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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Thursday of this week, March 14th, was Pi Day! Pi (π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It is a constant number, meaning that for all circles of any size, Pi will be the same. By measuring circular objects, it has always turned out that a circle is a little more than 3 times its width around. The symbol (Greek letter “π”) was first used in 1706 by William Jones. A ‘p’ was chosen for ‘perimeter’ of circles, and the use of π became popular after it was adopted by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737.
In recent years, Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits passed its decimal! While only 39 digits past the decimal are needed to accurately calculate the spherical volume of our entire universe, because of Pi’s infinite & patternless nature, it’s a fun challenge to memorize, and to computationally calculate more and more digits. So here we go …
3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716
9399375105820974944592307816406286208998628
0348253421170679821480865132823066470938446
0955058223172535940812848111745028410270193
8521105559644622948954930381964428810975665
9334461284756482337867831652712019091456485
6692346034861045432664821339360726024914127
3724587006606315588174881520920962829254091
7153643678925903600113305305488204665213841
4695194151160943305727036575959195309218611
7381932611793105118548074462379962749567351
8857527248912279381830119491298336733624406
5664308602139494639522473719070217986094370
2770539217 …
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ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS OF CITIZENS TO FILL VACANCIES ON VARIOUS TOWN BOARDS
On April 30, 2013, terms on various Town boards, commissions, and committees will expire. In mid-April, the Town Council will begin the process for making its annual appointments/reappointments to Town boards, with appointments to take effect May 1, 2013. The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to fill these vacancies.
Citizens interested in board appointments may complete an application and mail it to the Town Administrator’s office at 15 Newmarket Road, or submit it via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. Applications are available at the Town Clerk's Office on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road. Applications are also available on the home page of the Town’s web site: www.ci.durham.nh.us under "Forms" on the right-hand side.The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday, March 22, 2013.
Conservation Commission (2 regular vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)
Durham Agricultural Commission (2 regular vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)
Durham Energy Committee (2 vacancies)
Economic Development Committee (1 regular vacancy; 1 alternate vacancy)
Historic District/Heritage Commission (1 regular vacancy)
Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (3 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)
Parks and Recreation (3 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)
Planning Board (2 regular vacancies; 2 alternate vacancies)
Strafford Regional Planning Commission MPO Policy Committee (1 vacancy)
Zoning Board of Adjustment (2 regular vacancies; 1 alternate vacancy)
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A smoke detector brought to the attention of the Durham Fire Department this week in a Madbury Road apartment building. It had been rendered inoperable, presumably by a tenant or guest.
TOWN RESPONDS TO THREAT OF LITIGATION FROM ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF DURHAM LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION RELATIVE TO DURHAM'S NEW HOUSING STANDARDS ORDINANCE
On February 26, 2013, the Town received a letter from Attorney John H. Sokul, Jr. of Hinckley Allen Snyder LLP on behalf of the Durham Landlords Association threatening litigation with regard to the new Housing Standards Ordinance passed by the Town Council on January 7, 2013. To view the Town's Housing Standards Ordinance and the Town's response to Attorney Sokul's letter, click HERE.
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DURHAM TO HOST DIPLOMATIC DELEGATION FROM ... BRAZIL
On Monday morning, March 18, 2013, the Town of Durham will host a number of Brazilian visitors and their translators as part of the U.S. State Department's International Visitors Leadership Program. The Brazilian delegation will be in New Hampshire to learn about open government and transparency … and Durham, NH was selected by the organizers as a site worth visiting to learn about the efforts we make locally to ensure the public's access to the public process. Resident Peter Smith (a representative from Durham a number of years ago to the NH Right-to-Know Law Study Commission) and Administrator Selig will speak with the panel for 90 minutes beginning at 9:30 AM in the Town Council chambers.
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MADBURY ROAD TREE MANAGEMENT
PSNH will be marking some trees with ribbon down the Madbury Road corridor that will potentially be removed. These removals are in response to outages and issues experienced during recent storms this winter.
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The inspectors keeping things on track: Tom Johnson, Ron Tasker, and Deputy Chief John Powers (missing from this picture is Dick Kearney) Courtesy Walter Rous
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
With no extreme weather events, a lot was accomplished at the library this week. On the interior, the duct and vent work continued as did the electrical rough-in at the second floor. The HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) control wiring continued. For carpentry work, soffits were framed and walls were blocked and firestopped. Blocking, generally pieces of 2”x 6” or 2”x 8”, is installed in the rough framing prior to hanging the gypsum drywall as attachment spots for shelving, countertops, railings and toilet room accessories. Similar to blocking, firestopping is used to isolate sections of wall and ceiling to contain fire should that occur. To frustrate air infiltration, the window and door rough openings and the seams of paired studs in the exterior wall were caulked and foamed. All of this wall work was in preparation for the gypsum drywall work which began at the west end of the building. However, inspections of the rough framing, plumbing and electrical work must be made before any of this work can be buried by the gypsum drywall. These inspections are critical and contribute to the overall quality of the project. The project team is composed of the architects, engineers, construction manager, project manager and the sub-contractors. The town’s inspectors are an essential part of that project team.
Assembling the steel stair in the exterior stair tower began this week as well. When the occupant load of a space reaches a certain number, two means of egress, or escape, are required. The Community Room on the second floor is designed to hold 100 people. Consequently, two means of egress are required and the exterior stair tower provides that necessary second means of egress in conjunction with the main interior stair. In addition to completing the concrete block work at the elevator door frames, the masons began the exterior brickwork at the main entry to the library. Care is being taken to match the brick and mortar joints of the existing structure in color, style and feel. Because the weather can be fickle this time of year, it is necessary to tent the masonry work to maintain the right temperature while the mortar cures.
Meanwhile...back in the stair tower. Courtesy Walter Rous
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SPRUCEWOOD FOREST: LAST LEG OF THE RACE
Exciting news! We have only $62,000 to go—less than 1.5% of the total project costs—to reach the goal of the Town and the Trust for Public Lands by March 22. If you have followed the four-year journey of this conservation project with great hopes, here's your last chance to bring it to a close, and by doing so, making this 172-acre iconic forest a permanently protected Town-owned property. Check out the campaign's last Campaign News Flash!
Durham's nonprofit partner, The Trust for Public Land, is committed to raising the remaining funds and successfully conserving this resource for Durham residents, and every gift received will help us get there. It must have all donations and pledges in hand no later than March 22.
Many individuals have already donated (a HUGE thank-you!): As of Thursday, 86 were from Durham, 7 of whom had donated twice to the campaign. One elderly supporter on fixed income contributed a $10 birthday gift, stating, "What better use than to save the land!" Thanks as well to the Lamprey River Advisory Committee, which voted on Tuesday to contribute $20,000 to the project.
Donations—large and small—may be made through the Trust for Public Land's donation form available at Town Hall or downloaded from the Conservation Commission's web page. Every donation demonstrates community support. If you would like to give to the campaign but are not sure whether you can do so before March 22, please call the Trust for Public Land at 617-780-8735 or 603-833-0082.
Think of Sprucewood Forest's benefits to Durham: a Town-owned Sprucewood Forest would protect our current and future drinking water supply; provide habitat for the threatened New England cottontail rabbit; and expand Durham's public access to recreational lands for activities such as birding, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
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One upside of the recent fire at Smith Park Lane: happy kids with their friendly local firefighter Scott Campbell in view of the charred remains of the fire. Courtesy Robin Mower
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CHANGE TO REFUGE/RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Just a "heads up" for now, there will be a slight change to the refuse and recycling collection coming up this spring. It will shift around a handful of roads and days. Once the changes has been finalized, it will be publicized to all residents.
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PUBLIC MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND
The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below.
Town Council - Monday, March 18, 2013. For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Planning Board - Wednesday, March 20, 2013. For agenda and other information, click HERE.
Historic District/Heritage Commission - Thursday, March 21, 2013, 2:00 PM (Will meet on site at Orion properties, Main Street, then will continue meeting in Council Chambers at Town Hall). For 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.
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DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION
The Durham Historic Association presents the Pontine Players production THE COMMON HEART on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 7:00 PM, at the Durham Public Library. Pontine's Co-Artistic Directors, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers, premiere an original work exploring the literature, philosophy, and legacy of the New England Transcendental Movement. Drawing on works by Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau, and other denizens of Concord MA during the great spiritual awakening of the 1830's and 40's, THE COMMON HEART evokes an enlightened era when New Englanders sought to throw off their Puritan roots in favor of a closer, more personal communion with the divine essence of the natural world.
To learn more about the Durham Historic Association, click HERE.
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Painting of Town Landing by John Woodsum Hatch
ARE YOU FOLLOWING THE HISTORIC DISTRICT/HERITAGE COMMISSION?
Look for the HDC Meeting Agenda on the Town Website http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_historic. Please come join us on the first Thursdays of the month and have a front row seat to the changes being proposed in the Historic District . PUBLIC COMMENTS are welcome at beginning of all meetings You can always follow us on DCAT. We welcome your involvement
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PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
COYOTE CLUB - NEW SESSION STARTS MARCH 18TH
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. “Instilling a sense of wonder, responsibility, and stewardship for the natural world through ecological studies and primitive skills exploration.” Find out more HERE.
JOIN US FOR YOGA: Mondays: 5:45AM and 5PM; Tuesdays: 7:15PM; Thursdays: 6:00AM. What to expect: Yoga is a series of physical poses which promote good posture, alleviate health problems, reduce stress, and make the spine supple. Yoga is often used as both an exercise and a form of physical therapy. Cost is only $40 for 8 sessions! Couples Yoga coming soon! Find out more HERE.
GET FIT! CHECK OUT ONE OF OUR ENERGIZING CLASSES TODAY!
BOOT CAMP, Wed/Fri, 7AM
PILATES, Mon 9AM, Wed 6:30 PM, Sat 10AM
ZUMBA - Mon/Wed 5:30 PM, Sat 9AM
STRENGTH & STRETCH - Wed/Fri 8AM
TAI CHI (Beginner/Advanced) - Fri 4-5:30 PM
Find out more HERE.
SUMMER SPEED CAMP - Do you have a Middle School athlete who is looking to improve their game, while having a TON of fun this summer? Find out more HERE.
HURRY! TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO SIGN UP FOR CLIMBING CLUB - This program is filling up FAST so don’t miss out! Durham Parks & Recreation and the UNH Outdoor Education Department are proud to offer the youth Rock Climbing Club. Participants will have personalized instruction, and learn: belaying; knots; commands; problem solving skills; gear knowledge; confidence!
Who: Youths aged 12-18
When: Middle School – 3:15-4:45 High School – 5:00-6:30
Dates: (5 sessions - Fridays), 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19
Where: New Hampshire Hall
Cost: $80, $90 with t-shirt
To sign up: please contact Parks & Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee, sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us.
DON'T MISS MAD SCIENCE FAMILY NIGHT - Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6-7PM, ORMS Multipurpose Room, just $7/family. Durham Parks & Recreation is proud to team up with ORMS to offer this exciting, family-friendly, educational experience. Come experience UP, UP, and AWAY! featuring the powers of air pressure; hot air balloons, and The Mad Science Hovercraft! Mad Science Family Night will be: highly interactive, educational, and fun.
19TH ANNUAL EGG HUNT! The Annual Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2013 beginning promptly at 11:00 AM at the Durham Town Landing. This is a rain or shine event. Bring your baskets!
Want to help stuff eggs? Meet us in the recreation building this Saturday, 3/16 at 6:30 PM
For more information regarding any of the classes or events offered by Parks and Recreation, visit the P&R web site at https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_parksrec.
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The Oyster River Jazz Band will host a fund-raising auction and music-filled evening on Saturday, March 23 from 6 to 10 pm at Holloway Commons at the University of New Hampshire. The ORMS Jazz Band has been selected to perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida in May. Under the direction of Mr. Ervin, Music Teacher of the Year, the band members will play at Downtown Disney and also attend a workshop led by world-renowned musicians in one of the Disney recording studios.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Oyster River Jazz Band Fund-raising Auction, Saturday, March 23, 2013, 6-10PM, Holloway Commons at UNH. Tickets: $20/person and available at SolSistar, 9 Madbury Road in Durham or by contacting Belinda Kaya at (603) 205-5436. More information available on facebook.com/ORMSjazzband
UNH Museum of Art - Portsmouth photographer Carl Austin Hyatt and anthropologist Hillary S. Webb, Ph.D. will present a discussion on Andean Ceremonial Celebrations,Saturday, March 23, 2013, 2:00 PM. The program is offered in conjunction with the current exhibition, Sacred Landscapes of Peru: The Photographs of Carl Austin Hyatt, and is open to the public free of charge.
Durham Garden Club Presents "Hydrangea Love Affair: Old Favorites and New Varieties" with Jeff O'Donal of O'Donal's Nursery in Gorham, Maine, Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6:30 PM, Madbury Town Hall. Social Time and refreshments. Non-members welcome to attend as guests.
Durham Great Bay Rotary Meeting, Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 7:30 AM, Three Chimneys Inn - Guest speaker: Chief of Police David Kurz. All are welcome.
Yoga for Runners and Cross Training, Saturday, March 30, 2013, 9-10:00 AM and 10:30-11:30 AM, Durham Community Church. $15 per person. All proceeds help Team On Belay who is running the Wallis Sands 1/2 Marathon reach their goal of sending 100 kids to On Belay programs. Visit http://www.on-belay.org/
Durham Great Bay Rotary Meeting, Wednesday, April 4, 2013, 7:30 AM, Three Chimneys Inn - Guest speaker: District elect governor Carolyn Johnson of Yarmouth, Maine. All are welcome.
Northeastern Ballet Theatre Presents Cinderella Ballet, Saturday and Sunday, April 6 (7 PM) & 7 (2 PM), 2013, Oyster River High School Auditorium. For cost and other information, click HERE, or call 603-834-8834, or email info@northeasternballet.org.
UNH Conference for Office Professionals. For office managers, executive and administrative assistants, clerical and office staff. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 9AM-4PM, Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth. $195 if registered by April 3; $235 after April 3. For more information, click HERE.
Durham Great Bay Rotary Meeting, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 7:30 AM, Three Chimneys Inn - Guest speaker: Maggie Stier, Field Rep. for NH Preservation District will talk about the Old Man of the Mountain. All are welcome.
Durham Great Bay Rotary Meeting, Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 7:30 AM, Three Chimneys Inn - Guest speaker: John Delorey to talk about the cost of college and how to plan. All are welcome.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Durham Public Library Goes Mobile! Are you doing all your business from your cellphone these days? Would you like simple, direct access to the library’s website and catalog when you’re on the run? Then we have two new products for you. Scan the QR code below, or from the library’s homepage and you can download a version of the library’s website, specifically designed for mobile devices. It’s simple and easy to use. Want to access the library’s catalog from your iPhone or iPad? Well now there’s an app for that! Search the Apple App Store for “Surpass Library Trek”. Download the app, find the Durham Public Library using GPS and login to your account. If you’ve forgotten your library account ID and password you can ask us for it the next time you visit.
Preschool Storytimes, Tues. March 12th and Thurs. March 14th at 10:30 am – This week: Kangaroos and St. Patrick’s Day! Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft. All are welcome.
Learn to Download eBooks with Librarian, Nancy Miner, Tues. March 12th at 7 p.m. - Wondering how to download books to your eReader, but not sure how to get started? This class is for you! Join Librarian Nancy Miner for a hands-on class that is sure to get you comfortable with your nook, iPad, Kindle, or other handheld device. eBooks are great for travel; why not learn how to use them? Once you do, you can download books right from our library website!
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Weds. March 20th, 2:45 – 4:00 p.m. - Join us for this Middle School Group! This month's book is "Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs. Walk from the Middle School to come and discuss the book of the month. This group is facilitated by Ruth Wharton-MacDonald. Pizza is served! All are welcome.
Lego Club is Back for 1st-4th Graders starting Thurs. March 21st from 3:45-4:45 p.m. -Like to build with Legos? Join us for this fun club for 1st-4th graders. We will meet for 5 Thursdays, March 21, 28, April 4, 11 and 18!
Pajama Storytime, Tues. March 26th, 6:30 p.m. - Join ORPP and the Durham Library for our monthly Pajama Storytime. This month: Science, Wind and Kites! Come and hear stories about Wind/Kites. Make a craft and do some fun science experiments! Come wearing your pajamas. We read stories, do fingerplays, songs, feltboard and make a craft. ORPP supplies a snack. All are welcome.
Middle School Art Display at the Library – Come and see some ORMS 5th graders works of art. The theme is “Significant Places around Durham, Lee and Madbury”. Don’t miss these talented artist’s creations!
Register for Tales for Tails! Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child.
Join the Patch Program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years. Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag. If new to the program, stop by and register. Thanks to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for their continued support of this program.
Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.
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FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"
"Farm Life in Durham: This brief look at farm life in Durham during the twentieth century would not be complete without a history of Adams Point and the Adams family farm and boardinghouse. Indeed, there have been so many great changes at Adams Point, its history almost deserves a separate chapter.
Adams Point
When Joseph and Olive were not longer able to run the Adams House, one of their two sons, Capt. Edward Hamlin Adams (1860-1951), and his wife, Fannie M. (Harvey), Cass's parents, took it over; they ran it until the outbreak of World War I ended an era, which led to the demise of the Adams House as a mecca for summer vacationers. The captain, however, was not interested in farming or in the boardinghouse; his love was the water. The last of the gundalow skippers whose sturdy craft plied the Bays and their tributaries, it is doubtful that the goings-on at the boardinghouse much affected his regular schedule for picking up and delivering the cargo, lumber, hay, and bricks in the early days, and coal and gravel later, on the Fannie M." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.
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Have a nice weekend and a Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, New Hampshire
T: 603-868-5571 F: 603-868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us http://www.ci.durham.nh.us
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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