Friday Updates - February 21, 2014

Friday February 21, 2014

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Main Street, Durham - 1930s. Courtesy Durham Historic Association

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We have certainly had our fair share of snow this week!  For residents who may have questions about how Durham manages winter roadway maintenance, an interesting overview is found in this week's "Friday Updates."  

UNH SIGNS 20-YEAR LEASE FOR INTEROPERABILITY LAB AS PART OF DURHAM'S NEW MADBURY COMMONS DEVELOPMENT

University of New Hampshire officials have signed a 20-year lease that will make the UNH InterOperability Lab (IOL) the anchor tenant in a new $30 million development poised to enhance and expand the downtown area.  Madbury Commons recently received final town Planning Board approval for the mixed-use development on 2.6 acres in the heart of downtown Durham with 126 apartments, housing 525 students, and 45,000 square feet of commercial space. The IOL will occupy 25,000 of those square feet with other parts of the university’s commercialization efforts occupying another 10,000.

The project is a significant and positive development for downtown Durham.  The Town and UNH at long last are taking full advantage of the research and commercialization work at UNH for the benefit of the broader community.

The move represents the culmination of four to five years of constructive town/gown dialogue.  Relocating this University-related enterprise into privately owned, fully taxable property, in support of Durham’s downtown core has been a goal of the Town for some time.  Conversations began regarding the concept a number of years ago when UNH was considering relocating the facility out of Durham to the Pease Tradeport.  

As part of the Madbury Commons project, the IOL will be located near the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. Madbury Commons replaces two fraternity houses and an outdated housing complex known as The Greens, with the main entrance for the IOL on Pettee Brook Lane.

Founded in 1988, the UNH-IOL provides independent, broad-based interoperability and standards conformance testing for data, telecommunications and storage networking products and technologies, helping companies efficiently and cost effectively deliver products to the market. A full-scale, nonprofit test lab, the UNH-IOL is dedicated to fostering cooperation within the data communications industry while providing hands-on experience to future engineers.

DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION CANDIDATES FORUM

On Monday, February 24, 2014, beginning at 7:00 PM, a Candidates Forum for Town Council candidates will be held in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall located at 15 Newmarket Road. The forum is being planned and hosted by the Durham Business Association, moderated by Chris Regan, and will be broadcast on the Durham Cable Access Television (DCAT) channel, Channel 22.

DBA members and the public are invited to attend and to participate by submitting questions for Town Council candidates who are running for these elected offices at the March 11, 2014 Town Election.

 
Please Note:  The Durham Business Association is a 501 (c) (6) nonprofit and does not promote, endorse any specific political candidates.

Durham snow plow of yesteryear... Courtesy Durham Historic Association

HOW DURHAM PLOWS ITS ROADS/SIDEWALKS

Is it spring yet??? Wednesday, February 19, 2014, marked the 11th day of some sort of snow/ice event in the month of February.  Within the previous week alone, it was the 5th day that crews were either treating or plowing the roads, with 20+ inches of snow accumulation within the previous 10 days.  Let’s face it, EVERYONE is getting tired of this winter.  Residents are frustrated with shoveling, mailboxes getting hit, slippery sidewalks, limited parking due to snow, etc.  The plow drivers are tired too, after working 16-24 hour shifts, coming home to undertake their own shoveling, ice, mailboxes, and seeing their spouses, who are also exhausted from doing everything solo, such as dealing with children who are acting up, because they are missing their dads.

 
Who plows the roads? There are six main road plow drivers and two employees that deal with sidewalks, parking lots and Town facilities.  Durham is unique in that we do all of our snow plowing in house, whereas some other local communities contract out additional personnel and trucks to plow during the winter.  Durham's primary “snow fighters” are comprised of the DPW mechanic, the water foreman, the buildings and grounds foreman and one buildings and grounds maintenance worker, the highway foreman and three highway maintenance workers, one being the traffic control and signs technician.  All of these staff members still have to maintain their regular duties during the week.  For example, the water department is comprised of one person- the water foremen.  That person has daily tasks that are necessary such as well charts and reports pertinent to our state permit, not to mention emergencies such as the water main break earlier in the month at Emerson/Edgewood Road.  The mechanic has to maintain police vehicles and the entire DPW fleet.  The buildings and grounds foreman still has to take care of building maintenance of all Town facilities, etc.

 
Town Roads, State Roads, Private Roads?  The Durham crew plows all Town owned roads and sidewalks. The NH Department of Transportation maintains its roads such as Route 108, Route 155, Route 4, etc.  Private roads are maintained by private entities.  

Durham’s plow routes.  Durham’s six large plow trucks are driven by the same drivers each year with consistent route assignments.  Each route takes approximately 3 hours to complete from start to finish.  If it is snowing at a rate of about 1.5 inches per hour for example, then it is possible that the earlier part of a driver's route has 4.5" inches of snow on it by the time the driver gets back to that portion of the route again. 

Roadway treatment.  Each storm is different and the roadway treatment is customized based on the type of snow or ice we are experiencing.  Durham utilizes salt and sand to treat its roads.  The composition of a given roadway treatment is dependent on the temperature and type of precipitation.  Only sand and pea stone are used on dirt roads. 

State v. Town Roads.  It is important to note that there is a significant difference between a municipal road and a state road.   The NH Department of Transportation has a “bare roads policy” which is realistically not always possible but NHDOT typically does a very good job working to achieve it.  The reason for this NHDOT goal versus what we undertake at the local level is the high speeds and significant volume of travelers on state roads.  To achieve this goal, the NHDOT routing is much shorter and they use significantly more salt than that utilized by most towns, therefore often the state roads are clearer than any town roads, statewide.

 
After the storm.  The crew will be out plowing for the duration of the storm.  This could be any given duration, sometimes storms are here for 20+ hours.  After going home for some rest, many times Town crews will have to be in to remove snow the following evening.  In fact, the day after a storm DPW crews come late at night to clear snow from parking spaces in the downtown core.  

 

In closing, snow removal is top priority to the Durham Public Works Department and we provide the best services and safest conditions possible with the resources at hand.  At this point in the winter it is understandable that patience is wearing thin, especially when we have had this much snow.  There is a light at the end of this tunnel!  Spring will soon be here.  Our staff will will do their best to continue to keep up with the storms and appreciate the patience and cooperation from the community.

Current day plow truck. Courtesy Todd Selig

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ORLI/MUDOR

ORLI (Office Research/Light Industry) and MUDOR (Multi-Unit Dwellings/Office Research) are commercial zones that occupy much of the land to the west of town (along Mast Road, Mast Road Extension, Old Concord Road, and the western portion of Rt. 4.


A set of proposed amendments initiated by the Town Council would removed single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-unit dwellings from being permitted in MUDOR and ORLI. (All existing structures would be grandfathered.)


The primary rationale for these proposed zoning changes is that with the large number of beds added to Durham's housing stock in the last several years (both downtown and on the outskirts), Durham may be nearing the point where the supply of student housing has caught up with the demand. Given that the expansion of housing in ORLI and MUDOR in the last few years has been significant, the rationale for the proposed zoning changes is "to better align the zoning in the districts with the purpose of commercial development creating employment and office space, noting that the goal of encouraging new multi-unit housing in the community has been achieved."


The Town only recently added single-family homes and duplexes as permitted uses in ORLI and single-family homes as a permitted use in MUDOR in 2010 in order to accommodate the Capstone student housing project which desired to build "cottages" rather than large, multi-unit buildings. After "The Cottages" was built, Peak Development utilized this zoning provision to create a similar high-density neighborhood in the apple orchard along Mast Road.

A Public Hearing by the Durham Planning Board for these proposed zoning changes has been continued to February 26. Emails may be sent to Michael Behrendt with your comments: mailto:mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us.  

PAULY'S POCKET REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

On February 26, 2014, there will be a public hearing after viewing the proposed design for the redevelopment of Pauly's Pocket. The plan to date is to expand the current structure to three stories and enlarge the footprint to include the current parking area west of the building. There are also plans to make improvements to the adjacent park that could provide more outdoor seating.  


Given the prime location and high visibility of this building downtown, a strong architectural design is important. Both the Town and the developer are working to achieve this outcome and feedback has been positive to date on the project.

MATHES TERRACE

Residents may recall the significant feedback, the majority being negative, provided to the applicant this past fall during a lengthy preliminary design review process for a proposed new student housing building in the location of 15 Madbury Road and 8 Mathes Terrace. The project is before the Planning Board once again as a formal application and a great deal -- although not all -- of the feedback from that earlier process has been incorporated into the present design.


The Town still does not know who the actual developer is but legally the Town cannot mandate receipt of that information.  The Town can request contact information for someone to respond if there was an emergency at the property, however.

Residents have continued to raise questions regarding a number of aspects of the project including the mass and scale of the building relative to others on Mathes Terrace.  At the same time, the mass and scale of the project will be fairly consistent with other developments along Madbury Road.  These matters will have to be worked out between the applicant and the Planning Board.

On February 26, 2014, there will be a presentation and public hearing on this project.

The applicant has been working to address concerns raised to date by staff in recent weeks regarding the proposed redevelopment.  


The public hearing is an opportunity for citizens to voice their thoughts on the project.

Letters may be sent to: mailto:mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us.

2014 OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE AVAILABLE FROM OYSTER RIVER TEACHERS' GUILD

A questionnaire was sent to all candidates for the Oyster River School Board by the Oyster River Teachers' Guild. Candidates were asked by the Guild to respond to a number of questions pertaining to education in the Oyster River School District. The information provided by candidates was then compiled by the Guild into a Voter’s Guide.  The information is not intended to be an endorsement of any one candidate, but rather a source of information prepared by the Teachers' Guild to assist district residents in making an informed choice when voting on Tuesday March 11th.  To view the questionnaire and candidate responses, click HERE. 

INFORMATION SUBMITTED FROM ORCSD SUPERINTENDENT DR. JAMES MORSE

SAU 5 ORCSD voters, in a delayed, but well attended Deliberative Session on February 7, 2014, approved all warrants as presented by the School Board for a District-wide vote on March 11, 2014. It is appreciated that so many gave up a Friday evening to share their thoughts regarding the proposed 2014-15 school year budget.

Moderator Rick Laughton opened the meeting with a moment of silence for his mother-in-law, Shirley Thompson, who passed on January 31, 2014. We will all miss her strong advocacy for the District and the Town of Durham.

School Board Member Allan Howland presented Article 3. This pertained to the collective bargaining agreement between the Oyster River Teachers’ Guild (Guild) and the Oyster River School Board. The Guild and the Board agreed to a three year salary increase agreement with 2% the first year and 1.5% for both the second and third year. In addition, there is a $295,000 decrease in the cost of health insurance by changing to a less expensive plan with greater member copay on pharmacy and office visits. Citizens in attendance overwhelmingly approved Article 3. The $319,827 needed in year one of this contract would increase the budget by .08%.

School Board Member Ann Lane presented Article 4. This article asks the voters to approve a cafeteria for Moharimet, the only school in the District that does not have a dedicated space for children to eat. The funds for this project are available as a result of a lawsuit filed by schools and towns throughout New Hampshire against the Local Government Center. Oyster River received $688,000 of which $188,000 belongs to district employees. The School Board is asking that the remaining $500,000 be used to fund the cafeteria project. An amendment was made at the Deliberative Session to add an additional $45,000 to the project to more accurately reflect its estimated cost. The amendment was approved. Article 4, as amended, asks the voters to approve $545,000 for the addition of a cafeteria with that amount coming from the LGC lawsuit proceeds. The SAU 5 ORCSD community voters in attendance supported Article 4 as amended.

School Board Member Ann Lane also presented Article 5. This article asks the voters to transfer authority from the voters to the School Board to expend from the Facilities Capital Reserve Fund which has a balance of $98,289. This article requires no new taxpayer funds. These funds would be used to cover any additional costs related to the Moharimet cafeteria or other capital needs in the District. The SAU 5 ORCSD community voters in attendance supported Article 5.

School Board Member Kenny Rotner presented Article 6. This article asks the voters to approve a tuition agreement between the Barrington School District and the Oyster River Cooperative School District. This is a groundbreaking ten year agreement that charges Barrington $14,000 per student with an automatic increase based upon the cost of operating the ORHS. It also includes annual student growth goals related to the number of students from Barrington per year over a five-year period. Currently, the district has 70 Barrington students with a goal of increasing student attendance to 125 Barrington students within the next five years. Barrington also guarantees revenue of 95% of the agreed to student numbers should they not meet a given years goal. Once the 125-student level is reached, ORCSD agrees to be a school of record, which means it will act like Dover High School, as if the district is Barrington’s High School. Finally, the maximum number of Barrington students is established at 200 students with a growth rate of 20% per year. The SAU 5 ORCSD community voters in attendance supported Article 6.

School Board Member Allan Howland presented Article 7. This article is the summative article that requests the voters to approve an operating budget of all funds in the mount of $39,325,985. Should this article fail the default budget would be $37,511,593.

In addition, this article shares with the voters the estimated funds to be expended in Fund 21, Food Service of $603,361, Fund 22 of $655,000, federal and special expenditures, and Fund 23 of $6,000, as pass through funds. Fund 21, 22 and 23 are not impacted by the vote on the general fund budget/Fund 10.

Four amendments were made that would have increased the operating budget proposed by the Oyster River School Board. The first was to restore a building aide cut by the Board at Oyster River High School; the amendment failed. The second amendment was to restore a .4 World Language teacher at the high school; the amendment failed. The third amendment was to add a School Resource Officers at Moharimet and Mast Way Schools; the amendment failed. The last amendment was to begin all-day kindergarten with two full time classrooms at Mast Way where space is available, in the fall of 2014; the amendment failed.

Once the amendments were finished, the SAU 5 ORCSD community voters in attendance supported Article 7, a .09% increase in operating cost of the District.

Residents of Durham, Lee, and Madbury have the opportunity to vote on March 11, 2014 in the following locations, respectively:

• The Town of Durham Oyster River High School 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The Town of Lee Lee Safety Complex 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The Town of Madbury Madbury Town Hall 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Two At-Large seats are open on the ORCSD School Board with three members of the community running for these seats. They are Denise Day of Durham, Sarah Farwell of Lee, and Michael Williams of Durham.

Residents should take this opportunity to thank them in advance, win or lose, for their commitment to the Oyster River Cooperative School District.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOLS SEEK VOLUNTEERS WHO LOVE GARDENING TO ASSIST WITH PRODUCTION GARDENS

All four schools within the Oyster River Cooperative School District are seeking those who love gardening to help out with the newly established and establishing school production gardens located at each of the district’s four schools. Although these gardens can and will be used by teachers in support of the curriculum, the main purpose of these gardens is to provide poundage of vegetables and greens for the four school cafeterias so that Oyster River students will have both great tasting and healthy fresh food in their school meals year-round.


This effort supplements the purchase of locally grown fresh food from area farmers.


If you are interested in participating, please contact Principal Dennis Harrington at dharrington@orcsd.org.

E 9-1-1 MAPPING TO TAKE PLACE IN DURHAM IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2014

The NH Division of Emergency Services and Communications (DESC) is currently working in conjunction with the Fire Department to collect all road and addressing information for properties within the community. This will enable the NH E 9-1-1 system to provide exact location information to dispatch agencies should an emergency arise.

 

The process involves going to each structure in the Durham and collecting the actual X,Y coordinates, all posted addresses, and any new roads that E 9-1-1 does not currently have in its database.


If addresses are not clearly posted, DESC may need to verify resident or utility information. Should the need for this arise, officials will always be in a clearly marked state vehicle and all employees have ID’s and carry information cards with their E 9-1-1 bureau contact information.

 

After the collection process is complete the DESC personnel will work closely with the Durham Fire Department to ensure that the information gathered is complete and accurate.


Upon acceptance by the Town, paper and digital maps will be generated for Durham by the state.

Installation of new basement concrete floors began this week at the new Town Hall building. Courtesy Craig Stevens

TOWN HALL PROJECT

A substantial part of this week’s work at the new Town Hall site was the preparation and installation of the new basement concrete floors. These floors will eventually be finished with vinyl tiles.

 

On Thursday evening this week, Town Hall staff were given an inside tour of the new Town Hall building, led by DPW Director Mike Lynch. Several Council members also joined the tour, including Councilors Diana Carroll and Wayne Burton (pictured above), as well as Councilors Robin Mower and Julian Smith. It was exciting to see how much progress has been made to date. Courtesy Craig Stevens

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING OF THE STRAFFORD COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014, 9:00 A.M.

The Town of Durham has received notice that a Public Meeting of the Strafford County Delegation is scheduled to be held Saturday, February 22, 2014, 9:00 a.m. in Superior Courtroom II, second floor of the William A. Grimes Justice and Administration Building, County Farm Road, Dover, New Hampshire, to conduct the following business:

• Receive Recommendations of the Delegation Executive Committee on Commissioners’ 2014 Proposed Budget
• Vote on Acceptance of the Strafford County 2014 Budget
• Approve Minutes January 22, 2014 Public Hearing
• Any other business which may legally come up at that time   

Information and directions may be obtained in advance of the meeting by contacting the Strafford County Commissioners office at (603)516-7100.

Motorcycle plow :-)  Courtesy DPW

CELEBRATE SOLAR POWER IN DURHAM!  FAMILY EVENTS MARCH 6 AND MARCH 9

What do the library, police station, and skating rink have in common? Solar energy systems installed by ReVision Energy. Up and running since late December, collectively they can generate up to 120 kw. (That's like powering about 25 average households.) Celebrate Durham's commitment to reducing costs and fossil fuel use at two upcoming events!


March 6 at the library: Durham Solar Awareness and Restaurant Pot Luck — Join ReVision Energy and the Durham Energy Committee from 4:30pm-6:30pm for a Community Mixer and Pot Luck light dinner (thanks for the donations, Durham businesses!) to raise solar awareness. Learn about Durham's projects and get answers to your questions, whether about the Town's solar installations or about homeowner options. See the flyer.


March 9 at Churchill Rink: Community Free Skate — Hosted by ReVision Energy, from 12pm-1:45pm.  Skate rentals are limited, so please try to bring your own. Coffee, hot chocolate, and pastries will be provided. See the flyer.


An RSVP to Kimry Corrette at ReVision Energy will help in planning, but don't let that keep you from deciding at the last minute to join us. Contact her at or 603 679 1777.

(Did you know... As you drive around town, you've probably noticed an increase in rooftop solar panels in the last few years. The Open PV Project of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows that 27 installations have been registered in our zip code, mostly residential but also including the Town's own three, plus one at the Durham Boat Company. If you've got solar panels but haven't yet registered your project, please sign up to raise Durham's profile!)

This photograph of a Barred owl was taken from the window of Durham residents Jim and Nancy Hornbeck’s home in Woodridge

UNH OFFERS MANY SUMMER CAMP AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE OPEN TO DURHAM RESIDENTS

Be active and take advantage of unique opportunities available to Durham residents and their families at UNH this summer!  UNH offers numerous and varied summer programs for youth in K-12: from academic enrichment, to the arts, to athletics, to traditional camps and water activities.  

• At Project SMART, talented high school students study advanced topics in science, mathematics and computers.
• The Thompson School of Applied Science offers a culinary camp.
• Engineeristas is an engineering camp for middle school girls.
• KEEPERS for Kids introduces students grades 2 to 5,to various engineering fields.  
• UNH Writers Academy provides an opportunity for young writers entering grades 5 - 12 to write, edit, and publish their own stories, poems, and plays.
• Camp Wildcat offers camp programs for the duration of the summer. http://campusrec.unh.edu/camp-wildcat

Most programs are held on the UNH campus in a supportive, safe, and fun environment.  Instructors are University professors and staff, high school teachers, and college students. Camps utilize UNH's state-of-the-art facilities: athletics fields and rinks, science labs and equipment, theaters and art studios, and outdoor resources like Mendum's Pond.

Encourage your child to explore individual interests and talents!  Some programs are currently accepting registrations.

 

Learn more about all of the UNH programs and join the UNH email list for updates at: www.unh.edu/youth-programs or contact Cathy Leach at cathy.leach@unh.edu. 

UPDATE ON DURHAM FARMERS MARKET FROM SEACOAST GROWERS ASSOCIATION

The membership of Seacoast Growers Association (SGA) voted to initiate the 2014 season in the familiar location behind the existing Town Office at 15 Newmarket Road so as to allow farmers to speak to the customers and notify all of the plan to move later in the summer to Jackson’s Landing.


The SGA has suggested an early August date, at which time the Durham Farmers Market would establish itself in the new Jacksons Landing location.


By establishing a plan now, the SGA will market the information through its usual means as well as prepare the customers and community around them to the new site.

 

Courtesy SGA

SEACOAST FARMERS' MARKETS WELCOME NEW VENDOR APPLICATIONS

If you have ever considered becoming a vendor at the farmers' market, now is your chance. The Seacoast Growers Association (SGA) is currently accepting applications for vending at any of their five outdoor farmers' markets. The SGA welcomes applications from farmers, crafters and food producers operating in York (Maine), Strafford or Rockingham (NH) counties.

The Seacoast Growers Association is a member-driven organization that promotes agriculture on the seacoast. The SGA began their tradition of providing the region with a marketplace for fresh local produce, handcrafted goods, and homemade foods and beverages back in 1977. Today, the organization manages five seacoast markets: the Portsmouth Farmers' Market, Dover Farmers' Market, Durham Farmers' Market, Newington Farmers' Market, and Exeter Farmers' Market.

Those interested in vending regularly at market are invited to apply as new members of the organization. The new member application window is open until February 28th.

For more information on vendor rules, necessary permits, market fees, and application details, please visit the Resources page at http://www.seacoastgrowers.org/.

 

2014 DOG LICENSES/TAGS NOW AVAILABLE!

2014 dog licenses/tags are now available at the Town Clerk's Office.

New Hampshire law states “any owner or keeper” of a dog must register the dog annually in the month of April. A penalty of $1/month will be added to the registration fee beginning in June. If the dog(s) remain unlicensed, the law requires the issuance of a Civil Forfeiture which carries a $25 fine/dog.  If the dog(s) continue to remain unlicensed, a summons to court will be issued.  Prompt attention to licensing your dog(s) eliminates the need to pursue further action.


As always, you can register at the Town Clerk’s office M-F, 8-5.  If your dog’s rabies vaccination is up-to-date you can register on-line, or register by mail and include a copy of the new rabies expiration date.  


If you have received a notice from the Town Clerk's Office, and you no longer have the dog, please call 603-868-5577 as the Town has no other way to obtain this information.

Wildcat Fitness has installed "HydroMassage" beds that use adjustable jets of heated water.

WILDCAT FITNESS EXPANDS AND OFFERS MORE WELLNESS OPTIONS

Wildcat Fitness has expanded its facility by 3,100 square feet to offer more wellness options to the community, including a space for group exercise classes and a pair of state-of-the-art massage beds.


To supplement classes lead by some of the area’s most popular instructors, Wildcat Fitness has installed a “Fitness on Demand” system which allows members to choose from hundreds of exercise classes, brought to life on a 15’ screen, which can be accessed by members whose schedules don’t align with the live classes.


A first for the Town of Durham are the Wildcat Fitness “HydroMassage” beds, which offers a massage using adjustable jets of heated water to work muscles and promote flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and decrease back pain. Users stay fully clothed and dry. Membership is not required to use the HydroMassage beds. These are open to the public.

Signup before March 7th and get July and August for free, and Wildcat Fitness will waive the initial signup fee.

For more information visit http://www.wildcatfitness.net/

CHURCHILL RINK AT JACKSON'S LANDING SKATE SCHEDULE
For details on the schedule, please go to https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/churchillrink or call the rink at 868-3907. 

Public Skate Schedule:

Sundays:  12:00 - 1:45pm

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:00 - 3:20pm

Tuesdays:12:00 - 4:20pm

Thursdays: 12:00 - 1:50pm

Saturday:  2:00 - 3:45pm

Open Stick & Puck (unstructured hockey)

Sunday thru Friday:  11:00 - 11:50am

Adult Drop In

Sundays:  9:30 - 10:50am

Monday & Wednesday:  12:00 - 1:20 pm

Fridays:  12:00 - 1:20pm AND 8:00 - 9:20pm

Family Pond Hockey (Helmet required)

Saturday nights, 7:00 - 8:30 pm (except for Dec 28th)

For more information, contact Gary at Rink Services Group, 603-868-3907, gary@rinkservicesgroup.com.

THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS FROM DCAT STUDIOS

ATTENTION

Starting February 26, 2014, ORCSD will be moving to a new channel number. “Cable Channel 97”  From that date forward all ORCSD programming will only be available for viewing on Cable Channel 97.  ORCSD programming will no longer be available on DCAT Cable Channel 22.  This is the culmination of a long process with Comcast to activate the ORCSD broadcast signal.  If you have any questions please contact: Craig Stevens, DCAT Coordinator @ 868-5571 or dcat@ci.durham.nh.us

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The Quotable Eleanor Roosevelt, Sundays @ 1:30 PM, Run time: 44 Minutes

Learn about one of the most fascinating first ladies this country has ever had: Eleanor Roosevelt. Author Michele Albion brings Mrs. Roosevelt to life in an interactive discussion about the inspirational and aspirational woman.   This video is also available for viewing on the Town’s On Demand site.

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Bicycling Through Europe: One Durham Family’s Adventures

Sundays @ 5:55 PM, Run time: 1:10

Think about it: imagine packing up your family, notifying teachers, renting your home, hugging your friends good-bye and setting off on a bicycle tour of Europe! One Durham family did just that. Last year, Chris and Wendy Brooks decided to bring their children on a sight-seeing adventure through Europe. They will tell you the story, share their pictures, and perhaps inspire you to take your own journey.  This video is also available for viewing on the Town’s On Demand site.

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Strafford Regional Planning Commission presents: Mills Scenic Byway -Run time: 1:02 - Sundays @ 8:30 PM

Join your hosts, Kyle Pimental, Senior Regional Planner & Todd Selig, Durham Administrator for a presentation on the Mills Scenic Byway. The proposed Mills Scenic Byway is a 12.1 mile route that travels through the Towns of Newmarket, Durham, Madbury and Rollinsford. This route offers a clear depiction of small, yet vital communities, located along the coastal shores of the Lamprey, Oyster, Bellamy, Salmon Falls, and Cocheco Rivers. This public hearing is required in order for the Cultural Byway Council to officially designate the Mills Scenic Byway as a state byway. This video will also be available on the towns On Demand site.  This is a production of DCAT 22 Studios.

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Mill Pond Dam Centennial Celebration - Sundays @ 10:30 AM & 7:30 PM - Run time: 30 Minutes

Sit back and enjoy the latest production from DCAT 22 Studios. Enjoy some of Durham’s beautiful scenery, hear a this history of the Mill Pond Dam. Who is Congreve Hamilton Quniby? Did Humpty Dumpty actually make an appearance at the celebration? You’ll only find the answers to these questions by watching the video. 

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

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.

Candidate's Forum - Monday, February 24, 2014, 7PM, Town Hall Council chambers, 15 Newmarket Road

Durham Energy Committee Workshop - Tuesday, February 25, 2014 (7PM, 1 Stevens Way, Gardner residence). To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Economic Development Committee - Tuesday, February 25, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Planning Board - Wednesday, February 26, 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://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.

Sledders at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Todd Selig

Family Fun Day at Wagon Hill Farm – Friday, 2/28 - Join us for a day of sledding FUN!  Enter our FREE raffle for your chance to win some WILD WINTER prizes!  Warm up with some complimentary hot chocolate, shoot a family photo by the wagon, and take a hike around the property rated New England’s “Best Hilly Retreat” by Yankee Magazine. N snow? No worries. We will still be on site with goodies!

When: Friday, February 28th (12-3PM)

Where:  Top of the Hill  - Wagon Hill Farm

DPR Climbing Club - Registration deadline is quickly approaching! Find out more HERE.

108 Om Meditation – NEW! - Join DPR Yoga instructor Sarah Jones for this special event.  All donations will benefit SNAP and SATYA.  The class will include 10 minutes of Svasana, 108 Oms, and 108 breaths in meditation.  Find out more HERE.

When: Monday, February 24th (Starting promptly at 6:30PM)

Where:  Durham Parks & Recreation 

Archery – NEW! - We’re excited to offer this new 8-week, instructional program for ages 10-15.  All equipment, setup, and training will be provided.  Archers will learn the basics of target practice and safety, while also being introduced to both vintage and Olympic competition equipment!  Email: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to put your name on the mailing list.

BALANCE – Martial Arts for Women – NEW! - Shaolin Kung Fu is a form of martial arts that promotes self-defense techniques along with the cultivation of overall physical conditioning, and spiritual well-being.  The class begins with a light warm-up and stretch, progressing to single technique forms (basic punch, kick, blocking). To learn more Email: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to put your name on the mailing list.

A Jumpstart to Your Week -

Yoga:  Every Monday 6-7AM.

Pilates:  Every Monday 9-10AM

OR pick another class that FITS your schedule 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.

Volunteer With DPR - Do you like being outdoors?  Do you have a group looking for ways to be more involved and give back to the community?  Contact: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to learn about local volunteer opportunities. Find out more HERE.

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Save the Date:

• Annual Egg Hunt - Saturday, 4/19 (Rain Date: Sunday, 4/20)
• Memorial Day Parade - Monday, 5/26
• Summer Kickof Party - Saturday, 6/26
• Music by the Bay Summer Concert Series - July, August, and September

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Durham Great Bay Rotary “FOOD DRIVE”, Thursday & Friday, Feb 20 & 21, 4-6:00 PM, Durham Market Place. All food collected will go to Local Food Pantry Cornucopia at the Waysmeet Center.

Donal Clancy (of famous Clancy clan) from Ireland in Concert, Saturday, Feb 22, 2014, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 20 Madbury Rd., 7:00 PM. Tickets at door ($12.00). Kids free. All are welcome.

Volunteer Driver Orientation Meeting for Ready Rides, an organization that currently offers free rides to medical appointments to disabled and elderly residents, Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014, 10:30 AM, Durham Public Library. Potential drivers must register with Meri Schmalz of Ready Rides by calling 244-8719 before February 16th. For more information on how to offer services, click HERE.

One World Language School General Information Session, Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014, 10-11:30AM, Portsmouth Music and Arts Center. Will hold French and Spanish classes for preschoolers and homeschoolers. The 7-week class begins on Wednesday, Mar 12th. For more information contact Julie Reece at 603-866-0364, julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org.

Active Retirement Association - “Curiosity Never Retires!" ARA Announces its Winter program series. For more information, click HERE.

Snow White Ballet, ORHS, Saturday, Mar 29 @ 7PM and Sunday, Mar 30 @ 2PM, ORHS auditorium. Limited ticket availability will be at the door and on-line purchasing (recommended) at http://www.northeasternballet.org/

Support Oyster River High School 2014 Project Graduation.  Raffle tickets are being sold for a month-long calendar of donations from local businesses, as well as raffle tickets for two tickets to a pre-season Patriots game or two tickets to a Red Sox game.  Contact Fran Mandeville (nhpanda@yahoo.com) or any ORHS senior parent for more information.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Embracing Physical and Emotional Pains, Sat. Feb. 22nd, 10:30-11:30 a.m. - Everyone experiences pains, physically and emotionally, at different time of life: aging, a serious medical diagnosis, the sudden loss of a loved one, the breakup of a relation, financial loss, loss of home, loss of job or simply from stress...  Pain is unavoidable.  But do you know suffering isn't?  Come and sit with us to explore how meditation of Mindfulness and Compassion can bring hope of peace and freedom.  Experience yourself.
Affordable Health Care Act registration Enrollment Specialist available on March 15 - Open enrollment for the ACA ends on March 31st, so let Mary Moynihan help you sign up here at the library between the hours of 10 and 2 pm on Saturday March 15th. Just sign up at the circulation desk or call 603-868-6699 to register.
Make-it-take-it craft week of Feb. 22nd through Feb. 28th - Stop by the Children’s room all week during February vacation to make a craft.

McAdams Magic Show! Special Joint Library Vacation Program, Thursday, February 27th, 10:30 a.m. at the Durham Public Library! Join us for this fun joint library (Durham, Lee and Madbury) vacation performance by a very talented magician and his dog. All are welcome.  Get ready to see some magic!
Read Across America/Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Family Storytime, Sat. March 1st at 10:30 a.m. – Join us for a fun Dr. Seuss family storytime.  We will read Dr. Seuss stories, play some games, make a Dr. Seuss craft and have cake!  All are welcome.
Regularly scheduled Children and Teen Programs start again the week of March 3rd!
Chess and Board Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up), Monday March 3rd 3:00-4:00 p.m. – Join us every Monday afternoon now in the Young Adult room for a game of chess (or other board games).
Young Adult Writing Group (ages 10 & up), Monday March 3rd, 7:00-7:45 p.m. - Like to write?  Join us for this monthly writing group in the YA room.  We do writing exercises, talk about your writing and post to our blog "Write Away".  All are welcome
Pre-school Storytimes:  Tues.  March 4th and Thurs.  March 6th at 10:30 a.m. –The theme is:  Books and the Alphabet!
Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4th Grade Book Group, Tues. March 4th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. –This month's book is "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein.  We talk about a book/author, do puzzles, play some games and make a craft.  All are welcome and books are available at the library.
Notes From Alaska, Wednesday March 5th, 7:00-8:00 p.m. - Hiker Dan Szczesny returns to the library, this time with an account of his Alaska adventures! Join us for his fun and informative talk on his time in the great Alaskan frontier! He will read from Notes From Alaska and share slides and stories!
Lego Club, Thurs. March 6th 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.
NY Times Best-selling author of “The Dressmaker”, Patricia O’Brien Visit, Friday, March 7th, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. - You won't want to miss this amazing event!  New York Times Bestselling author Patricia O'Brien, who writes under the pen name Kate Alcott for some of her books, including “The Dressmaker”, will visit the library to discuss her new book (out Feb. 24).  “The Daring Ladies of Lowell” is the warm-hearted and enthralling saga of a bold young woman caught between two worlds- the vibrant camaraderie of factory life and the opulence that a budding romance with the mill owner's son affords- as the murder of her best friend sends shock waves throughout the town.
Alzheimer’s Café, Friday March 7th, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Join us for this social gathering for Alzheimer’s patients who still reside at home and their caregivers.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Friday March 7th, 10:30 a.m. – This week:  Space!  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. March 7th 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Stop by the Children’s craft room on Fridays for a fun craft.
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.

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

1748 - Petition signed by 96 residents started a town of New Durham, incorporated in 1762. Other towns founded by Durham families were Barnstead, Barrington, Canterbury, Holderness, Nottingham and Rochester. Later many settlers went farther west and rose to positions of distinction.

Have a nice snow-free weekend.

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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