“FRIDAY UPDATES”

February 5, 2010

           

 

We received two photographs of the unusual circular ice formations from this past week shown above. The photo at the left was submitted by Steve Burns and was taken at the Oyster River dam. The photograph at the right was submitted by Don Brautigam, taken at the Lamprey River just below the Packers Falls bridge.

 

Because the formations above are unusual, we would like to have a "caption" contest to see what kind of humorous, interesting, or quirky kinds of captions we might receive to describe the photographs. We will then choose the best caption and publish the winner in the next week's edition of the "Friday Updates". Caption contests will be done periodically. So, if you are up for a little fun, we look forward to hearing from you! Please submit caption entries to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

PARKS & RECREATION WINTER FESTIVAL & CHILI COOKOFF – AT MILL POND

The Durham Parks & Recreation Department Winter Festival & Chili Cookoff will be taking place this Saturday, February 6^th from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Mill Pond in Durham. 

The Winter Festival will include a fire pit tended by the Durham Fire Department with free smores, free ice skate usage, a performance by UNH’s Alabaster Blue, activities and games provided by the Durham Public Library and Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers and much more.

Nine Durham businesses and eight Durham residents will have their finest chili recipes on the line, vying for the honor of ‘Durham’s Best Chili.”  A $5 donation will get you an opportunity to sample them all.  Get there early, as the chili will go fast.  All proceeds of the Cookoff will go directly to renovating the Smith Chapel, one of Durham’s oldest and most historic landmarks. 

Please come out and join us on Saturday!  Parking is available at the Durham Town Hall, the Durham Community Church and Ocean Bank (after noon).

 

UNH Strategic Plan

On Tuesday of this week, UNH President Mark Huddleston provided an overview of the University's strategic plan through the year 2020 entitled.  To view the plan, go to http://www.unh.edu/strategicplanning/images/TheUniversityofNewHampshirein2020.pdf. 

 

2009 Year End Gross Wages

The Town of Durham has released its year end gross wages and taxable benefits for 2009.  To view this information go to the Town web site at http://ci.durham.nh.us/DEPARTMENTS/admin/gross_earnings2010.html or view a related Foster's article at http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100205/GJNEWS_01/702059921/0/FOSNEWS.

 

Durham Business Association Candidates Forum

On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, beginning at 7:00 PM, a Candidates Forum for Town Council and Library Trustee candidates will be held in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall located at 15 Newmarket Road. The forums are being planned and hosted by the Durham Business Association (www.durhambusinessassociation.org), moderated by Town Moderator, Chris Regan, and will be broadcast on Durham Cable Access Television (DCAT), Channel 22.

 

The public is invited to attend and to participate by submitting questions for Town Council and Library Trustee candidates who are running for these elected offices at the March 9, 2010 Town Election. Questions may be submitted by email to the Durham Business Association at durhambusinessassociation@gmail.com by Monday, February 15, 2010.

 

Please Note: The Durham Business Association is a 501 (c) (6) nonprofit and does not promote or endorse any specific political candidates.

 

DOG LICENSING

Dog tags for 2010 are available at the Town Clerk’s office.  All dogs are required by state law to be licensed.  Licenses must be renewed annually by April 30^th.  Late fees of $1/month are added to the license fee beginning in June.  A valid rabies vaccination is required to register your dog.  If your dog has had a recent rabies vaccination, please bring the certificate with you so that we can update our records.

 

FEBRUARY AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION RENEWAL NOTICES

Those residents who renew their automobile registrations in February have probably noticed that they have not received the renewal notice the Town Clerk’s office usually sends at the end of January.  The office is in the process of making changes that will allow the use of one check to pay both Town and state fees. Unfortunately, notices were not able to be mailed out on Monday, February 1^st as originally anticipated. Renewal notices have been printed with the one check information and will be mailed out Wednesday, February 10^th.  The one check system will be in place beginning Thursday, February 11^th.  Please feel free to come in or register online prior to February 11^th if it is more convenient for you.  Two checks will be required prior to February 11^th.

 

Durham Resident/Taxpayer Permit Stickers—Changes in 2008 Permitting

A reminder that residents can obtain a “Durham Resident/Taxpayer Permit” at no cost. Residents can acquire the permit (sticker) at the Town Clerk’s office at the Town Hall or the Department of Public Works. The sticker entitles residents to FREE access to enter the Transfer Station. The sticker also allows residents/taxpayers who display the sticker an additional hour of parking in the existing downtown one-hour, non-metered spaces for a total of two hours. Call the Town Clerk’s office at 868-5577 with any questions. Permit holders will need to purchase bulky waste coupons which allow them to drop off one item or up to a pickup truck load of non-recyclable bulky waste items per coupon.  Bulky waste coupons are only sold at the Public Works facility as follows: $10 for the first coupon, $15 for the second coupon, and $65 for any additional coupons purchased after the initial two. Durham Public Works office hours are 8AM-12, 12:30-4:30PM, M-F at 100 Stone Quarry Drive.  Check or cash only, no credit cards.  Bulky Waste coupons are also available by mail when requested.  Call Public Works at 868-5578 with any questions. The 2010 Durham Resident/Taxpayer Permit stickers are YELLOW.

 

Town Election - March 9, 2010

The 2010 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Oyster River High School.  Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Voters will park in reserved spaces along the front of the school and use the Multipurpose Room entrance.

 

Morgan Way Intersection

The Department of Public Works is soliciting letters of interest and qualifications statements to provide engineering services for the improvements of the Morgan Way / US Route 4 intersection in Durham, NH. The scope of engineering work will include engineering design and construction drawings, bidding services, shop drawing reviews, and full-time construction administration services for construction projects scheduled for the summer of 2010.  The project will add a left-hand turning lane for eastbound vehicle traffic on Route 4 enabling a safer turning motion into Morgan Way for eastbound motor vehicles.   Interested parties should submit two copies of a letter of interest and a qualifications statement to Michael Lynch, Director of Public Works, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824, before February 11, 2010.  The letter of interest and qualifications statement combined should not exceed 12 pages (including resumes and marketing leaflets).  If you have any questions, or would like to discuss aspects of the project as you prepare your letter of interest, contact Michael Lynch, Director of Public Works or Town Engineer David Cedarholm at (603) 868-5578, mlynch@ci.durham.nh.us, dcedarholm@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Update on Discussion With the Trust for Public Land for Preservation of the Spruce Forest Area and Potential Development Opportunities for the Central Business District

In May 2009, Gregg Caporossi of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) attended the Town Council meeting and provided Councilors with a presentation regarding the TPL’s interest in conserving approximately 171 acres of land located off of Mill Road known as Spruce Wood.  At the Town Council meeting on Monday, February 1^st, the Council held a discussion to consider further whether the Town is interested in pursuing the proposal submitted by the TPL. After almost 1.5 hours of public feedback and lengthy discussion by Councilors on Monday evening regarding the pros and cons of the project, Mr. Selig will follow up with TPL to work through specific project elements in anticipation of further Council conversation on February 15th or March 1st.  To view the TPL present proposal for this property, click HERE, or visit the Town web site at www.ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Assistant Engineer

The Department of Public Works is advertising for an Assistant Engineering position. The goal of this position is to do more engineering tasks in house thereby eliminating the need to pay premiums for outside consulting. The individual hired for this position will be inspecting development projects, and the hope is that the charges from these inspections will help offset the cost of their salary.  DPW is seeking a highly motivated individual with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering to assist the Town Engineer in the design, construction, and inspection of Public Works projects. The successful candidate must have strong communication, written, analysis, water, wastewater, stormwater, GIS, and CAD skills. A minimum of one year professional civil engineering experience is required.  Possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate from the State of New Hampshire is required within six months of hire. Compensation is $21.46 / hour plus extremely competitive benefits.  Send cover letter, Town application, and resume to Michael Lynch, Director of Public Works, 100 Stone Quarry Drive Durham, New Hampshire 03824 no later than February 8, 2010. 

 

Compost Bins and Rain Barrels

The Department of Public Works will be taking place in the annual Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) compost bin sale.  Orders for compost bins ($42) and rain barrels ($60) will be taken through the end of March. A display of the rain barrel and bin will be placed in a Town facility in the coming month.  More information and order forms to follow in the coming weeks.  Interested parties may contact Janice Hoglund at the Department of Public Works, 868-5578, publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us. 

 

Telephone Solicitation

This past week a number of residents have contacted the police department regarding telephone solicitations that mention the Durham Police.  The solicitation is legitimate, BUT has nothing to do with the Durham Police in anyway and none of the funds will benefit the department.  The organization sponsoring the solicitation is the New Hampshire Police Association (NHPA).  Residents should be aware that the Durham Police Department is not affiliated with this group nor is any Durham police officer a member of this organization.  After contacting the leadership of the NHPA, Chief Kurz was assured that not only was the reference to the Durham Police not authorized, but they would assure him that there would be discussions with the solicitation company.

 

UNH Green Launching Pad: Could it come to downtown Durham?

On February 3, Governor Lynch and UNH President Mark Huddleston announced the launching of a a competitive “green” energy technology commercialization program, which is accessible to New Hampshire entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators and initially funded by $750,000 from Federal stimulus funds. The concept of the Green Launching Pad is to connect entrepreneurs and private industry with technical, scientific and business faculty and students at UNH, and statewide to launch new green businesses. The Durham Energy Committee Chair Kevin Gardner, a member of the Green Launching Pad founding team, met with the Durham Economic Development Committee recently to encourage the EDC to consider ways that Durham might coordinate with this program (e.g. identifying office space for teams and new businesses).  Anyone interested in possibly applying for funding or getting involved in any way are encouraged to visit the website, contact any of the working group members, come to the public information sessions, and subscribe to the mailing list for the Green Launching Pad. 

 

The seminar and information session open to the public will be held at the UNH MUB on Friday, February 12, from 1p to 3pm. Go to the website www.greenlaunchingpad.org to learn more. (Thanks to UNH Media Relations for portions of this text.)

 

Tap In: UNH series about water issues

This spring promises to be wetter than usual at the University of New Hampshire, when Tap In, a series of films and a lecture about water issues, begins to flow Feb. 16, 2010. The series will explore issues of water privatization, access, quality and even the spiritual significance of water with four award-winning documentary films (Feb 16 and 22, March 22, April 20) and a lecture by water rights activist Maude Barlow on March 4.

 

“Tap In,” sponsored by the UNH Office of Sustainability along with Food & Water Watch, offers these events, all free and open to the public. To learn more, please go to http://www.unh.edu/news/cj_nr/2010/feb/bp01water.cfm.

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town Office. To view the agendas for the meetings listed below, please click HERE.  All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing. 

 

Durham Energy Committee – Monday, February 8, 2010 (7:30 PM)

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Planning Board – Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Conservation Commission – Thursday, February 11, 2010

Economic Development Committee – Friday, February 12, 2010 (7:30 AM)

 

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

 

 

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION MUSEUM OPEN ON SATURDAY

The Durham Historic Association Museum will be open tomorrow, Saturday, February 6^th, from 12:30 to 4:00 PM. Attendees of the Winter Carnival and Chili Cookoff at the Mill Pond are invited to come to the museum to warm up and to see more information on the history of the Smith Park Chapel.

 

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION FEBRUARY REMINDER

Stay up-to-date on all of Park & Recreation’s current classes and programs.  Click HERE to view the February 2010 Reminder. Check out a new class being offered starting in February: Introductory Art – Drawing & Sketching.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Saturday, February 6, 2:30 PM, Community Church of Durham: Haiti Benefit Concert. Donations will go to the Red Cross to help the survivors of the Haiti earthquake.

§         Sunday, February 7, Community Church of Durham: Resources and Support for Parents Caring for Teens, sponsored by Oyster River Teen Initiative (ORTI). 4:30 PM: Refreshments and informal conversation. 5:00 – 6:00 PM: Guest facilitator, Gary Faucher, plus time NH (with time for questions and small group discussion). For more information, contact ORTI Chair, Mary Westfall, 868-1230.

§         Monday, February 8 – March 6, 2010, University Museum in Dimond Library: Darfur: Photojournalists Respond Exhibit. Features thirty photographs by eight photographers, all of whom participated in the book Darfur: Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan. Opening remarks (6:00 PM, DeMeritt Hall Auditorium) by two special guests, the Honorable Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth and Roger P. Winter. For more information, contact (603) 862-1081.

§         Friday, February 12, 7:00 PM, 7:00 PM, Community Church of Durham:  “An Evening of the Arts for Haitian Relief” For more information, contact (603) 743-1813, brynb07@comcast.net.

§         Saturday, February 13, (storm date: Feb 20), 4:00 PM, Jeremiah Smith Grange, Lee:  Afternoon of Traditional Native American Stories hosted by the Lamprey River Advisory Committee. Free to the public and all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Suzanne Petersen, rgrims@gwi.net, 749-7552.

§         Saturday, February 13, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Moharimet Elementary School:  Moharimet Winter Carnival. The school will sell Certified Organic seeds as a fund-raiser for the Moharimet Pumpkin Patch Project. For more information, contact Annalisa Miller, 603-988-4658, phoenixbodywork@yahoo.com.

§         Wednesday, February 17, 12:00 noon, Museum of Art, Paul Creative Arts Center: ArtBreak: Gallery Talk Exhibiting Maine Artist Tom Paiement. For more information, contact (603) 862-3712, www.unh.edu/moa, museum.of.art@unh.edu.

§         UNH Office of International Students and Scholars: Cultural Connections Schedule of presentations by international students. Open to the public. For more information, contact Leila Paje-Manato, 862-3491, Leila.Paje-Manalo@unh.edu.

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

 

Week – 13	10 UNH (77%)	3 Other (23%)
*2009/10 Academic Year – 570	350 UNH (62%)	216 Other (38%)
Calendar Year – 27	16 UNH (59%)	11 Other (41%)

*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	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Week	31	19	19	15	13
Academic Year	731	551	482	523	570
Calendar Year	69	48	41	46	27

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE TRIVIA & TIDBITS

“Alstead (pop. 1,944) was one of the towns that wavered in its allegiance after the Revolutionary War. Town leaders decided to join Vermont in 1781, but returned to New Hampshire authority early the next year. “ AmericanProfile Magazine – first appeared: 6/28/2009

 

Have a good 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.