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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Friday, September 28, 2012
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Leif Ericson parade organizer Peter Andersen. Courtesy Ralph Morang, NH Magazine
HAIL ALL YE VIKINGS! And Vikings at heart--Please come to the world’s shortest parade in Durham, NH to celebrate Leif Ericson Day on Sunday, October 7, 2012. Participants will gather at the Launder Center on Main Street in Durham at 6:00 AM and thence parade 25 feet to Young’s Restaurant for festivities. Wear your best Scandinavian sweater or costume and celebrate this early explorer to these shores. Please call 603-817-9549 with questions. The Leif Ericson Day Parade in Durham, NH now has a Facebook account. Take a look!
The World’s shortest parade has also been profiled in the current issue of NH Magazine. To view the article, click HERE.
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NO "FRIDAY UPDATES" ON OCTOBER 5, 2012
A final reminder that the Administrator's Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, October 4 and 5, 2012. During that time, Business Manager Gail Jablonski will serve as Acting Administrator and may be contacted at 603-868-8043 or email gjablonski@ci.durham.nh.us
There will be no "Friday Updates" on Friday, October 5th. The next "Friday Updates" publication will be on Friday, October 12, 2012.
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ADMINISTRATOR SELIG TO ATTEND OCTOBER CITY MANAGER CONFERENCE IN AZ
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual conference is scheduled this year to be held in Phoenix, AZ from October 6 – 10, 2012. The ICMA Annual Conference is an educational and networking event for local government professionals in the world. Administrator Selig attends this conference annually which shifts from east coast to west coast. Next year it will be in Boston.
In addition to professional development opportunities offered during the day, the conference offers evening social events that complement attendees learning experience by providing relaxing and convivial backdrops for networking, discovery, and exchange of new ideas among peers.
Keynote speakers this year include: Jim Collins – Great by Choice; Sir Ken Robinson – Leading a Culture of Innovation; and Janet Echelman – Revitalizing Urban Spaces with Public Art. In addition, Mr. Selig will take classes in Actionable Steps for Adopting Solar in Your Community, a “Solar in the City of Phoenix” tour, participation in the ICMA Leadership Institute, and more.
During Mr. Selig’s absence, Business Manager Gail Jablonski will serve as Acting Town Administrator.
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A NOTE FROM THE NEW PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR
Hello Durham! If I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting you at Durham Day, I hope to see you soon at one of our future events. I’m excited about the opportunity to shape the future of such a thriving town. With Durham’s countless scenic, historical, and natural areas, the possibilities are endless. I can’t imagine a better place to work, play, and explore!
I am here to provide you with an array of programs that cater to the needs of everyone in our community. Please call, email, or stop by if you have any comments or suggestions to share.
See you soon!
Stefanie Frazee
Parks & Recreation Director
sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us
603.817.4074
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PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING SPRUCE HOLE MUNICIPAL WELL AND ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE PROJECT AT OCTOBER 1ST TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
At the Town Council meeting scheduled for Monday, October 1, 2012 at 7:00 PM, the groundwater development firm Emery & Garrett Groundwater, Inc. (EGGI) will provide a presentation updating the Town Council on the status of the Spruce Hole Municipal Well (DGD-PW2) and Artificial Recharge Project. EGGI has been working with Underwood Engineers, Inc. on the permitting and engineering of the project since 2007. EGGI will present an update on the status of the Large Groundwater Withdrawal Permit application and the Final Hydrogeological Investigation Report (Final Report) submitted to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) on behalf of the Town and an overview of the work conducted to assess the artificial recharge component of the project.
To view the Council communications prepared by Town Engineer David Cedarholm and Councilor Dave Howland relative to this item, as well as the accompanying documents, click HERE.
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UNH MASTER PLAN UPDATE
The UNH Campus Planning office has posted the final draft of the Campus Master Plan Update (dated September 24, 2012) on the project web site for public review prior to the final presentation and Forum scheduled for October 18th. You can go directly to a .pdf download of the final draft plan by clicking HERE.
Durham residents are encouraged to visit the project website: http://www.unh.edu/cmp/ as it has seen significant updates since the early summer.
Presentation and Public Forum Date:
Thursday, October 18, 12:30-2:00
Huddleston Hall Ballroom, Main Street
The Plan is scheduled to be finalized and presented to President Huddleston in November.
Comments may also be submitted through the website or directly to cmp.ideas@unh.edu.
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DOWNEASTER EXPANSION - A Straight Shot to Freeport/Brunswick from Durham
The new Downeaster Service to Freeport and Brunswick, starting November 1 with two trains per day and soon to be three trains per day, offers to Durham residents a very convenient chance to spend a full afternoon, daily including weekends, shopping downtown Freeport and downtown Brunswick, and visiting Bowdoin College Campus and Museums.
The Durham train goes straight through to Freeport and Brunswick, with no change of trains, leaving Durham everyday at 10:25 A.M. and arriving in Freeport at 12:10 and Brunswick 12:25. Return train leaves Brunswick at 5:50 and Freeport 6:05, arriving in Durham comfortably at 7:54 P.M. It's a restful ride with good food in the Cafe Car and another rich asset to life in Durham!
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SUPERIOR COURT RULES ON NEW VOTER REGISTRATION RULES
Superior Court Judge John Lewis' ordered this week for the NH Secretary of State to issue new voter registration forms for the upcoming November 6th General Election. The new registration forms will delete a paragraph that advised all voters they would be subject to registering a car and getting a state driver's license if they registered to vote. The order also instructs the Secretary of State to post new information on the state website and to inform election officials in towns and cities to immediately begin using the corrected voter registration from. House Speaker William O’Brian, however, has indicated that the state will appeal this ruling to the NH Supreme Court.
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DURHAM FARMERS' MARKET – LAST MONDAY OF DURHAM MARKET FOR SEASON IS OCT 1ST, 2:15 - 5:30 PM
Don't forget to visit the Durham Farmers' Market held every Monday between 2:15 and 5:30 PM through October 1st, rain or shine, located in the parking lot behind Town Hall at 15 Newmarket Road. The Durham Farmers' Market is sponsored by the Seacoast Growers Association, celebrating its 35th anniversary this summer. For more details on the markets, what's in season, and which vendors participate, visit http://www.seacoastgrowers.org/
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DURHAM RESIDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE PART OF $4.56 MILLION DURHAM BOND – 1.8989% INTEREST RATE
As reported in August, Moody's Investors Service assigned an Aa2 rating to the Town of Durham's $4.565 million General Obligation Bond issue. The Aa2 rating reflects the town's satisfactory financial position with sufficient fund balance levels, stable tax base anchored by The University of New Hampshire and moderate debt burden.
The Town’s recent municipal bond totaling $4,560,000 was purchased at a rate of 1.8989% -- a very competitive interest rate.
The firm that submitted the winning bid was BOSC Inc., and our understanding is that the company has already sold most of the bonds in the deal. We put in a query to determine whether there are any bonds still available for purchase by Durham residents (some of whom have contacted us) and received word that there are.
Interested residents should feel free to contact Mr. Allen Mattson at BOSC regarding the Durham bond offerings. Mr. Mattson’s direct # is (262) 509 6935.
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NEW ENERGY BUSINESS OPENS IN DURHAM – PROACTIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Steven Weglarz, Jr. of Durham, a member of the Durham Energy Committee, has opened a new business in town – ProActive Energy Solutions (PES). PES offers Independent Energy Assessments, separate from an installer approach, allowing for a perspective that is objective and free from any conflict of interest. An independent energy professional such as PES can provide the job specifications and quality assurance, as well as pre and post-weatherization measurements to verify proper installation of energy efficiency measures. Mr. Weglarz lives on Cedar Point Road. For more information, go to http://www.proactiveenergysolutions.com/
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HEALTH SPIRIT CENTER - FEATURED DOWNTOWN BUSINESS
This week's featured business is Health Spirit Center. Owned by Janna Stevens, Health Spirit Center is located at 13 Jenkins Court, Suite 220, in the same building as Merritt Chiropractic and LaFreniere Eye Care. Health Spirit Center is committed to helping its patients obtain optimal well-being through natural preventive care, Therapeutic massage, Nutraceuticals, and Weight Management. Health Spirit Center may be contacted by telephone at 603-868-1555 or email healthnag@healthspiritcenter.com. Appointments may also be scheduled online at http://www.healthspiritcenter.com/. Hours of operation are Tuesday, - Saturday, 9:00 AM – 12:30, Wednesday–Friday, 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM, and Tuesday 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
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Businesses interested in being featured should send their information, including location, contact information, web site, hours of operation, and a brief description of the business, to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. Photographs of the business would also be welcomed.
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BIKE SHOULDER ON ROUTE 108 TO NEWMARKET - NHDOT PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 1ST
On Monday, October 1, the Town Council will hear a presentation by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation on the status of plans to add a bike shoulder to Route 108 between Durham and Newmarket. These plans have been on the table for some time but have been delayed numerous times.
If you wish to let the NHDOT representatives know that you believe it is important that this project be funded and begin soon, you may do so during the Public Comments period of the meeting. The Public Comment period allows members of the public to talk about any topic for up to five minutes and will begin no earlier than 7:45 PM. Comments may also be sent (preferably before noon on October 1) to the Town Council via the Town Administrator, Todd Selig at tselig@ci.durham.nh.us and his and his administrative assistant, Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
To view the PowerPoint presentation provided by NHDOT, click HERE.
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PRESENTATION ON COMMON CORE AT MOHARIMET
Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Carolyn Eastman, will be giving a presentation about the Common Core at the Moharimet Elementary School at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. Childcare will be provided as well as refreshments and co-sponsored by the Friends of Oyster River Education.
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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 have taken in an astounding 276 tons of unwanted or expired medications.
Chief Kurz has decided to provide this program on a continuous basis since a significant number of residents participated by dropping off at the police facility a significant amount of unwanted or expired prescriptions. During any business day, 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 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 at (603) 868-2324.
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SPRUCEWOOD FOREST: SITE WALK AND PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 3
On October 3, 2012, the Conservation Commission will hold a site walk on the property known as Sprucewood Forest (sometimes referred to as the Oyster River Forest) starting at 4:30pm. The public is welcome to attend.
The Sprucewood Forest property abuts the University of New Hampshire College Woods and has significant frontage on the Oyster River. If conserved under an easement to be held by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the property would provide protection of two current or future public drinking water supplies, the Oyster River and the Spruce Hole aquifer. In addition, NRCS is enthusiastic about the site's potential for providing habitat for the threatened New England cottontail rabbit and will provide the majority of funding for the project. Public access would include low-impact recreational uses, such as birding, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Following the site walk, the Commission will conduct a public hearing at a special meeting, also on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, starting at 7:00 PM at Town Hall. For complete details on the site walk and the public hearing, click HERE.
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WATER METER UPGRADE PROJECT
This is a reminder to all property owners in Durham to please schedule your water meter upgrade appointments with USI Services if you haven’t already. There is an extensive list of owners who have not responded to multiple letters sent to date. Please remind your neighbors and ask your friends. The water meter upgrade project is mandatory for all properties and we appreciate your cooperation in this project. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Durham Public Works Department, Assistant Town Engineer, April Talon at 603-868-5578.
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Pouring slab in basement. Courtesy Walter Rous
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Last week’s update described the careful and complex work necessary to fill the interior of the foundation in preparation for pouring the concrete slab that will serve as the floor for the new portion of the library. This week began with pouring the new basement slab and forming and pouring the concrete pads that will support the interior steel columns, critical to the structural system for the library. With the pads poured, conduit was laid for the future outlets and data lines that will be in the slab at the computer clusters. Following this, more material was brought in to bring the fill up to the underside of the slab. The new concrete slab will be a radiant slab which means that the slab will radiate heat to the objects in the space. This kind of slab requires
the careful installation of insulation both under the slab and at the slab edge. Since heat wants to travel to cold, this insulation is intended to frustrate heat movement from going down into the ground or out the edge of the foundation wall. At week’s end, the under slab and slab edge insulation was being placed.
Final layer of fill and compaction for slab on grade. Courtesy Walter Rous
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NEW NH LISTENS PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY FOR DURHAM RESIDENTS - WHO WILL YOU INVITE TO YOUR LIVING ROOM CONVERSATION?
NH Listens and Leadership New Hampshire are partnering to create Living Room Conversations - Bridging Political Divides, an opportunity created for New Hampshire residents to invite people into their homes for conversations about their political values and beliefs during the upcoming political season. The goal is not to change minds or recruit votes for your own positions, but to support conversations that increase understanding, decrease the ways we disparage one another, and practice the skills of talking with people across ideological differences.
These informal but facilitated conversations are intended to show that it's not difficult to make meaningful connections with people one may disagree with politically. Each co-host then reaches out to friends, family members, associates and neighbors to invite two or three additional participants to be a part of the conversation. The dates are determined by the hosts. NH Listens and Leadership NH, plan to give you lots of tools to make it easy. We hope you will consider getting involved.
NH Listens is the civic engagement initiative of the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire. At the local, regional and state levels, New Hampshire Listens engages citizens in decision-making and public problem solving.
To read more about the model and how to host or facilitate a Living Room Conversation, click HERE.
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DURHAM’S FRIDAY DEALS
This program is intended to give local merchants an opportunity to encourage residents to shop locally.
Wildcat Fitness, 397-3200, http://www.wildcatfitness.net/
$15 sign-up, $15 a month (billed to a checking account)
Located at the far end of the Mill Plaza
Red Carpet Florist, 868-7021, http://www.myredcarpetflorist.com/
$5 bouquets of flowers every Friday
Located at 56 Main St.
Mino’s Roast Beef, 397-5261, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Minos-Roast-Beef/171148346284660
$6.50 Chicken Kebab Salad (Regular Size) on Friday
Located in the Mill Plaza
Domino’s Pizza, 868-6230, http://pizza.dominos.com/new-hampshire/durham/
$.99 Small Cheese Pizza every Friday
Located in the Mill Plaza
Uppercut Hair Salon, 868-7363 http://www.facebook.com/pages/UpperCut-Hair-Salon/226530887441101
20% off all hair care products every Friday
Located in the Mill Plaza
Mama Mac and More, 868-7449 http://www.durham-menus.com/mama_mac_menu.pdf
$5 for an 8" sub or salad (add $2 for chicken or steak on salad)
Located at 38 Main Street
Durham House of Pizza, 868-2224 https://www.facebook.com/durhamhouseofpizza
$4 for a small cheese pizza
Located at 38 Main Street
Candy Bar, 397-5154 https://www.facebook.com/thecandybarnh
Free dark caramel and sea salt chocolate truffle with every $10 purchase
Located at 44 Main Street
Bindy’s Boutique, 590-0044 http://www.bindysboutique.com/
20% off on Fridays when you mention this ad from the Friday Updates
Located at 42a Main St.
Wiswall House Antiques, 659-5106, http://www.wiswallhouseantiques.com/
20% off all antique and vintage table lamps
Located at 28 Wiswall Road
Perfect Tan, 868-3200, http://www.the-perfect-tan.com/
Buy a single session, get a single session free
Located at 13 Jenkins Court
Money spent locally stays local. Support Durham business. If your business has a Friday deal to offer please send it to Ken Entz at sentz@comcast.net.
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PUBLIC MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND
The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below.
Town Council - Monday, October 15, 2012. To view the agenda and other documents, click HERE.
Conservation Commission site walk of Sprucewood Forest Conservation project - Wednesday, October 3, 2012 (4:30 PM)
Conservation Commission - Wednesday, October 3, 2012. To view the agenda and other documents, click HERE.
Historic District Commission - Thursday, October 4, 2012. To view the agenda and other documents, click HERE.
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.
Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, please click HERE.
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.
DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.
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DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Please join the Durham Business Association and Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate ~ The Masiello Group for a Business After Hours on Thursday, October 11, 20112 from 5:30 – 7:30 P.M.
Enjoy an evening of networking and the opportunity to visit Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate ~ The Masiello Group's fabulous new office located at 9 Madbury Road, Durham. Appetizers and beverages will be served with desserts by the Candy Bar and Mama Mac & More.
Please RSVP to durhambusinessassociation@gmail.com by Thursday, October 4, 2012.
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OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM #3499
The ORHS FRC Team #3499 received a NASA Summer of Innovation grant to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to area middle school students. Team #3499 secured the necessary kit of parts, registration fees, and equipment to enable a FIRST LEGO League (robotics program for students 10-14) to be established at the Newmarket Jr/Sr High School. Team #3499 will also help mentor the Newmarket FLL team
Team #3499 is also working with BAE Systems and the UNH Department of Mechanical Engineering to host the FIRST LEGO League Seacoast Qualifying Tournament at UNH on November 10th and is in need of the following equipment: stop watches, easels (both free-standing and table top), storage trunks or crates with wheels, large plastic bins, medium to large coolers, large white boards, heavy duty extension cords, and plug strips. If you have any to donate, please contact Nate Oxnard at noxnard@orcsd.org or Carolyn Singer at nhgrantwriter@aol.com.
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FRIENDS OF DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY FALL BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Durham Public Library Fall Book Sale kicks off at the Durham Public Library on Thursday, November 1st, from 6pm to 7pm with an Early Bird Preview--admission to this special one hour event is $10 for best selection!
The sale opens to everyone from 7pm to 8:30pm Thursday evening. The sale will continue on Friday, November 2nd, from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday, November 3rd, from 10am to 2pm.
Come browse quality books and a great selection! Pick up your winter reads while supporting the Durham Public Library. All proceeds from the Friends Fall Book Sale support Library programs.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Preschool Storytimes Tues., Oct. 2nd and Thurs., Oct. 4th, 10:30 a.m. – This week: The Zoo! All are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard and a craft.
Join the Patch Program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years. Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag. If new to the program, stop by and register. Thanks to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for their continued support of this program. We have new patches!
Registration for Tales for Tails has started. Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child.
Sign up in September for a session.
Registration for Seacoast Reads (UNH Reading tutors) has started. Does your elementary school aged child need extra help reading? Come to the library to sign up for a Seacoast Reads Reading tutor. Your child will be paired with a student tutor and they will meet once a week at the library starting the week of Oct. 9th through mid-December. Space is limited so sign-up soon!
Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th Grade Book Club), Tues. Oct. 2nd, 6:00-7:00 p.m. – Join us for this fun book group. This month’s books are “Lulu and the Brontosaurus” by Judith Viorst and/or “Guinea Dog” by Patrick Jennings. We talk about the books, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft. Come ready to talk about pets! Books are available at the
library.
Young Adult Writing/Blog Group, Tues. Oct. 2nd, 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. - Like to write? Join this monthly writing group for Young Adults (10 & up). We do writing exercises and talk about your writing. We post your writing on our blog "Write Away". All are welcome.
CPR and AED Training, Tues. Oct. 2nd, 6:00-8:30 p.m. - McGregor Memorial EMS offers the two-year certification through the American Heart Association. To register, call 862-3674 or cprregistration@megregorems.org. Cost is $20
Special Storytime with the Durham Fire Department and their Firetruck, Tues. Oct. 9th, 10:30 a.m. - Join us for this special storytime with the Durham Fire Department and their Fire truck. We will meet the firemen,
read stories about firemen and firetrucks, make a craft and climb aboard a firetruck! Don't miss it! All are welcome!
A Photographic Journey to Holland and Belgium, Tues. Oct. 9th, 7:00 p.m. – Durham Director of Planning and Community Development Michael Behrendt will share his stunning photos and tales from his recent trip to Holland Belgium!
Libros Lovers, High School Book Group, Weds. Oct. 10th, 1:00-2:00 p.m. - Join us for this High School Book Group. This month's book is "Burned" by Ellen Hopkins. Ruth Wharton MacDonald is the facilitator. All are welcome and pizza is served. Books are available at the library.
Lego Club for 1st-4th graders, Thurs. Oct. 11th, 3:45-4:45 p.m. - Lego Club is back for 1st -4th graders. Like to build with Legos? Join us for 6 Thursday afternoons as we build with Legos. Check out the library's website at http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/durham/ for more information.
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FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"
"Farm Life in Durham: At the turn of the century the first farm coming into town from the east and just after crossing the little bridge at Coe's Corner was the Charles Smart farm (on the south side of Dover Road). It went down to the Oyster River, below the dam, and Old Landing Road ran through it. In the 1980s the old barn on Dover Road was turned into apartments.
Off Madbury Road, almost in the middle of town, Albert Littlehale ran a thriving dairy business as late as the 1960s. It is said that when a law was passed requiring pasteurization, and some of his customers still wanted raw milk, Albert solved the problem by writing 'RAW' on the caps of some milk bottles.
Perley Fitts's chicken farm adjoined the Littlehale farm. After the 1960s, having sold his egg business, Perley sold some of his property for house lots and turned the remainder of his once extensive open fields over to raising Christmas trees." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.
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Have a nice weekend.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, New Hampshire
T: 603-868-5571 F: 603-868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us http://www.ci.durham.nh.us
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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