Friday Updates - May 3, 2013

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...

Friday, May 3, 2013

Sun-filled Sails - Neville Caufield

The last rays of sunlight fill my sails. The feeling is magical. Shy waves lap gently against the hull. Bobbing lobster buoys ride the swells as lobstermen return to the harbor. The salt air clears all stress. I grasp the tiller and head out to sea. A perfect summer day.

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With 130,000 submissions from across the country, Oyster River High School boasts the state winner in the sixth annual Doodle4Google contest, ORHS Freshman and Durham resident Neville Caulfield, who now has the potential to win a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for ORHS. To read the Foster's Daily Democrat article, click HERE. To vote for Neville's entry and view other submissions, click HERE.

Sunday is Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the "fifth of May"). It is a celebration held on May 5. In Mexico, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Contrary to widespread popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day—which is actually celebrated on September 16.

At the April 25th public forum on the new Town Hall design, "Scheme J,"

shown above, was the preferred option of those presesent. Participants

also felt that the chimneys on the larger section of the building

and the rooftop window on the smaller part of the building, should be removed.

DURHAM ACQUIRES BANK PARCEL AT 8 NEWMARKET ROAD

A number of residents have inquired over the last few weeks whether Durham has in fact closed on the former People’s United Bank parcel at 8 Newmarket Road located directly across from the existing Durham Town Offices. The Town has now closed on the property.

It is envisioned that the property will be improved to become the future site of the Durham Town Hall. A public forum was held with the Town’s architect and Durham resident Art Guadano on April 25, 2013. To view the forum on DCAT on Demand, go to http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

We anticipate briefing the Town Council relative to the project, design, timetable, and financials on May 20, 2013.

Early draft conceptual image of possible downtown Main Street redevelopment at the site of the present abandoned ATO Fraternity building and the People's United Bank. Courtesy Tim Elliott, Sora Holdings

TWO ARTICLES ABOUT REDEVELOPMENT IN DURHAM WERE IN THE PAPERS THIS WEEK | AN UPDATE CONCERNING DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT – “VENTURE/TECH VILLAGE”

Two articles about redevelopment in Durham were covered in local newspapers this week.

The first, Durham Looks to Renovate, Keep Small-Town Charm, can be found in The New Hampshire, http://www.tnhonline.com/news/durham-looks-to-renovate-keep-small-town-charm-1.3040534#.UYOssr_JA5Q. The second, From Vacant Fraternity to ‘Venture/Tech Village’: $70 million Project in Works with UNH as Anchor Tenant in Privately Owned Taxable Space can be found in Foster’s Daily Democrat at http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130503/GJNEWS_01/130509666.

The Town is in the very preliminary stages of working with the developer, Mr. Tim Elliott of SORA, in regard to the “Venture/Tech Village” project situated in part on the site of the abandoned ATO Fraternity property at 66 Main Street and the adjacent People’s Untied Bank parcel (with the long and narrow Town-owned business parking permit municipal lot to the rear along Pettee Brook Lane).

To date, the focus of Mr. Elliott has been: 1) to negotiate with the private landowners whose property he would need to acquire for the purpose of constructing the project and; 2) to work with UNH to negotiate lease rates and terms that would be acceptable to the University and the developer. All University-leased space would be in privately owned property and therefore taxable. The housing component of the project, which is not definitive in terms of size or scope, is envisioned to be taxable graduate housing leased to UNH. (Note, the developer has mentioned honors undergraduate housing as well to the extent graduate beds cannot be filled which will be a topic of concern and conversation with the Town.)

While it is true that the Town will need to play some role as part of the redevelopment if we desire to bring the project to fruition, all of those details, including the precise project program, still need to be negotiated and eventually, if deemed in the best interests of the community, approved by the Town Council (and to the extent UNH is involved, lease agreements approved by the University).

The Foster’s article notes that the Town will hold a $6 million + equity position in the project. This is not accurate. Rather, the community will need to determine whether it desires to leverage the project through some type of participation. One possible approach is through RSA 79-E, the downtown tax incentive revitalization program, where new assessed value for a project with a public benefit is not taxed on that added value for a period of 5 +/- years. Another approach would be to capture and utilize some component of additional property taxes created through the incremental added value of the project via the Downtown Tax Increment Finance District to support in some undetermined and to be negotiated measure expanded parking for the project and the downtown as a whole.

At this time the Town, in cooperation with UNH and Mr. Elliott, has submitted an application (prepared and paid for by Mr. Elliott’s NH-based consultants Stu Arnett and Alice Veenstra) to the NH Community Development Finance Authority for a $1.2 million tax credit grant to support the UNH InterOparibility Lab portion of the redevelopment.

In summary, the downtown “Venture/Tech Village” project may in time prove to be a viable project but we are still in the preliminary phase of the Town’s involvement and a considerable amount of additional work and analysis needs to be done to better understand what involvement the Town should have, what form(s) that might take, what mechanisms the Town will agree to employ, and what the project components will actually entail. Only after these substantial nuances have been worked through will we be in a position to clearly explain what this project means to Durham in terms of opportunity, participation, risk, and reward.

In the meantime we are being as transparent as it is possible to be amidst an evolving project landscape with many nuances yet to be finalized involving many project partners.

MADBURY COURT STUDENT DISTURBANCE - UNH Response

As most residents are aware, there was a disturbance this past weekend on Madbury Court in Durham and within the surrounding area involving large numbers of UNH students and many college-aged individuals visiting students of the University. In response, UNH has taken steps to help ensure this type of incident does not happen again.

To this end, UNH has issued a letter that is being disseminated to all on-campus students.

UNH has also asked that Durham landlords send the notice to their tenants, and they you have email addresses, to their parents with the same message.

In short, the University has taken the position that any student in the crowd who is arrested will be promptly suspended.

To read the UNH letter, click HERE.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT PREPARATIONS FOR THE WEEKEND

Last Saturday the Durham Police responded to a large gathering on Madbury Road Extension. The students who rent this non-owner occupied house had invited about 30 people to a cook-out.

Within hours, the crowd grew expeditiously and eventually the renters called to ask police for assistance in removing the unwanted persons. When the two officers on duty arrived, they were met with a large crowd of approximately 500 that had become disorderly and belligerent of the officers request to vacate the property.

This atmosphere lead to beer cans and bottles being hurled at the officers from the crowd. Assistance was requested and ultimately the crowd was moved. While clearly not a riot situation that the community had experienced in the aftermath of several sports events years ago, this event was uncharacteristic for this academic year.

Chief Kurz and his staff have formulated a strategy for this Cinco de mayo weekend that ensures a high visibility of officers designed to manage and curtail any large gatherings from developing.

A significant element of that plan has been accomplished via a letter that President Huddleston has sent to each parent asking for their help in having a talk with their students about being careful and responsible. (See copy of letter in the preceeding topic.)

Additionally, the UNH administration has reemphasized that off-campus conduct can impact a student’s ability to continue attending UNH as well as scholarships and study abroad.

Further, there has been significant discussion with all landlords via an email from Chief Kurz that requests that each remind their renters of lease obligations and to urge them to understand that if they are hosting a small gathering that begins to attract others, they should call the Durham Police to assist them in removing any uninvited guests. Absent that call, the police will conclude that they are hosting the gathering and therefore be held criminally responsible if applicable.

If residents hear disruptive or loud activity this weekend, or any other time, they are encouraged to contact the Durham Police via 868-2324 or 911 if the situation warrants an emergency response.

Dave Glynn and Rob Tozier from KRT Appraisal are working

with the Town of Durham as part of our statistical update of values.

Residents may see them out and about in Durham neighborhoods.

PHASE I OF THE TOWN-WIDE STATISTICAL UPDATE HAS BEGUN

This week, representatives from KRT Appraisal began visiting residential homes in Durham as part of the Town's Statistical Update of all property assessments in Durham. The representatives, pictured above, are Dave Glynn (left) and Rob Tozier. Both of these gentlemen will carry picture IDs, municipal letters of introduction, and have their vehicles listed with both the Assessor's Office and the Durham Police Department.

There are five major phases to a statistical update: Data Collection, Market Analysis, Valuation, Field Review, and Informal Hearings. During these phases many tasks will be implemented in order to successfully update the assessments in Durham.

During the month of May, the first phase (Collection of Data) of the statistical update will begin. During this phase, income and expense questionnaires will be mailed to the appropriate commercial, industrial and apartment complex owners. This information is strictly confidential, and is gathered to establish current levels of rental income and operating expenses for the different types of properties. This valuation method is known as the “Income Approach” and is used to determine the market values of income producing properties. Real Estate Appraisers and Assessors are legally required to consider the income approach. Cooperation in completing these questionnaires and returning them to the Assessors Office will be greatly appreciated.

Also, during this phase data collectors from each company will also be reviewing those properties that have sold during the last two years. This review includes physically measuring the exterior of these properties and inspecting the interior. The purpose of this procedure is to make sure the information on the assessment record cards is correct and to note any changes that may have taken place since these properties sold.

To confirm that the interior of a property was inspected, the owner will be asked to sign a data collection form verifying that the inspection took place. Due to the volume of properties to be reviewed and time constraints to complete the statistical update, appointments for inspections will not be scheduled in advance. The data collected is subject to verification by the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration and a Supervisor from each appraisal company.

STATE REQUIREMENT TO ASSESS UNH TAX EXEMPT PROPERTIES AS PART OF DURHAM’S STATISTICAL REVALAUTION UPDATE CAUSES CONCERN LOCALLY

At Town Council meeting on April 15, 2013, Durham Assessor James Rice informed the board that the NH Department of Revenue Administration required that the Town evaluate every UNH tax exempt property and building for valuation accuracy as part of the required statistical update that is now ongoing in Durham. This onerous and highly unfair requirement for Durham has been an issue for many years. Because there is no tax revenue derived from the exercise, it represents a state-required unfunded mandate for Durham. The Town of Plymouth, where Mr. Rice has contracted in past years, has apparently complied with requirement at some significant cost to the host community. Durham, on the other hand, has addressed the requirement in the past by requesting from UNH a listing containing values of all University-owned properties in Durham and then relying on this listing to update our valuations for UNH parcels.

This week, Administrator Selig followed up with the UNH Vice President for Finance to request an updated listing of University-owned properties complete with associated values. UNH is presently in the process of assembling this data. While there will still be a need for the Assessing Office to update the information in our database and undertake any due diligence needed to rectify property ownership and address discrepancies, as well as statistical adjustments within our assessing software, it represents a significantly less onerous task than that which was discussed with the Council.

In the initial bid provided by Stephen Traub for our non-residential property update review, a price of around $10,000 had been submitted for the review of UNH parcels which Mr. Selig rejected. The contract was subsequently amended to eliminate it such that the community could obtain the data in the manner described above. Unfortunately, Mr. Selig was not present at the April 15th Council meeting to provide this context.

Should the NH Department of Revenue Administration order the Town to undertake a more thorough review of UNH parcels, Administrator Selig will either request the University to reimburse Durham for this added cost associated with hosting the state institution or work with Durham’s legislative delegation in an effort to address the matter in Concord at the NH Legislature.

GREAT BAY ROWING REQUEST TO HOUSE MORE BOATS AT JACKSON’S LANDING

Representatives from Great Bay Rowing (GBR) have approached the Town concerning placing additional racks of crew boats by the UNH boathouse at Jackson’s Landing. The club has a need for additional space for eight-person crew shells (called “eights”) and potentially also additional four-person shells (“fours”). There is no additional room in either the GBR-designated area of the UNH boathouse or in the green tarp outbuilding crew shed owned by GBR but on Town-owned land.

Parks and Recreation Director Stefanie Frazee, Public Works Director Michael Lynch, and Administrator Selig have visited the site and met with volunteer Beth Fischer representing GBR to evaluate locations and potential placement approaches that are safe and as unobtrusive as possible and also functional while ideally not cutting down trees. A crew boat rack that is affixed (cemented) to the ground would require a variance and be more permanent than is desirable so instead we have authorized a temporary rack (for this season) at the ground level holding only one boat running parallel to the UNH boathouse on the river side and potentially another for a shorter boat running parallel on the wooded side of the UNH boathouse.

Consideration is also being given to whether a rack could be placed between the UNH boathouse and the green tarp outbuilding crew boat storage area.

GBR and UNH Crew are apparently in conversations with the City of Dover about moving their operations to Dover (as water time is limited here at Jackson’s Landing by the tide schedule) but it appears that for now, they will remain at Jackson’s Landing.

TOWN TO SUBMIT $20,000 GRANT APPLICATION FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES PLANNER TO ASSIST IN DEVELOPING A MORE ROBUST HISTORIC RESOURCES COMPONENT OF MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Andrea Bodo, member of the Historic District Commission, and Michael Behrendt, Town Planner, are preparing a grant application to the New Hampshire Department of Historical Resources. If awarded, the state would provide 60% of the total project cost and the Town would need to contribute 40%. The total grant would be for $20,000 with the Town contributing $8,000 and the state $12,000.

If approved and awarded Durham would hire a preservation consultant for $20,000 to develop a Historic Resources component of the Town’s current Master Plan update. The project would involve a review of town-wide historic resources, including those in the local historic district, and a plan for the preservation and enhancement of those resources.

The application deadline is May 15, 2013. The grant decisions will be made by May 31, 2013. The Town’s match of $8,000 would come from funds appropriated in 2013 for the master plan update process within the Planning Department and Planning Board budgets. Because the proposal fits squarely within the Council’s 2012-13 goals and local match funding is available, Administrator Selig plans to authorize submitting the application.

The project would need to be completed by September 30, 2014. If the Town of Durham is ultimately awarded the grant, the Town Council would need to approve accepting it at that juncture.

MOZAMBIQUE DELEGATION LEARNS ABOUT THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW FROM DURHAM AND DOVER

On April 30th, Administrator Selig and a representative from the City of Dover spoke for about an hour with a delegation from Mozambique concerning access to public information and meetings in accordance with the New Hampshire Right to Know Law. There was active discussion as part of the meeting concerning governmental processes in Mozambique versus those found in Durham and Dover, communities which have worked hard to ensure information about local government is easily available for residents.

Durham resident and State Representative Tim Horrigan organized the forum. Several weeks ago, the same program, hosted by the U.S. State Department, brought a delegation from Brazil to Durham.

FIRE GUTS CROWDED STUDENT RENTAL HOUSE IN ALLSTON, MA DEMONSTRATING THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF UNSAFE OFF CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING FOR TENANTS

A serious fire that gutted a crowded student rental house in Allston, MA on Sunday and apparently left a Boston University student dead is under investigation by the Inspectional Services Department of the City of Allston and has local officials calling for a broad-based review of student-housing safety.

“This is a tragic situation that may have been avoided,” District 8 Councilor Michael P. Ross told the Boston Herald. Answers are being sought about whether the house was legally occupied and divided, and a review of other student rentals in the city to see if there are other potential unsafe properties.

The Allston situation is not dissimilar to a fire that broke out in Durham on Edgewood Road recently that the Durham Fire Department designated a close call and which was one of many factors cited for the establishment of Durham’s Housing Standards Ordinance the Town Council adopted earlier this year.

To read the Boston Herald story, go to http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/04/deadly_blaze_engulfs_a_crowded_allston_home

Thank you to former Town Councilor Bill Cote for forwarding along this article.

TOWN COUNCIL TO CONTINUE 2013/14 GOAL DEVELOPMENT MONDAY

The Town Council will continue discussion concerning the development of the board’s 2013/14 goals. To view the latest draft document, click HERE.

LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TAX RELIEF PROGRAM

The State of New Hampshire Low & Moderate Income Tax Relief Program has begun with applications being accepted until June 30, 2013. To access the application form, click HERE. Applications may also be obtained from the Town Assessor's office. Once completed, they must be mailed to:

New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration

Document Processing Division

PO Box 299

Concord, NH 03302-0299

DURHAM FARMER'S MARKET OPENS MONDAY, JUNE 3!

It's a new, exciting season for the Durham Farmers' Market, opening on Monday, June 3! The Seacoast Growers' Association, organizer of the Durham Farmers' Market, is pleased to announce that the farmers' market is expanding this year with new vendors and longer hours.

Located once again in the parking lot behind the Town Hall, the market will run every Monday from 2:15-6pm, rain or shine, until October 7. By adding an extra half-hour to the market, the SGA invites commuting residents who may be returning after 5:30pm. The farmers' market can now be an easy stop on the way home from work each Monday to pick up fresh, local products to start the week.

This season the Durham Market raises the total number of vendors possible at market each week to 24. This will create even more diversity in product at the market, and is the response to an exciting increase in vendors requesting a presence at the market. New vendors in Durham include Coppal House Farm, Saddleback Mountain Farm, Etta's Soaps and Jessica Seaton Pottery.

Also new this year at the Durham Market: visit the SGA information booth and "Ask a Master Gardener" - where local master gardeners will be on hand to answer you gardening questions all season long.

Find out what's in season, information about special events and vendor details, by signing up for weekly market emails at www.seacoastgrowers.org.

See you at market!

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY - MONDAY, MAY 27TH

The Durham Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2013 in observance of Memorial Day. All Town offices will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.

MEMORIAL DAY TRASH/RECYCLING COLLECTION INFORMATION
The Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be closed on Saturday, May 25th, for the Memorial Day Holiday. There will be NO COLLECTION OF TRASH AND RECYCLABLES ON MONDAY, MAY 27TH. All routes will be pushed ahead one day (For example: Residents whose collection day is normally Monday will need to have their items out by 7am on Tuesday. Residents whose collection day is normally Tuesday will need to have their items out by 7am on Wednesday, etc.) There will be no commercial collection on Friday, May 31st. Click HERE to view the Holiday Schedule.

DURHAM SPRING STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE

The Public Works Department has been undertaking street sweeping weekly, weather permitting of course, since mid March. Unfortunately, it takes time to get around to all parts of the Town. Currently the Town is curtailing the sweeping operation until Spring Cleanup is over since the Public Works Department has to utilize the staff that sweeps for the cleanup as well. The department will certainly get to the remaining areas in Durham once sweeping resumes which will be most likely the week following next.

SPRING CLEANUP

Spring Cleanup is more than half way complete. Remember that items for residential Spring cleanup of bulky waste were to be out by 7am on Monday, April 29th. If residents did not have their items out for collection on time, they may bring them to the Transfer Station and Recycling Center tomorrow, Saturday, May 4th and Tuesday and Saturday of next week as well using their permits. Electronics stickers are still needed for items that require them normally. Please come to Public Works to purchase your electronics stickers. Click HERE to read details in the Spring Newsletter.

THANK YOU FROM DURHAM POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

The Durham Police Officers Association would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous donations. Without these businesses the Ray Burrows Scholarship Pancake Breakfast would not have been a success: Horizon Travel Agency - Three Bridges Yoga LLC - Bev Burrows - Froyoworld - Mei Wi Corporation - Federal Savings Bank - Durham Village Garage - Ray LaRoche

And a HUGE THANKS to Ken at Young's Restaurant for all the food donations and Perry at The Durham Market Place for all the paper product donations!

We are looking forward to next years breakfast!

Durham Firefighter Katie Everts during a rope rescue training exercise. Courtesy Durham FD

FIREFIGHTER EVERTS ATTENDS ROPE RESCUE TECHNICIAN COURSE

This winter Firefighter Katie Everts won a scholarship to attend a week-long Rope Rescue Technician course located in Joshua Tree National Park hosted by The Peak Rescue Institute. She was granted the scholarship from Peak Rescue Institute, who offer a few scholarships each year for the course.

The class was packed with various ranks of firefighters, law enforcement, life guards, and mountain guides from all corners of the country, ranging from the southern tip of San Diego to the top corner of Oregon to the humid coast of New England and New York.

During the week Katie learned everything from tying knots to lowering an injured patient over a cliff tied to a rescuer. In Katie's words: “It was a great experience to work with many others from all different types of backgrounds and to see how well we could work together on each problem to solve evolutions.”

FISH COUNT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! (The Alewife are running!)

The Department of Public Works has now opened the Wiswall Fish Ladder on the Lamprey River and is looking for volunteers to help the Town and NH Fish & Game conduct its 2nd annual fish count at the Wiswall Dam. The volunteer fish counters last year estimated that at least 30,000 anadromous fish (River Herring, Alewife, and American Shad) used the new fish ladder to spawn in the reaches of the Lamprey River. Anadromous fish live most of their lives in saltwater, but migrate up freshwater rivers to lay their eggs and then head back to the ocean. The fish counting will continue from now through the middle of June. It is only a commitment of 10 minutes at a time and as frequently as you have time for. Please consider helping out this exciting fishy event. Call DPW at 868-5578 or email publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us for more information and to sign up.

Lamprey River - Feedback is requested from Durham residents

regarding the draft Lamprey River Management Plan.

DRAFT LAMPREY RIVER MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMENTS REQUESTED

The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has updated its Management Plan and is soliciting comments from Town government and community members.

Comments are requested by June 15th and can be emailed to Suzanne Petersen at spetersen.lrac@comcast.net, submitted by phone to Sharon Meeker at 603-659-5441, or mailed in using the review of draft/comment pages provided with a copy of the draft Management Plan located in the lobby at the Durham Town Hall.

To view the draft Management Plan and complete a comment form for submission, click HERE.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY PLANNING TOOL TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE PLANNING BOARD - MAY 8, 2013

On Wednesday, May 8, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on an amendment that would require that all multifamily and nonresidential applications for Site Plan Review submit an "Energy Considerations Checklist."

In late 2011, the Energy Committee, in collaboration with the Planning Board, developed this checklist to help applicants identify opportunities for both energy and cost savings at an early stage in the application process. Rather than mandate general requirements as the building code does, the checklist is intended to stimulate discussion about proven energy efficiency measures relevant to a specific application.

OYSTER RIVER SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING

The Oyster River Sustainability Committee (ORCS) would like to invite interested community members to attend a short meeting and potluck dinner on Wednesday, May 8th at 6pm at Moharimet School, in Madbury. The Committee focuses its work in the areas of food & gardens, transportation, energy, school curriculum, and community outreach within the OR School District. ORSC strives to initiate hands-on sustainability projects that involve students, staff, and community members. The Green Team leaders will help organize and support the initiatives of the schools (includes a monetary compensation).

Visit the ORCS website http://greenoyster.wordpress.com/ or email cdolcino@orcsd.org with questions or interest.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WORKSHOPS

BACKYARD GARDENING WORKSHOP TOMORROW! - The Agricultural Commission is offering a workshop on backyard gardening tomorrow, Saturday, May 4th, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in the Town Council Chambers of the Durham Town Office. Master Gardening Intern and Ag Commission member Vin Dell'Ova will lead the workshop entitled, "Garden Success through Organization and Design". Join us and make plans for your summer garden season!

INTERESTED IN RAISING CHICKENS? The Agricultural Commission is offering a workshop on Thursday, May 30th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers of the Durham Town Office. "Chickens 101: Care and Maintenance of Healthy Layer Flock" will be led by Dot Perkins of UNH Cooperative Extension.

For more information on these workshops, please contact Agricultural Commission Chair Theresa Walker at theresawalker@comcast.net, 603-659-7226, or visit the Agricultural Commissions web site at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/bcc.

Masons finished infilling stone in the abandoned basement windows along the entry arcade and completed the brickwork on the main sign on Madbury Road. Courtesy Walter Rous

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

With temperatures ranging from the low 40’s early in the day to mid to high 60’s in the afternoon and mostly clear and sunny weather, it was a productive work week both inside and outside.

The carpenters worked on the fir ceilings of the exterior arcade roofs and on the window extension jambs and sills. Insulating of the ductwork and piping is nearly complete. More ceiling grid was hung on the first floor. The electricians were busy pulling conduit, making final connections at the electric panels and starting the light fixture installation. The drywallers were completing their work in the basement and in the lobby. The painters worked on the balcony rails, interior steel columns, sprinkler lines, door frames and stairwell and bathroom walls. The basement book lift was installed the first of the week.

Back outside, the masons finished infilling stone in the abandoned basement windows along the entry arcade and completed the brickwork on the main sign on Madbury Road. Back inside, the mechanical contractors worked on the radiant heat tube connections and tie-ins. They were also busy soldering and braising piping on the AHU’s (air handling units). Soldering is done at lower temperatures than braising (no, we’re not talking about cooking!) and is done with solder and propane for the hot water supply and return to the AHU’s. In this case, the water exerts a pressure of about 80 psi (pounds per square inch). Braising is done at higher temperatures with an acetylene torch and silver solder on the refrigerant piping to the AHU’s. The refrigerant comes in at about 300 psi and leaves at 200 psi. The pipes are filled with nitrogen during braising to prevent oxidation inside the pipe, which could affect the cooling cycle.

Mechanical contractor soldering and braising piping on the Air Handling Units. Courtesy Walter Rous

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, May 6, 2013. To view the agenda and other information, click HERE.

Durham Energy Committee - Tuesday, May 7, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Economic Development Committee - Tuesday, May 7, 2013 (7PM @ Durham PD Community Room). To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Planning Board - Wednesday, May 8, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Conservation Commission - Thursday, May 9, 2013. 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.

TRY THE TRAIN TO MAINE! AMTRAK WEEKEND STEAL DEAL

Amtrak's Downeaster train service is being affected south of Haverhill due to bridge replacement, so the Rail Authority is offering $5 trips on a few select upcoming weekends. The deal covers trips between stations from Haverhill north through Exeter, to Freeport, and all the way to Brunswick, Maine. It's a great opportunity to take a little excursion to Portland (the Old Port!), Freeport (LL Bean!), or Brunswick (Bowdoin College!). Relax and view the scenery instead of the traffic...stroll around your destination town without worrying about parking. Besides, there's no cheaper way to introduce the kids to rail travel.

Dates for the deal: May 11-12; reservations required. Check the details at the promotional website. To help plan your trip, visit the current Downeaster schedule and find visitor tips (including bus and tax connections) at the website for the Portland Transportation Center.

Want to leave your car near Durham's Amtrak station? Park for free on weekends at UNH's "A Lot" across the railroad tracks or the Nesmith Hall parking lot across Main Street, or at Durham's Depot Road parking lot to the right of the station. Free parking is available to Durham residents in the Depot Road Lot for a day trip on the train by contacting the Durham Police Department at 868-2324, M-F, and obtaining a day pass for weekend use.

AMTRAK DOWNEASTER - NATIONAL TRAIN DAY, MAY 11TH

Join the celebration on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Brunswick Station, 16 Avenue, Brunswick, Maine. Free event!

Downeaster train tours and cafe samples - 1-4 PM
Kids activities
Travel ideas
Educational exhibits
Ticket giveaway

To learn more about the Amtrak Downeaster, click HERE.

POWER OF ONE/EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT - SAMUEL GEIGER, ORHS FRESHMAN

For his Power of One/Eagle Scout Project, Oyster River High School Freshman Samuel Geiger has organized a bike drive for "Bikes Not Bombs". Bikes Not Bombs uses the bicycle as a vehicle for social change, creating local and global programs that provide skill development, jobs, and sustainable transportation. These programs mobilize youth and adults to be leaders in community transformation.

On Sunday, May 12, 2013 from 10AM to 4PM, Sam and Liam Conrad will be collecting bikes that will be sent to Africa where they will be repaired and given to the children as a form of transportation. Collection will be held at the senior lot at Oyster River High School.

NEEDED: All types of bicycles, broken parts, bike tools, helmets, pumps, locks, lights, and biking clothing

NO THANK YOU: Heavily rusted bikes, kick scooters, anything motorized, exercise equipment.

For more information regarding this project, please contact Samuel Geiger at samuelgeiger@comcast.net or Liam Conrad at lconrad16@sau5.org.

PAY IT FORWARD PROJECT - DONATE USED ITEMS

For her Pay It Forward project, Oyster River Middle School 7th grader Shivika Aggarwal has teamed up with "We Care Charity" that has been sending shipments of used clothes, toys, etc. to India to be distributed to orphanages and other charity organizations. Shivika is currently collecting used clothes, toys without batteries, board games, puzzles, children's books. If you would like to donate any of these items, there will be a bin inside the town office for items to be dropped off by Sunday, May 12th.

SPRING CLEANING FOR SYRIA

Please come to the Community Church on Saturday, May 4th to drop off your old or unused clothing as part of a clothing drive hosted by Forrest Spinney, a student at Oyster River High School.

As part of his Power of One project to raise awareness of the ongoing civil conflict in Syria, the clothing drive is designed to ship clothes to children and families of refugees caught in the crossfire. Forrest is working with a local family from Syria and the Syrian American Medical Society. The drop off will be located at the back of the church from 9 am to 1 pm. Forrest will be at the door to the left of the Echo Thrift Shop to unload your items.

2012 International Colonials with Oyster River High Players

DURHAM HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS
The New England Colonials International Basketball Club is looking for Durham area families to host our 2013 International Colonials players during the team’s June 26-27 visit to Durham.

This unique team will bring together 11 players from 11 countries this summer for a three-week basketball tour of New England. Players are 16 and 17 and they are all highly recommended to us by their club or school coaches overseas. Many play for their national teams and all speak English. Hosting assignments will be for two nights.

Countries represented this summer will be Austria, Brazil, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Sweden.

If you would like to welcome a young player from overseas to your home in June, please call Scott Bryson at 508-734-5660, or send an email to necolonials@aol.com.

To learn more about our nonprofit, all-volunteer program, visit http://www.newenglandcolonials.net/home.htm

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF WEEKLY "FRIDAY UPDATES"
The deadline for submissions of items for the weekly "Friday Updates" is Thursday each week. It is requested that submissions for upcoming events be provided closer to the actual event date. Please send information for inclusion in the "Friday Updates" to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

HAPPY MARKET (THE NEW ASIAN MARKET) OPENS ON JENKINS COURT

Happy Market is “happy” to become a new member of the Durham and UNH community. The new store will bring authentic Asian foods to residents and students of Durham and the University. The majority of the store’s products are imported form China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and other Eastern Asian Countries. The fresh produce is grown in the US in farms operated by Asian immigrates. Happy Market offers a wide range of foods from rice to ready to eat dumplings and buns. Happy Market is located at 8 Jenkins Court, suite 102 (the former What a Croc location).

MIXTECA TAQUERIA Y CANTINA OPENS FOR BRUNCH AND LUNCH BEGINNING MAY 4TH

Beginning tomorrow, Saturday, May 4th, the Mixteca Taqueria Y Cantina, located at 10 Jenkins Court,will expand its current dinner hours and be officially open for Brunch on Saturday and Sunday and Lunch 7 days per week. Doors open at 11:30 daily. Stop by or call today for reservations or to-go. 603-397-5971.

Professor John Hart and his pruning class at Oyster River Park. Courtesy Jean Olson

OYSTER RIVER PARK

On Wednesday this week John Hart, Professor of Horticultural Technology, and his pruning class pruned the lilac bushes bordering Oyster River Park. Some of the old wood had lilac borers as well as bacterial blight. This is the second year of a three-year project in which pruning has been done to restore the lilacs. John assures everyone that over time the lilacs will fill out. Thank you to Professor Hart and his students for sharing their expertise and time to make Oyster River Park more enjoyable.

PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

STUDENT TO STUDENT: Nineteen student athletes from UNH visited ORMS this past Wednesday. The athletes were from the following teams: Women's Ice Hockey; Men's Basketball; Women's Basketball; and Volleyball. After helping with homework and socializing, students headed to the gym for an exciting game of floor hockey. This fun, free program engages ORMS students in healthy, educational activities with local college students. Dates for Fall 2013 will be available soon!

Courtesy Stefanie Frazee

MAST WAY FIRST GRADERS HELP OUT IN DURHAM: This past Tuesday, Mast Way students gathered at Jackson’s Landing playground for their “Helping Hands” project. They picked up winter debris, gathered weeds, and cleared off playground mats. A big “thank you” to all of the students and teachers who helped make the playground ready for spring! To learn more about the project, click HERE.

Courtesy Stefanie Frazee

COYOTE'S INKWELL: Durham Parks and Recreation presents: Evening of Storytelling with Michael Lang - storyteller and owner of The Coyote’s Inkwell: sharing folktales, fables, music, and original stories. Program designed for 1st through 5th grade ages, but all are welcome @ Parks & Rec Building Thursdays: May 16th, 23rd, 30th 5-6pm ($5/child)

SUMMER SPEED CAMP: For athletes in grades 7-12 who are looking to improve their game, while having a TON of fun this summer. Find out more HERE.

MAD SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP: Durham Parks & Rec and Mad Science have teamed up to offer:

Rockin' Rockets & Fantastic Flight - Jul 29-Aug 2, 2013; 9AM - 3PM, $250, for ages 7 to 12 years. Fantastic Flight will allow campers to build many different flying devices from balloon copter and kites to rockets. Learn about navigation tools and see how Newton's Laws of Motion help explain how things move and how rockets fly!

Secret Agent Lab - Aug 5-Aug 9, 2013, 9AM - 3:30 PM, $250, for ages 7 to 12 years. Look out 007. The Mad Science Secret Agent Lab is in session! From decoding messages to metal detectors and night vision, you will get a chance to check out cool spy equipment and even create your own edible message in a hands-on look at the science that spies use! For more information and to register, click HERE.

ADVENTURE PADDLE CAMP: Parks & Recreation is teaming up with Seven Rivers Paddling to offer kids kayaking camps this summer! We are offering a series of week-long sessions for kids ages 6-8 and 9-13. Each session will guide the participants through basic paddling techniques; balance; self rescue skills; wildlife exploration; and conservation topics. For more information, please visit Seven Rivers Paddling on FB, or email: sevenriverspaddling@gmail.com

KAYAK TOURS: Durham Parks & Recreation is teaming up with Seven Rivers Paddling to offer weekend tours this summer! Seven Rivers Paddling Days:

Saturday, May 4th @ 5PM (Sunset Tour) – Jackson’s Landing
Saturday, May 11th @ 10AM – Jackson’s Landing
Saturday, May 18th @ 3PM – Jackson’s Landing
Saturday, May 25th @ 10AM – Jackson’s Landing

All tours are $50/person, (ages 9+) and include necessary instruction and gear (boats too)! Both beginner and advanced paddlers welcome. Tours are 3 hours each. Space is limited!

To register, please fill out a registration form at: www.ci.durham.nh.us/recreation (follow directions on top of form).

COUCH TO 5K: You can still join! Have you ever wanted to run a 5k but don’t know how to get started? Come run with us in our “Couch to 5k” program. Nicole and Sheila are great instructors who bring FUN and energy into running. This program includes registration for, and concludes with the Bobcat Bolt 5k in June. To register, click HERE and follow directions on top of the form.

16TH WORLD TAI CHI QUIGONG DAY CELEBRATION: Join Parks & Recreation Tai Chi Instructor Lin Lin Choy on Saturday, April 27th @ 10AM – Great Lawn, UNH. This is a free event for all ages.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE 2013: Every Durham resident, veteran, and family member is invited to participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27th. Join us as we celebrate and honor the men and women who have, and are currently serving our country.

JOIN ANY CLASS, ANYTIME! 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.

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.

BOOT CAMP, Wed/Fri, 7AM

PILATES, Mon 9AM, Wed 6:30 PM (ORMS Multipurpose Room), Sat 10AM (ORMS Multipurpose Room)

ZUMBA - Mon/Wed 5:30 PM, Sat 9AM (All held at ORMS Multipurpose Room)

STRENGTH & STRETCH - Wed/Fri 8AM

TAI CHI (Beginner/Advanced) - Fri 4-5:30 PM. Find out more HERE.

TAI CHI (Moving for Better Balance) - Tue/Thu 9-10AM

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 27, 2013 @ 10AM
Music By the Bay Summer Concert Series - June, July, August 2013 at Wagon Hill Farm. (Join us for the series kickoff on June 27th from 6-8 PM with BLISS!)
Durham Day - Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Wagon Hill Farm (Rain Date: Sunday, September 22nd)

The Strafford County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2013 in Durham. See more information below. Pictured are (l-r) Vin Dell'Ova, Kathy Travaglini, and Carol Smack

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

7th Annual Oyster River Quackfest, Saturday, May 4, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, Durham Landing. Cheer on the ducks at 1:00 pm as they “race” to the finish line. This fun family day includes live music by the ORMS Jazz Band, the NH Notables, lots of free children’s activities, a BBQ, and prizes.Ducks are for sale at Durham Marketplace and all three Growing Places locations. Proceeds from Quackfest benefit Growing Places children’s programming and Rotary of Durham Great Bay community projects.

Annual Tech-cycle Event. ORHS's robotics Team, River's Edge Robotics, will hold this second annual event, Saturday, May 4, 2013, 9AM-5PM, senior parking lot at ORHS. Please bring any electronics or appliances that are not being used anymore. Contact Nate Oxnard, noxnard@orcsd.org with questions.

Film, Living for 32 - An original film by a survivor of the Virginia Tech massacre, Thursday, May 9, 2013, 7PM, Chapel of the Community Church of Durham. Discussion to follow. Learn about how many voices can change the conversation about gun safety.
11th annual Seacoast Bike/Walk to Work Week, May 13 through 17 - SAVE THE DATE, which culminates in free breakfasts for alternative commuters (bike, walk, bus, train, carpool) around the region Friday, May 17. The UNH/Durham breakfast, again sponsored by the UNH kinesiology department, will be on the steps of New Hampshire Hall from 7 – 10 a.m.

To register or to get more information, click HERE.

Active Retirement Association Presents Author, Eleanor Morse, Sunday, May 19, 2013, 2:00 PM, Durham Community Church. Ms. Morse will discuss her new book, White Dog Fell From the Sky, a novel which takes place in apartheid South Africa in 1976. For more information, call 603-292-6234 or email momstarks2237@comcast.net.

Durham Great Bay Rotary Upcoming Meetings. All meetings held at 7:30 AM at the Three Chimneys Inn,. All are welcome. Apr 24th-GSE Team from Nigeria; May 1st-John DeLorey on college financing/planning; May 8th-club forum; May 22nd-GBRC member Arthur Bradbury; Call 603-868-1664 for more information.

Legally Blonde The Musical - SAVE THE DATE - May 23, 24, 25 (7PM) and May 26 (2PM), ORHS, Tickets: $7/students, $10/adults

Strafford County Master Gardener Plant Sale, Sunday, May 26, 2013, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Newmarket and Mill Pond Road (former People’s Bank parking lot), Durham, NH. Sponsored by Strafford County Master Gardeners to raise funds to benefit educational gardening projects in Strafford County.

Perennials, annuals, small trees and unique plants locally dug by Master Gardeners. Rain or shine.

ORHS List of Athletic Events for the Spring - To view the schedule, click HERE. *** Weather could postpone or cancel some of these events ***. For daily updates, contact ORHS at 603-868-2375, extension 2.

Harmony Homes Community Garden

Harmony Homes Assisted Living at 1 Stagecoach Road still has a few openings in its free community garden for this summer. To reserve a spot, email HarmonyHomesNH@hotmail.com or call at 292-6087 to reserve a spot.

FRIENDS OF THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY SPRING BOOK SALE

The Friends of the Durham Public Library spring book sale kicks off at the Durham Public Library on Thursday, May 9th from 6pm to 7pm with an Early Bird Preview--admission to this special one hour event is $10 for best selection!

The sale opens to everyone from 7pm to 8:30pm Thursday evening. The sale will continue on Friday, May 10th, from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday, May 11th from 10am to 2pm.

Come browse quality books and a great selection! Pick up your summer reads while supporting the Durham Public Library. All proceeds from the Friends Spring Book Sale support Library programs.

The Durham Public Library is located in Mill Road Plaza. (603) 868-6699.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Carol & Crew Puppet Show, Sat. May 4th, 10:30 a.m. - Carol & Crew are back for an amazing Puppet Show! Carol's puppet shows are very fun, interactive and entertaining. All are welcome! Don't miss it!

Preschool Storytimes, Tues. May 7th and Thurs. May 9th at 10:30 am – This week: Flowers and Mother’s Day! Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft. All are welcome.
McGregor Memorial EMS CPR Course, Tues. May 7th 6:00-8:15 p.m. - McGregor Memorial EMS is proud to offer a CPR Course at the library. Cost is $20 with payment is due the night of the class. Please register at www.mcgregorems.org

Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4th grade book group, Tues. May 7th 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Join us for our 2nd-4th grade book group. This month's books are "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies and/or "The Missing Heir" by Tracy Barrett. Come discuss the book(s), authors, play some games, and make a craft. Copies of these books are available at the Circulation desk. All are welcome!

Young Adult Writing/Blog Group, Tues. May 7th 7:00-7:45 p.m. - Join us for this monthly writing group for Young Adults (10 yrs & up). We do writing exercises, talk about your writing and post your writing to our blog "Write Away". We also talk about books, movies... All are welcome!

Libros Lovers, High School Book Group, Weds. May 8th 1:00-2:00 p.m. - Join us for this High School Book Group. This month's book is "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver. Ruth Wharton MacDonald is the facilitator. All are welcome and pizza is served.

Oyster River High School Poetry Night, Weds, May 8th, 7:00 p.m- Join Oyster River High School Students for a night of creative poetry readings! The ORHS Poet Laureate, ORHS Poetry Out Loud Winner and the ORHS Literary Magazine Members will do some readings. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome!

Homeschooling Activity Hour Friday, May 10th, 10:30-11:30 a.m. –This week: Non-Fiction - Biographies - hear some stories, make a craft. Homeschoolers join us as we read some books, play some games and work on a craft. This program is geared for home-schoolers but all are welcome. We will meet for eight Fridays (starting April 5th and ending May 24th).
Henna Body Workshop, Joint Library Teen Program, Sat. May 11th, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - Learn the history of henna body art as used in ceremony, ritual, and medicine as well as the various designs used in different cultures. Learn how to mix henna and after choosing/creating a design, paint away! Taught by master herbalist and henna tattoo artist, Melissa Morrison, this workshop is for grades 7th - 12th. Registration required. Please register (at any of the three libraries) by May 4th. This joint teen library (Durham, Lee and Madbury) program is being held at the Lee Library.
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. The program will end on May 31st, 2013 so come in to collect your patches. We will begin again Sept. 1st, 2013.

Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

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

FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"

"Education and Religion - Durham Churches: The Community Church of Durham. In 1923 considerable money was raised to expand the church. The vestry was enlarged by building a section connecting it with the sanctuary building. This made a meeting hall possible, named Paine Auditorim in honor of Ralph D. Paine, author and enthusiastic supporter of the church. The improvements in the kitchen and dining area delighted the hearts of all women who had labored in the old quarters! a new Skinner organ, donated by Fred Murphy, was installed. The newly renovated church was dedicated on January 2 and 3, 1924, despite a sudden storm which dropped three feet of snow on the town during the first day's meetings." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

Have a very nice weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, New Hampshire

T: 603-868-5571 F: 603-868-5572

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

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