|
|
|
 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
|
|
|
|
|
_____________________________________________________________________
|
|
A spooky, zany bat pumpkin ringing in the Halloween spirit from last evening's Pumpkin Stroll at the Moharimet Elementary School in Madbury. Courtesy Todd Selig
______________________________________
A reminder to all residents that Trick-or-Treating in Durham is scheduled for October 30th from 5:00 – 7:30 PM. This is done to separate the younger children who still undertake Trick-or-Treating in costume from the older high school and college students who may partake more robustly in the holiday spirit on October 31st.
Durham Parks & Recreation is again hosting its Spooktacular Day on
Friday, October 23rd 3pm-5pm at Jackson’s Landing. Enjoy pumpkin & cookie decorating, face painting, crafts & activities and a costume parade! FREE skating at Churchill Rink (4-5:30pm) for those in costume! Spooktacular snacks and refreshments will be served! S’mores, popcorn, campfire and fire truck exploration by our very own Durham Fire Department.
And the University has invited young members of the community to campus to visit Mills Hall for the UNH Halloween Extravaganza on Thursday Oct 29, 2015, 3 - 7 PM for kids of all ages. Click HERE for more details.
Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 AM on November 1st.
|
|
MYTH OR FACT – IS ALL OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION DOWNTOWN TAX EXEMPT BECAUSE OF TAX BREAKS DURHAM HAS GIVEN TO PROJECT OWNERS? This is a myth.
This week I received feedback that many residents believe the Orion project on Church Hill (and others) received a 10-year tax exemption. This is untrue.
Only Xemed, 9-11 Madbury Road, and Sigma Beta received RSA 79-E exemptions for finite periods of time.
RSA 79-E allows for municipalities to provide an exemption on the new value created as part of a redevelopment/improvement to support a specific public purpose. The exemption on new value created generally lasts for up to 5 years. After the exemption ends, the full value of the redevelopment is taxable. The idea behind this is that absent the tax incentive, the project (and the associated pubic benefit) would not otherwise have been created due to economic constraints.
In the Sigma Beta fraternity case on Madbury Road, the public benefit generated through the granting of 79-E status was making an historic structure that was in horrific shape safe and sound once again.
At 9-11 Madbury Road, the public benefit was to enable an additional story as a commercial use (the owner was planning to scale the building back to three stories only) and also to bury unsightly power lines at the site along Madbury Road.
At Xemed, the public benefit was to support the redevelopment of a single family home into a business headquarters integrating research generated on campus and bringing it downtown to support the broader community.
Both the Sigma Beta and 9-11 Madbury Road 79-E exemptions end next year. The Xemed approval lasts for another few years. Once the exemptions end, the property, including all improvements, become fully taxable once again.
Note that there are other tax exemtions/benefits available from the Town for residents as well, notably for open space land as part of the Current Use program, renewable energy systems, for veterans, and for the elderly who meet specific income and asset limitations.
|
|
DURHAM’S FULL TAX RATE TO DROP BY 2.2%
Durham has received a finalized 2015 tax rate from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. For the first time in many years, the full tax rate for Durham has gone down.
The new full rate is $29.85, a decrease of 2.2% compared to the 2014 rate of 30.52, a drop of $.67.
The total assessment valuation with utilities for the Town of Durham that was used to set the 2015 Tax Rate is $965,086,266, an increase of $48.6 million over the prior year’s valuation of $916,456,045. This represents an increase in valuation of around 5.3% as a result of new construction in town.
To read an article in the Foster’s Daily Democrat about the tax rate, click HERE.
|
|
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING - Special Guest Presentation on October 20th
Economist Brian Gottlob will be presenting an economic analysis for the Town of Durham at the 7PM Economic Development Committee meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday, October 20, 2015.
Mr. Gottlob specializes in identifying, understanding, and communicating emerging economic, fiscal, demographic, energy, labor market, real estate, and public policy trends. He offers thoughtful insights about the intersection of private sector activity and government policy, where public sector action or inaction can significantly impact the growth, development, and profitability of individual businesses, industries, not-for-profit organizations, and geographic regions.
His presentation will also be available on DCAT. Brian is the author of "Trend Lines" a policy and economics blog that can be viewed at www.briangottlob.com
|
|
PROPOSAL FOR 640 kW DC SOLAR ARRAY AT DURHAM GRAVEL PIT ON PACKERS FALLS ROAD IN LEE – Lee Approves PILOT with Durham | Town Council to Take Up Matter on Monday, 10/19
In April 2012, the Town sent out Request for Qualifications for Energy Efficiency Systems to include assessment and consulting, system design and development, financing and procurement, installation, and maintenance of potential energy efficiency systems, as well energy procurement, for the Town of Durham. In short, the RFQ stated the desire of the Town to:
-
Reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions within municipal infrastructure;
-
Improve energy efficiency in buildings, infrastructure, and other areas as determined by the community;
-
Procure energy commodities as cost effectively as possible.
After careful review of the proposals received at that time, the company Revision Energy, LLC was selected for the project – a Phase I Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of what we hoped would be a multi-phase program. In December of 2013, three solar systems from the first PPA went into operation at the Churchill Rink, the Durham Public Library, and at the Durham Police Station. All systems were delivered on schedule and have met the Town’s expectations in terms of performance.
Based upon the successful partnership enjoyed by the Town and ReVision Energy as part of Phase I, the Durham Energy Committee, consistent with Town Council goals, had interest in pursuing a second, larger solar array on Town property intended to absorb more of Durham’s electric load. To that end, ReVision Energy, with the Energy Committee and Administrator’s support, submitted a grant application in the Fall 2014 to the NH Public Utilities Commission for funding assistance for a future solar project to support Durham’s goals.
After months of no word, on May 2015, ReVision Energy was informally notified that the NH Public Utilities Commission was interested in awarding a grant to fund a 640 kW project for Durham at the Packers Falls Gravel Pit located in the Town of Lee. The grant award amount of $501,000 is funded with monies from the NH Renewable Energy Fund. If constructed, the 640 kW array would be one of the largest solar arrays in New Hampshire.
Following a close 3-2 vote by the Governor’s Executive Council on June 24, 2015, the NH PUC grant was awarded to ReVision Energy to fund the Durham project on Durham land in Lee.
Under the grant award, Durham would enter into a PPA as the Town did for its Phase I solar panels on the Library, Police Department, and at the Churchill Rink. For this project the PPA would be between Durham and IGS Solar, ReVision Energy’s strategic/financial partner on this project. IGS Solar would fund and own the project under the PPA, while ReVision Energy would design, construct, and maintain the array. ReVision is a successful, yet modestly sized company and does not have the financial wherewithal to fund an array of this size and scale itself.
At the August 17, 2015 Town Council meeting, Councilors were provided with an overview of the project and the process moving forward by Durham Energy Committee Chair Charles Forcey and Steve Hinchman of ReVision Energy. Messrs. Forcey and Hinchman also provided clarification on the terms from the NH PUC to ReVision and IGS, and provided Councilor’s with a due diligence schedule.
The 640 kW DC solar array is sized to cover Durham's entire non-wastewater load through renewable energy. If the Town is successful in bringing this project to fruition, the community will have moved a step closer to creating an affordable, revenue-neutral, clean and renewable new energy reality for the community.
As noted in the past, efforts have been made to work through several important issues associated with the project as follows:
First, while Durham’s Energy Committee had done the initial groundwork on this effort, the Administrator’s Office has worked to vet the financials and PPA details. Administrator Selig asked Councilors Jim Lawson, Wayne Burton, Firoze Katrak, DPW Director Mike Lynch, and Energy Committee Chair Charles Forcey to sit with him to vet the financial package. While not unanimous, the majority opinion was that the Town should move ahead with a PPA assuming pricing was acceptable. To this end, Administrator Selig engaged in negotiations with ReVision/IGS Solar and IGS has sharpened its pencil to offer the following:
Option 1: Durham absorbs the Lee PILOT (IGS pays the tax and passes through that cost to Durham in the form of an annual surcharge).
PPA Rate years 1&2: 8.99¢/kWh fixed
Annual Escalator Y3-Y25: 2.25%
PPA Term 25 years
Buyout Option: Starting in Y7
Option 2: IGS is required to pay and absorb the Lee PILOT
PPA Rate years 1&2: 9.5¢/kWh fixed
Annual Escalator Y3-Y25: 2.75%
PPA Term 25 years
Buyout Option: Starting in Y7.
* For comparative purposes, Eversource, Durham's default provider, is predicting a winter energy rate of 10.39 cents per kilowatt hour, slightly lower than last year’s winter rate of 10.56 cents. The blended winter/summer rate (with winter rate at the projected 2016 level would be $9.685 cents per kilowatt hour).
Annual US Energy Inflation Rate from Forecast-chart.com:
Last Month -18.5%
Last Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -0.6%
Last 5 Years 5.5%
Last 10 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.3%
Last 20 Years 5.0%
Second, the array which has been approved by the PUC will produce approximately 10% more electrical generation than Durham (excluding our wastewater electrical load) can absorb at this time. To this end, Representatives from the Town and the Oyster River Cooperative School District (ORCSD) met and the ORCSD would like to accept this additional capacity to meet its own sustainability goals.
In addition, the ORCSD would utilize the array and electrical production data generated from it as part of its educational curriculum for Lee, Durham, and Madbury children within the school system.
Third, while this project is only being pursued to fulfill a public municipal purpose, to be financially viable it requires using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) financing structure in order to take advantage of Federal tax credits (i.e., it will be built by a 3rd party instead of Durham, because the Town cannot use or benefit from Federal tax credits).
So in order to make the PPA work, the Town of Durham would enter into a lease agreement with IGS Generation to own and operate a “renewable generation facility” comprised of a 640 kW-dc photovoltaic “solar farm” on Durham land in Lee. We recognize that per RSA 72:23 the array would be subject to taxation by the Town of Lee.
State law allows for a Town and a taxpayer, in this case the Town of Lee and Durham’s PPA partner -- IGS Generation -- to voluntarily enter into a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for renewable generation facilities per RSA 72:74 or per RSA 72:23-n. Durham could also be a party to the PILOT. Given the Town of Durham’s overt goals in achieving net neutrality as described above, and the fact that if Durham had to pay full (town/school/state school/county) property taxes on the solar array in pass through costs as part of the electrical rate structure the project would not be financially feasible and we would be unable to move forward with the effort, Durham has asked the Town of Lee to enter into a PILOT agreement.
Durham representatives had met with the Lee Selectmen concerning this matter on three occasions to date to request that the Town of Lee consider entering into such a PILOT arrangement.
After a good deal of thoughtful discussion during its meeting on September 14, 2015, the Lee Board of Selectmen voted to move the matter forward for a public hearing at 6 PM on Monday, October 12, 2015, at the Lee Public Safety Complex at 20 George Bennett Road such that the board could consider the perspectives of members of the community.
Durham has been working hard to do a great deal of listening to concerns from the Town of Lee regarding the PILOT. Based on these discussions, Administrator Selig believed there was a potential way forward that could be acceptable for Lee and Durham alike. This approach solved a good many of the concerns that had been raised in past discussions with the Town of Lee. In a nutshell, Mr. Selig suggested that the PILOT be between Durham and Lee (possible under RSA 72:23-n) , rather than solely between Lee and IGS Solar. He also revised the payment schedule using a $1,890,000 value for the array at the top end of the value range, equalized it over 20 years, and then increased the payment annually by 2% to represent a rate of inflation. Finally, under this proposal Durham would commit that the payment would remain in place whether or not Durham buys out the solar array after year 6.
This means a payment to Lee of approximately $6,257 annually over a full twenty-year term totaling in aggregate approx. $125,140. In addition to the $6,257 PILOT payment in year 1, Lee would also receive an additional estimated $10,000 in building permit fees for the construction of the array in year 1 from IGS Solar.
On Monday evening, October 12, 2015, the Lee Selectboard approved a PILOT with Durham concerning the solar project on a 2-1 vote.
Fourth, time is of the essence with this project. ReVision Energy/IGS must have an answer concerning whether the Town of Durham will approve a PPA, Lease Agreement, and a PILOT agreement concerning this project in order to have the project commence construction in 2015 to take advantage of 2015 solar pricing (upon which the grant financials are based. 2016 solar panel pricing is expected to increase.). To this end, a public hearing/presentation on the PPA/Lease Agreement/PILOT and Council action has been scheduled for the Town Council's meeting on October 19, 2015.
|
|
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - PPA and Lease Agreement Between Town of Durham and IGS Solar, LLC (with ReVision Energy as project partner) and a possible Payment In Lieu of Taxes Agreement between the Towns of Durham and Lee, and IGS Solar, LLC
The Durham Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Durham Town Hall on a proposed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Lease Agreement between the Town of Durham and IGS Solar, LLC, and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Agreement, pursuant to NH RSA 72:74, between the towns of Durham and Lee, and IGS Solar, LLC, to construct a 640 kW DC solar array in the Town of Durham’s Packers Falls Gravel Pit located at 411 Packers Falls Road in Lee, NH.
This hearing is contingent upon approval of a PILOT Agreement concerning this matter by the Town of Lee on October 12, 2015.
Interested citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing and express their views. Questions regarding the proposal should be addressed to Administrator Todd Selig, 603-868-5571, tselig@ci.durham.nh.us. Written comments may be mailed to the Administrator’s office at 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824 or sent by electronic mail to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
|
|
Schematic of new septic technologices for nitrogen management at 4 Griffiths Drive. Courtesy Durham Planning Office
PLANNING BOARD APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE - Permeable Reactive Barrier Installation
The Planning Board is now reviewing an application for a conditional use to implement an intriguing new technology on a single-family lot as part of a grant-funded pilot project. A permeable reactive barrier will be installed at 4 Griffiths Drive to prevent nitrogen from the septic system migrating to nearby watershed areas. Jessa Doleac, the property owner, has generously agreed to participate in this project. The project manager is Danna Truslow, a hydrogeological consultant for Rockingham County Conservation District.
The project is funded by a watershed assistance grant provided through the NH Division of Environmental Services. Former Town Engineer Dave Cedarholm was involved in the early conception of the project, and April Talon, current Town Engineer, is helping to oversee the project.
|
|
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS UNDER WAY FOR FY 2016
The budget process is in the final days before Mr. Selig must make final cuts prior to sending a proposed FY 2016 budget to the Town Council.
One of the Town’s Council’s approved goals for FY 2015-2016 states: “Task the administrator with developing an operating budget that holds the municipal tax rate at $8.48 given the assumptions there is no change in the downtown TIF allocations and the anticipated 2016 tax valuation is $986 million.”
The Administrator, Business Department, departments are endeavoring to accomplish this goal.
The initial requests received by Mr. Selig would result in an increase of $876,446 or a 6.36% increase in spending over FY 2015. The approved FY 2015 Operational Budget was $13,785,467.
As mentioned last week, in addition to contractually driven wage increases, increased NHRS contribution requirements, and health insurance changes, monies for the proposed road program for FY 2016 exceeded last year’s projected allocation by $200,000, and the sidewalk program exceeded the 2015 estimate by approximately $50,000. In addition, because private construction in Durham is expected to slow considerably in 2016 as various downtown projects wind down and reach completion, building permit revenues are anticipated to be significantly lower in FY 2016 resulting in a loss of approximately $200,000 in revenue.
To date, the Administrator has identified approximately $650,000 in potential reductions to departmental requests. Examples of reductions under consideration include:
-
Elimination of the assistant building inspector position.
-
Reduction in the dcat coordination position from FT to PT.
-
Elimination of $30,000 for Master Plan work in 2016 to focus on future land uses.
-
Elimination of contributions to various community support organizations that provide services to Durham residents.
-
Elimination of $15,000 for fireworks.
-
Elimination of $48,000 for an AM and PM traffic model for Durham.
-
Elimination of $10,500 for radar units.
-
Elimination of $200,000 from road program for overlay of Mill Road.
-
Elimination of $17,000 for downtown holiday decorations.
-
Elimination of $15,000 for rolloff containers at the transfer station.
-
Reduction in the allocation for the Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund.
-
Elimination of one police cruiser.
No final decisions have been made at this time, but they will need to be finalized by the middle of the coming week.
|
|
MAKING DURHAM MORE WELCOMING TO BICYCLES/PEDESTRIANS – Share the Road signage now being installed
As part of the approved 2015 budget, the sum of $15,000 was included to support initiatives that would serve to make Durham more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. The funds have been utilized to install more street print in the downtown area focusing on bicycle use and also for the purchase and installation “Share the Road” signage.
In total, we are in the process of installing around 45 Share the Road signs in and around Durham at key locations.
Two new speed tables have also been installed on Coe Drive to calm speeds within the school zone between the Oyster River Middle and High Schools.
|
|
COLLECTIVE BARTAINING CONTRACT NEGOTIONS TO COMMENCE IN NEAR FUTURE WITH AFSCME AND DPFFA UNITS
Both the AFSCME (covering the majority of Durham’s public works employees) and the DPFFA (covering Durham’s firefighters/inspectors) collective bargaining agreements expire on December 31, 2015. Consequently, the Town and these units will commence contract negotiations in the near future.
Mr. Selig, Business Manager Gail Jablonski, long-time labor attorney Joseph McKittrick, and the relevant department head constitute the Town’s negotiating team for these discussions.
|
|
POLICE ACTIVITY DOWNTOWN FOR START OF UNH ACADEMIC YEAR – Chief Kurz reports that the increase in the number of students living downtown has not created additional challenges for the Durham Police Department.
Police Chief David Kurz has provided Administrator Selig with a memorandum that gives an overview of the Police Department’s experiences over the first months of the UNH academic year.
Kurz writes: “While it may be too early to project, and I certainly understand that there are many months until graduation in May, every passing week is solidifying my premise that well-managed properties should not create added burden to the police. While it will be crucial to remain vigilant, each property management team has been very receptive to addressing challenges that the Durham Police have noted.”
Due to overall success to date, the department will be scaling back its initial plan of adding four (4) officers per weekend shift to three (3). If activity remains status quo, the department plans to further reduce personnel to two (2) officers and eliminate both Strafford County and booking personnel.
To view a memo from Chief Kurz that outlines the start of year police efforts downtown, click HERE.
It should be noted that UNH pays to Durham $245,973 annually under our Omnibus agreement with the University to help offset additional costs Durham policing costs incurred a result of hosting UNH within the community.
Costs associated with the private security firms hired by individual student housing projects are incurrred by the private developers to ensure their properties do not have issues associated with late night student behavior.
|
|
HUNTING IN DURHAM
Deer hunting season is quickly approaching with muzzle loading season starting November 1st through the 11th and all deer hunting from November 12th through the 30th. Hunters are responsible for checking the capability of hunting on all lands.
There is no hunting allowed on land owned by the Town of Durham (with the exception of the Oyster River Forest as a result of grant requirements from LCHIP). State and Federal lands routinely allow hunting and it should be noted that 80% of New Hampshire's forestland is privately owned.
Generally speaking, most private lands -- especially larger tracts -- remain open to hunters across New Hampshire, unless otherwise posted against hunting. While the Durham Police and New Hampshire Fish and Game highly recommend that each hunter personally contact landowners whenever possible and seek permission to hunt, this is not always accomplished.
It is noted that even land posted to hunting can be accessed by contacting the owner prior to hunting. We urge all hunters to please respect all landowners wishing to keep their lands posted. One category of current use tax reduction requires the landowner to keep their land open to public use, including hunting, in order to get an additional 20% tax reduction. Regardless, the discharge of a firearm within 300 feet of a permanently occupied building owned by another is unlawful. If residents are concerned about any gunshots, the Durham Police are poised to respond and investigate the situation.
Residents should also be aware that the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Newington holds a special hunt on the first weekend of the regular firearms season. The shotgun-only white-tailed deer hunt serves the dual purposes of supporting the state's effort to control the deer population while providing recreational opportunities on the 1,100-acre refuge. A total of 40 hunters (20 each day) are selected through a free lottery for one-day hunting permits.
|
|
VEHICLE SPEED MONITORING ON DURHAM POINT ROAD
There is a concerted effort to place the Durham Police Department’s Kustom StealthStat™, which has a Traffic Statistics Computer built into the unit, at various locations throughout the community. As noted in previous Friday Updates, this box type radar unit is discretely mounted on sign poles or other vertical objects and allows the Town to track and analyze traffic that passes in front of the machine without the use or need for road tubes. Additionally, the statistical computer software plots and graphically displays the number of vehicles vs. time of day, vehicle speed vs. time of day and vehicle speed vs. number of vehicles.
The computer was set up on Durham Point Road in the vicinity of Mathes Cove around 199 Durham Point Road where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH. Data was collected on 3,969 vehicles with the 10 mph “pace speed”, which is defined as the 10 MPH range containing the greatest number of vehicles, was determined to be 29-38 MPH.
During the week, the frequency of vehicles exceeding the posted 25MPH by 10MPH was 1.798% with approximately 65 vehicles per hour traveling through this area! On the weekend 1.993% of the vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit by 10MPH with an average of 63.5 vehicles per hour traversing Durham Point Road during this period.
While the data doesn’t provide evidence of excessive speeds, it was noted that on five or six occasions, out of a sample of 3,969, that the vehicles traveled above 45MPH.
This is undoubtedly troubling to the residents and Chief Kurz advises that they should expect to see police cruisers in this area attempting to detect those who are exceeding the posted speed limit.
|
|
OPERATION WARM
Please Join the Firefighters at Libby's November 7th from 5-10 to support Operation Warm. We will have Raffles and a 50/50.
All donations go towards Operation Warm a Non-profit program to purchase coats for kids that can't afford them for free in Durham, Lee and Madbury.
|
|
RETIREMENT GATHERING FOR TOM JOHNSON - MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2015
In July this year long-time Code/Zoning/Building/Health Officer Tom Johnson gave formal notice of his plans to retire at the end of December.
On Monday, October 26, 2015, members of the public are invited to attend a retirement gathering for Tom from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Bella's Restaurant in the Mill Plaza.
Thanks to the generosity of one Durham citizen, appetizers will be available at the gathering free of cost. Drinks will still be available for purchase from Bella’s.
Cake will also be provided.
|
|
PLANNING BOARD VACANCIES
Do you find yourself engaging in conversations about the recent development boom in Durham? Are you interested in downtown revitalization, architecture, civic design, natural resource protection, economic development, promotion of social capital, transportation? Are you game for a new challenge? Wonderful! We have openings for a few alternates on the Durham Planning Board, which meets two Wednesday evenings every month.
Serving on the Planning Board is demanding but highly rewarding and endlessly fascinating. No specific knowledge or experience is required though some relevant background is preferred.
Please contact Michael Behrendt, Durham Town Planner, at 868-8064 if you would like to explore serving on the board.
|
|
FALL CLEANUP
The Department of Public Works has sent out its annual Fall Newsletter to all residents. The fall cleanup of leaves and brush will begin on Monday, November 9th. Please see the Newsletter for details.
|
|
ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS
The Durham Police routinely conduct “compliance checks” of vendors who are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in Durham. The department’s goal remains constant in the area of alcohol sales as Chief Kurz wants to assure the community 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 concern on multiple levels. Last week during the evening hours, an underage student, working in conjuncture with the Durham Police attempted to purchase alcohol at every location where alcohol is served including Thai Smile 2, Three Chimneys Inn and the Knot Irish Pub as well as convenience stores such as Irving’s, Store 24 and Phillip’s 66. We specifically seek to confirm that the business is properly requesting the young person’s identification and when provided, ensuring that the identification verifies they are of the legal age of 21.
Durham’s underage volunteer is trained and certified by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to perform these compliance checks. The volunteer provides their personal New Hampshire license indicating they are in fact under the age of 21, which should result in an immediate refusal. The volunteer never deceives and answers all questions posed by the store truthfully. Chief Kurz was pleased to report that all thirteen locations in Durham performed as they should and refused the requested sale.
To highlight the positive, the Chief sends each conveyor of alcohol who appropriately refused the sale of alcohol, a letter designed to reinforce their success and remind them to remain vigilant.
|
|
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST
If voters are uncertain of their current party affiliation, click HERE for more information.
If a voter discovers they are not listed the way they would like to be, they can change their party affiliation at the Town Clerk’s office during regular office hours, 8AM - 5PM, any time before October 31.
The Supervisors of the Checklist will hold a special session from 7 - 7:30 PM in the Town Hall on Friday, October 30. Although the Supervisors are aware this is Trick-or-Treat night in Durham, this time is dictated by state law. This will be the last time voters can change party, although new voters can register in New Hampshire up to 10 days before the primary or at the polls on election day.
Undeclared (Independent) voters choose whether to take a Republican or a Democratic ballot at a primary and sometimes forget to change back to Undeclared. They then find themselves having to vote in the party they did not care about. Please do not be one of those unhappy voters.
|
|
DURHAM HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION'S FALL PROGRAM - OCTOBER 25, 2015
The Durham Historical Association will hold its fall program on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 2:00 PM. The event will be held at Salty Farm, 360 Durham Point Road, and will include a history of the farm, the Rand graveyard, a cellar hole, a blacksmith site, and the boathouse on Crommet Creek. Hosts will be Joan and Frank Graf.
|
|
Some beautiful gourds in a home garden on Bagdad Road. Courtesy Todd Selig
|
|
NHDES COASTAL PROGRAM AND PARTNERS RECEIVE GRANT TO HELP PREPARE COMMUNITIES AND CULVERTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Coastal Program in partnership with the University of New Hampshire, the Strafford Regional Planning Commission, and the Rockingham Planning Commission, has been awarded a competitive grant of $190,398 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management.
The grant will fund a project to assess impacts from climate change on infrastructure, natural resources, and other assets in ten coastal New Hampshire municipalities. The project, called Climate Risk in the Seacoast: Assessing Vulnerability of Municipal Resources to Climate Change (or C-RiSe for short), focuses on the municipalities surrounding the Great Bay estuary, including Dover, Durham, Exeter, Greenland, Madbury, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, Stratham and Rollinsford. More frequent and intense extreme precipitation events, coastal storms, and sea-level rise, together with expanding development and population, are already causing strain on assets like drainage infrastructure, roads, critical facilities, cultural and historic resources, and natural resources like salt marshes.
Results of the assessment will help these municipalities identify their vulnerabilities and prepare them to consider actions to address climate impacts in proactive ways that will protect the safety and wellbeing of residents and encourage resilient communities. The project team will develop several products, including vulnerability assessments that summarize key municipal assets that are at risk from floods and sea-level rise.
As part of the vulnerability assessment, UNH researchers will conduct a detailed analysis of culvert flow capacity, function, and fish passage based on current and projected increases in precipitation. The modeling results can be used to prioritize culvert improvements. Additionally, where appropriate, the project team and municipal officials will use the assessment results to draft a report that can be included in local Hazard Mitigation Plans. Assessment results will be made available on the New Hampshire Coastal Viewer which can be accessed HERE.
Under current funding levels, the C-RiSe project is scheduled to be completed by March 2017. For more information, please contact NHDES Coastal Program Manager Steve Couture at 603-271-8801 or steven.couture@des.nh.gov.
|
|
STUDENT LIFE ADDRESS AT UNH - MESSAGE FROM STUDENT PRESIDENT CAMERON COOK
Want to hear about the future of UNH from the voices of Students? Want to ask your student leaders about that future in person? Come to the First Annual Student Life Address. to be held on Friday October 25th at 6:00 PM in the Granite State Room.
Student Body President Cameron Cook and Vice President Ryan Grogan will be presenting a short address concerning Student Life address, followed by a public forum. Spread the word to all students. All students are welcome, as well as members of the community.
|
|
THE MILLS SCENIC BYWAY PUBLIC VISIONING SESSION
The Strafford Regional Planning Commission invites members of the public to a Public Visioning Session: The Mills Scenic Byway on Thursday, November 5, 2015 begainning at 6:30 PM at the Newmarket Town Hall Auditorium. Designed as a New Hampshire Scenic and Cultural Byway in 2014, this twelve mile stretch of roach brings visitors past historic mills, rolling vistas, and river crossings while revealing the unique history of the towns it passes through.
For more information, contact Sarah McGraw, smcgraw@strafford.org, 603-994-3500.
|
|
|
|
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. Click on the meetings listed below to view agendas and other information.
Town Council - Monday, October 19, 2015
Economic Development Committee - Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Agricultural Commission - Tuesday, October 20, 2015 (7PM, Durham PD)
Parks & Recreation Committee - Thursday, October 22, 2015
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 and then by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule.
DCAT Programming Schedule.
|
|
DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22
Perhaps you missed the first of the Healthy Living Series: Food Shopping for Your Health at the Durham Public Library on Wednesday, October 7th. DCAT 22 Studios was there to record the first of the series for your viewing pleasure. Find out why sugar isn't all that bad, give your body what it needs, and planning your supermarket visit. Presenters: Gale Carey & Kevin Pietro/UNH's Dept of Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences. Part of the Healthy Living Series in October. This video is also available on our On Demand site. Replay times on DCAT 22 – Saturday & Sunday @ 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM.
______________________
Don't Miss DCAT 22 Studios New Program - "In the Biz: Durham Business Spotlight with Mary Ellen Humphrey". EDC Director Mary Ellen Humphrey chats with new and established businesses in Durham. Our first show features: Rick Ouellette of Sales Goose, LLC a new business locating in Durham. Mary Ellen asks Rick about his business and why he decided to locate in Durham. This video is available On Demand & replaying on DCAT 22. Show times: Saturday & Sunday @ 1:15 PM – Monday & Wednesday @ 6:45 PM & Friday @ 10:15 PM. If you’d like your business recognized or have any comments, please contact: dcat@ci.durham.nh.us
______________________
"Julian Smith – an interview with Richard Belshaw”. Hear Julian’s last interview before he loaded up the truck and moved to GA. Learn a little local history from someone that’s lived in worked in Durham since 1965. Julian will share his story about how he was “accepted” in to college, and his interesting background. This video will be available for viewing on DCAT Channel 22 & On Demand.
______________________
Join DCAT 22 Studios on a time lapse video tour of our New Town Hall. Watch from a bird’s eye view as the Town Hall starts as the old bank and quickly transforms into our new space. This video is only available on our On Demand site.
____________________________
DCAT is Live Streaming
Please join DCAT for any of our regularly scheduled meetings live-streamed directly to the device of your choice . It’s easy, all you have to do is go to: live-stream.com and follow the prompts to set up your live stream account. You’ll receive email updates as to when the meeting will be held and the start time. All you have to do is click and watch. Live-stream works on any PC (just remember to update your Adobe Flash player), Apple or Android device. Please contact dcat@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions.
|
|
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.
Discover Durham's Trails - Presented by Durham Conservation Commission, Parks & Recreation, and Land Stewardship Committee. Get to know your trails with these once a month guided tours highlighting Durhams many trails and recreational spaces. Participation is FREE.
-
Oyster River Forest - Sunday, October 18th at 10AM
-
Longmarsh Preserve - Sunday, November 15th at 10AM
Contact Parks & Recreation at rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us for more information or questions.
Spooktacular Day - Friday, October 23rd 3pm-5pm at Jackson’s Landing. Durham Parks & Recreation invites you to Jackson’s Landing to enjoy pumpkin & cookie decorating, face painting, crafts & activities and a costume parade! FREE skating at Churchill Rink (4-5:30pm) for those in costume! Spooktacular snacks and refreshments will be served! S’mores, popcorn, campfire and fire truck exploration by Durham Fire Department!
Fall Programs - We have A LOT going on this fall! Please view all of our program offerings including detailed information on each program in our Fall Programs & Events Guide.
-
Fitness Classes: Bootcamp, Pilates, Strength & Stretch, Zumba, Yoga, Gentle Yoga/Flow & Yoga Hikes.
-
Tai Chi & Tai Ji Quan will begin in October.
-
Pick up Pickleball and Pickleball Clinics- (9/29, 10/13, 10/20)
-
Dirt Divas-woman’s meet-up mountain bike group
-
After School Programs- Coyote Club, Drums Alive Classes, Paddling & Mountain Biking Adventure Programs
-
Youth Programs- Teeter TOTers Parent-Child Playgroup & Children’s Yoga
Save the Date!
Feather Fest - Thursday, November 26th 10am at Wagon Hill Farm. This is a collaborative event between Durham Parks and Recreation and ORPP for local children and their families. Held on Thanksgiving morning, a local parent reads a story to the kids. We follow the trail of feathers for a turkey hunt and find a sweet treat down by the bay. Send the kids with dad, bring grandma and the cousins, or join your neighbors for an outing. This is fun event that kids of all ages will enjoy!
Durham’s Annual Tree Lighting Celebration - Saturday, December 5th 6:00-8:00pm on Main Street. Enjoy raffles, campfire, s’mores, hot cocoa, ornament making, visit with Santa and be there as we light up the tree for the holiday season!
Parks and Recreation Committee Vacancies. The Parks and Recreation Committee has three vacancies to fill. If you are passionate about recreation here in Durham and would like to help support and guide the Parks and Recreation Department, please consider joining this committee. Those who are interested should contact Parks and Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski at rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us or committee chair, Mike Sievert at mikesievert@mjs-engineering.com. All three vacancies are three-year terms.
We want to hear from you! Have a new exciting program idea? Please be sure to share your vision with Parks and Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski. Stop by the Recreation Department Office (2 Dover Road), or call/email the department at (603) 817-4074/ rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us.
|
|
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Pre-eminent futurist Dennis L. Meadows will speak at the ARA Seacoast Memorial Lecture Series on October 20th. More information can be found below.
University of New Hampshire Celebrity Series - Pavel Haas String Quartet. - Sunday, Oct 18, 2015, Paul Creative Arts Center's Johnson Theatre. Since winning the Paolo Borciani competition in Italy in Spring 2005, the Pavel Haas Quartet has established itself as one of the great chamber ensembles of today. Tickets: $30 General, $10 UNH Student with ID and Youth under18. Tickets can be purchased on line HERE, or by calling 603-862-7222(PCAC). Hours: Monday – Friday, Noon – 5:00pm as well as one hour before each event.
Active Retirement Association, Seacoast Memorial Lecture Series presents pre-eminent futurist Dennis L. Meadows discussing "Limits to Growth: The Last Four Decades and the Next Four.", Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015, 1:30 PM, Durham Evangelical Church (upper level). Free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
‘Dracula’ Ballet at Oyster River - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015, 7PM, ORHS Auditorium. Performed by the Northeastern Ballet Theatre. Adult $20, Child/Senior $17.50, Family Pack of Four $60. Recommended for children 10+ years. For tickets and more details, click HERE. Contact Edra Toth, Director, at 603-834-8834 or northeasternballettheatre@gmail.com
Durham Garden Club - Presents Cathy Felton "Everything You Wanted to Know About Bulbs", Tuesday, Oct 27, 2015, 6:30 PM-refreshments; Program starts 7:15 PM following a brief business meeting, Durham Public Library. More information, contact Sheila McCurdy, 603-659-5623, russheila@comcast.net
Mills Hall at UNH Halloween Extravaganza, Thursday Oct 29, 2015, 3 - 7 PM for kids of all ages. Click HERE for more details.
Trick-or-Treat in Durham, Friday, Oct 30, 2015, 5 - 7:30 PM.
Youth Programs for ORMS Students - Wildcat Fitness - 8 weeks; Now through November 19th 3:00 - 4:00PM; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Ages 11- 15. More information HERE.
Growing Places TimberNook Mystical Evening Camp - Saturday, Nov 7, 2014, 4:00-7:00 pm. The evening will include a Glow-in-the-Dark Tea Party and an active game of Flashlight Firefly. For details, click HERE.
Oyster River Holiday Shopping Bazaar - Looking for vendors, craftspeople, and artisans. Saturday, Dec 5, 2015, 9AM - 2PM, Oyster River Middle School. Tables are $35.00. Event is always well attended. Contact Rebecca Throop, rthroop@hotmail.com. Space is limited.
|
|
Family Movie, "Home", Sat. Oct. 17th at 2 pm at the library
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Family Storytime, Sat. Oct. 17th at 10:30 am – This week: “Explore!” Join us for stories, fingerplays, feltboard, songs and a fun craft. All are welcome!
Family Movie, Sat., Oct. 17th at 2pm. – This week: “Home!” Popcorn and juice are served. All are welcome!
Unraveling the Mysteries of Classical Music Mondays 4-5 pm 10/5, 10/19, 10/26 and 11/2 – Four part series. Enriches and exposes listeners to the various styles & periods of music, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary. Presented by Patricia Terrill, Music History Master’s Degree/UNH. No registration needed. Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Game Afternoon Monday Oct. 19th from 2:45-4pm – For ages 10 & up – This week: Monopoly! Come and play some board games weekly in the Young Adult room.
CPR & AED Class McGregor Memorial EMS Tues. Oct. 20th from 6-8pm - CPR & AED (defibrillator) for adult, child and infant. To register visit http://cprsafe.org Fee $20.
True or False? Diet Myth & Folklore - Healthy Living Series, Wed. Oct. 21st 6:30 pm - Low fat. Low Carb. Paleo. Detox. With what seems like new dietary advice every week, how do you know what information to follow and who to listen to? We’ll discuss the impact of the media, elements of a healthy diet, common diet myths, and sources of credible, evidence based information. Bring your questions! Presenter: Jesse Stabile Morrell, PhD UNH Lecturer for the Nutrition Program with a focus in nutrition, wellness, and research methods. Her research activities focus on improving health & reducing chronic disease risk among adolescents & young adults.
Incorporating Exercise into Everyday Living, Wed. Oct. 28nd, 6:30 pm Presenter: Dr. Shelley Mulligan/UNH College of Health & Human Services Contact: Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Halloween Fun & Games with UNH’s Golden Key International Honour Society, Sat. Oct. 31st, 1-2pm. Play fun Halloween games and make a craft. All ages are welcome!
Hampstead Stage Company presents “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” a theatrical performance, Sat. Nov. 7th, 2-4pm. Join us for this all ages, family program, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Durham Public Library.
Storytimes! Tues. Oct. 20th and Thurs. Oct. 22nd, 10:30 a.m. – This week: Soup! Join us for stories, finger-plays, felt board, songs and a craft.
Baby Lap-sit Weds. Oct. 21st at 10:30 am – For ages 2 & under with their care-giver. Mother Goose on the Loose! We do songs, fingerplays, stories, movement and fun. There is a time to play and socialize afterward. Sign-up at the Children’s desk.
Knitting Club Weds. Oct. 21st from 4-5 pm – For 3rd-5th graders. Come and learn to knit fun projects or continue on your current project. Sign-up at the Children’s desk.
Lego Club Thursday, Oct. 22nd from 3:45-4:45 pm – For K-4th graders. Come and build with us. Weekly challenges and free builds.
Home-schooling Group Friday Oct. 23rd at 10:30 am – Geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome. This week we are all about “Writing!”
Tales for Tails – Have a child who needs to increase their confidence in reading? Have them read to one of our Pet Partner dogs! Sessions run for 4 weeks . Your child will read ½ hour once a week to one of the dogs and their handlers.
Join the Reading Patch Club! Ages 2-12 years - Earn patches and a tote bag for hours that you read! Program sponsored by The Friends of the Durham Public Library.
$300 Prize for Photography Contest - Need a camera to participate in the photo contest? Borrow a camera at the circulation desk. Contestants chronicle Durham, in a series of 7 photos that express Durham’s character. Contest rules & application found on the library website www.durhampubliclibrary.org
Technology Help - The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology, such as computers, iPads and phones. Call us to check on the availability of our volunteers at 868-6699 or email us at durhampl@gmail.com.
For more information, visit the Durham Public Library website.
|
|
WEEKLY ARREST REPORT
*Academic year commenced August 28th and will be measured through graduation at UNH in May.
When one compares arrest data on a weekly basis, deviations occur as profiled in 2013 and 2014 when homecoming occurred in each of those weeks. Unfortunately these challenging weekends produces data that skews our ability to formulate expectations or gain insight to an accurate average of arrests. With Homecoming weekend fluctuating from specific weeks within the UNH semester, it offers large deviations, such as this week’s 75% reduction, when data is correlated in this way.
Many of last week’s newspaper articles highlighted the fact that arrests were down from previous year’s data. Without the chart below, which compares exclusively Homecoming Weekends over the past 11 years that assessment may be confusing.
Other than 2012, which may have had poor weather conditions due to the very low statistics, 2015 was 14% lower than the average number of arrests over the past 11 years. Significant planning is accomplished to create a welcoming atmosphere for returning UNH Alumni while ensuring there is a safe environment throughout the UNH-Durham community which may explain the deviation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
