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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Friday, September 18, 2015
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Sunflowers are a beautiful sign of Autumn. They begin to grow in late August to early September and can last until falls first frost. Courtesy Todd Selig
The various Presidential candidates have begun coming to visit UNH/Durham. Hilary Clinton was on campus today. Bernie Sanders visits the Field House on Sunday. And there is talk around town that Donald Trump's campaign is considering scheduling visit to Durham at some point as well.
Such up close and personal access to national candidates is one benefit we all enjoy living in New Hampshire and in particular within a college community.
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BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS UNDER WAY FOR FY 2016
Over the course of the summer, Durham’s department heads as well as the Town’s various boards, committees, and commissions (as well as external organizations to which the Town makes payments for services such dispatch, ambulance, social service agencies, etc.) have been preparing their proposed budgets for FY 2016 for consideration by the Administrator as he works to prepare a formal FY 2016 budget proposal for the Town Council as part of the annual budget development process.
Business Manager Gail Jablonski has organized budget meetings with each of the Town’s department heads to enable herself and Administrator Selig to meet with departments and better understand budget requests, as well as departmental Capital Improvement Program requests.
Members of the Town Council have been notified of each of these meetings and have been invited to attend if they have an interest in doing so.
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. Preliminary budgets submitted to the administrator by department heads should reflect this Town Council goal. For the medium and long-term, the Town will make an effort to control its spending and explore innovative ways to reduce the municipal tax rate.”
The Administrator and departments are endeavoring to accomplish this goal.
At this time, the initial requests received by Mr. Selig would result in an increase of $939,741 or a 6.82% increase in spending over FY 2015. The approved FY 2015 Operational Budget was $13,785,467.
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.
This level of increase is obviously unacceptable out of the gate. There is consequently a lot of work to do over the next month and a half to be done in winnowing down requests and finding potential new efficiencies and/or revenues to offset the cost of doing business for the Town of Durham.
Per Town Charter, the Administrator is charged with the development of the annual budget and CIP program. The proposed annual budget must be submitted to the Town Council by the last business day in October. The Town Council by Charter then has until the last business day in December to adopt a budget or the Administrator’s budget becomes the budget of the Town by default.
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The new charging station at the Pettee Brook Municipal lot. Courtesy Charlie Forcey
DURHAM CELEBRATES NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK: Test drive the newest EVs on the market at this free event, hosted by the Town of Durham
The event will take place at the Pettee Brook Municipal Lot, Pettee Brook Lane, Durham on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. Free parking on Sundays.
A special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held for the Town's new Electric Vehicle Charging Station Ribbon Cutting at 1:00 PM.
To read the various news items regarding the upcoming event and the new charging station, click on the links provided below.
Fosters: Durham to Celebrate "Drive Electric Week"
Union Leader: Electric Vehicles Finding Favor, Power
Fosters: Town Gets Second Electric Car Charging Station
NHPR: Durham to Add Electric Car Charging Station
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ALLEYFEST SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, 9/20/15
On Wednesday this week, a small group of Durham residents met to add the last part of the new community wall mural outside The Candy Bar (above). A second community mural is also located in the alley opposite Young's Restaurant. Community members are invited to add their own touch to one of the two murals during AlleyFest on Sunday Sep 20th from 11AM to 4PM.
The event is free and is sponsored by the Candy Bar and Main Street Makery. Live local musicians, free crafts, games, face painting . And of course, enjoy shopping in the air conditioned stores all day long. Surprise sweet treats while they last.
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DURHAM’S EFFORTS LOCATE A 640 kW DC SOLAR ARRAY IN ITS GRAVEL PIT ON PACKERS FALLS ROAD IN LEE - Update on this past Monday’s meeting with the Board of Selectmen in Lee
As reported in the past, the NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) chose to fund Durham/ReVision Energy’s proposal to install a 640 kW DC grid-tied solar photovoltaic project at the Packers Falls Road gravel pit located in Lee.
The grant award amount of $501,000 would be funded with monies from the NH Renewable Energy Fund. Approval of the Grant Agreement by Governor Hassan and the Executive Council was granted on June 24, 2015 by a narrow vote of 3-2.
If the Town is ultimately successful in installing the larger array sized to cover the Durham's non-wastewater load through renewable energy, as this project is intended to do, 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, there are several important issues to work through with the project.
First, while Durham’s Energy Committee has done the initial groundwork on this effort, the Administrator’s Office is now vetting the financials and PPA details. We hope to work through issues involving the actual PPA pricing in the very near future.
Second, the array that 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 Coopertive School District (ORCSD) met this past week and it appears as though the ORCSD has a serious interest in absorbing the excess load 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 Durham, Lee, 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 for renewable generation facilities per RSA 72:74. 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 last week returned to the Board of Selectmen to request that the Town of Lee consider entering into such a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) arrangement with IGS Generation equivalent to the sum of approximately $9,800 per year beginning upon the array’s construction completion in early 2016.
This sum represents a maximum value for the array times the existing Lee municipal-specific tax rate of $5.19 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
After a good deal of thoughtful discussion during its meeting this past Monday evening on September 14, 2015, the Lee Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 to move the matter forward for a public hearing such that the board could consider the perspectives of members of the community. During the discussion, Selectmen expressed concern about locking in the existing $5.19 Lee municipal tax rate for 20 years. In response, Durham/ReVision/IGS are modeling scenarios in which the payment to Lee is adjusted annually by yearly increases to the municipal tax rate. Durham/ReVision/IGS desire to be responsive to Lee's concerns and needs.
The Town of Lee is now working to determine the date of the public hearing on the PILOT. Durham had crafted the draft PILOT for Lee such that Lee taxpayers would not have to absorb the attorney research costs associated with its creation.
As noted in the past, there is little precedent in NH municipalities for how to tax such PPA arrangements, there are few PILOT examples for such facilities, little information exists concerning what tax structure will allow solar projects to actually be financially viable, and any Town, including Durham, would have to be very careful in setting precedents for one taxpayer as future taxpayers will undoubtedly and very appropriately want the same treatment. At the same time, at the full tax rate, the project simply cannot move forward. This would mean that there would be no additional tax revenue for Lee because the project would not be built.
The project would also pay approximately $10,000 in initial building permit fees to the Town of Lee.
Representatives from Durham and ReVision Energy also attended the Town of Lee Planning Board meeting last Thursday evening to discuss the array. The Planning Board was very positive about the project. Two requests came out of the meeting which Durham is now endeavoring to address -- one dealing with screening for an impacted abutter who overlooks the gravel pit and the other dealing with meeting a required 25' setback from the abutting side property line per the Town of Lee Zoning Ordinance.
Conversations will continue next week between Durham and Lee regarding this matter. On behalf of Durham, I appreciate the Town of Lee's patience and open mind in regard to this complicated request with little precedent under a very tight timetable.
Fourth, time is of the essence with this project and as we know, it takes time to work through the local legislative process. ReVision Energy is hopeful to have an answer concerning whether the Town of Durham feels comfortable with executing a PPA and Lease Agreement by early October in order for it to take advantage of 2015 solar pricing (upon which the grant financials are based). To this end, we are tentatively scheduling a public hearing/presentation on the PPA/Lease Agreement for the Town Council's meeting on October 5, 2015.
ReVision indicates it needs to have the large array under construction (with footings in the ground) by mid-November/early December at the latest for the project to move forward.
A thank you is extended to all concerned.
To view an article in this week’s Foster’s Daily Democrat about the array, click HERE.
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WATER SYSTEM HYDRANT FLUSHING
Water System Hydrant flushing will occur at the end of September. For more details, click HERE.
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Children from the Bagdad Road neighborhood listen as Tim Spinney of Durham Bike and Sports gives a presentation on bicycle safety. Courtesy Durham Bike and Sports
TIM SPINNEY OF DURHAM BIKE AND SPORTS OFFERED BICYCLE CLASS FOR 3RD AND 5TH GRADERS IN BAGDAD ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD ON SUNDAY
Approximately 10 children from the Bagdad Road neighborhood participated in a bicycle orientation/safety class this past Sunday, 9/13/15, presented by Tim Spinney of Durham Bike and Sports. The session was held in the rear ORMS parking lot off Coe Drive.
The week before, a middle school parent driving her child to school had observed a number of 5th grade boys driving their bicycles in a less than safe manner causing productive discussion among a number of middle school parents in the Bagdad Road area about what to do. This led to the parents reaching out to Tim and Jacqui Spinney to see whether a bike safety class could be offered. The Spinneys readily agreed.
Over the course of about an hour, the children learned about general bike safety, hand signals, roadway markings (bicycle lanes, sharrows, stop signs, crosswalks) , tire pressure, chains, etc. The group even took a ride around the neighborhood to practice what they had learned.
This week parents have observed those same boys riding safely on the correct side of the road and utilizing hand signals (for the first time).
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VEHICLE SPEED MONITORING ON CANNEY ROAD - More than 10% of drivers exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 MPH
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 Canney Road west of Gerrish Drive where the posted speed limit is 25 MPH. Data was collected on 4,699 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 25-34 MPH.
During the week, the frequency of vehicles exceeding the posted 25MPH by 10MPH was 9.494% with approximately 87 vehicles per hour traveling through this area! On the weekend 10.427% of the vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit by 10MPH with an average of 66 vehicles per hour traversing Canney Road during this period.
Residents should expect to see police cruisers in this area attempting to change those 10% who are exceeding the posted speed limit.
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An early morning photo of fog covering the field at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Fred and Elle Ferris
DURHAM DAY 2015 - Saturday, September 26th
Join Durham Parks & Recreation next Saturday, September 26th for Durham Day 2015! This local tradition includes: a FREE BBQ lunch, kayak and boat tours of Great Bay, Live music by the Drew Yount Band, oyster education, antique car display, information on the Oyster River Forest, fire truck and ambulance exploration, kids activities, a live performance by Theatre Under The Stars- Sugar Coated Shakespeare, children’s crafts and games with Durham Public Library and much more to enjoy!
The last two years, Durham Parks & Recreation has worked with the Integrated Waste Management Committee in an effort to reduce waste and promote composting. We continue to make this a top priority, and are collaborating with the University of New Hampshire Hospitality Management Program, who will be kindly donating compostable cups, napkins, plates, utensils, and trash bags.
Durham Day is a FREE event, taking place at Wagon Hill Farm from 12:30 to 4:00pm. Please park in the upper lots and apple orchard. Handicapped parking is also available at the bottom of the gravel drive. Rain date is Sunday, September 27th.
Durham Day Schedule:
12:30 Durham Day 2015 kickoff
12:30-2/2:30 Boat Rides on THE BAY (sign ups start at 12:30pm)
12:30-3:00 Free Community BBQ
12:30-3:30 Drew Yount Band
12:30-3:30 KidZone
Exhibitor’s Tables
Kayak Tours with Seven Rivers Paddling (meet at beach)
Oyster Restoration & Farming Display
Children’s Crafts with Durham Public Library
Ambulance & Fire truck Tours
Antique Car Display
3:30-4:00 Live Performance by Theatre Under the Stars- Sugar Coated
Shakespeare to conclude Durham Day 2015.
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Spider webs on the long grass at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Wayne Burton
FERTILIZER AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OUTREACH - Durham Day 2015
Have questions about fertilizer management or want to know how you and your neighbors can help manage stormwater and protect Great Bay?
Durham Public Works will be at this year’s Durham Day along with the Conservation Commission to promote safe use of fertilizer and to answer your questions. There will be a suggestion box where you can tell us about what you’d like to learn more about and how we can better educate and inform the community.
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“DRUG TAKE BACK’ PROGRAM AT THE DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
The initiative of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been a national success where the previous events occurring in New Hampshire have taken in an astounding 276 tons of unwanted or expired medications in years past. So resounding was the success to fill this void that last year Chief Kurz decided to provide the program on a continuous basis to the residents of Durham. Numerous residents participated by dropping off a significant amount of unwanted or expired prescriptions at the police facility. Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM, residents can drop off their unused, unwanted, or expired medications at the Durham Police facility on Dover Road for no cost and it’s all anonymous!
Doing so prevents prescription drug abuse as six out of ten teenagers who have taken prescription narcotics state that they get them from their parents or relative’s medicine cabinets. Additionally, using this service keeps trace drugs out of our lakes, streams and estuaries as wastewater treatment plants cannot remove many of the compounds found in medications; so when flushed or put in a landfill, drugs are discharged into our surface and ground water and consumed by fish and wildlife. If anyone has any questions about this service, please call the Durham Police during business hours Monday through Friday.
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CLUB UNH - A new physical activity/recreational program offered to Durham, Lee, and Madbury 3rd and 4th grade students
UNH Physical Education (PE) students will offer a social/recreational program designed to enhance skills in the areas of physical and social skill development. Students will engage in team building and cooperative activities leading to use of the indoor climbing wall in New Hampshire Hall. This program is being offered to students who may want extra time working on social skills where each student learns to trust their abilities and those in the group.
The program can effectively accommodate 15 students and registration is on a first come/first serve basis. The program will run on Tuesday afternoons for the following dates: 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10 from 3:45 - 5:00 PM in New Hampshire Hall at UNH. There is a suggested donation of $40.00 to support the professional development of our PE students.
For more information or to register your child, contact Michelle Grenier via email at: michelle.grenier@unh.edu or phone 603-862-1835. This program is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy and Education.
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Economist Brian Gottlog will be presenting to the EDC on Oct. 20th
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
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MILES GOLDBERG FUND-RAISER EVENT
On Sunday September 27th, a team of 30+ community members will be coming together to walk in the Boston Jimmy Fund Walk.
They are walking in support of Miles Goldberg, a 12-year-boy within the community who has received excellent care at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, thanks to the dedication of the Jimmy Fund and many residents who have contributed to the fund.
Interested individuals can participate by donating funds and making a "general team donation" of any amount by clicking HERE.
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Many middle school students are choosing to ride their bicycles to school. Parent, Brent Bell, has organized a biking brigade in his neighborhood where he and 3 others leave the faculty neighborhood at 7:11 AM to arrive at school on time. They welcome others. They ride in all kinds of weather and encourage others to start a brigade in their neighborhood. Courtesy Mary Caulfield, ORCSD Sustainability Committee/Green Team Leader.
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DURHAM EXPERIENCING TELEPHONE SCAMS
Police Chief David Kurz advises that the police department has had several residents contact them about a continuing scam. It is clear that the desire to separate people from their money has no bounds as scammers become very innovative in attempting to do so! The calls have been very similar in nature with a foreign sounding voice contacting the persons at work and advising them of an outstanding warrant for their arrest. The residents are advised that they can contact a telephone number, one was in Florida and the other was in Texas to find out how much the “fine” is!
What is adding a thread of fear to these calls is that in both incidents the residents were contacted at work! While the Durham Police are not absolutely positive how the victim’s work information is being obtained, there is a hypothesis that some Facebook and/or LinkedIn sites have such information and may be used in this manner.
The Durham Police Department is sharing this information for awareness purposes and to help prevent fraud and/or identity theft from occurring during these purposely stressful telephone calls! As always the Durham Police urge residents NEVER to provide personal and/or credit card information via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or telephone solicitation. It is requested that any suspicious solicitation activity be reported to the Durham Police for further assessment and review.
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JOIN THE CROWD OF GOLDEN DAFFODILS! - Friends of the library membership drive started September 1
Want to beautify the library grounds AND support programs like the Summer Concert Series, Open Mic, the children’s Patch Program? The Friends of the Durham Public Library’s annual membership drive gets underway September 1 and this year, with your ANNUAL dues of $20, a beautiful Dutch Master’s daffodil will be planted in the library garden!! Your name will be placed on a garden poster which will be displayed in the library. Stop by and pick up a membership form today! Email friendsdpl@yahoo.com or check the Friends' webpage of the library website .
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LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR HAZARDOUSE WASTE DAY! - Call DPW for an Appointment to Bring Your Household Hazardous Waste the Morning of Saturday, September 26th
Call Public Works to be able to attend. HWD will be held on the morning of September 26th at the Public Works Building. See more information located on the last page of the Spring Newsletter, and call 868-5578 to make an appointment!
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A dairy cow at the UNH Fairchild Dairy. Courtesy Vin Dell'Ova
3RD ANNUAL DURHAM FARM DAY A SUCCESS
The 3rd Annual Durham Farm Day was a great success with over 500 people visiting LaRoche Farm on Bennett Road for hay rides, a water dousing demonstration, sheep shearing, demonstration of haying, and maple sugar shack tours. Dozens of people also attended tours of UNH research farms and joined a walking tour of Food Friendly Yards along Bagdad Road. The Durham Agricultural Commission thanks Tecce Farm, Emery Farm, and Linden Woods Farm for hosting activities as part of Farm Day. If you have suggestions for activities you think would enhance the 4th Annual Durham Farm Day, to be held August 13, 2016, please contact Theresa Walker of the Durham Agricultural Commission at 659-7226, theresawalker@comcast.net.
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DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22
Bus Tour of Eversource Energy’s Seacoast Reliability Project - Total Run time: 21 Minutes. Join Durham residents along with Administrator Selig and James Jiottis, Manager & Transmission Engineer at Eversource Energy, tour residents around Durham. This video will be available for viewing on Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 PM & 6:30 PM, Monday at 11:30 AM, Tuesday at 11:00 AM & 5:30 PM, Wednesday at 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM, Thursday at 9:30 AM & 5:00 PM and Friday at 8:00 AM & 10:00 PM, also on our On Demand site.
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Don’t miss the very last “Music by the Bay” series from August 20th. DCAT 22 Studios was there as the fog rolled across the bay, but we hung in there for you. Watch as Granite Planet plays eclectic sets of classic rock, today’s pop, country and maybe even an obscure tune or two. This video will also be available on our On Demand site. DCAT 22 replay times: 10:30 & 5:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday.
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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.
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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.
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OYSTER RIVER SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
The Oyster River Cooperative School District is preparing for another school year as the daylight gets shorter and crickets start to chirp more slowly. The Town of Durham recently announced two projects related to the topic of sustainability: a 640 kW solar array at the Town’s gravel pit on Packers Falls Road and curb-side no-sort recycling program. Many Durham citizens have shifted their habits to more sustainable living due to increased knowledge and interest. Oyster River students also learn and practice sustainability strategies as they compost, recycle, research topics, grow vegetables in school gardens, and learn how animals adapt to our environment.
One group that supports the work of sustainability in the District is the Oyster River Sustainability Committee. Staff, citizens, students, and administration work collaboratively to achieve “green” projects. Charges are given by the School Board each year, goals are identified by the committee, and members select the projects that are of interest and the best fit for member’s schedules.
Past projects/initiatives have involved topics such as: energy reduction, writing, school gardens, recycling, composting, local food for the District’s nutrition program, community dinners, and support in classrooms.
Perhaps you are curious about the work of the Oyster River’s Sustainability’ Committee?
Their next meeting is on Tuesday, September, 22th at 7pm in the ORHS Library. The public is always welcome. Please email Cristina Dolcino at cdolcino@orcsd.org or call the School District’s office with any questions (868-5100).
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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.
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.
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Fitness Classes: Bootcamp, Pilates, Strength & Stretch, Zumba, Yoga, Gentle Yoga/Flow & Yoga Hikes.
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Tai Chi & Tai Ji Quan will begin in October.
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Pick up Pickleball and Pickleball Clinics- (9/29, 10/13, 10/20)
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Dirt Divas-woman’s meet-up mountain bike group
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After School Programs- Coyote Club, Drums Alive Classes, Paddling & Mountain Biking Adventure Programs
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Youth Programs- Teeter TOTers Parent-Child Playgroup & Children’s Yoga
Save the Date!
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 for those in costume! Spooktacular snacks and refreshments will be served!
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!
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.
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John Aber will join the Durham Garden Club to discuss modern agricultural composting on Tuesday, September 22nd.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Coastal Cleanup Oyster River Style, Saturday, Sep 19, 2015. Volunteers to meet at Old Landing in Durham (Old Landing Road is 2nd road on the right toward Dover beyond the Main Street-Rt 108 traffic light) at 9:00 AM where several locations along the Oyster River tributary streams in Durham. Bags and gloves will be provided. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for the activity and weather. Contact Dick Weyrick, 868-2862. More information HERE.
Oyster River Folk, Saturday, Sep 19, 2015, 7PM, Durham Community Church Fellowship Hall. Hosting Irish Music performers Cillian and Niall Valelley. Tickets available at door. Children under 12 free. The Fiddling Thomsons will open. For more information, click HERE.
Alleyfest 2015, Sunday, Sep 20, 2015, 11AM - 4PM. The Main Street Makery and The Candy Bar will host Durham's 2nd annual AlleyFest and party in the alley. It includes free crafts, face painting, games and lots of nice surprises. Music as well. Come by and help make this a special day in Durham.
University of New Hampshire Celebrity Series
Sep 21, 2015 - Women of the World: Women of the World is an international world music ensemble currently based in Boston.
Oct 18, 2015 - Pavel Haas String Quartet: 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, performing at the world’s most prestigious concert halls.
Both permances at the Paul Creative Arts Center’s Johnson Theatre. Ticket prices: $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.
Durham Garden Club - John Aber to present “The Compost-powered Greenhouse: An Update and the Potential for Year-round Agriculture in New England”, Tuesday, Sep 22, 2015, 6:30 PM, Durham Public Library. Contact Sheila Russell for more information, russheila@comcast.net.
Scout Recruiting Night, Thursday, Sep 24, 2015, 6 - 8PM. Cub Scouts ages 6 to 10, Boy Scouts ages 11 through 17, co-ed Venture Crew ages 14 through 20 and adult leaders will be available at the Mastery and Mohairmet elementary schools and at the OR Middle School Open House to sign up new members. Parents, guardians, grandparents and potential scouts are encouraged to attend. More information, contact Tom Richardson, tomr3@comcast.net.Additional scouting information available at www.scouting.org and www.NHscouting.org.
One World Language School - Now accepting new students for Spanish, German, French and Chinese Classes Communicative, Game based approach.
Classes offered for students’ Pre-k through High School. Class offerings vary by location. Find out more HERE, or contact Matthew Jones at matt.jones@oneworldlanguageschool.org
UNH Museum of Art - Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle Looking Where it Ain’t Artist Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle manipulates language, images, and myths to create a personal narrative presented in three bodies of work: The Kentifrica Project, The Uninvited series, and drawings based on I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem.
The Prints of Jacques Callot and Millie Chen’s Miseries & Vengeance Wallpapers. This fascinating exhibition of more than 35 etchings and engravings by French printmaker Jacques Callot (1592-1635) is drawn from the collection of the Reading Public Museum and includes prints from the permanent collection of the Museum of Art. Complementing the prints is the Miseries and Vengeance Wallpapers by artist Millie Chen.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Prince & Princess Royal Tea Party Saturday, September 19th 10:30 am - Your presence is requested to a Prince & Princess Royal Tea Party with Northeastern Ballet Theatre. Dance with Belle, Cinderella, Elsa, Snow White & Prince Charming! All welcome to dress in royal attire.
Cinderella family movie rated PG, Sat. Sept 19 at 2 p.m. - Enjoy watching the movie and eating popcorn. All are welcome. Movie shown in the Oyster River Community Room.
Game Afternoon begins this Monday Sept. 21st from 2:45-4pm – For ages 10 & up – This week: Ticket to Ride! Come and play some board games weekly in the Young Adult room.
Storytimes! Tues. Sept. 22nd and Thurs. Sept. 24th, 10:30 a.m. – This week: Fall/Trees! Join us for stories, finger-plays, felt board, songs and a craft.
CPR & AED Class offered by McGregor Memorial EMS Tues. Sept. 22, 6-8 pm To register and more info. contact Sean Madden 862-3674 & visit http://cprsafe.org
Durham Garden Club Tues. Sept. 22, 6-8:30 pm Presenter John Aber, UNH professor of environmental sciences will speak on composting, new technologies and how to use for increasing local food production. Contact Mary Caulfield 868-2220
Peru Humanitarian Expedition Wed. September 23, 6:30-8pm - Information presented by Durham resident, Christine Watts. Interested in working at an orphanage and remote Andean villages to improve the lives of street children? Contact Christine Watts: artnic@comcast.net or visit Generations Humanitarian http://genhu.org
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
Baby Lap-sit begins this Weds. Sept. 23rd 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 begins this Weds. Sept. 23rd from 4-5 pm – For 3rd-5th graders. Sign-up at the Children’s desk. Come and learn to knit fun projects or continue on your current project.
Lego Club will begin Thursday, Sept. 24th from 3:45-4:45 pm – For K-4th graders. Come and build with us. Weekly challenges and free builds.
Pajama Storytime begins this Thurs. Sept. 24th at 6:00 pm – Join Oyster River Parents & Pre-schoolers and the Durham Public Library for our monthly PJ Storytime. Come wearing your pj’s! This month: Cows! We read stories, do feltboard, fingerplays, and a fun craft. Snack is provided by ORPP. All are welcome.
Home-schooling Group begins this Friday Sept. 25th at 10:30 am – Geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome. This week we are all about “Things that Glow in the Dark”!
Food Shopping for Your Health, 10/7 @ 6:30 pm (Healthy Living Series) Wednesdays 10/7, 10/21, 10/28 @ 6:30-8 pm - No registration needed. An interactive workshop designed to equip you with tools to food shop your way to health! Come learn efficient ways to plan your meals, make grocery lists, navigate the grocery store and read food labels – and how all of this can impact your health and the health of your family. Presenters Gale Carey, Ph.D. and Kevin Pietro, Clinical Asst. Prof. are from UNH's Dept. of Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences. True or False? Diet Myth & Folklore Wed. Oct. 21, Presenter: Dr. Jesse Stabile Morrell/UNH's Dept. Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences, Incorporating Exercise into Everyday Living Wed. Oct. 28, Presenter: Dr. Shelley Mulligan/UNH College of Health & Human Services. Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.
Durham Public Library @ Durham Day! Sat., Sept. 26 from 12:30-4:30 pm. - Come to Wagon Hill for Durham Day. Stop by and say hello to your friendly librarians, check out upcoming programs and create a fun craft at the crafting table.
Tales for Tails sign-ups have started – 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 starting the week of Sept. 21st. Your child will read ½ hour once a week to one of the dogs and their handlers.
Young Adult (ages 10 & up) monthly writing group will begin Monday, Oct. 5th at 6:30 pm – Like to write? Join us. We do writing exercises, talk about your writing and add to our blog “Write-Away”. All are welcome.
Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade) Book Group will begin on Tues. Oct. 6th at 6:00 pm – This month’s book is “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo. We will talk about the book, author, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft. Book is available at the check-out desk.
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group will begin on Weds. Oct. 14th at 2:45-4pm – This month’s book is “The Mark of the Dragonfly” by Jaleigh Johnson. Walk from the Middle School! Ruth Wharton-MacDonald is the facilitator. Pizza is served and books are available at the circulation desk. All are welcome.
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 http://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.
Check out our website durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.
For more information, visit the Durham Public Library website.
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WEEKLY ARREST REPORT
*Academic year commenced August 28th and will be measured through graduation at UNH in May.
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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
1976 - Fishing preceded colonization in New England by many centuries, and fish and fishing have continued to be important to Durham. In may, a fish ladder over the Mill Pond dam was dedicated. This structure is remarkable in the seacoast region in that it was partially financed by the town.
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