“FRIDAY UPDATES”

July 18, 2008

 

Photo courtesy Frank L. Pilar

 

The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), a member of the Bluebell family (Campanulaceae). Photographed earlier this summer on the outlet side of an old stone bridge approximately 100 feet down an abandoned road going off to the west just before the first beaver dam on Longmarsh Road.

 

 

Summer is in full swing here in Durham. Downtown is fairly quiet with the students from the University on summer recess.  In addition, residents and staff members alike are taking vacations and taking it easy during these “dog days of summer”.

 

UNH LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS SCAN OLD DURHAM TOWN REPORTS DATING TO 1846

The University Library at UNH has scanned the Town of Durham Annual Reports from 1846 to 1977.  These can be accessed from the Internet Archive at archive.org and from the UNH Library Digital Collections Website at http://www.library.unh.edu/diglib/state.shtml.  The Town Administrator has provided a copyright release permitting the UNH Library to scan Annual Reports for the town post 1977.  While the UNH Library can legally scan reports published before 1978 as long as a copyright statement is not present, beginning with 1978 most publications are automatically copyrighted.  This reservoir of data will be a welcome back up for Town records.

 

THOMPSON LANE/BURNHAM AVENUE DRAINAGE ISSUE – AN UPDATE

As reported some time ago, the Town is aware that most of the drain pipe between Thompson Lane and Burnham Avenue has collapsed and needs replacing.  It is believed that this is the root of the neighborhood drainage problem in this area. Last week, the Public Works Department performed a video inspection of the drain pipe that crosses under Thompson Lane and feeds the collapsed section to determine how much of that drain pipe is usable. The video revealed a pipe in trouble, but the pipe interior contained so many cobble size rocks that the camera would not go through. Public Works is now developing an alternative method of viewing inside the pipe to see how problematic it is. The Public Works Department is working on a solution for the issue and our staff hope that it does not require replacement of the drain pipe that crosses Thompson Lane. That would be an expensive and complicated effort since it also crosses the water and sewer pipes, and most likely a gas main.  We should have additional information in another month.

 

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT ORAL BOARD PROCESS

The Durham Police Department is presently in the process of conducting oral board examinations to fill two police officer vacancies at the department.  A third vacancy is anticipated toward the end of this year as a result of a planned retirement.   

 

DURHAM POLICE CALEA ACCREDITATION RECERTIFICATION PROCESS ENTERING FINAL PHASE NEXT WEEK

The Durham Police Department is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).  This non-profit agency was founded in 1979 as a credentialing authority stemming from a joint effort of the International Association of Chief’s of Police (IACP), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA).  The express purpose of the founding of CALEA was to establish a set of standards that a modern, effective and ethical police agency should incorporate and adhere to as their guiding policies and procedures.   Required Certification Standards:  The standards are broken down by subject matter to include: law enforcement role and authority; organization, management and administration; the personnel structure; law enforcement operations and communications to name a few.  Within these subsets are found additional standards that govern the recruitment and selection of new police officers; training, performance evaluations and promotions; patrol tactics; investigations; evidence collection and storage and budget activities.  Overall, there are 459 standards considered “basic” to the proper management of a law enforcement agency.  Why Accreditation?:  The essence of the CALEA accreditation program is to ensure that a law enforcement agency’s policies and procedures are in line with the industry standards and most importantly, adhered to.  Unfortunately in the law enforcement field it is a far too common trait that contemporary policies and procedures are in place yet all too often routinely ignored when “inconvenient”.  The On-Site Assessment:  Possibly the most important aspect of the program is the “on-site assessment” that is accomplished every three-years.  Three (3) out-of-state police managers traveled to Durham and inspected the department to ensure that the agency in fact followed applicable standards.  That exercise for Durham took place from April 26-30, 2008, when the Commission sent three executive police practitioners to Durham to conduct an assessment (inspection) of the Durham Police Department.  These practitioners were not familiar to or with the Durham Police Department.  In fact they were not even familiar with each other as this trait is viewed as an important factor in maintaining the integrity of the process.  During their visit, they conducted an extensive review of the department's policies and procedures; they interviewed staff; they conducted inspections of our facilities and equipment; they rode along with officers and observed their actions.  The entire process was designed to ensure that the Durham Police Department is as efficient and effective as possible.   Next Steps:  Following the on-site inspection, the assessment team prepared a comprehensive report of their findings for presentation and review by the full board of CALEA Commissioners at its July 26, 2008 meeting in Boca Raton, Florida.  A small team from the Durham Police Department, Chief Kurz, and Administrator Selig will attend this July meeting to meet with the full board of CALEA Commissioners as the final step in the Reaccreditation process.  In addition, at the Florida meeting, the Durham Police Department will be recommended for recognition as a Flagship CALEA Agency.  To learn more about the Flagship Agency distinction, go to:  http://www.calea.org/Online/Awards/flagship.htm.

 

7 ZONING PROPOSALS MOVE TO FIRST READING

A brief reminder that on Monday, July 21, 2008 the Town Council will be holding first readings on seven proposed zoning changes.  Three of the proposed changes are to the Zoning Map, one to the definition of “Habitable Floor Area”, two proposed changes to the Table of Dimensional Requirements, and the final proposed change is to allow Stables as a Conditional Use in the MUDOR district.  The Council agenda is posted on the website. For a complete digital copy of the Council packet with supporting information, go to:  http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/GOVERNMENT/council/council_packets/2008%20July%2021%20Council%20Packet.pdf

 

PLANNING BOARD

The Planning Board will be meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, and will be discussing the acceptance of a Site Plan Application submitted by Stephen and Lori Lamb to convert a single-family residence into a ten room Inn.  The property is located at 90 Bennett Road and is known as the “Highland House”.  In addition, the board will be reconsidering a denial of a request by Tom Christie, Slania Enterprises, to amend his Finding of Facts and Conditions of Approval and waive the requirement for an engineered stormwater plan.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Economic Development Committee will be meeting on Friday, July 25, 2008, and will be discussing the process for the sale, if such a sale would occur, of the Town Hall site.  In addition, the committee will continue its review of revisions to the 2008 Action Plan.

 

SEWER MANHOLE REPAIR ON PETTEE BROOK LANE

The Public Works Department needs to make a major repair to a sewer manhole on Pettee Brook Lane between Rosemary Lane and Main Street.  This emergency repair will correct a sinking and deteriorating sewer manhole.  Due to the depth of the manhole, 16 feet, and the location of it, the construction site will be large resulting in the need to shut down that portion of Pettee Brook Lane completely during the repair which will take at least 16 hours to complete.  This project should occur in the next three weeks.  Public Works is still finalizing the supplies and materials for the repair and organizing the detour details.  More information will follow as the plan is further developed. 

 

MAIN STREET PROJECT

The contractor from last years Main Street project (Pettee Brook Lane up to the railroad bridge) will be back in on Monday, July 21st, to reset some of the granite and all of the brick crosswalks.  They should be here for about two weeks.  They will be working on one side at a time.  The road will remain opened but will have lane changes during the course of work.  Please be alert for any lane changes and take caution around workers. 

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated below.

 

Durham Town Council - Monday, July 21, 2008

Planning Board – Wednesday, July 23, 2008

 

To view an agenda for the meetings listed above, please click HERE.  All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.

 

Durham Energy Committee Newsletter, The Alternative

In an effort to inform, update, and generally spread the word about the current state of the environment the Durham Energy Committee has developed a newsletter, The Alternative.   The committee hopes to provide residents with up-to-date information and entertainment with its articles. To view the second issue of The Alternative, click HERE.

 

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

§         During the cooling season, keeping window coverings and drapes closed during the day help prevent solar heat gain.

§         Trees and shrubs provide shade and generally make for a cooler yard and house. Studies show that summer daytime air temperatures in tree-shaded neighborhoods are 3° to 6°F cooler than in treeless areas.

 

GREAT BAY ROWING

Great Bay Rowing is looking for kids going into the 7th, 8th and 9th grades interested in learning how to row.  We are holding two Youth Summer Rowing Camps.  The first is July 28th to August 1st and the second is August 11th to August 15th.  Both camps run from 10am to 2pm.  For more information go to www.greatbayrowing.org or contact greatbayrowing@comcast.net.

 

GREAT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE HOSTS WORKSHOP ON INVASIVE PLANT CONTROL OPTIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS

On Saturday, August 2, 2008, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will hold a workshop to teach homeowners how to identify the most common invasive plants in the Great Bay region and provide and overview for both chemical and pesticide-free options for their removal. The workshop is free to the public and will be held at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH. Please contact Rachel at Rachel@greatbay.org or call (603) 778-0015 with questions and to register.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE MILL POND CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 6:30 PM. Theatre in the Meadow. The New England Shakespeare Festival presents “Much Adoe About Nothing”. Tickets:  Adults, $5.00; Children, $3.00; Children 5 and under, Free. Bring picnic basket and blanket.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (603) 868-8999 or visit www.millpondcenter.org.

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1794 – The Piscataqua bridge was one of the wonders of N.E. It was 2,262’ long and 38’ wide, had a 240’ arch and draw. It cost $65,947.34, paid partly by lottery. It served as an important link between the seacoast and interior farmlands. Carried away by ice in 1855, it was never rebuilt.”

 

Have a nice weekend.

 

Todd

 

Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel (603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
www.ci.durham.nh.us

 

The Town of Durham has developed a list server. The server provides interested individuals with updates and announcements concerning the community. Individuals interested in subscribing should send an email to Town_of_Durham@ci.durham.nh.us and type the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line