Friday Updates - October 4, 2013

Friday,October 4, 2013

It's fall at Emery Farm. Check out all those pumpkins!

Courtesy Francoise Meissner

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A beautiful new playground has been constructed at the Moharimet Elementary School.  It just opened this week.  Principal Dennis Harrington, Mohariment staff, the Moharimet PTO, and many dedicated parents have worked to raise money, design, and ultimately build the structure.  Kudos to all involved in this community effort.  

IMPACT OF NEW DEVELOPMENT ON DURHAM TAX RATE
Recent Development in Town Has Saved the Average Durham Homeowner $411 in Local Property Taxes for 2013


Between 2009 and 2013, Durham has increased its tax base by approximately $50 million as a result of new development.  Using current budget and assessed valuation figures, if we added value in the amount of $50 million to the tax base, the local tax rate would drop by approximately $1.37 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation.  The chart below illustrates this change.

Because the Town, the School District, and the County have all had increased their respective budgets over this period of time, taxes have not gone down.  Absent the new development, however, an average Durham homeowner with a house valued at $300,000 would pay approximately $411 more in local property taxes than they actually will this year.


With approximately $52 million in new capital expenses projected as part of the Town’s ten year Capital Improvement Program, it is essential that while on one hand we endeavor to preserve the character of Durham, we simultaneously look for ways to appropriately broaden the tax base to ensure Durham remains affordable now and into the future. 

The front entry as approved by the Historic District Commission at the new Town Hall site.

TOWN COUNCIL TO DISCUSS NEW TOWN HALL PROJECT AT 8 NEWMARKET ROAD ON MONDAY, OCT. 7th

As noted previously, the bids came in higher than anticipated for the new Town Hall project at 8 Newmarket Road, the former People’s United Bank site.  Hutter Construction is the Town’s general contractor for the new Town Hall project at 8 Newmarket Road.  The company put all of the subcontracted tasks for the project out to bid.  

 

The August 13, 2013 pricing came in at $1,887,367, or $487,367 over anticipated.  

 

Through an open book process, we know that between three and five subcontractors bid on each aspect of the project, bid prices were quite consistent for specific tasks, and prospective bidders were from throughout the state, some being from the Seacoast area.  This tells us the bids were in fact competitive.


Public Works Director Mike Lynch and Administrator Todd Selig also organized a meeting with Bauen Construction, the General Contractor for the new Library project, to discuss the Hutter bid results.  Bauen was complimentary of the design drawings prepared by AG Architects indicating they were extremely detailed and well done allowing for accurate estimating.  Bauen also indicated that the bids were realistic and that it would be unlikely the Town could do better rebidding now or in the winter.  Bauen indicated that Hutter’s Construction Management fees were very reasonable, and that Bauen likely could not do better.  Bauen believed pricing in the construction market was on the rise and that delaying the project would result in a higher priced project for the Town.  Bauen believed it unlikely the Town would save money by waiting until winter and bidding the project out again.

 
Efforts to Reduce Project Costs


Meanwhile, Public Works Director Michael Lynch sent Architect Art Guadano and General Contractor Hutter Construction back to the drawing board to bring the price down through project modifications/reductions. That process has been under way and ultimately the project team has been able to identify strategies to cut approximately $289,207 from the project without impacting basic functionality. The cuts do, however, impact energy efficiency, interior comfort and aesthetics, and shift many tasks to Durham Public Works.


Of note is the fact that through our discussions with Hutter, and the great frustration of the Town with the unanticipated bid overages, Hutter has cut their General Contractor fee from $90,300 to $65,000, a savings of $25,300 to the project.   

Identifying Funds to Offset Increases

Increasing Purchase Price for Existing Town Hall Site.  When the bids for the Town Hall project came in high, Administrator Selig contacted Mr. Scott Mitchell with whom the Town has a Purchase & Sale Agreement for the existing Town Office parcel at 15 Newmarket Road for the sum of $1,200,000.  The Purchase & Sale Agreement is contingent upon Mr. Mitchell’s proposed project for 15 Newmarket Road, a pharmacy, being approved by the Town.  


After several conversations between Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Selig, Scott Mitchell has verbally agreed to increase the purchase price for 15 Newmarket Road by $100,000.  Mr. Selig has asked for more and expects an answer in writing by October 7th to share with the Council.  In exchange, Mr. Mitchell has asked for additional time to pull his project together.  The details of this discussion will need to be fleshed out over the course of the next week.

Unassigned Fund Balance.  The Town presently has $1,484,830 in unassigned fund balance.  Administrator Selig recommends allocating $494,460 towards the Town Hall project to allow it to move forward.

The Cost of Upgrading the Existing Town Offices at 15 Newmarket Rd.


When the Town first began to evaluate whether it made sense to move ahead with improving the existing Town Offices versus transforming 8 Newmarket Road into the new Durham Town Hall, cost estimates were $1,228,000 for improving the existing facility.  


We know that the cost for improving 8 Newmarket Road increased approximately 37% over initial estimates.  If the actual cost for improving the 15 Newmarket Road increased by the same percentage, which is not unlikely once all is said and done, the cost would be approximately $1,682,360.  


The benefit of moving forward with 8 Newmarket Road is that it frees up the existing Town Office site for new taxable development.  

Potential Redevelopment Value of 15 Newmarket Road Site

 

The prospective buyer of the 15 Newmarket Road site intends to construct a pharmacy estimated to be assessed at between $3 - $4 million.  This amounts to approximately $100,625 per year in new taxes based on the 2012 full tax rate for Durham.   An $878,700 bond for 20 years to fund a portion of the new Town Hall project at 8 Newmarket Road is estimated to cost the Town approximately $79,083 per year in combined interest/principal payments at a 4% interest rate. We anticipate interest rates and construction costs to increase over the next year.


If 8 Newmarket Road were sold and made taxable once again, the annual taxes would be approximately $24,000.  

Next Steps for Discussion by Town Council Monday Evening


If the Town Council chooses to move forward with this project, it is recommended that a public hearing be scheduled for October 21, 2013 in accordance with Sec. 5.5 of the Town Charter, Appropriations After Adoption of Budget, which states: “No appropriation shall be made for any purpose not included in the annual budget as adopted unless approved by a two-thirds majority of the Council after a public hearing. The Council shall, by resolution, designate the source of any money so appropriated.” Administrator Selig recommends the source of funds be $494,460 in unassigned Fund Balance.

TOWN COUNCIL TO DISCUSS FILLING NH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE VACANCY FROM DURHAM-MADBURY

Rep. Phil Ginsburg Has Resigned from NH House Due to Relocation to Newmarket

On Monday evening, the Town Council will discuss, in Accordance with RSA 661:8 (II) and RSA 665:81 (I), requesting that the Governor and Executive Council Schedule a special election for the Purpose of Filling the Vacancy of Representative Philip Ginsburg.  A primary election would also need to be held.


The Town received notification that one of its representatives in the NH House of Representatives, Philip Ginsburg, has resigned because he is moving to Newmarket. The Administrator’s office contacted the Secretary of State’s office to inquire as to which state statute governs the filling of this vacancy.


New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA 655:81 I) outlines the procedure for holding special elections for nomination of a state representative:  “The special election shall be held on a Tuesday not less than 110 nor more than 124 days following the day that the governor and council declare that there shall be a special election; provided, however, that if one or more municipalities where a special election for state representative will be held have a regularly-scheduled election occurring between 80 and 180 days following the day that the governor and council declare that there shall be a special election, the governor and council shall set the date of the election to coincide with the regularly-scheduled election if a majority of the towns or wards, as represented by the city, jointly request that day; if towns or wards, as represented by the city, request that the special election coincide with regularly-scheduled elections occurring on different dates, the election shall be held on a Tuesday not less than 110 nor more than 124 days following the day that the governor and council declare that there shall be a special election.”


Durham’s regularly-scheduled Town election will be held on March 11, 2014, which would occur within the 80 and 180-day timeframe following the earliest day (October 16, 2013) that the Governor and Council could declare that there shall be a special election. On Monday evening, October 7th, the Town Council will discuss requesting that the Governor and Council set the date of the special election to coincide with Durham’s annual Town election on March 11, 2014.  Doing so would eliminate the need to hold an additional special election because the Town election on March 11th could then serve both purposes. The primary election, in accordance with state statute, would then be held 49 days earlier on January 21, 2014.  


It would be possible as well for the Town Council to request that the Governor and Council schedule a special election to fill the seat sooner than March 11th.  If the Governor and Council ordered a special election on October 16, 2013, the earliest it could occur would be February 4, 2014.  The primary election date for the special election on February 4th would then take place 49 days earlier on December 17, 2014.


If no party has more than one candidate file and no non-party or other candidate files a declaration of intent, the primary election shall not be conducted.  In such a case, the special election shall be held on the day previously fixed as the day for holding of the special primary election. (RSA 655:82)


Because Representative Ginsburg represented both Durham and Madbury, the Administrator’s office has been in touch with the Town of Madbury concerning this issue.


The cost for a typical local Town election is in the $1,800 - $2,000 range per event.

EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE BIKABILITY OF DURHAM

The Town has worked in recent years to improve and install bike lanes, bike racks, and most recently sharrows in and around Durham.  However, much more needs to be done to truly make Durham a bicycle-focused and friendly community.  The following 5 minute video about bike infrastructure in the U.S. with some comparisons to the Netherlands where biking is much more widespread is particularly interesting and highlights the challenges experienced by bikers day and day out trying to navigate our asphalt, motor vehicle-centric roadways. 

http://www.upworthy.com/a-dutch-guy-is-disgusted-by-america-but-he-has-a-hell-of-a-point?c=ufb1

 

The Energy Committee is presently working with the Administrator to solicit proposals to develop a bicycle plan for Durham.  

“DRUG TAKE BACK" PROGRAM AT THE DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

The initiative of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been a national success where the previous events have taken in an astounding 276 tons of unwanted or expired medications.  Chief Kurz has decided to provide this program on a continuous basis since a significant number of residents participated by dropping off at the police facility a significant amount of unwanted or expired prescriptions.  During any business day, from 8AM to 5PM, residents can drop off their unused, unwanted, or expired medications at the Durham Police facility on Dover Road for no cost and it’s all anonymous!

Doing so prevents prescription drug abuse as six out of ten teenagers who have taken prescription narcotics state that they get them from their parents or relative’s medicine cabinets.  Additionally, using this service keeps trace drugs out of our lakes, streams and estuaries as wastewater treatment plants cannot remove many compounds found in medications; so when flushed or put in a landfill, drugs are discharged into our surface and ground water and consumed by fish and wildlife.  If anyone has any questions about this service, please call the Durham Police during business hours Monday through Friday.

THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS FROM DCAT STUDIOS

Visit South Dakota’s Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and the Sioux Nation.

Sunday’s @ 9:00 PM - Run time: 1:30

Durham Director of Planning Michael Behrendt returns to the Durham Public Library for an intimate look at South Dakota. He recently travelled there and will present his slides.  In particular, he will explore: Life (and struggles) on the reservation, Lakota Sioux culture, some history about the wars between the native Americans and our society, their use of the buffalo, the badlands and more.  DCAT Studios was there to record the event.  This video will not be available on our On Demand site.

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Nobel Laureate & Social Business Leader - Muhammad Yunus Speaks at Statewide NH Forum - Sunday’s at 4:30 PM

DCAT Studios took a short road trip to the Granite State Room at UNH’s MUB building, Monday, September 30th to record Muhammad Yunus keynote address at the NH Social Business & Microfinance Forum.  Social businesses create innovative solutions to difficult problems such as poverty and climate change. Unlike traditional nonprofit organizations, social businesses aim to be market-based and to fund their operations & growth through earned revenues rather than donations.  Muhammad Yunus has received the Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom & the US Congressional Gold Medal for his work as a pioneer in the microfinance industry and the founder of the Grameen Bank.  This video is also available to view on DCAT’s On Demand site.

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Gundalow “Journey Up River” - Sunday’s @ 8:10 PM

Gundalow “Journey Up River” is an archive video from DCAT Studios.  Please join the Captain and his volunteer crew as he navigates the tricky waters of the Oyster River.  The scenery is beautiful, along with excellent information about how important the gundalow was that sailed the waters of the Oyster River and the Great Bay Area years ago.

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“Riding the Trash Truck with Arthur” - Sunday’s @ 8:30 PM

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride the trash truck….well, probably not, but over the summer months DCAT had the chance to ride the trash truck with Sanitation Worker Arthur Nutter.   You’ll have a new appreciation as to how difficult the job of Sanitation Worker really is.  Hear Arthur describe some of the difficulties he faces on a daily basis.   View part of Town Administrator Todd Selig’s day riding and working alongside of Arthur.  Todd describes his day and talks about some of the possible changes to trash collection.  Tune in this Sunday @ 8:30 PM.  This is an original DCAT Studios production.

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Health Reform & Health Insurance Markets - 2014 Changes in NH

Filmed at the Durham Public Library’s New Community Room!

Hey local residents, if you missed the Insurance presentation in the Community Room @ Durham Public Library on Wednesday September 11, no worries, DCAT Studios was there and recorded the entire presentation just for you.  Tune in this Sunday @ 2:00 PM as Tyler Brannen, Health Policy Analyst from the NH Insurance Department explains the changes in the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2014.  Hear residents questions about some of these changes and how it affects all of us.  Thank you to; State Senator, Martha Fuller Clark for organizing this event.  

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION PRESENTS "DICK O'KANE, A DURHAM WAR HERO"

The Durham Historic Association presents "Dick O'Kane, A Durham War Hero" on Thursday, October 17, 2013 beginning at 7PM at the Durham Public Library (Oyster River Room). This even is open to the public.

Rear Admiral Richard H. O’Kane is one of Durham’s most illustrious sons, serving his country with great distinction during World War II as one of its outstanding and most highly decorated submarine captains.  He was one of only seven submariners during the war to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in combat above and beyond the call of duty – this highest of military honors in addition to receiving the Legion of Merit, three Silver Stars, and three Navy Crosses.

COLLEGE WOODS TURNS 50

In celebration of fifty years since it's founding, the community is invited to a Re-Dedication of College Woods Natural Area on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 12:30.  Meet at the entrance to College Woods, behind the UNH Field House on Colovos Road. Read More.

VOLUNTEER FOR COLLEGE WOODS! 2ND ANNUAL BUCKTHORN BLITZ - Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 (9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.)

Download flyer HERE.

College Woods needs you! This special forest is being overrun with glossy buckthorn, a non-native invasive shrub that crowds out native plants. You can help preserve the ecology of this beautiful property, recognized as an outstanding example of the Hemlock-Hardwood-Pine natural community

in New Hampshire. We’ll be hand-pulling buckthorn during 2 sessions (9 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.). Come prepared with a water bottle, long sleeve shirt and pants, and sturdy shoes.

Register to help on Facebook: Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/207193119455716/.

Questions? contact Steve Eisenhaure at the Woodlands Office: woodlands@unh.edu or Malin Clyde at UNH Cooperative Extension; malin.clyde@unh.edu

Employees from the UNH Interoperability Laboratory worked on community service projects at the Smith Chapel and Woodridge Playground (shown above). The group also completed work on the rain garden at the new Library. Courtesy UNH-IOL

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, October 7, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Zoning Board of Adjustment - Tuesday, October 8, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee - Tuesday, October 8, 2013 (7PM, Durham PD Community Room). To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Planning Board - Wednesday, October 9, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Conservation Commission - Thursday, October 10, 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.

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.

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events:

Coyote's Inkwell Bon Fire & Storytelling - October 18th, 6-7PM at Town Landing (bring family, friends, and chairs. FREE)

A "Spooktacular" Day in Durham – October 25th 5-6:30PM @ Jackson’s Landing Playground (pumpkin decorating, cookies, prizes, spooky refreshments, FREE). Sponsored by Durham Parks & Recreation and ORPP.

Feather Fest (previously Turkey Trot) – November 28th 10-11AM @ Wagon Hill Farm (festive story and walk, refreshments, games, FREE).

Tree Lighting Celebration – December 6th 6-8PM @ Main Street (special guests, tree lighting, crafts, giveaways, FREE).

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.

Jiu Jitsu Classes

Men:  Mondays & Wednesdays, 6-7PM (beginning Oct 14th)

Women:  Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10-11AM (beginning Oct 15th)

at Durham Parks & Recreation building (2 Dover Road, Durham). Cost: $80/student, no drop-in option. 12 students maximum. Find out more, HERE.

Get FIT with DPR:

HoopFit Classes - NEW!:  Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM (beginning Oct 1st), $10/class.

Yoga:   Mondays - 5PM; Tuesdays - 7:15PM; Thursdays - 6:00AM

Boot Camp:  Wednesday/Friday – 7AM
Pilates:  Monday - 8AM; Wednesday - 6:30PM; Saturday - 10AM

Zumba:  Monday/Wednesday - 5:30PM; Saturday - 9AM

Strength & Stretch:  Wednesday/Friday - 8AM

Tai Chi Beginner/Advanced:  Friday – 4-5:30PM

Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance:  Tuesday/Thursday - 9-10AM

Find out more here: http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/calendar?departments=283

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Carl Lindblade, UNH Hospitality Management Dept., will speak about the Mount Washington Hotel (pictured above) at the ARA's October General Meeting, October 14th.

Oyster River Folk Presents Deborah Holland and Cidny Bullens, two members of The Refugees, Saturday, Oct 5, 2013, 7:00 PM, Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. For more information, contact Malcolm Smith, 603-397-5781, malcolmsmith@comcast.net

Turning Point Farm and Emma Carcagno Morning Walk Through Woods to Talk About New England Cottontails, Saturday, Oct 5, 2013, 9:30 AM, 185 Wednesday Hill Road. RSVP to spiritfawn@gmail.com.

UNH Celebrity Series Presents Stile Antico, Sunday, Oct 13, 7:00 PM, Paul Creative Arts Johnson Theatre. For more information, click HERE.

Active Retirement Association General Meeting, Monday, Oct 14, 2013, 1:30 PM, Durham Evangelical Church. Featuring Carl Lindblade of UNH Hospitality Management Dept. speaking on "A Hotel Goes to Peace, Not War: The Story of the Mount Washington Hotel and the International Monetary Conference at Bretton Woods".

One World Language School Information and Registration Night, Thursday, Oct 19, 2013, 5-6:30 PM, Moharimet Elementary school. Offering French, Spanish, German, and Chinese classes for children ages 3 and up. Classes held each Thursday at Moharimet beginning in October.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Do You Have Questions About the Affordable Health Care Act?  Sign up or see if you can get better coverage than you have now at https://www.healthcare.gov/ The Durham Public Library has information available and can help you get online to access the site. Please note: There are no official Assisters or Navigators at the Library; however, the librarians will help you find information that will aid you in making your own decision. To read information about ACA scams, click HERE.
Destination Imagination Parent/Child Information Night, Monday, Oct. 7th at 6:30 p.m. – “Destination Imagination is an educational program where student teams solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments”. The library will be sponsoring “teams” for grades K-4.  All are welcome.
The Granite Men of Henri-Chapelle: WWII Author Talk, Wednesday, Oct. 9th at 7 p.m. - Author Aimee Fogg will discuss the nearly forty New Hampshire soldiers who fought, died, and who were left behind in Belgium at the end of World War II. Her book "The Granite Men of Henri-Chapelle: Stories of New Hampshire's WWII Soldiers," tells the stories of these incredible men.
Durham Historic Association presents: Dick O'Kane, A Durham War Hero, Thursday, Oct. 17th at 7 p.m. - Rear Admiral Richard H. O’Kane is one of Durham’s most illustrious sons, serving his country with great distinction during World War II as one of its outstanding and most highly decorated submarine captains. He was one of only seven submariners during the war to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in combat above and beyond the call of duty – this highest of military honors in addition to receiving the Legion of Merit, three Silver Stars, and three Navy Crosses.
"Hank Finds an Egg" Rebecca Dudley Picture Book Author visit and diorama craft after!  Saturday, Oct. 12th at 10:30 a.m. - Join us for this fun author visit. "Hank Finds an Egg" is a beautiful picture book created by local author Rebecca Dudley.  Rebecca will read her book and have your child create a diorama after. Please have your child bring a shoe box and a 3" or smaller figurine or toy to use in the diorama. Rebecca's book will be available for purchase and signing afterwards.  Don't miss this fun program!
Art for Water Public Art Installation, Tues., Oct. 22nd from 3 to 5 p.m. (KIDS!) and 6:30 for Adults - JOIN IN THE PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION AT THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY.  Help water advocacy organization Art for Water and the Lamprey River Advisory Committee to create a public-participation art installation at the new Durham Public Library.  Participants are invited to write their thoughts, knowledge, or reflections about water on a prepared piece of cover weight paper, which Artist Christine Destrempes then makes into a river of words in Stream of Conscience. KIDS: Art for Water also will be at the library after school 3:00 to 5:00 to engage students in a conversation about our relationship to water and to invite them to contribute to the Stream of Conscience.
Computer Stations for the Visually Impaired - The Durham Public Library has equipped two of its public computers with software and hardware components to assist the visually impaired. Thanks to a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay and Rotary International, the library was able to purchase ZoomText, a computer program that magnifies images on a monitor. The program is easy to use, and allows patrons to increase screen magnification to whatever suits them best. ZoomText includes an audio component as well. Patrons can hear text on a webpage being read aloud to them through Audio-Technica headphones, also purchased with grant funds. ZoomText also allows the visually impaired to magnify the pages of books and magazines. The process is simple: patrons place a book under a small camera and the page appears on the computer monitor at whatever magnification is selected. The program is easy to use and takes minutes to learn. Our librarians are happy to show you how. Special thanks to the members of the Rotary Club of Durham – Great Bay.
Young Adult Writing/Blog Group (ages 10 & up), Monday Oct. 7th, 7-7:45 p.m. -Like to write? Join us for this monthly writing/blogging group.  We do writing exercises, share book reviews, movie review, poetry...  whatever you like to write about.  Your writing can be a part of our blog "Write Away" on wordpress.
Chess and Board Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up), Monday Oct. 7th 3:00-4:00 p.m. – Join us every Monday afternoon in the community room upstairs for a game of chess (or other board games).
Pre-school storytimes Tues. Oct. 8th and Thurs. Oct. 10th at 10:30 a.m. – The theme is Fairy Tales and Dragons!
Lego Club (1st-4th graders), Thurs. Oct. 10th at 3:45-4:45 p.m. – Join us Thursdays to make Lego creations.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Friday Oct. 11th, 10:30 a.m. – This week:  Mexico.  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. Oct. 11th 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Stop by the Children’s craft room on Fridays for a fun craft.
Join the Bookeaters, a middle school book discussion group on Weds. Oct. 16th from 2:45-4:00 pm.  This month’s book is “The Search for Wondla” by Toni DiTerLizzi.  
Libros Lovers, High School Book Group, Weds. Oct. 23rd, 2:45-4:00 p.m. – This month’s book is “Paper Towns” by John Green.

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.

1689 - James Huckins was slain, his garrison taken and 18 persons killed and carried away. The men were working in the field but the garrison was defended by 2 boys who surrendered on the Indians' promise to spare their lives. Huckins' widow was recovered.

Have a 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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