|
|
|
 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, September 5, 2014
|
|
_____________________________________________________________________
|
|
Durham resident Leslie Lewis took this interesting photograph reflecting both the past and the future Town Halls.
___________________________
A final reminder that the New Hampshire Primary Election will be held next Tuesday, September 9th. In Durham, the election will be held at the Oyster River High School, Coe Drive. Polling hours are from 7AM to 7PM.
Absentee ballots can be returned to the to the Town Clerk's Office in person no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, September 8, 2014. If completed absentee ballots are being returned by U.S. mail, they must be received by the Town Clerk no later than 5pm on Election Day, Tuesday, September 9, 2014. To view ballots, click HERE.
|
|
BALLOT CLERKS NEEDED
Ballot Clerks are needed for the State Primary Election this Tuesday, September 9. Polls open 7 AM to 7 PM. Only a three-hour shift per person. The only requirement is that you are a registered Durham voter; party registration not necessary. Call Chris Regan, Town Moderator, at 868-2414 (leave a message over the weekend - voicemail checked regularly) or Town Hall (868-5577).
|
|
NEW HAMPSHIRE HANDS FREE ELECTRONIC DEVICE LAW - IN EFFECT JULY 1, 2015
Earlier this year, the New Hampshire legislature adopted House Bill 1360. This bill, which prohibits the use of certain electronic devices while driving, will be in effect July 1, 2015.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
-
No use of hand held electronic devices capable of providing voice or datacommunication while driving or temporarily halted in traffic for a stop sign ortraffic signal or other momentary delays
-
This includes cell phones, GPS, tablets, iPods, iPads or other devices that requiredata entry
-
Emergency calls to 911 or other public safety agencies will be allowed
-
Bluetooth or other hands-free electronic devices will be allowed
-
One hand non-cellular 2-way radio use will be allowed
-
Teen drivers under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use any electronic devices(hand held or not) except to report an emergency. Anyone violating this will be subject to penalties and license suspension or revocation.
Penalties for Violations
1st Offense ........................... $100 fine
2nd Offense .......................... $250 fine
3rd Offense within 2 years ....... $500 fine
WHY IS THE NH LAW IMPORTANT?
-
During the past 4 years, 116 fatal crashes in New Hampshire were caused bydistraction
-
The increasing use of electronic devices is fast becoming the primary distraction
-
While texting, a driver is 23 times more likely to crash
-
Sending or receiving a text distracts the driver for almost 5 seconds
-
At 50 miles per hour, we travel longer than the length of a football field duringthat 5 seconds
-
Even dialing a phone number increases the risk of crashing by 3 times.
|
|
TOWN ENGINEER SELECTION PROCESS
A selection committee comprised of Public Works Director Mike Lynch, Councilor Kitty Marple, Planning Board Member Richard Kelley, resident Stephen Roberts, UNH Assistant VP for Facilities Paul Chamberlin, and Administrator Selig is in the process of interviewing finalists for the vacant Town Engineer position at the Public Works Department. Some candidates were interviewed this week. Others will be interviews over the next week or two.
|
|
2013 TOWN AUDIT PRESENTATION
The Town Council will receive a presentation by Town Auditors Melanson Heath & Company on the Town's 2014 Audit Report at the Council meeting next Monday evening, September 8th. To view the audit report, click HERE.
|
|
The fields at Oyster River Forest. Courtesy Ellen Snyder
VOLUNTEER FOR NATURE!
Join the Durham Conservation Commission and wildlife consultant Ellen Snyder to enjoy one of Durham’s newest conservation areas—the 170-acre Oyster River Forest—while helping to restore habitat for wildlife and enhance the site for existing and future walking trails. Tasks include pulling invasive buckthorn, staking around stands of common milkweed for “no mow,” digging invasive purple loosestrife from a field, cutting bittersweet vines, and flagging native trees and shrubs to retain. Learn about New England cottontails too.
When: Friday, September 19th from 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Where: Meet at Oyster River Forest parking area on Packers Falls Road, Durham, NH
Map to the parking area.
What to bring: wear long pants and shirt and sturdy shoes, bring work gloves, water bottle and a lunch if you want to stay after for a picnic lunch. We will provide water and snacks and all necessary tools. Note: poison ivy and bees are present in some areas.
Sign-up online.
Questions about the event? Contact Ellen Snyder at 603-583-0039 or ellensnyder1@gmail.com.
|
|
ADMINISTRATOR SELIG SCHEDULED TO ATTEND UPCOMING ICMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN CHARLOTTE
Administrator Selig is scheduled to attend the 100th International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference from September 12-17, 2014 in Charlotte, NC. The ICMA annual conference allows attendees to be exposed to tools, tips, information, and resources all relevant and informative to the city/town management profession, in addition to opportunities for professional renewal and networking.
The conference offers daily keynote sessions, educational and solutions track sessions, roundtable discussions, ICMA university workshops and forums, field demonstrations, and numerous demonstrations of technology applications all intended to expose those who attend to the latest in local government management.
Conference speakers this year include well known author Doris Kearns Goodwin. To learn more about the ICMA Annual Conference and other keynote speakers, click HERE.
GOVERNOR HASSAN ISSUES STATE OF EMERGENCY ALERT REGARDING SYNTHETIC DRUG USE -- What Can Residents Do In Durham?
As both the Oyster River School District and the University of New Hampshire come into session over the next few days, the Town of Durham is assisting in a public education effort to remind students, parents, and families about the risk of alcohol and other drug use.
Although alcohol is the drug most often used by teens and young adults, social trends unfortunately bring other drugs into the world of young people, such as marijuana, prescription pain relievers, or other drugs that cause significant harm and pose many risks.
On August 14, 2014, Governor Maggie Hassan issued a state of emergency alert based on more than 45 cases of young people, primarily in the Manchester area, getting very sick from ingesting a product that is sold in gas stations and convenience stores in the state, labeled as “herbal incense” or potpourri.
Although the packaging of these products often states “not for human consumption,” it is clear that these products are well known to drug users as a way to get high.
In public health, these products are often referred to as “synthetic marijuana” and New Hampshire’s Department of Justice has been working diligently to make the products illegal. Unfortunately, the makers of these drugs create slight variations of the product to skirt the laws and/or convince shop owners that they are legal to sell.
Synthetic marijuana is sold under brand names such as Smacked, K2, Spice, Gold Spice, and Green Giant and sold in brightly colored packages with flavors such as bubblegum, lemon-lime, and blueberry, appealing to young people. [Note, if these brightly colored words attracted your attention, imagine how they attract the attention of children.]
The product is not regulated in any way, and the effects of the mind-altering chemicals sprayed on it can include mood changes, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and extreme lethargy.
Parents may want to talk with their child(ren) about the harm of these and any drug, as well as alcohol.
If you have an opportunity and feel comfortable in doing so, resident may want to talk to store owners and managers about the danger and ask them not to sell these products for any use at all.
Residents can also talk with friends and colleagues to increase the community’s awareness of the harm of these products and any substances that have the ability to alter the brain and cause physical health problems.
For more information about synthetic marijuana or other alcohol or drug questions, you may contact the New Hampshire Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services at 1-800-804-0909.
|
|
OYSTER RIVER FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
Each year Oyster River High School has a half-day orientation for the incoming freshman class. While the students navigate through the high school for the first time, Durham police officers take this opportunity to say hello by serving the new Freshmen lunch. For the past seventeen years, the Durham Police have taken this opportunity to interact with the kids at this exciting time in a very non-law enforcement way! What better way then to provide them food! Working with the Durham House of Pizza, police officers don serving gloves and provide a variety of pizza, chips and bottled water as they end their orientation and begin their high school career. Thanks to the officers who volunteered their time and the Durham House of Pizza for their outstanding assistance!
|
|
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING WRONG, ODD, OR NOT QUITE RIGHT, PLEASE CALL THE POLICE
The very essence of community policing is that the community and the police work together to confront crime and the fear of crime. The vast majority of Durham residents understand that the police cannot be everywhere simultaneously to observe criminal or suspicious activity as it occurs and the department finds it difficult to patrol residential areas with the frequency residents, businesses and the police prefer. So Chief Kurz urges you to contact the police at 868-2324 or 911 if you see, hear or sense something is not quite right. An officer will respond quickly and resolve what may or may not be a criminal activity. When law enforcement works directly with residents and businesses we collectively are going a long way toward reducing crime, improving quality of life, and enhancing public safety.
|
|
 Sheep at Great Bay Wool Works. Courtesy Theresa Walker
DURHAM FARMERS' MARKET
Join Theresa Walker of Great Bay Wool Works at Monday's Durham Farmers' Market for a demo on how to make felted cat toys. Theresa uses natural roving for felting that comes from her flock of Romney sheep. It is non-dyed, reflecting the natural color and softness of the sheep fleece in colors of white, cream, brown, grey, silver, and black.
|
|
MAIN STREET MAKERY FALL SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Main Street Makery, 42a Main Street (between Durham House of Pizza and The Candy Bar), is offering a full fall schedule of classes for adults and kids of different ages. To view a list of fall classes to date, including several knitting classes, Jewelry making, needle felting, Zentangle, make your own bath and body products, decoupage, ornament series, pre-school art exploration, 3-d printed necklace, and more, click HERE.
Main Street Makery is also continuing its $5 weekly craft, offering a different craft set up each week during business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM to 6PM. For the complete schedule, call 397-5317.
|
|
UNH HOSTS ANNUAL UNIVERSITY-WIDE FALL OPEN HOUSE
On Saturday, September 27, 2014, the University of New Hampshire will host its annual University-wide Fall Open House.The doors for the event open at 8:30 AM, with the actual event to begin at 9:30 AM.
Close to to 3,000 visitors are anticipated for the day! UNH is excited about the event and wanted to share this with the businesses of Durham, as it is expected that downtown should get quite a bit of visitors to the local businesses throughout the day.
|
|
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY - Morning of Saturday September 13, 2014 - Last chance to sign up for Household Hazardous Waste Day! Call by Friday, September 12th to make an appointment!!!
The 2014 Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held at the Department of Public Works facility located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive. As in the past, all hazardous waste will be collected by appointment only. To register, you must call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 or e-mail publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us.
Remember: The MAXIMUM COLLECTED PER HOUSEHOLD IS FIVE GALLONS. Below are some details:
Common Household Hazardous Waste:
NO EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ASBESTOS, SILVEX OR INFECTIOUS/BIOLOGICAL WASTE WILL BE ACCEPTED
Consider reducing your purchase of products with hazardous ingredients; read labels thoroughly. Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in anything other than their original containers and never remove labels. Never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become un-recyclable. Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.
LATEX AND OIL BASED PAINTS , MOTOR OIL, AND ANTI-FREEZE ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY! These items can be brought up to the Transfer Station with your permit throughout the year. Latex paints must be dried out first, motor oil, anti-freeze and oil based paints can go up as is. Typically, hazardous waste is categorized as toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous. Please check the manufacturer’s label.
|
|
|
|
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, September 8, 2014 To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Durham Agricultural Commission - Monday, September 8, 2014 (Durham PD - 7PM). To view agenda and other information,click HERE.
Zoning Board of Adjustment - Tuesday, September 9, 2014 . To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Planning Board - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Conservation Commission - Thursday, September 11, 2014 To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.
DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.
|
|
THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS FROM DCAT STUDIOS
Studio Two – Beatles Tribute Band - Saturday & Sunday at 7:00 PM
Run Time: 1:45
This video is currently not available on the Towns On Demand site.
If you missed the last of the Music by the Bay Summer Concert series, then have no fear, DCAT 22 Studios was there to capture the entire concert for you. Tune in to DCAT 22 to see Beatles live and in concert.
|
|
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.
Studio Two at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Craig Stevens
Coyote Club Fall Session Signups. Coyote Club is a nature-based wildlife education program dedicated to bringing the children and adults of southeast New Hampshire the best in naturalist studies, survival skills, environmental education and more. This 6-week program starts September 15th and runs through October 27th. Find out more HERE
Studio Two A Hit! Studio Two: Beatles Tribute Band rocked Wagon Hill Farm last Thursday! Families brought picnics, chairs, and friends for a fun-filled evening by the bay. The sounds were so captivating, several motorboats pulled up to the beach for a sneak peak. Did you miss out on the fun? Look for it soon on DCAT!
Durham Day – Saturday, September 27th. A celebration of everything Durham… We still have spots available for vendors, exhibitors, and demonstrators. Find out more HERE.
Fall Hours: Please note that some class times and locations have changed for the fall. View our weekly calendar and class descriptions HERE!
Drop in to most of our fitness classes for only $10!
SoccerFest at Tibbetts Field (25 Lee Road Madbury), Saturday, September 6th 10am-3pm. This is a free event! Bring the family we will have activities and games for the whole family. Everyone in the community is welcomed.
NE revolution street team will be at the event -- Dover PT will be running an agility challenge -- A bounce house sponsored by Play -- A soccer dunk tank -- Soccer golf sponsored by M.F.Blouin (prizes for best individual and family scores) -- Soccer Skills area -- A juggling competition
Concessions will be sold until 3pm
Save the Date: Durham Day – Saturday, Sept. 27th. Click HERE to participate in Durham Day 2014
|
|
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Community Church of Durham Yard Sale, Saturday, Sep 6, 2014. Echo Thrift Shop will have summer items at $.50 and "stuff a bag" children's clothes for $4.00.
Durham Evangelical Church Yard Sale, Saturday, Sep 6, 2014, 7AM - 2PM.
St. Thomas More Church Yard Sale, Saturday, Sep 6, 2014, 8:30AM - 2PM
3 Bridges Yoga Open House, Saturday, Sep 13, 2014. 3 Bridges Yoga is celebrating its second birthday offering free classes, giveaways, and discounts, as well as raising funds for Arts in Reach, a local non-profit providing after school and vacation programs for tees in the performance and visual arts. For schedule of classes and other information, contact Nickie Bolger at nickie@3bridgesyoga.com
Houston Ballet II, UNH Celebrity Series, Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014, 7PM, Paul Creative Arts Center’s Johnson Theatre, Durham. Under the direction of Stanton Welch and Shelly Power, Houston Ballet II travels the world with fresh choreography in a wide array of dance works: stunning contemporary pieces by Welch and other leading choreographers. More information HERE.Tickets: $30 General, $10 UNH Student with ID and Youth under 18. Purchase tickets on line HERE or call 603-862-7222. Hours of operation: Mon-Fri, 10AM-5PM as well as one hour before each event.
Are you a software engineer or programmer? The ORHS FIRST Robotics Team is seeking an additional software mentor to join the team this school year. Guide and assist ORHS students as they design and build a robot for the 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Knowledge of C/C++, LabView, or embedded software helpful, but general OOP experience is enough to work with the FRC software framework. Contact Nate Oxnard at noxnard@orcsd.org.
One World Language School - Chinese, French, German, and Spanish classes for children ages 3 and up. Come see how much fun learning another language can be-- come to our sample class on Thursday, September 18th from 5:30-6:30 pm at Moharimet. Classes are held on Thursdays at Moharimet starting in October. For more information and to register, contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org or 866-0364 and check out our website at www.oneworldlanguageschool.org.
Lamprey River Advisory Committee Fall 2014 Newsletter. The LRAC Fall 2014 newsletter is available for viewing HERE.
|
|
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Movie: UNITED 93 Rated R Sept 11th @ 6:00 pm. Part of the Adult Program Series: PAGE to SCREEN. Movies based on books. Book: "Among the Heroes" by Jere Longman. Copies of the book are available for check-out. Questions contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
The Road Not Taken - An art exhibit inspired by the poetry of Robert Frost. Works are featured in the lobby display case and the upstairs gallery: Come and view over 20 paintings by artists Ingeborg V. Seaboyer, Judy Krassowski and Corinne Dodge. Images in pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics and oils are accompanied by a selected verse that inspired each individual work.
Storytimes: Tues. Sept. 9th and Thurs. Sept. 11th at 10:30 a.m. This week: Tigers! Join us for stories, fingerplays, feltboard and a craft. All are welcome.
McGregor EMS Courses: First Aid Course - Tues. Sept. 9th, and CPR - Tues, Sept. 16th, both at 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Visit cprsafe.org for information and to register. Fee is $20.00
Acoustic Open Mic Night in the Café, 2nd Weds. of the month, Weds. Sept. 10th, 6:30 -8:00 p.m. – Hosted by Peg Chafee and Cheryl Sager of “Nice & Naughty” fame. Come to perform or come to listen in our café. Snacks available.
Presentation by Nancie Atwell, Literacy Educator, Thurs. Sept. 18th, 4:00-6:00 p.m. - Ms. Atwell, a nationally known Literacy Educator, and author of “In the Middle” . This event is sponsored by the UNH English Department. For more information contact Laura Smith at las5@unh.edu or Armida Geiger at ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Family Storytimes start weekly, Sat., Sept. 20th at 10:30 a.m. - "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie..." All about Laura Numeroff! Sat., Sept. 27th at 10:30 a.m. – “Dining with Dinosaurs & Dragons!
Family Movies start monthly: Sat., Sept. 20th at 2:00 p.m. - "The Nut Job"!
Game Afternoon: ages 10 & up starts weekly, Mon., Sept. 22nd at 2:45 p.m. - "Ticket to Ride".
Friends' Book Discussion - Please save the date of September 23rd, Tuesday,10:30 am and join the Friends' book discussion of “Frankenstein”; or, “The Modern Prometheus” by Mary Shelley led by Jennifer Lee. Your copy awaits you.
“Spies in Time”, Lecture with Douglas Wheeler, Tues. Sept. 23rd, 7:00-8:30 p.m. - "The P.C. is Mightier Than The Sword: Three Leakers of State Secrets in Historical Perspective." Presenter Douglas Wheeler, Professor of History Emeritus, UNH.
Special Storytime with McGregor EMS and their ambulance, Thurs. Sept. 25th at 10:30 a.m.!
Lego Club 1st-4th grade starts weekly, Thurs., Sept. 25th at 3:45 p.m.
UNH Woodsman Demonstration, Thurs. Sept. 25th 5:30-7:00 p.m. - UNH Lumberjacks will show their skills with the vertical chop and single buck. Held in the Durham Public Library parking lot.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour starts weekly, Fri., Sept. 26th at 10:30 a.m.
Friday Film @ 2, Sept. 26th, This month: SOME LIKE IT HOT- 1959. Come and enjoy the theater-like screen and sound system with fellow film buffs. Movie snacks provided. Audience: Adults Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Pajama Storytime starts monthly, Tues., Sept. 30th 6:30 p.m. - Monkeys!
Crafternoons start weekly, Sat., Sept. 25th 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Young Adult Writing Group: ages 10 & up starts Mon., Oct. 6th at 6:30 p.m.
Book Groups: You can pick up your books now at the Circulation Desk:
Raccoon Readers: 2nd-4th grade, monthly book group starts Tues., Oct. 7th at 6:00 p.m.
Bookeaters: monthly Middle School Book Group starts Weds., Oct. 15th at 2:45 p.m.
Libros Lovers: monthly High School Book Group starts Weds,. Oct. 22nd at 2:45 p.m.
Sign-ups have started for the programs below:
Patch Club: reading incentive program for ages 2-12 years. Sign-up at the Children’s Desk.
Tales for Tails: Read to a trained therapy dog K-4th grade - sign-ups have begun.
Seacoast Reads: UNH Reading help for children in grades 1st-3rd (or beginning to read). Sign-ups have begun at the Children’s Desk.
Join the Durham Public Library Birthday Book Club. Celebrate a child’s birthday in a unique way with a gift of a book to the library. Talk to the Children’s Librarian at the children’s desk for more details.
Visit the DPL website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.
|
|
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
1820 - Two shipbuilding ways were located just below the Falls. They were said to be the only town-owned ways in N.E. Their use was auctioned off at Town Meeting to the highest bidder. With good management, 2 ships could be built on each way. The hulls were filled down river.
|
|
WEEKLY ARREST REPORT
*Academic year commenced August 23rd and will be measured through graduation at UNH in May.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
