“FRIDAY
UPDATES”
October
9, 2009
Euonymus
alatus commonly known as the “Burning
Bush”, located along
Identification
by Linn Bogle. Photographed by Frank L. Pilar
The 33rd annual Leif
Ericson Parade will be held early on Sunday morning, October 11, 2009 on
TOWN
OFFICES CLOSED -
A final reminder that all Town
offices will be closed for the Columbus Day holiday on Monday, October 12, 2009,
and will reopen for business on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 8:00 AM. Please
note that there will be NO CHANGE
to the refuse and recycling collection. All items must be out by 7:00 AM.
Trick-or-Treating in
DEDICATION
OF THE LORUS AND MARGERY MILNE STONE
Tomorrow morning, Saturday, October
10th at 11:00 AM, there will be a dedication of the Milne Remembrance
Stone. From her bequest, the Town of
All are welcome to the Dedication
Ceremony. Afterwards, there will be a gathering at the Three Chimneys
Inn.
Durham/UNH
Announce Preliminary Agreement for a New Municipal Services Memorandum of
Understanding
The Town of
The University System of New
Hampshire (USNH) Financial Affairs Committee approved on Monday of this week the
new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a recommendation for final action at
the USNH Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 15. Administrator
The omnibus agreement is in addition
to agreements already in place between UNH and the town for water, wastewater,
fire, use of the UNH outdoor pool by Durham residents, use of Jackson’s Landing
by UNH, payment for children living on UNH property who attend schools in the
Oyster River Cooperative School District, and other property uses.
The USNH bylaws specifically address
payments to the municipalities in which its respective institutions are
located. Because the USNH is a state institution, it is exempt from paying
property taxes. However, the USNH bylaws state that, at its discretion, it
may make payments to a local government for reimbursement of municipal services.
To view the draft Agreement, click HERE.
Town
of
In concern with our goal of
streamlining our municipal operations, the MIS Department has been working this
summer on updating the Town web site to make it more user-friendly, intuitive,
and versatile for citizen users who are not perhaps familiar with the structure
of local government making it challenging for them to find the information they
need. The Town engaged the services of local web designer Dawn Boyer who,
in collaboration with MIS Coordinator
Evaluating
Wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet in Downtown
Over the last few months, there has
been some discussion regarding the Town working to coordinate the implementation
of Wi-Fi (wireless internet access) in our Downtown area such that individuals
could utilize downtown
The
Natural Step
This week two
1. Reduce dependence on
fossil fuels, and extracted underground metals and
minerals.
2. Reduce dependence on
chemicals and other manufactured substances that can accumulate in
nature.
3. Reduce dependence on
activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems.
4. Meet the hierarchy of
present and future human needs fairly and efficiently.
For more information about The
Natural Step program, go to http://www.naturalstep.org/.
Budget
Update - Wages for Non-Unionized
Generally speaking, economists and
business leaders indicate that there are few signs that any kind of economic
recovery is in sight from one of the worst recessions in
It is in this context that the Town
of
Even though Durham is extremely
fortunate to have talented, dedicated, and hard-working non-unionized personnel
who are doing good work each day to improve the quality of life for the
community, the present economic downturn and the hardships experienced by local
residents does not present justification for an increase in 2010. In
addition, our annual salary and benefit survey of comparable communities
combined with recent headlines from surrounding towns generally indicate a flat
market within the municipal employment sector. For these reasons, the
Administrator will likely be recommending no increase for non-unionized salaried
and hourly personnel for FY 2010.
Rental
Housing Commission Update
The Durham Rental Housing Commission
convened a meeting on 10/6/09 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM in the Town Council chambers
to discuss concerns relating to issues revolving around the behavior of young
people and the impact of primarily single family, non-owner occupied, rental
housing within residential neighborhoods. There was standing room only in the
Council Chambers. After some initial discussion regarding membership on
and the composition of the Rental Housing commission, an inclusive dialogue was
held involving both members of the Commission and the public in attendance. The
purpose of the dialogue was not to jump to a solution, but rather to identify
the perceived problems that need to be addressed in a comprehensive
manner. To view the feedback received at the meeting, click HERE.
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey in
ORHS’s rate of students who had a
least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the last thirty days was 40.6%,
slightly lower than the state average of 44%. The percentage of ORHS
students who had used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days was
26.8%, slightly higher than NH’s overall rate of 25.1%. The ORHS rate was
higher at 10.6% for the students who used marijuana on school property on one or
more times during the past 30 days compared to the state overall rate of
6.8%. In addition, ORHS students surveyed perceived less harm if alcohol
is consumed in small quantities than did students from across the state.
The same was true for occasional marijuana use. 15.9% of ORHS students thought
it was harmful as compared to NH’s rate of 22.6%. This data suggests that
there is an attitude of complacency or permissiveness surrounding the
moderate/occasional use of drugs and alcohol among ORHS students. To view the
complete Youth Risk Behavior Survey for ORHS, click HERE.
WATER
MAIN FLUSHING/VALVE EXERCISING
The UNH/Durham Water Department is
continuing the fall flushing of water mains. The process is approximately
halfway complete and going well. To date, the system seems to be in
good condition. Water main flushing should be ending on or before Friday,
October 16th.
WISWALL
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
Construction at the
Churchill
Rink
Public Works staff is busy with the
pre-opening of the Churchill Rink at
The Engineering Division has been
extremely busy working with final state approval and permitting for the Dover
Road Pump Station rehabilitation as well as the Wastewater Treatment Plant
aeration blower replacements. Both projects were approved for
ANNUAL
FALL CLEANUP
Fall Cleanup will begin on Monday,
November 9, 2009. All items must be out by 7:00 AM that day and fit the
criteria to guarantee their pickup. Please follow the below guidelines to
guarantee a successful fall cleanup:
§
Leaves should be placed in paper leaf bags (remember,
plastic bags are not recyclable). Paper bags may be purchased at Durham
Marketplace, Home Depot or Lowes. Loose leaves will not be accepted but
may be brought to the
§
Brush should be placed in one direction, bundled, and
tied with string (no wire please).
§
Brush and limbs must be no greater than 5 feet in
length and 5 inches in diameter.
§
The amount of brush and limbs is limited to one
truckload per household.
§
Cutting off small limbs from branches will help
maximize each load.
§
Remember, backyard composting your leaves and brush
reduces the flow of waste while at the same time producing valuable organic
matter for the soil. It improves your soil and the plants growing in
it.
DEDICATION
OF NEW BUILDING HONORING FORMER DURHAM/UNH FIRE DEPARTMENT
MEMBER
On October 6, 2009, friends, family,
several distinguished guests, speakers, and political figures, along with many
former co-workers, met at
UNH
HOMECOMING
UNH Alumni Association invites all
alumni, family, and friends back to campus for Homecoming Weekend 2009, October
9-11, 2009. The weekend will be packed with a wide range of events and
activities for everyone, including the Blue & White Parade, fireworks,
campus tours and more. For an updated list of activities, visit www.alumni.unh.edu/homecoming.
Headquarters on Saturday, October
10th will be the UNH Alumni Association's big tent behind Bremner
Field. The UNH Alumni Association will be offering a delicious menu and
non-alcoholic beverages FREE under the tent from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. There will
be face-painting for kids and other fun activities. Traditional tailgating will
be held in Boulder Field from 8:30 AM to noon. Note: football tickets are required for entrance to
designated tailgating areas. The UNH football game against William
& Mary will kick off at noon.
For more information about
Homecoming 2009, call (603) 862-2040 or (800) 891-1195 or e-mail alumni@unh.edu.
Come learn about the activities,
services, and opportunities available to
UNH
ADVANCED FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLASS HOLDS ANNUAL GOURMENT
DINNER
This evening, Friday, October
9th, the Advanced Food and Beverage Class at UNH will hold its annual
non-profit gourmet dinner beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:00 PM with
dinner to follow. All will take place at Stillings Dining Hall,
The Gourmet Team of 2009 is
comprised of Advanced Food and Beverage students majoring in Hospitality
Management. The Gourmet Dinner serves as an opportunity to apply fundamentals
learned through other classes in the program. The dinner gives the students real
world, hands-on experience, as they are responsible for all aspects of the
event; planning and preparing the menu, selling and marketing the event,
managing the finances and all that goes into creating an enjoyable night for
you.
Durham Appreciation Day at Coppal
House Farm in Lee, sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, was a
smashing success. Last Sunday, 85
Sunday, October 11th: Beginner
Ultimate Frisbee Clinic
§
Gather up the family for a day of ultimate
Frisbee. This casual Frisbee clinic will teach you the basics of catching,
throwing and game play. All ages and ability levels are welcome.
This is a free clinic and will be held at the
Monday, October 19th:
Monday Evening
Yoga
§
This four-week introductory youth tennis program will
take place at Woodridge Field every Tuesday and Thursday in October (starting
10/6). 5 to 7 year olds will meet from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. 8 to 10 year olds
will meet from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Cost for the entire session is $75.
Registration must be received by 10/5. For more information, please click
HERE.
Saturday, October 31st:
§
Bring the entire family to
For more information on P&R
programs and events, or to register, contact Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us,
817-4074.
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.
Zoning Board of Adjustment –
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Churchill Rink Advisory Committee –
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 (6:00 PM at
DPW)
Planning Board – Wednesday, October
14, 2009
Parks and Recreation Committee –
Thursday, October 15, 2009
To view the 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.
To view the Oyster River School
Board meeting schedule, please click HERE.
The Durham Public Library Board of
Trustees meet every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at
the Durham Public Library. All are welcome to attend. To view the Trustees
meeting schedule, please click HERE.
To view a listing of the DCAT
programming schedule, please click HERE
ON
BELAY PROGRAM
On Belay, a Durham-based non-profit
program, is hosting its 12th program for children at the YMCA’s
On Belay uses adventure activities
like rock climbing and high ropes course work to create a metaphor for
participants. The activities teach kids that if they can figure a way through
these challenges they can overcome anything, including living with a parent or
family member’s life changing illness. At the program participants connect with
other children facing similar family situations, think creatively, challenge
themselves, support others, ask for help, and build physical and emotional
confidence. Empowered by their experience at On Belay, participants return home
with confidence and new skills to tackle the challenges they face.
On Belay was started in the spring
of 2004 by Crescentia Healy-True, who noticed a lack of programs for her
daughters after she was diagnosed with cancer. For more information, please
contact On Belay at 1-866-44-BELAY or email info@on-belay.org. To register a child you know
for a program, please visit the On Belay website: www.on-belay.org.
WORKSHOP
- “GETTING THE MOST OF OUR SALT MARSHES SALT MARSH ECOLOGY AND
CONSERVATION”
On Friday, October 23, 2009 from
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, a workshop on “Getting the Most of our Salt Marshes Salt
Marsh Ecology and Conservation” will be held at Great Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve’s Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center. Join other decision
makers (elected/appointed officials, land use board members, landscape
professionals, neighborhood and watershed organization leadership, and natural
resource managers) for this workshop.
Dr. Dave Burdick of the UNH Jackson
Estuarine Laboratory will be the guide for the day. Dr. Burdick will cover salt
marsh natural history, functions and values, and human uses. He will also
highlight current issues that threaten to degrade and reduce marsh function and
explain what needs to be done to keep salt marshes healthy.
The workshop cost is $15 to cover
food cost, lunch/snacks/coffee/drinks will be provided. Space is limited to 16
and registration is required. To register, or to ask questions regarding
the workshop, please contact Steve at 778-0015, extension 305 or email
Steve.Miller@Wildlife.nh.gov.
FROM
HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976
“1947 – St. Thomas More Parish was
established. It had previously been administered by St. Mary’s Parish in
“1947 – The Durham Trust Company was
organized with a capital of $50,000 and a working surplus of $15,000. Now in a
modern building, it has assets of $11,000,000. Founders were Messrs. P. Fitts,
E. Huddleston, H. Iddles, G. McGregor, B. McIntire, C. Rice, A. Stewart and G.
Barrett.”
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