and make a fun Thanksgiving craft.  Snack provided by ORPP.  All are welcome.  This is a fun way for parents and children to meet.

Cancellation - Parks & Rec afternoon scheduled for Tues. Nov. 26th from 4-5 p.m.
Young Adult (ages 10& up) Writing/Blog Group, Monday Dec. 2nd, 7:00-7:45 p.m. – Like to write?  Join us for this fun writing group and post your writing on our blog “Write Away”.
Pre-school Storytimes:  Tues. Dec.3rd and Thurs. Dec. 5th at 10:30 a.m. – The theme is Penguins!
Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade) Book Group, Tues. Dec. 3rd, 6:00-7:00 p.m. – Join us for this fun book club.  This month’s book is “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” by Judy Blume.  We talk about the book, do some puzzles, play some games and make a craft.  All are welcome.
Lego Club (1st-4th graders), Thurs. Dec. 5th at 3:45-4:45 p.m. – Join us Thursdays to make Lego creations. Lego Club is in need of Lego Donations!  Have any Legos that you would like to donate to the library?  They will be put to good use at our very popular Lego Club.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Friday Dec. 6th, 10:30 a.m. – This week:  China.  We will hear books, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft.  This group is geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome.

Crafternoon – Fri. Dec. 6th 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Stop by the Children’s craft room on Fridays for a fun craft.
Storytelling with Sean, Family Program Saturday, Dec. 14th at 10:30 a.m. – Join us for this fun family program.  Local storyteller Sean Middleton will release his new CD and tell us Classic folk stories.  Don’t miss this fun event.
Libros Lovers, High School Book Group, Weds. Dec. 11th 2:45-4:00 p.m. – Join us for this high school book group.  This month’s book is “Every Day” by David Levithan.  Ruth Wharton-MacDonald is the facilitator and pizza is served.  All are welcome.
Family Movie Afternoon, “The Polar Express”, Sat. Dec. 21st 2:00 p.m. – Join us upstairs for this month’s movie “The Polar Express”!  Get your train ticket at the door for this fun movie afternoon.  Popcorn and special treats will be served and all are welcome!
Patch Club! Earn patches and a library bag for your reading time.  Register at the children’s desk.

Visit the DPL website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May

FROM "HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A BRIEF HISTORY OF DURHAM, NH, 1600 - 1976 written by Philip A. Wilcox and members of the Durham Historic Association.

1716 - "The 2nd Meeting House was built at the present site of the Sullivan Monument. Ministers serving this church were the Revs. Hugh Adams, Nicholas Gilman, John Adams and Curtis Coe. In 1774, gunpowder taken from Fort William and Mary was hidden in this place.

Have a nice weekend and a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!

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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