“FRIDAY UPDATES”

October 23, 2009

 

 

View from Mill Pond Road across Mill Pond

Courtesy Frank L. Pilar

 

This week, UNH hosted its annual Durham Community Breakfast at Huddleston Hall. To view The New Hampshire article on the breakfast, visit http://www.tnhonline.com/unh-town-regroup-at-community-breakfast-to-clarify-upcoming-projects-1.797606

 

Town Offices Closed for Veterans Day

All Town Offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, in observance of Veterans Day. Offices will reopen for regular business hours on Thursday morning, November 12, 2009. All commercial recycling and refuse routes will continue as regularly scheduled.

 

POTENTIAL FIRE DEPARTMENT SITES – PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

The Durham Fire Department will hold a public forum On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall to discuss potential locations for a future fire station. Durham Fire Chief Corey Landry, along with Senior Associate Lynn Reda from Lemay Erickson Willcox Architects, will outline the process and talk about the three potential sites for consideration at this point which include: 17 and 21 Madbury Road, “B” lot (28, 30, and 32 Mill Road), and the corner of Route 108/Stone Quarry Drive (first lot on the left). The public is invited to attend and provide input regarding these potential sites.

 

OYSTER RIVER DAM AND MILL POND INVESTIGATION

On September 23, 2009 the Governor and Executive Council authorized awarding of a grant to the Town of Durham “to assess principal questions associated with the potential repair or removal of the Oyster River Dam in the amount of $40,000”. The source of the funds is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The consulting firms Vannasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., and Hydroterra Environmental Services are working with the Town on the Mill Pond Investigation. 

 

The initial field work for the Oyster River Mill Pond investigation began this past Tuesday when a survey crew arrived to layout ground controls in preparation for the bathymetric survey of the Mill Pond’s bottom sediments.  The bathymetric survey is conducted from a small boat which measures the water depth over the entire area of the mill pond and produces a topographic map of the Mill Pond’s bottom.  The ground controls are needed to accurately tie the bathymetry to the perimeter of the pond so that a seamless map of the ground surface in the pond and outside the pond can be produced.  After the survey work is completed samples of the pond sediment will be collected and analyzed to determine if the sediments are contaminated.  The contract with notes requires that this work be completed by December 31st.

 

The second part of the effort involves a close examination into the structural integrity of the dam’s concrete. The Department of Public Works is in the process of finalizing a scope of work with Stephens Associates and UNH Professor David Gress who will soon collect core samples from various locations on the dam and analyze the cores for strength and composition. We anticipate this work to be completed by the end of January.

 

WISWALL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

The contractor for the Wiswall Bridge Replacement Project, R.S. Audley, began in earnest this week when their crane arrived and barges were placed in the Lamprey River. The Audley crew has started to dismantle the bridge deck on the east side and will soon be removing the center pier and existing abutments.  For their own safety, residents are strongly encouraged to please not enter the work area and to heed the “No Trespassing” signs.  The construction work is scheduled to continue through the winter and spring. If all goes well the new bridge should be completed sometime early next summer. 

 

ALTERNATE MEMBER VACANCY ON EDC

The Economic Development Committee (EDC) has an opening for an alternate position.  If you are interested in serving on the EDC please feel free to contact with Jim Campbell, Director of Planning & Community Development, to discuss the position and what it entails. An application for board appointment is available on the Town’s website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/generalpdfs/boardapplication.pdf.

 

TOWN HIRES CONSULTANT TO REVIEW ZONING FOR THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

The Town of Durham has contracted with B. Dennis Town & Building Design to review the Central Business District zoning, suggest changes to the Central Business District zoning, and create a strategic plan for the community core.  Part of this process will include public forums, both formal and informal.  The formal public design workshop will be held in November from November 5-9.  This workshop is often referred to as a Charrette.  A Charrette is an intense, participatory planning process where ALL MEMBERS OF A COMMUNITY work directly with a design team that includes town planners, architects, traffic engineers, retail experts, landscape architects, illustrators and coding experts to define a COLLECTIVE VISION for the future. There will be some marketing done prior to the event to ensure a good turnout. Please tell your friends and neighbors about this exciting workshop that will help shape the future of Durham’s downtown and community core. There is some information about this workshop on the town’s website and more information will be coming very soon.

 

More conversation about drugs and parents

Talking to your kids is not always easy, especially when it comes to drugs.  Parents my find it interesting to discover how much they know, or think they know, by taking a quiz about some of the challenges are kids face today that differs from when we were younger.

www.theantidrug.com/advice/teens-today/navigating-the-teen-years/drug-quiz.aspx.

 

ZIPCAR SHARING SERVICE ARRIVES AT UNH

The University of New Hampshire now has Zipcars available for UNH community members 18+. Also, as part of the Town’s collaborate efforts with UNH, Zipcars are available for use by Durham residents over the age of 21. For more information about Zipcar, including sign up, visit: http://www.zipcar.com/unh/.  To read the Manchester Union Leader article about Zipcar, visit:: http://www.theunionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Zipcar+sharing+service+arrives+at+UNH&articleId=9ff23714-bf35-4bed-86f0-98042e789b1d, and the UNH Media Relations article at http://www.unh.edu/news/cj_nr/2009/oct/em22zip.cfm.

 

ORCSD Strategic Planning Oversight Committee

The ORCSD Strategic Planning Oversight Committee is seeking interested community members to help with collecting data about the school district and its Pre-K-12 programs. Three Working Groups have been established to complete this work. These groups will begin meeting in November and volunteers must be able to meet several times a month for three months. This work will help shape the strategic plan and contribute to the district’s efforts toward sustainable and purposeful improvement. More detailed information, including a list of possible topics that each group may explore, can be found on the Oversight Committee’s website at http://orcsdstrategicplan.wetpaint.com/. Persons interested in participating are asked to send an email to stratplan@orcsd.org or contact Wendy DiFruscio at the SAU office, (603) 868-5100 ext. 20.

 

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. 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. 

 

Planning Board – Wednesday, October 28, 2009

 

Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, please click HERE

Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.

DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE

 

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DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS

 

Instructor Pam Faltin leads her students in stretching exercises before beginning a walk during the Parks & Recreation “Get Walking in Durham” program that meets on Saturday mornings at Durham Landing. 

 

Meet Durham Parks and Recreation

On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM come tour the new Durham Parks and Recreation Facility (the old Durham Court House) and meet our new Director, Mike Mengers. See how the department has grown, offer suggestions, sign up for new programs, and meet members of the Parks and Recreation committee. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Sara Badger at badgernh@comcast.net.

 

§         Sunday, October 18, 2009, 12:00 noon-2:00 PM, Oyster River Middle School Athletic Field: Pickup Ultimate Frisbee. Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly game of pickup ultimate Frisbee.  Bring a light and dark colored shirt.

 

§         Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 5:30 PM, Durham Parks & Recreation Activities Room: Tai Chi for Free!

 

§         Saturday, October 31, 2009, 5:30-7:30 PM, Jackson’s Landing:  Durham Spookfest

 

§         Tuesday, November 17, 2009, Durham Parks & Recreation Activities Room:  On The Ball: Basic Stability Ball Training. Bounce your way to better health.  6-week sessions start in November.  One class meets at 2:00 PM and another meets at 5:30 PM. 

 

Contact Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, for more information or to register. Follow the Town of Durham Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook.  Search “Town of Durham Parks”. 

 

 

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COMMUNITY  EVENTS

 

§         Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 1 – 3:00 PM, Durham Public Library:  Durham Public Library Open House featuring: How to download an audio book from the library website; where to sign up for personalized computer help; how to do your own research using the library’s free databases; what the library’s children’s programs have to offer; and where the library keeps that book you have been looking for. Refreshments will be served.

 

§         Saturday, October 24, 2009, Community Church of DurhamDay of Action on Behalf of Earth—Joining the ‘350’ Campaign”. For more information, please contact the Church Office at 868-1230, office@durhamcommunitychurch.org.

 

§         Saturday, October 24, 2009, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Oyster River High School: Kathy for the Cure Fundraiser. For more information, contact Kathy Kerrigan, kerrigan6@comcast.net.

 

§         Sunday, October 25, 2009, 3:00 – 4:30 PM, Durham Public Library: Active Retirement Association Memorial Fund Book Event. Free and open to the public. Features two publisher representatives discussing current children’s and young adult books. For more information, contact Beverly Johnson, bhjohnson@comcast.net.

§         Thursday, October 29, 2009, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Mills Hall at UNH:  6th annual Halloween Extravaganza. Free to the public. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Hall Director Julia Pond, 862-1111, Julia.pond@unh.edu.

 

§         Thursday, October 29, 2009, 7:00 PM, Community Church of Durham:  Speaking engagement by Abdulsattar Younus, a leader in the Iraqui Non-Violence Movement, La’Onf. For more information, contact the Church Office, 868-1230, office@durhamcommunitychurch.org.

 

§         Friday, October 30, 2009, 5:00-7:30 PM:  Durham Trick-or-Treating.

 

§         Saturday, October 31, 2009, 10:00 AM -1:00 PM, and again on Sunday, November 1, 2009, 11:30 - 1:00 PM, Community Church: Fair Trade Products Sale

 

§         Saturday, November 7, 2009, 6:30 PM, Huddleston Hall, UNH: Growing Places Fall Auction. For more information, contact Sue Chase, 868-1335, suechase@growingplacesnh.org.

 

§         Saturday, November 7, 2009, 7:00 PM, Stone Church, 5 Granite Street, Newmarket, On Belay event: Hypnotist Paul Ramsay and “When I Say the Word”. For more information or to make a reservation contact Sasha Eisele, Executive Director of On Belay, sasha@on-belay.org, or visit On Belay’s website www.on-belay.org.

 

§         Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:00 – 8:30 PM; Friday, November 13, 2009, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; and Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Durham Public Library, 7 Mill Plaza: Friends of DPL Fabulous Fall Used Book Sale. For more information, contact the Library at (603) 868-6699.

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week – 20

14-UNH (70%)

6-Other (30%)

*2009/10 Academic Year – 409

256-UNH (63%)

153-Other (37%)

Calendar Year – 955

543-UNH (58%)

402-Other (42%)

*Commenced September 1, 2009 

 

Historical data for the same week

This data represents the 2009/10 Academic year report which begins anew each August

when UNH students begin arriving in Durham.

Year

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Week

63

44

19

23

20

Academic Year

491

341

295

313

409

Calendar Year

1046

844

866

828

955

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1957 – All Durham churches held their Fair Day simultaneously, the first Thursday of December. The plan proved so successful for each church that it has continued. National magazines featured this unique cooperation. As new churches have been established they join in Fair Day also.”

 

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