Friday Updates - April 18, 2014

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Jessica Carloni & Becky Heuss of the NH Fish & Game Department, testing the water quality of the Oyster River earlier today. Courtesy Craig Stevens

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Tomorrow (April 19, 2014) is the annual Egg Hunt at Town Landing to be held rain, snow, or shine! The egg hunt begins promptly at 11AM, so don't be late!

PRELIMINARY FEMA FLOOD MAPS

A preliminary set of updated flood maps from FEMA have been submitted to the Planning Department for review.  The flood maps can be viewed HERE.  FEMA will be holding community meetings for citizen questions at some time in the future.  Once dates have been confirmed, they will be posted on the Planning Department's website.

Council Chair Jay Gooze addresses members of the USNH Financial Affairs Committee yesterday prior to the committee's vote to accept the proposal from UNH for a mid-size outdoor swimming pool.  Courtesy Wayne Burton

USNH BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVES SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS IMPACTING UNH AND DURHAM – Hamilton Smith Hall Renovations, Holloway Commons Seating Expansion, UNH Outdoor Pool Replacement, Purchase of Former ATO Fraternity at 66 Main St.


The USNH Board of Trustees voted Friday, April 18, 2014, to approve renovations to Hamilton Smith Hall. The renovation will include a 12 percent increase in the number of classroom seats, modern classroom and office spaces, and two technology-enabled labs. Construction on the $37 million project will begin in 2015 and be completed in the summer of 2017.


Home to the English Department, which includes creative writing, journalism, English as a Second Language, and others, Hamilton Smith is the University’s most heavily used classroom building. It has not been renovated in more than 30 years and has significant life safety and ADA compliance deficiencies.

Hamilton Smith has been a priority for the University and President Huddleston for many years.  


The full USNH board also approved a $10.5 million expansion to Holloway Commons to expand seating in the student dining facility, which is currently overcrowded.  The project is not scheduled to begin until 2015.  


The USNH Financial Affairs Committee of the board on Thursday afternoon approved $4.5 million to replace the UNH Outdoor Pool. The new pool will have many of the key features of the existing pool such as zero depth (“minnow”) entry and lap/fitness lanes, as well as enhanced social space, a design with a natural feel, and a bathhouse. It will be accessible for everyone, more sustainable, and meet all current health and safety standards. Construction will begin this year so the replacement pool is operational for the summer of 2015.  Early this month the Town Council passed a resolution (by a vote of 5-yes, 1-no, and 2-abstentions) endorsing the University’s proposal for a replacement pool.


Hamilton Smith and the outdoor pool will be funded through internal borrowing, which allows the University to borrow against its reserves for strategic investments and then repay the money at the prevailing U.S. Treasury rate.


The dining expansion will be funded through a HEFA bond, which is available only for projects that have their own revenue stream.


The USNH Financial Affairs Committee of the board also approved the University’s purchase of the former Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity site at 66 Main Street for $2.1 million as the first step toward a potential cooperative development involving Durham and UNH that will enhance the downtown.


As Councilors know, Durham and UNH have been working together for some time to effectuate the redevelopment of the ATO site to include hotel, retail, and restaurant uses.  


When the most recent Town-Gown initiative with Maryland-based SORA Development broke down late last year because SORA was ultimately unable to bring a project to fruition, it became increasingly clear to Administrator Selig that without active public involvement, the site would be acquired and redeveloped either as another mega student housing project or a generic big box pharmacy, neither of which are in Durham's interest at this premier location.  


Based upon this assessment, Administrator Selig talked with UNH about the possibility of the University acquiring the parcel to potentially redevelop at a future date with Durham, integrating the immediately adjacent Town-owned land along Pettee Brook Lane with the ATO parcel as part of a single redevelopment to ensure exceptional design, as well as the potential for structured parking, a hotel use on the order of the Hanover Inn in Dartmouth, and mixed commercial/restaurant.  


The University's acquisition of the parcel offers significant upside potential for the collective community in bringing this vision to reality.  There is already interest from potential developers.  


None of these projects will be funded with state money and they will not impact the University’s two-year commitment to freeze in-state tuition.

USNH has three primary methods to finance its capital projects. They include internal borrowing, which allows the University to borrow against its reserves for strategic investments and then repay itself at the prevailing U.S. Treasury rate. Reserve minimums must always be maintained to satisfy bond-rating requirements. A second method is HEFA (Health Education Funding Authority) bonds, which can only be used for projects that have their own revenue stream, like dining halls. The third method is state capital funding which is used to support core academic buildings.


To learn more about the Hamilton Smith renovation, new pool, and Holloway Commons expansion go to https://www.unh.edu/main/capital-projects.

Pictured (l-r) are:  Deputy Chief Rene Kelley, Officer David Skelly, Chief David Kurz, and Detective Jen Kelly. Courtesy Todd Selig

DURHAM’S TWO NEWEST OFFICERS GRADUATE FROM NH POLICE ACADEMY

Last Friday afternoon, Police Chief David Kurz, Deputy Chief Rene Kelley, Detective Jen Kelly, Council Chair Jay Gooze, and Administrator Selig traveled to Concord for the graduation of two of Durham’s newest police officers, Katie Bolton and David Skelly.  Following graduation, officers Bolton and Skelly will receive field training in which they are assigned for several weeks to a seasoned officer to fully orientate them to the Durham Police Department’s policies, procedures, and the community as a whole. 

Pictured (l-r) are:  Deputy Chief Rene Kelley, Officer Katie Bolton, Chief David Kurz and Council Chair Jay B. Gooze. Courtesy Todd Selig

DO YOU HAVE UNUSED MEDICATIONS? DON'T DUMP THEM! TAKE THEM TO THE DURHAM POLICE STATION

The Durham Police Department continues to offer a “take back drugs” service as part of a national program originated through the DEA “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day,” which facilitates the safe, legal, and environmentally-friendly disposal of unused prescription drugs.  The Durham Police had previously participated in single-day events of this initiative, but due to the popularity of the program, Chief Kurz has determined that the Durham Police will now provide this service on a continuous basis.

 

This initiative serves two purposes. First, providing the service throughout the year reduces the risk of prescription drugs being consumed inappropriately—either by accident or through illegal sale. Anecdotal and national survey evidence indicates that the majority of illegal prescription drug use occurs when people raid their friends’ and relatives’ medicine cabinets.

 

Second, it helps prevent prescription drugs from entering our water resources, thereby potentially harming aquatic life or polluting a drinking water supply. In the past, people were advised to flush unused medications down the toilet, but we now know better: that option sends contaminants to septic systems or into wastewater treatment facilities that cannot handle the chemical and antibiotic components.

 

Finally, we remind residents that they are not required to fill out paperwork or in any other way compromise the anonymous return of these substances for proper disposal.  Residents are free to bring unwanted and unused prescription drugs to the police facility on Dover Road, Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM.

 

The gymnasium at Winnisquam Regional High School was packed last Saturday with attendees at a NH Energy Solutions Conference. Courtesy Todd Selig

ADMINISTRATOR SELIG AND TWO MEMBERS OF DURHAM'S ENERGY COMMITTEE ATTEND A NEW HAMPSHIRE ENERGY SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE

Last Saturday, Administrator Selig, along with Durham Energy Committee members Chris Skoglund and Charles Forcey, attended a NH Energy Solutions Conference held in the gymnasium at Winnisquam Regional High School. Christina Dolcino from the ORCSD Sustainability Coalition also attended.


Administrator Selig was a presenter at two sessions in which he spoke about what progressive towns are undertaking to reduce energy use and how municipalities actually are successful in moving initiatives forward.


Many of the attendees at the conference expressed that they felt Durham was a leader in the field. Charles Forcey and Administrator Selig had a number of people approach them with comments such as, "Oh, you're from DURHAM!"  Another attendee said, "You are rock stars in Durham with all of your community's energy accomplishments."  It was really very nice.  Good job to the Durham Energy Committee!   A nice day all in all.

Mike Lynch, Sandy Hebert, Doug Bullen, and Dave Kurz review downtown street maps to determine placement of pay and display kiosks. Courtesy Todd Selig

DOWNTOWN PAY AND DISPLAY KIOSKS - PILOT TRAFFIC ENHANCEMENT UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR MAIN STREET

Pay and display kiosk placement determination and planning for a new pilot program to narrow main street from two lanes to one


Last week police chief Kurz, public works director Mike Lynch, assistant director for operations Doug Bullen, parking parking enforcement officer Sandy Hebert, and Administrator Todd Selig walked the downtown loop to determine final placement for the new pay & display parking meter kiosks that will be installed later this spring.


The group also discussed a potential pilot traffic reconfiguration for this summer entailing the narrowing of main street through traffic from two lanes to one, adding approximately 19 new head on parking spaces along Main Street (instead of many of the existing parallel spaces along the left side of the road), and installing a designated bike lane. More details will be forthcoming as the program is further developed.

UNH POLICE AND HEALTH SERVICES PARTICIPATE IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY, SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH

On Saturday, April 26th the UNH Police Department and UNH Health Services will join the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in their effort to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.


Last October, Americans turned in 647,211 pounds (324 tons) of expired and unwanted medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,683 take-back sites.  In its seven previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners took in over 3.4 million pounds more than 1,733 tons of pills.


Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Additionally, using this service keeps trace drugs out of our lakes, streams and estuaries as waste-water 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.

UNH Drop Off Locations:


UNH Police Department

18 Waterworks Road

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.


UNH Health Services Pharmacy

4 Pettee Brook Lane (Behind  the Paul College)

12 noon – 4:00 p.m.

THIS SERVICES IS FREE, ANONYMOUS, AND NO QUESTIONS ASKED!


For more information, please contact the UNH Police Department.

PEASE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING FOR NOISE EXPOSURE MAP PROJECT - MAY 8, 2014

The Pease Development Authority, Airport Management Department, is in the final stages of the Noise Exposure Map Project for the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease.

The PDA invites the public to review the draft product at a public meeting to be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM in the Board of Director's Room located at 55 International Drive, Portsmouth. More details regarding the meeting may be viewed by clicking HERE.

The Draft Noise Exposure Maps and associated documentation will be available for review beginning April 23, 2014 and ending May 23, 2014 by contacting PDA Community Liaison Sandra McDonough at 603-433-6536 or emailing s.mcdonough@peasedev.org to make arrangements.

UPCOMING HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR REFUSE AND RECYCLING

Memorial Day is coming up at the end of May. All Town offices are closed on Monday, May 26th for the holiday.  The Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, May 24th for the holiday as well.  There will be no collection of refuse and recycling on Monday, May 26th. Collection will be delayed one day for the rest of the week (i.e., refuse/recycling normally collected on Monday will be picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday's collection will be on Wednesday, etc.). There will be no commercial collection on Friday, May 30th.  To view the holiday schedule, click HERE. 

The Town of Durham’s Media Coordinator, Craig Stevens (Number 268) ran in the 11th annual Todd’s Trot 5K road race this past Saturday.  He finished 172 in a field of 365 with a total time of 28:35. The proceeds from the race benefit the Peter Todd Heuchling Memorial Fund. Courtesy Ilese Stevens

COE DRIVE CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Durham Department of Public Works is holding a public informational meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2014 beginning at 5:00 PM at the Durham Town Office to provide details about the Coe Drive Culvert Replacement Project and to answer any questions from residents. This project includes replacing the existing undersized culvert with a 10’ wide x 6’ high precast concrete box culvert with appropriate headwalls and associated minor roadway reconstruction work. Additional work includes the upgrade of water, sewer, and drainage utilities.

Unitil will be replacing a section of their gas line within the project limits. PSNH will be relocating two poles to allow for the required clearance during the placement of the box culvert. Construction will take place after school is out for the summer and Coe Drive will be closed to thru traffic at the culvert. Residents will still be able to access their homes from Bagdad Road and Dennison Road.

Feel free to contact Assistant Town Engineer April Talon, P.E. at 868-5578 with any questions regarding this project.  atalon@ci.durham.nh.us  

After a few days of warm weather, Wednesday's early morning snowfall was quite unexpected. Here, some local dogs have made "first tracks."  Courtesy Todd Selig

DURHAM/UNH WATER SYSTEM ADOPTS CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM

The UNH/Durham Water System has recently adopted a Cross Connection Control Program to satisfy New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules, Env-Ws 364.  These regulations require public water systems have backflow prevention devices installed at every service connection, and each backflow device must be inspected by a certified inspector and tested at least once per year.  This regulation will affect commercial properties on the water system only. 

Facilities that pose an elevated risk to the system must be tested twice per year. The purpose of this regulation is to protect the public drinking water supply from back siphoning of potentially harmful substances into the distribution system from the interior plumbing of individual buildings or exterior irrigation systems. 

Letters were mailed this week to owners of commercial properties requesting that they contact New England Backflow to have their Backflow Devices inspected. This inspection is being paid by the Town however owners will be required to have their backflow devices tested at their own cost. The Town is required to send testing reports to NHDES to satisfy the regulations. We appreciate your cooperation in our effort to protect your drinking water!

Documents regarding the Cross Connection Control Program may be obtained by contacting Assistant Town Engineer, April Talon, P.E. at Public Works Engineering Division, 603-868-5578.

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ADMINISTRATION - ANNUAL LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

New Hampshire residents who own a homestead subject to the State Education Property Tax, resided in the homestead as of April 1, 2013, and have a total household income of $20,000 or less if a single person (or $40,000 or less if married or head of household) may apply for property tax relief during the filing period - after May 1, 2014, but no later than June 30, 2014. For more information and application form DP-8, click HERE.   

DURHAM MASTER PLAN UPDATE -- NEW CHAPTER: HISTORIC RESOURCES PUBLIC FORUM - THURSDAY, MAY 8th

As part of the Durham Master Plan Update, a new chapter will be developed on on Historic Resources.  The Historic District/Heritage Commission is developing this chapter with the guidance of consultants Nicole Benjamin-Ma and Rita Walsh of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin of Watertown, MA.  This chapter will help to identify valuable architectural, historical, and cultural resources throughout the Town and offer strategies to preserve and enhance those resources.  Residents are encouraged to provide their thoughts about this issue.  If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to complete the survey which can be accessed HERE.

The Historic District/Heritage Commission will hold a Public Forum on Durham’s Historic Resources on Thursday, May 8th at the Durham Public Library from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Please take a look at the attached flyer (and see how many sites you can identify!).

SPRING CLEANUP - April 28, 2014

Residents should have received their Annual Spring Newsletter detailing the curbside bulky waste collection (Spring Cleanup) and Hazardous Waste Day scheduled in the fall. Bulky Waste Cleanup- PICKUP BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014.  Please place materials curbside NO EARLIER than April 26th and NO LATER than 7AM on April 28th.  See the newsletter for details.  If you have any questions, please call Public Works at 868-5578. 

TOWN HALL PROJECT

Exterior framing work continues to proceed nicely. This picture is the roof truss system for the Lobby area being lowered into place. Courtesy Craig Stevens

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING - SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014

The purpose of Durham's Historic Association is to preserve the memory of events connected with the history of the Town of Durham, or of individuals who may have resided there; serve as guardian of the town's history; preserve the artifacts of the town's history; and inform and educate the citizens of Durham and others of the history of the town and how contemporary Durham arises out of its past.

The Durham Historic Association will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 2:30 PM in the Oyster River Room of the Durham Public Library. The program features the Bragdon Collection of Durham Documents, Discoveries from an old Durham Barn, the Fortieth Anniversary of Durham Rejecting the Onassis’ Oil Refinery, and the Election of Officers and Directors for 2014-2016. Refreshments will be served.

To view the Durham Historic Association's spring 2014 newsletter, click HERE.

POWER OF ONE PROJECT

Power of One helps students find and use their personal power. Members set their own goals, work to achieve them, and enjoy the results. The skills members learn in Power of One help them now and in the future in school, with friends and family, in their future at college, and on the job.

For her Power of One Project, Oyster River High School freshman Annie Hanley-Miller would like to help homeless children and youth in New Hampshire.  She has chosen to work with the Street Outreach Program sponsored by Child and Family Services of New Hampshire. 

This organization meets the needs of homeless youth by providing basic elements of survival as well as supporting homeless youth towards living more successful lives. Annie will be collecting gently used clothing, shoes, and personal toiletry items for the youth involved in the Outreach Program. 

A collection box will be in the Town Hall Lobby from April 30th - May 8th for collection of donations. Thank you!

THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS FROM DCAT STUDIOS

Living on Mount Washington, Saturday & Sunday @ 10:30 AM & 8:30 PM

Join us for an insider’s view of what it’s like to live on Mount Washington, the home of the world’s worst weather! Durham native Sam Hewitt shows pictures, tells stories and answers questions about his current position as an intern at the Mount Washington Observatory. DPL Staff member Nicole Moore also talks about her nine one-week stints as a volunteer cook on the rock pile.  This program is also available on our On Demand site.

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Granite State Outdoors, Saturday & Sunday @ 4:00 PM

In this episode, get some ideas on how to feed our winter feathered friends, head out on the ice with Dave Genz, the father of modern ice fishing and take a look back at a moose round up. These stories and more, brought to you by your New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Connecting you to life outdoors.  This video is not available on the Town’s On Demand site.

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Streamwalk, Saturday & Sunday @ 7:00 PM

Come along with Streamwalk volunteers as the get up close and personal with the Lamprey. Learn how their observation help officials and landowners use and enjoy the river wisely.   This video is not available on the Town’s On Demand site.

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The Return of Music to the Bulletin Board System

Where is the music coming from on the bulletin board?  After many years of the bulletin board being silent, music has returned! DCAT has added Pandora Live Streaming Commercial Free music to the bulletin board system.  The music that’s playing is at the discretion of the DCAT Coordinator, but that doesn’t mean suggestions are not welcome.  For the next week a combination of Lite Rock & Pop Hits Radio will be playing, in the cue; Jazz & Easy Listening.  If you have any suggestions, please contact: Craig Stevens, DCAT Coordinator – dcat@ci.durham.nh.us

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These videos are also available for viewing on the Town’s On Demand site.

At the Durham Town Council meeting on Monday, April 7, 2014, the Council approved a resolution recognizing longtime and beloved Durham resident Shirley A. Thompson for her many years of dedicated community service to the Town of Durham. Above, Council Chair Jay B. Gooze reads and presents the resolution to Shirley's family. Pictured are Shirley's daughter Kim Laughton, and grandchildren Lindsay and Ricky Laughton. To veiw the resolution outlining Shirley's many contributions to the community throughout her life, click HERE. Courtesy Todd Selig

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, April 21, 2014. To view an agenda and other information, click HERE.

Planning Board - Wednesday, April 23, 2014. To view an 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://ci.durham.nh.us/  by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.

DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.

PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.

UNH Recreation Management students leading after school activities with ORMS students on Wednesday afternoon. Courtesy of Stefanie Frazee 

Egg Hunt – Tomorrow @ Town Landing! Durham Parks & Recreation and ORPP will host the 20th Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th!  Bring your baskets, and arrive early.  The hunt starts promptly at 11am. Find out more HERE.

R.E.A.C.H – Recreation Education and Adventure Close to Home (Last day to register - April 18th) - A collaboration between Oyster River Cooperative School District, Durham Parks & Recreation Department, and the UNH InterOperability Laboratory to provide exceptional opportunities for our ORCSD students.  Camp R.E.A.C.H is a community-based summer camp experience. Register and find out more HERE.

Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26th - If you have a group, organization, or unit of 5 or more who would like to participate in the 67th Annual Memorial Day Parade, please fill out the Parade Registration Form and return to Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee at sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us.

Rec After School – April 16th & 30th - UNH’s Recreation Management students have come up with some new and exciting programs!  On April 16th and 30th, they’ll be at ORMS from 4-5:30PM to demonstrate with our students! Topics will include: Low-organized Leadership Games, Intercultural Communication and Diversity, and Drama.  Email Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee to sign your student up for this opportunity (FREE): sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us. Space is limited.

Volunteers Needed – Wednesday, May 14th - We are looking volunteers from our community to help with this year’s Bike Rodeo at ORMS.  Students will spend the day rotating through various stations, learning about: rules of the road, signaling, bike maintenance, helmet safety, etc.  Basic familiarity with bikes is preferred, but not required.  If you’d like to help during this fantastic event, please email Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us OR SRO Holly Malasky: hmalasky@ci.durham.nh.us

World Tai Chi Day-Saturday, April 26 - Celebrate World Tai Chi Day with Nationally Certified Instructor Lin Lin Choy. The group will demonstrate with sticks, swords, and fans. Find out more HERE.

Fitness For Life - View our weekly calendar and class descriptions HERE.

Senior Trips – Are you interested in taking a trip to places like Boston, New York, Foxwoods, etc.? Email: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to put your name on the mailing list.

Trial Stewards Wanted - Spring has sprung and it is time to break out the hiking boots.  Before you enjoy that leisurely stroll we need help cleaning the trails!  Do you have an organization that needs community service hours?  Would you like to help give our trails a spring cleaning?  Contact: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to learn more about this great opportunity. 

ORMS students take a closer look at the historic Davis Graveyard located at Wagon Hill Farm, in preparation for an Expeditionary-learning project they’re working on.  The project will include  an Interpretive Trail design and installation. Courtesy Chris Hall 

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Save the Date:

• Annual Egg Hunt - Saturday, 4/19
• World Tai Chi Day Demonstration - Saturday, 4/26
• Memorial Day Parade - Monday, 5/26
• Summer Kickoff Party - Saturday, 6/28
• Music by the Bay Summer Concert Series - August
• Durham Day - Saturday, 9/27

The annual QuackFest rubber duck race will be held on Saturday, May 10th on the Oyster River at Durham Landing.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Newcomers Unlimited April Program, “Gardens in New Hampshire”, Friday, Apr 18, 2014.  Linda Seedner will talk about various gardens and projects that she has been involved with through the Master Gardener training: “The Gardens of NH Native Plants”, the “Kids Can Grow” program, and “Bedrock Gardens”. Coffee & conversation at 9AM; meeting & speaker at 10AM, Fellowship Hall, Durham Community Church.  Please park in the lower lot.

Save Our Shoreline, Earth Day Planting Event, hosted by Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Saturday, Apr 19, 2014, 9AM - 4PM, Adam's Point. RSVP to melissa.brogle@wildlifenh.gov. Melissa Brogle, 603-778-0015, for more information.

Durham Garden Club presents “Valuing and Protecting our Wetlands”, Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014, 6:30 PM, Durham Public Library. Jessica Veysey will discuss the diversity of wetland ecosystems and the greatest threats to wetlands today. Free and open to the public.

Durham Business Association Annual Meeting, Thursday, May 1, 2014, 7:30 - 9:00 AM, Three Chimney's Inn-Madbury Room. RSVP by Thursday, Apr 24th to durhambusinessassociation@gmail.com. Breakfast provided by Three Chimneys Inn, The Works Bakery Cafe, and Durham Marketplace.

Haitian Health Foundation Dinner, hosted by The Student Nutrition Association, Friday, Apr 25, 2014, 5-7PM, Young's Restaurant. Benefits the Haitian Health Foundation. Food, entertainment, live music, raffles.

UNH Campus Activities Board Annual May Day Carnival, Saturday, Apr 26, 2014, 1:00-9:00 PM, parking lot C and Quad Way at UNH. All are welcome at this campus and community event, featuring amusement rides, game booths, live music, carnival food, and more! Free admission for all UNH students, faculty, staff and their families. $5 Admission for all their community members and $15 for families of three or more.
First Annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Fundraiser, Sunday, Apr 27, 2014, 1:00 PM, UNH Scott Hill Lawn, UNH Campus. Held in honor of the millions of children affected by war in Uganda and other African countries who have had to walk hundreds of miles to escape the violence surrounding them. Funds raised will be used provide educational and vocational training at ChildVoice’s Lukome Center in northern Uganda. To learn more, click HERE.

Durham Democratic Meeting, Tuesday, Apr 29, 2014, 6:30-7:30 PM, Durham Public Library Community Room. Will discuss 2014 elections and how to help local candidates, as well as seeking volunteers to help at the polls this year as the Town Democrats are required to supply half of the ballot clerks at all Durham elections.  Everyone is welcome. Contact Tim Horrigan, Timothy.Horrigan@alumni.usc.edu, or Susan Roman, susan1roman@gmail.com and 603-868-2293, with any questions.

QuackFest 2014 Annual Rubber Duck Race, sponsored by Growing Places and Durham-Great Bay Rotary, Saturday, May 10, 2014, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM, Oyster River-Durham Landing. Ducks launch at 12:30 PM. Ducks for sale at Growing Places or on day of the event. $5/each or 5 ducks for $20. Free children's activities. Rotarians grilling up hot dogs and hamburgers.
Letter Carriers' Annual Food Drive, Saturday, May 10, 2014. The Durham Post Office letter carriers (city and rural) collect food donated by customers when their mail is delivered. All food collected goes to local pantries in Durham and Lee and serves those residents who need assistance. Last year, letter carriers collected approximately 5500 pounds of non-perishable foods and other items.

Great Bay Rowing, located at Jackson’s Landing in Durham, has a variety of Camp programs for students interested in learning to row or improving their rowing skills. For a full description of GBR Rowing Camp options offered this summer, click HERE.

UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Spin Club, is seeking volunteers who would like to lead 6-hour projects. 4-H Spin Club is a special interest club led by volunteers who have a passion and want to share their knowledge with young people. Topics can include: gardening, technology, photography, biking, baking, GPS, bookkeeping, arts, science, and more. Amanda Royce, 603-447-3834, amanda.royce@unh.edu for more information.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Don't miss the sculpture in the café at Durham Public Library.  Talented local sculptor Henry Davisson has created works from stone or wood, including these whimsical stone carvings of an ear, a nose, and a throat.

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Family Movie Afternoon “FROZEN" Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. - Just "Let it Go" and watch last year's Oscar-winning smash hit on the big screen at the library! Popcorn is served!
Durham Garden Club:  Valuing and Protecting our Wetlands, Tues. April 22nd, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Make-It-Take-It Craft, Sat. April 19th-Sat. April 26th - Come in to the Children’s room all week for a fun craft during Oyster River School Vacation Week.  Make a fun paper windsock!  No storytimes this week.
Puppe Tree Perfomance of “Caps for Sale”, Thurs. April 24th, 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room – Join us for this fun joint library vacation program (Durham, Lee and Madbury) for all ages.  Puppe Tree is a Vermont based Puppet/Performance Troupe.  They are very talented and have beautiful puppets.  Don’t miss it!
Chess and Board Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up), Monday April 28th 3:00-4:00 p.m. – This week come and play/learn the board game “Pictionary”.  Join us every Monday afternoon now in the Young Adult room for a game of chess (or other board games).
Pre-school Storytimes,  Tues.  April 29th and Thurs.  May 1st at 10:30 a.m. –The theme is: Gardening and Flowers!
Watercolor Group, Tues. April 29th, 2:00-3:30 p.m. -   Contact: Anne Avery   603-868-8100   Taltyrics@comcast.net  Open to anyone interested in painting with watercolor with a group.
Pajama Storytime with Oyster River Parents and Pre-Schoolers, Tues. April 29th at 6:30 p.m. – This month:  “Trains!”  Come wearing your pj’s.  We read stories about trains, take a pretend train ride and make a train craft.  Snacks provided by O.R.P.P.  All are welcome!
Oyster River High School Spring Poetry Night! Weds. April 30th, 6:30 p.m. – Join us for this fun night of poetry.  Hear from the ORHS Poet Laureate, Poetry Out Loud winner, members of the Literary Magazine and others.  Refreshments are served!
Lego Club, Thurs. May 1st at 3:45-4:45 p.m. – Join us Thursdays to make Lego creations. Lego Club is in need of Lego Donations!  Have any Legos that you would like to donate to the library?  They will be put to good use at our very popular Lego Club.
Alzheimer’s Café, Friday May 2nd, 10:30-12:00 p.m. – Join us in the Library café for a time to socialize with others.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Friday May 2nd, 10:30 a.m. – This week:  Pets and Animals!  We will hear books, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft.  This group is geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome.
Crafternoon – Fri. May 2nd 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Stop by the Children’s craft room on Fridays for a fun craft.
Baby Lap-Sit, Sat. May 3rd, 10:30 a.m. (for ages 2 & under with their care-givers) – Join us for another fun 5 week session.  We read stories, do fingerplays, sing songs and socialize afterwards.  You will receive a fingerplay ring each week!  All are welcome.
McGregor EMS Babysitting Course, Sat. May 3rd, 10:15-3:30 p.m. - This course is designed to certify kids ages 11 & up.  Cost is $35.  To register, visit cprsafe.org or call 603-862-3674
NH Audobon Raptor Program, Sat. May 3rd 10:30 a.m. at the Lee Safety Complex (grades 5 & up) – Join us for this joint library (Durham, Lee and Madbury) program.  Learn all about these birds of prey and see them first hand.  All are welcome.
DPL Exhibit! Confronting the South: New Hampshire People During the Civil War - Last year marked the 150 year anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. Between April 1861 and the spring of 1865, the Civil War tested concepts of nationhood, attitudes toward race and human rights, gender roles, and the U.S. Constitution itself. Through the soldier’s letters, the exhibit interprets three aspects of the war: Confronting the South- the soldiers reaction to being in unfamiliar territory; Seeing the Elephant- popular term describing being in battle for the first time; and Life at Home- feelings and hardship of those left behind in New Hampshire. Exhibit is on loan from the UNH Dimond Library Special Collections.
Tales for Tails sign-ups happening now.  Contact the Children’s desk to register.
Patch Club! Earn patches and a library bag for your reading time.  Register 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.

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

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

FROM "HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A BRIEF HISTORY OF DURHAM, NH, 1600 - 1976 written by Philip A. Wilcox and members of the Durham Historic Association
1782- Portsmouth - Received of the Selectmen one hundred twenty seven Gallons, by half gallons, Rum, being a tax on the Town of Durham agreeably to an Act of Said State passed the 31st of August last. --John Wentworth

Have a nice weekend and Happy Easter.  And remember, the Parks & Recreation Egg Hunt is tomorrow, 4/19/14. 

("Friday Updates" being sent remotely this week from RAINY Florida!)

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, NH

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us    http://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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