“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday September 17, 2010

 

 

Canadian geese at Town Landing

Courtesy Aislin and Brecken Khleif

 

At the autumnal equinox, September 22nd, 1:09 PM EDT, the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south, thus marking the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

Sundown this evening represents the start of the Jewish High Holy Day Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, ends at nightfall on Saturday, September 18th.

 

Durham Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-Treating in Durham is always held the day before Halloween, or October 30th. This year, Trick-or-Treating will be held on Saturday, October 30th, between the hours of 5:00 and 7:30 PM.

 

Fire Station/Parking Garage Round 1 Feasibility Work Update

Last year, the Town engaged the services of Lemay Wilcox Erickson Architects to evaluate three potential fire department locations which included Stone Quarry Drive, B Lot, and a Madbury Road location opposite Woodman Avenue.  This summer, we asked the firm to evaluate C-Lot located on Mill Road across from the MarketPlace Plaza for a combined fire department-parking garage.  The initial draft layout indicates that such a combination would be feasible at this site (see above preliminary/draft image).  However, the entire concept needs to be refined such that structured parking serves both downtown and UNH.  To view the plan of this site, click HERE.

 

The red lines in the plan illustrate the existing boundary of the paved portion of the UNH-owned C-Lot.  The fire station here is pictured along Mill Road (opposite MarketPlace Plaza) with a parking structure behind along Quad Way (the plan pictured shows only one deck of parking).  Ideally, we would like to see a more fully integrated structure with parking garage access and walk ability off Mill Road -- or perhaps a parking structure along Mill Road with the Fire Department along Quad Way.  We will be refining the possibilities in the coming weeks.

 

 

Parking Structures Do Not Have to be Ugly - Image from Staunton, VA

Durham residents Joe and Maggie Moore were recently traveling in Staunton, VA. While they were there, their hosts pointed out that the community's new parking garage has apparently won several awards.  Maggie took a picture of it for the Town in case it might come in handy for future discussions.  A nice image of what a parking structure can potentially be.

 

Speed Table Examples on Quad Way

Residents who have an interest in speed tables may want to take a drive down Quad Way on the UNH campus to experience two of them which are in place along that roadway.  Quad Way is at the intersection of Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane next to Holloway Commons.

 

National Take-Back Initiative

On Saturday September 25, 2010, the Durham Police in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will work collaboratively to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our community’s medicine cabinets. On that date, the Durham Police Department’s front lobby will be open from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. to provide an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications.  As we have highlighted through previous Friday Updates, these drugs are a potential source for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. 

 

This one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. 

 

§         The program is totally anonymous and no one depositing these items in a specially designed container at the Durham Police Department’s front lobby will be asked to provide any form of identification.

§         Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications (i.e., tablets, capsules, as well as liquids in a secure container, are readily accepted.

§         Please do not bring any intra-venous solutions, injectables and/or needles.

§         Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.  

§         The items collected will not be scanned, reviewed, or investigated in any manner but are destined for destruction without delay.

 

 

Additional Water Conservation Efforts Needed
Despite the recent rain, flows in local rivers remain at critically low levels and there is no significant rain in the forecast.  Those conditions make it necessary to declare a Stage 2 water conservation alert.   Stage 2 requires that mandatory water conservation measures be implemented.  Those measures include bans on vehicle washing and filling of swimming pools (including the UNH Outdoor Pool), and shut-down of non-essential water cooling systems.  Limited watering of lawns and gardens is allowed only between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm.  Thank you for your assistance with helping to provide adequate water supplies during this period.

 

The UNH/Durham Water System started withdrawing from the Wiswall Reservoir on the Lamprey River Tuesday morning and as a result opened one of the Wiswall Dam gates approximately one inch to help maintain downstream flow as required by the State of New Hampshire. A small amount of flow has continued over the dam spillway.

 

2011-2020 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT

In conjunction with the annual budget development process, a draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is prepared in accordance with the Town Charter.  Section 5.8 states that the Administrator, after consultation with the Planning Board, shall prepare and submit to the Council a CIP at least one (1) month prior to the final date for submission of the budget.  The CIP must contain a list of capital improvements, including major replacements, which are proposed to be undertaken during the next six fiscal years. 

 

Since 2001, Administrator Selig has expanded the required six-year timeframe to a ten-year window to provide a better sense of Durham's long-term needs.  In addition, rather than is the case in most communities, we have fully integrated the CIP into the actual budgetary document submitted to the Council such that all items ultimately recommended by the Administrator for the next fiscal year are actually included within the Capital Budget submitted to the Council. 

 

All items contained within the CIP are made part and parcel of the ten-year fiscal forecast that is generated by the Business Office as part of the budget process. The result is a streamlined budget and CIP development process that connects requests made with actual financial and projected tax rate implications. To facilitate this process, the Town Council is typically provided in September with the initial draft CIP outlining all requests made for capital improvements by departments, boards, and committees which is discussed with the Planning Board. After meeting with the Planning Board, the Administrator with the assistance of the Business Office and other departments, hones the plan, and ultimately transmits a final proposed document along with the Annual Budget to the Council prior to November 1st. 

 

This week, Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Todd Selig met with members of the Planning Board to introduce the CIP.  We'll follow up with a subsequent meeting to discuss the document further with the Planning Board on September 29, 2010.

 

2011 BUDGET REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT

The 2011 budget review process is revving up to full swing. Beginning in the near future, Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Todd Selig have begun meeting with representatives from the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees, Planning Department, DCAT, Fire Department, Police Department, Zoning, Code Enforcement, and Assessing Office, Town Clerk/Tax Collector, MIS, and Public Works Department to discuss the proposed 2010 budget. Members of the Council have been invited to participate in these meetings and have been forwarded dates and times for each group.  Councilors should let Gail know in advance if they are interested in attending any of the sessions so that we can have a sufficient number of copies of documents for everyone. The one-on-one budgets meeting are done each year in an effort to gain a better understanding of each department's priorities and needs early on in the budget development process prior to any budgetary decisions being made.

 

Upon finalizing the budget development process, the proposed 2011 budget will be submitted to the Town Council, along with the proposed 2011-2020 Capital Improvement Program in accordance with Section 5.2. of the Town Charter, which states: "At such time as may be requested by the Administrator or specified by the Administrative Code, each officer or director of a department shall submit an itemized estimate of the expenditures for the next fiscal year for the departments or activities under his control to the Administrator. The Administrator shall, based on these estimates and other data, prepare a recommended budget which he shall, together with these department estimates, submit to the Council no later than the last workday prior to November 1 of the current year." 

 

2010 Surplus VehicleS BID

The Department of Public Works will be placing its annual surplus vehicles bid advertisement in the newspaper next week. This year, the following items are up for bid:

 

1.  1995 GMC Sierra 3500                               VIN# 1GDHC34KXSE539296

2.  1997 Crown Victoria                                    VIN # 2FALP71W3VX165981

3.  2001 Crown Victoria                                    VIN # 2FAFP71W91X158   

4.  Ranger Pick-up Cap – dark blue

 

Interested parties must submit a sealed bid to the Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, no later than 2:00 PM, Wednesday, September 29, 2010.  The envelope must be clearly marked “SURPLUS VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT BID, VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT #” indicating the corresponding number, above, for each bid.  Use only one envelope for each vehicle/equipment item and each corresponding bid.  All items can be viewed at the Department of Public Works, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, M-F 8AM- 3:30PM.  Vehicle Bids must be at least $100 to be considered.  The Town of Durham reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to investigate the qualifications of any bidder, and to waive or not waive any and all informalities in any bid when making an award.

 

Acronym mix-it-up! Energy and Economic Development Committees to meet jointly

On Monday evening, September 20, the Economic Development Committee will meet in the Town Hall at 7:00 PM, and the Durham Energy Committee will meet at the old Courthouse at 7:30 PM.  At approximately 8:30 PM, members of the DEC will join the EDC in a discussion about energy-related options for the Town. Potential topics include: branding Durham as a town on the forefront of energy efficiency; solar energy options for Town buildings; the PACE program for Durham’s businesses; creation of a heating district for downtown; and inviting the Oyster River Cooperative School District to discuss ways to save energy, such as working with Revolution Energy, a winner of UNH’s Green Launching Pad 2010 competition.

 

To view the agenda for the DEC, click HERE. To view the agenda for the EDC, click HERE

 

Cable Franchise Agreement Renewal Process – PUBLIC HEARING

The Town of Durham is currently in the process of negotiating a renewal of its cable franchise agreement with Comcast, the incumbent cable operator. The renewal process is an opportunity for the Town to ascertain the future cable-related needs and interests of the community and to negotiate with Comcast to meet these needs in the renewal franchise agreement.

 

As part of the process, the Town will be holding a public hearing a public hearing to ascertain the future cable-related needs and interests of the community on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 beginning at 7:00 P.M. The hearing will be held in the Town Council Chambers at the Durham Town Hall located at 15 Newmarket Road. Residents are encouraged to attend the hearing and provide input relative to this important process. Written comments may also be submitted to Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

In order to provide information to the Town Cable Franchise Review Committee, a list of questions was provided and sent to various Town organizations and departments to answer and submit for consideration by the committee. To view these questions, please click HERE.

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

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

 

Economic Development Committee – Monday, September 20, 2010

Durham Energy Committee – Monday, September 20, 2010 (7:30 PM-beginning at Durham Courthouse building)

Cable Franchise Renewal Ascertainment Public Hearing – Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Wiswall Drawdown Public Information Meeting – Wednesday, September 22, 2010 (6:30 PM)

 

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

 

Portable Climbing Tower Coming to Durham Day!

Durham Day just got a lot bigger!  Thanks to the Parks & Recreation Committee this year Durham Day will have a 24 foot high, four person rock climbing tower.  The tower will be at Durham Day on September 26th from 12:30pm to 4:00pm.  All ages and abilities are encouraged to give it a try.  The tower can cycle through nearly 80 participants an hour, so everyone will get a chance to get a view of the Little Bay from above!

 

Entertainment Schedule for Durham Day – Sunday, September 26th

12:30pm         Free Resident Barbeque  (runs until 3:30pm.)

12:30pm         Antique Car Show (NE Region Nash Car Club of America)

12:30pm         Vertical Dreams Rock Climbing Wall (runs until 4:00pm)

12:30pm         Live Performance by FLING

1:30pm           Storytelling with Shawn

2:00pm           Wagon Hill Nature Walk with the Conservation Commission

2:15pm           Live Performance by FLING

3:00pm           Tai Chi Demonstration by the Durham Parks & Rec Clan

 

Please direct Durham Day questions to P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us.

 

Tour Bayou New Hampshire on Saturday, October 9th

Join the Parks & Recreation Department for a guided nature tour at Bayou New Hampshire.  Bayou New Hampshire, the name Town Councilor Julian Smith has given to the property he and his wife purchased in 1968, contains meadows, woods, marshes, spring-fed swimming holes, beaver ponds, and a brook with a series of granite waterfalls.  On Saturday, October 9th at 10:00am, Smith will be having an open house on his property and invites Durham residents and visitors to join him as he gives a guided tour of his trail system.  On the tour you will see many ponds and the huge glacial erratics known as the Handkerchief Rocks. Those participating should arrive at 246 Packers Falls Road by 10:00am or slightly before.  For more information contact P&R Director Michael Mengers at 817-4074, mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us.  (Rain date is Saturday, October 16th at 10:00am.)  For a map of Bayou New Hampshire, click HERE.

 

The Parks & Recreation Nature Note – West Foss Farm

West Foss Farm is a 90 acre recreation area that has been maintained by UNH since 1923 when the land was acquired from the Boston & Maine Railroad Company.  An extensive trail system runs through open fields, wooded areas and by two small ponds.  The area is a great recreation spot for running, biking, hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  At the southern portion of West Foss Farm the trail crosses the LaRoche Brook into Thompson Farm, another recreation area open to the public and managed by UNH.   It is best to access West Foss Farm from Mill Road.  A dirt parking area is located on the south side of Mill Road where a small bridge crosses the railroad tracks.  For a map of West Foss Farm visit http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/COMMUNITY/recreation/westfossfarm.pdf

 

Last Chance to Register for Sound Beginnings – P&R Youth Music Class

This is your last chance to sign up for Sound Beginnings, a creative music class for children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. For more information, click HERE. To register contact P&R Director Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Friday, Sep 10th, 5:00 – 7:00 PM,- Museum of Art, UNH – Preview reception of a new exhibition, The Artists Revealed: 2010 Studio Faculty Exhibition, featuring 97 recent works created by 13 art studio faculty members of the Department of Art & Art History at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). This multi-media exhibition features drawing, ceramics, furniture design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. It will remain on view from September 11 through October 17, 2010. The preview reception, exhibitions, and accompanying educational programs are all open to the public FREE of charge.

§         Wednesday, Sep 22nd – UNH Sixth Annual Local Harvest Feast. This event is open to the public. During the event, breakfast is served at Stillings Marketplace (7:15 – 10 a.m.), lunch at Elements at Philbrook Hall (11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.), and dinner at Holloway Commons (4:30 – 9 p.m.), all on the UNH campus in Durham. The Local Harvest Feast is offered to all students on the UNH meal plan as well as to the general public (breakfast $9, lunch $12, dinner $16, plus tax). For information and menus, visit http://www.unh.edu/dining/inform_local_harvest.html.

 

Durham Public Library Programs and Events

Preschool Storytime, Tue., Sep 21st and Thu., Sep 23rd at 10:30 AM - Join us for stories, fingerplays, feltboard, songs and a craftThis week, Fall Leaves.

The Serendipity & Snags of Genealogy, The Durham Historic Association presents Hal Inglis, Tue., Sep 21st, 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Hal Inglis is the president of the NH Society of Genealogists and the Strafford County Genealogical Society. He will share his enthusiasm for genealogy and some very interesting stories. For more information email DurhamHistoricAssn@comcast.net

Bookeaters, Middle School Book Club, Wed., Sep 22nd, 2:45 – 4:00 PM. The book this month is "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. Pick up your copy at the library. Enjoy pizza donated by Mama Lena's of Stratham. Ruth Wharton-McDonald facilitates this group.

NHHC Book Discussion, Lord Jim, Fri., Sep 24th, 10:30 AM – 12:00 noon. The Friends of the Library present a New Hampshire Humanities Council sponsored book discussion of the Joseph Conrad novel Lord Jim. Laurie Quinn will be our facilitator.

Granite Earth “Healthy Child, Healthy Planet”. This seven week series begins Tue., Sep 21st, 7:45 – 9:15 PM. To Register and for more information call the library.

The patch program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years has started.  Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag.  If new to the program, stop by and register.

Registration for UNH Reading Buddies through Seacoast Reads has started.  Would your child in grades 1st through 3rd benefit from a UNH Reading Buddy? Then sign up at the library for your child to be partnered with a student trained by the UNH Education Department’s Seacoast Reads program.

Registration for Tales for tails has started.  Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud?  A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child.  Sign up now at the library for 4 week sessions beginning in October.

Young adults interested in writing a review of a book, play, movie, event?  Email the children’s librarian at ekleinmann@ci.durham.nh.us  or stop by the circulation desk and we’ll put you in contact with our partner, YA author Megan Frazer, who is helping us with this blog. Visit our website at www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information. 

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week – 49                                         35 UNH (71%)           14 Other (29%)

*2010/11 Academic Year – 126     84 UNH (67%)           42 Other (33%)

Calendar Year – 552                        333 UNH (60%)         219 Other (42%)

*This data represents the 2010/11 Academic year report which began August 27th when UNH dormitories officially opened and students begin arriving in Durham.

 

Historical data for the same week

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Week

55

42

54

56

57

49

Academic Year

213

140

119

115

174

126

Calendar Year

772

643

690

630

720

552

 

FROM “DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY – 1900-1985”

“In the early years of the twentieth century the town used the university’s sewage system. In 1935 a $10,000 bond issue for sewer line construction indicated the growing need for such services.…It soon became evident that the town needed sewage collection and treatment facilities beyond those provided by the university’s small plant on the Oyster River. The advisory committee initiated a program in 1963 to seek financial aid for a new wastewater treatment plant. The new plant (constructed on the old site) and two pumping stations became operational in 1965.” Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

 

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.