“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday, December 17, 2010

 

 

The Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band performed during Winter Carnival on December 16, 2010. The band’s performance was also videotaped as an audition tape to compete with other bands for a trip to Disney World in the spring of 2011. Courtesy Todd Ziemek

 

Durham Police Department Enhances Downtown Business Parking Permit Program

As part of the Durham Police Department’s desire to improve the Business Parking Permit system, the department implemented a Kaizen review of the entire program and concluded the exercise with a totally revamped permit system.  Business owners utilizing Durham’s downtown parking spaces should review the new program available. Please click HERE.

 

Kaizen Continuous Improvement Initiative in Durham – Depot Road Permit Process

Kaizen (quality improvement) interventions have been implemented in a number of departments to date including a review and streamlining of the permit process at the Fire Department, a review and reworking of the Building Department permit process, a review and refinement of the payroll process within the Business Department, as well as a series of conversations and initiatives within the Town's department head group which have led to a variety of innovations and pilot programs saving money, enhancing organizational capacity, making the municipality more customer focused, and asking "Why not?" in a safe, structured, and organized manner to encourage risk taking and out of the box thinking on the part of staff. 

 

The Depot Road Lot Parking Permit Kaizen exercise conducted earlier this year represented the first attempt by the Town to utilize a “Value Stream Mapping” tool intended in this application to reveal the intricacies of the systematic process leading to the issuance of parking permits -- ultimately at the Depot Road Parking Lot -- at the Durham Police Department.  To view the full report of the Depot Road Parking Lot Kaizen, click HERE.

 

Fire Department Plan for Reaching Bennett Road and Cold Springs Road Residents During Flood Events

It is not too soon to begin to think about the potential of spring flooding, particularly the Fire Department’s plans for response within the potentially flooded areas of Bennett Road and Cold Springs Road.  During the last spring flood, the department paid close attention to the weather and rising waters and when it was determined that the Bennett Road/Cold Springs Road area was going to be flooded, the fire department placed our forestry vehicle inside the stranded area. The department borrowed a vehicle from the Madbury Fire Department that was able to drive through high running water and placed that on Newmarket Road. Two firefighters were assigned these vehicles. These firefighters were equipped to handle medical aid calls and quick attack fire calls. These firefighters did visit every home within the flooded area and consequently the Fire Department was able to get in groceries and medical prescriptions to that area. This assignment remained in place within the stranded area until the water was at a point that the normal Fire Department equipment could go through it on a response.

 

If Durham runs into the same flooding situation in 2011, we will plan on the same type of set-up. The staff at the Fire Department will be talking about that potential over the next couple of months and will have a plan of action. 

 

Residents should also recall that the Department of Public Works has been working with the N.H. Department of Transportation to address flooding along Newmarket Road at Hamel Brook.  The Public Works Department has also submitted a grant application to address flooding at Bennet Road by LaRoche Brook.

 

Trust for Public Land receives $500,000 in funding from grant to partially support Spruce Forest Conservation project

The N.H. Department of Environmental Services Aquatic Resource Mitigation (ARM) Program has awarded the Trust for Public Land (TPL) a $500,000 grant award to support the Sprucewood Forest conservation project.  The grant monies are the result of funds in the Piscataqua River watershed mitigation bank.  The latest grant round had $1.5 million in available funding and the Sprucewood Forest program ranked #1 and was the largest single grant recipient.   The Spruce Forest tract is a170 +/- acre parcel located off of Mill Road.  The Property includes 4,640 feet of river frontage on the Oyster River and is situated between the Spruce Hole aquifer and the Oyster River, an area long recognized as an important source of drinking water for the town and the University of New Hampshire.  In addition, it was reported last week in the “Friday Updates” that out of 72 applications submitted from across the United States (2 per eligible state) for Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) grant consideration, 42 of these applications were identified as being national priorities.  Durham’s Spruce Forest tract was listed as #12. 

 

A Graphic Video of the Consequences of Drinking and Driving for the Holidays

Last week we provided a link to a video produced by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), a Victoria, Australia government-owned organization that pays for treatment and benefits for people injured in motor vehicle accidents.  TAC is involved in promoting road safety in Victoria and in improving Victoria's medical trauma system. 

 

The video, with a link below, is a very compelling depiction of the results of drinking and driving.  The movie is professionally accomplished with background music by REM of their song “Everybody Hurts” that significantly adds to the power of the video.  The five-minute video is extremely graphic in its depiction of motor vehicle accidents and should be viewed by parents first and certainly warrants family discussion to determine whether it is appropriate for others in the household.  The video may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8.

 

 

 

2011 Durham Resident/Taxpayer Permit Stickers

A reminder that residents will need to obtain their 2011“Durham Resident/Taxpayer Permit” to access the Transfer Station and Recycling Center by the end of January.  The grace period to allow 2010 permit holders in is through  the last week in January, 2011.  Residents can acquire the permit (sticker) at the Department of Public Works office at 100 Stone Quarry Drive or at the Town Clerk’s office at the Town Hall . The sticker entitles residents FREE access to enter the Transfer Station in order to drop off household trash, recyclables and brush/grass clippings on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM. The free 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.  Bulky waste and electronics will require additional stickers or coupons which can be purchased at the Public Works building. Residents can refer to the annual newsletter that was recently mailed, or call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 for more information.

 

Durham Master Plan Visioning Forum Scheduled for January 28th

The Town of Durham in conjunction with the Planning & Community Development Department and the UNH Cooperative Extension is preparing to update the Master Plan. The visioning process will be the first step toward updating several chapters of the Master Plan including the Commercial Core chapter, Land Use Regulations chapter, Environmental/Cultural Resources chapter, Tax Stabilization (Economic Development) chapter, and a new Energy chapter.

 

The visioning forum will be a public forum that will allow citizens to provide their vision for a variety of topics that will be related to the chapters being updated after the visioning process has been completed.  The planning process needs input from the entire community.  

 

Please plan on joining us Friday, January 28, 2011 at 5:30 P.M. at the Oyster River Middle School.  The evening will begin with a free community spaghetti dinner hosted by Durham Marketplace followed by small group workshops on each chapter being updated. Children’s activities and childcare will be provided. 

 

Look for further details in future “Friday Updates”

 

For questions please contact Jim Campbell, 868-8064 or jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us

 

Dover Children’s Home Bin at the Transfer Station

In the next few weeks during Transfer Station Hours, Tuesday and Saturday from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM, there will be a bin from the Dover Children’s Home collecting coats, scarves, hats, mittens, and gloves of all sizes for people in need of warm outerwear for the winter. 

 

         

 

Sand/Salt for Town Residents

As always, sand and salt mix is available for Town residents at the shed behind Town Hall. 

 

Winter DPW Newsletter

By now, most residents should have received their winter newsletter.  Please note and read through the handful of changes in the newsletter starting on January 1, 2011. Transfer Station hours are slightly changed--still on Tuesdays and Saturdays but from 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM, swap shop closing at 2:30 PM.  Also, starting in the new year, on the comingled week of recycling, all plastics can be accepted (1-7’s), instead of just 1’s and 2’s. Also, for business/commercial recycling collection on Friday’s, beginning on Friday the 7^th, the commercial pickup will go single stream, which means that all recycling material can be co-mingled on the Friday route.  Businesses and commercial buildings were contacted separately on this matter earlier in the week.    

 

Churchill Rink at Jackson’s Landing

The rink is closed on Saturday, December 25^th for Christmas Day.  There will be a special youth pickup hockey session on January 1^st from 12:00pm -1:20pm, ages 9-12, squirts and pee-wee’s.  Full equipment is required and the cost is $5/person, limit of 30 plus 2 goalies.  Remember that ice time is available to rent at $185/ hour. Please inquire with Andy Buckman at the rink if interested at 868-3907. 

 

HOME CANDLE FIRES

Every day, an average of 42 fires are started by the use of candles in the home, and the incidence of candle fires peaks during the holiday season. 

 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, every year over 15,000 fires are caused by the use of candles in the home. That’s an average of 42 a day, or one every 30 minutes. Annually, an average of 166 civilians die, and 1,289 are injured in these candle fires. These candle fires are also responsible for $450 million in direct property damage. More than one-thind of home candle fires start in the bedroom and nearly half of all deaths and injuries are in bedrooms. More than half of home candle fires occur when combustible materials are too close to the candle. Almost all home candle fires are accidental.

 

When evaluating a candle as a cause for fire origin, there are several factors to consider.  Candles are often used as a substitute for electrical power during temporary outages. An NFPA study found that 1 out of every 4 candle fire deaths occurred in a home where the electrical power was temporarily cut off. More than half of all candle fires start when something located too close to the candle ignites. Candle fires can start with a variety of materials as the first material ignited. The most common first materials ignited are mattress or bedding, window coverings (curtains or blinds), cabinetry, and upholstered furniture. For candle fires that started in December, holiday decorations were the first materials ignited in almost 20% of the incidents. Typically, the use of seasonal decorations plus the increased use of candles during the holidays heighten the candle fire risk. 

 

It should come as no surprise that most home candle fires were the result of unattended or abandoned candles. Falling asleep is a major factor associated with home candle fires as well as home candle fire fatalities. Candle fires peak in December, especially during the holidays.  The incidence of home candle fires is 1.6 times the monthly average for the rest of the year. The top five days are Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, Halloween and December 23^rd. 

 

Consumers are also warned to look at product recalls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 100 candles and candle-related products because of fire danger.  These product problems included ignition of items embedded in or decorating the candle, excessively high flames, and candleholders that ignited or overheated.  The number of recalls continues to climb.  To find out more about candle recalls, please go to http://www.cpsc.gov.

 

From all of us at the Durham Fire Department, thank you for helping us help you enjoy a happy and safe holiday season.

 

TOWN OFFICES HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE

Friday, Dec 24^th, Christmas Eve     -           Closed

Monday, Dec 27^th                                       -           Closed

Friday, Dec 31^st, New Years Eve    -           Closed

 

Christmas Holiday Recycling and Refuse Collection

Friday, Dec 24^th        -           No COMMERCIAL recycling collection

Saturday, Dec 25^th    -           Transfer Station and Recycling Center CLOSED

Monday, Dec 27^th     -           No change to the regular schedule for collection

 

2011 MARCH TOWN ELECTION WARRANT AND OFFICE FILING PERIOD

The 2011 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at the Oyster River High School.  Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  Individuals interested in running for positions within Town government may do so during the filling period beginning Wednesday, January 19, 2011 and ending at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 28, 2011. For more information, please contact the Durham Town Clerk's Office at 868-5577.

 

PROSPECTIVE TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Citizens who may be considering running for the three Town Council seats in March are invited to contact any of the current Town Council members or the Town Administrator to obtain information about and discuss what serving as a Councilor involves. Click on the following link to access the telephone numbers for current Council members: http://ci.durham.nh.us/GOVERNMENT/council/council_members.html.

 

PUBLIC HEARING ON Council-Initiated Zoning Ordinance Change That Would Amend Article XIX “Conservation Subdivisions”, Section 175-107 (B) “Applicability”, to Add ORLI and MUDOR Zoning Districts to the List of Zones to Which Conservation Subdivision Regulations Apply

On December 20, 2010, the Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on a Council-Initiated Zoning Ordinance change that would amend Article XIX “Conservation Subdivisions”, Section 175-107 (B) “Applicability”, to add ORLI and MUDOR zoning districts to the list of zones to which Conservation Subdivision Regulations apply.  The Council meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and be held in the Council chambers at Town Hall. To view the proposed ordinance, click HERE.

 

PUBLIC HEARING ON RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE AND EXPENDITURE OF FEMA FUNDS

On December 20, 2010, the Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on a resolution authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of $90,012.27 in unanticipated revenue from the State of New Hampshire Department of Safety following the FEMA Disaster Declared During the February 2010 Wind Event. The Council meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and be held in the Council chambers at Town Hall. To view the proposed resolution, click HERE.

 

WILDCAT FITNESS – “TOYS FOR TOTS” AND NH FOOD BANK DRIVE

Wildcat Fitness will be hosting a “Toys for Tots” NH and NH Food Bank drive from November 20^th –December 27^th, 2010. Wildcat Fitness is a registered drop off location for both of these organizations and is hoping to spread the cheer and community support around the state. Last year, Wildcat Fitness collected over 400 toys and 18 bags of food and the staff is hoping to break that record this year.

 

BOX TOPS AND LABELS FOR EDUCATION

Moharimet, Mast Way and the Middle School earn points for each Label for Education submitted. The points are then used to “buy” school materials out of their catalog. There is currently a little black collection box in the Durham Library’s Children’s Area to collect Box Tops and Labels for Education from community members.  All Box Tops and Labels for Education collected in the library collection box will be split equally between the 3 schools.  For more information, click HERE or contact Kristin Carpenter at Kristin.carpenter@unh.edu.

 

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE by Boy scout Troop 154

The Durham Boy Scout Troop 154 will once again be selling locally cut Christmas trees at the Durham Marketplace parking lot for the next three weekends.  Sales run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays & Sundays until they sell out.  The trees are cut in Farmington and transported to Durham by the Scouts.  Christmas tree sales represent the Scout's major fund-raiser for the year.

 

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. 

 

Town Council – Monday, December 20, 2010

 

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

 

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS THE MASIELLO GROUP FOOD DRIVE

Better Homes and Gardens The Masiello Group Durham office is having a food drive to fill the shelves of Durham’s local food pantry located at St. Thomas More Church. Non-perishable food items and canned goods are gratefully accepted.

 

Drop off locations:  10 Pettee Brook Lane, Durham Marketplace, Durham Town Hall lobby.

 

Durham Public Library Programs and Events

Preschool Storytime Tues. Dec. 21st and Thurs. Dec. 23rd at 10:30 a.m. - This week: Holidays.  Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft.

Pajama Storytime, Tues. Dec. 21^st at 6:30 p.m.-  Join the Durham Library and ORPP for this fun night time storyhour. Wear your pajamas! This month we will hear Holiday and Baking stories, make a craft and decorate a holiday cookie.

Granite Earth Book Discussion: Voluntary Simplicity, Tues. Dec. 21st,  and again on Tues. Jan. 4^th (no session on Tues. Dec. 28^th) 7:30-9:00 p.m. - Another section of the Granite Earth series, Voluntary Simplicity is a 5 week discussion group on Tues eves beginning Dec. 7th and ending Jan. 11th, with no meeting on Dec 28th. Please register and get your book at the library.

Library Holiday Hours: The library will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 23^rd and will not reopen until Tuesday, December 28^th at 10 a.m. The library will also be closed from Friday, December 31^st until Tuesday, January 4^th at 10 a.m.

Make a craft all week in the Children’s room during vacation week , Dec. 28^th through Dec. 31st. There will be no storytime this week.  Storytime will begin again on Tues. Jan. 4^th at 10:30 am.

Racoon Readers (2^nd-4^th grade book club), Tues. Jan. 4^th, 6:00 p.m. - This month’s book is either “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin, or “The Borrowers” by Mary Norton.  Your choice.  We will discuss the book(s), author(s), play some games and make a craft.

Join the patch program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years. 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 Tales for tails. 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 a 6 week session in January.

Registration for Seacoast Reads Second Semester has begun.  Sign-up for a UNH reading buddy for your child in grades 1^st through 3^rd.  Sessions will begin in February.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§         Thursday, January 13^th, 2011, 4:45 PM, Community Church of Durham – Winter Ballet Classes. For more information contact the Great Bay Academy of Dance at 603-433-4200 or visit www.gbadance.com.

 

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

“Until the development of a statewide road system, access to Durham from the seacoast was by ferry and primitive road sections through Newmarket and adjacent towns. The First New Hampshire Turnpike placed Durham on a major highway for transporting goods and moving people from the seacoast to Concord, the state capital, and the interior of the state.” 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.