Looks like these Durham youngsters found a couple of frosty hockey fans during the recent Christmas snowstorm.

For residents who bemoan the fact that we have very little snow on the ground to enhance winter activities, please also remember that little snow accumulation equates to substantially reduced overtime sand and salt costs at the Department of Public Works, thereby saving tax dollars.

Administrator Selig has written a 2010 Annual Year End Wrap Up for the Town Council intended to provide a snapshot of activity for the last year to keep the board updated on progress toward Council goals. To cut down on time and paper, much of it is in bulleted or short paragraph form with key takeaway points in bold. To view the document, click HERE.

As of January 1, 2011, during the co-mingled recycling weeks Durham residents can now put plastics 1-7 into their bin. In previous years we were only able to collect 1’s and 2’s. 1-7 recycling has been a long range goal for the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee so when we undertook negotiating an extension to our disposal contract with Waste Management last year, the Town pushed hard for this contract modification as well as the possibility of “singe stream” recycling in the future (which we also obtained as a potential local option). The Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee and the Department of Public Works will continue to evaluate the pro’s and con’s associated with single stream in the months to come. If residents would like to view some very nice illustrations of the various types of plastics, 1-7, they may want to go to http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321. Please click HERE for the Recycling Program page and 2011 calendar from the newsletter for reference. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578.

Department of Public Works completed the Town-wide Christmas tree collection this week. Residents who did not have their trees out for the collection may bring them to the Transfer Station with their permits on the days of operation, Tuesday or Saturday from 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM.

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.

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.

Durham resident and local realtor Alyson Mueller suggested last week that we might want to include real estate sales information for the Town of Durham for 2010 in an edition of the “Friday Updates.” Below are some spreadsheet reports that have been pulled from MLS for Durham for all of 2010. Moving forward, we hope to produce other such reports of Durham interest.

Price by Bedrooms

Durham Real Estate Sales Information for Residential Homes:	2 Bedroom	3 Bedroom	4+ Bedroom	Total
Sell Price Volume	$2,054,050	$8,347,805	$14,033,625	$24,435,480
List Price Volume	$2,150,000	$8,748,700	$14,728,600	$25,627,300
AVG Sell Price	$228,228	$287,855	$379,287	$325,806
AVG List Price	$238,889	$301,679	$398,070	$341,697
List/Sell Ratio	96%	95%	95%	95%
Median List Price	$249,900	$289,000	$360,000	$325,000
Median Sell Price	$238,000	$287,000	$342,000	$310,000

Durham, NH Sold Closed Listings

Residential Homes Sold in Durham - 2010

78 Total Parcels

100.00%

Listing Price Average

$337,131

100.00%

Selling Price Total

$24,983,480

100.00%

Selling Price Average

$320,301

100.00%

List-to-Sell Variance

16,830

100.00%

List-to-Sell Percent

95%

100.00%

Average Days on Market

114

100.00%

On December 22, 2010, there was an article in the Union Leader regarding the sale of the Durham Business Park to local developer Eric Chinburg. To view this article, click HERE.

Residents may have an interest in a letter submitted by Durham resident and UNH Professor John Carroll in regard to workforce housing, business incubation, and economic development in Durham. To view the letter, click HERE.

At approximately 5:20 a.m. on January 6th, the transmission for Patrol Car #3 failed. The Sergeant on duty was able to drive the vehicle nearly to the Public Works garage whereupon he and another officer pushed it the rest of the way. The cost to rebuild the transmission is going to be approximately $3,500.00. While certainly cheaper than a new car, the department hit the proverbial mechanical wall. As part of cost-cutting measures, the Town had replaced only 4 out of 8 cruisers over the last several years which has impacted maintenance on the department’s fleet. It was with this recognition in mind that two police vehicles are scheduled for replacement in 2011 and another two in 2010 … but with smaller, six cylinder engines to reduce Durham’s carbon footprint as well as improving fuel efficiency and our recurring costs.

These Shirts look terrific. They are available in sizes from triple X to Youth Medium. The adult sizes are $20.00 each and the youth sizes are $15.00 each. Please call stop by or email Melissa at the Durham Fire Department to get yours today: 862-1426, fire@ci.durham.nh.us.

In early December the design process for the new library began with a first meeting with the design/build team. About 50 members of the community participated in a broad discussion and then divided into two groups formed around separate tables with a site plan and scaled pieces of the building program laid out with everyone encouraged to offer ideas about how they could be fit together on the site to make an effective library that works with the house, the street, the landscape, and of course the parking. Many ideas and concepts were discussed, giving the design/build team a good basis to begin their more detailed work.

The next design review meeting on January 13th will be from 4:30-6pm and will be at the Middle School cafeteria. Parking and access to the cafeteria is from the back side of the Middle School where the playground and sports field are located. There’s a set of double doors that lead directly into the cafeteria.

At the meeting on the 13th, the design/build team will be showing us the development of two concepts that they have prepared for all of us to comment on, and to see how these can be further refined. It is our hope that it will soon become clear that a single concept is worth focusing on singularly.

Those who can’t attend this meeting will be able to view the concepts and more details about the design process by going to the Durham Public Library website at http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/

Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Durham and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for the Period January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2013 is NOT RATIFIED by Town Council

The Town began the contract negotiation process in November 2009 with the Durham American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing the sixteen Public Works Department employees covered by the AFSCME contract. The existing contract extended from January 1, 2007-December 31, 2009. The Town’s bargaining team consisted of Town Labor Attorney Joseph McKittrick, Business Manager Gail Jablonski, Public Works Director Michael Lynch, and Town Administrator Todd Selig.

The proposed bargaining agreement would have extended the contract from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013 for which the Town’s bargaining team and the AFSCME negotiation team had reached a tentative agreement. The AFSCME unit had voted previously to reject two earlier versions of the contract, but had ultimately voted to ratify this version.

The contract failed by a Town Council vote of 4-4. Councilors expressed concern regarding the duration of the contract in the present economy, the amount of the percent increases involved with the proposal, the fact that no substantial concessions in health insurance were obtained, and other matters.

Oyster River Cooperative School District Advisory Budget Committee (ABC) Update

The Advisory Budget Committee (ABC) submitted its report to the School Board on January 5. To become familiar with the committee's observations and recommendations about the district's FY12 budget, anyone can get a copy of the report from the ORCSD website (www.orcsd.org) under School Board/Subcommittees/Advisory Budget Committee or view the presentation and discussion at the meeting by watching the rebroadcast on DCAT Ch 22, Thursday through Saturday.

Contact the ABC by using the email address abc@sau5.org about school district budget matters. An ABC member will respond to such emails. Serving on the ABC are Robert McEwan-Madbury: Jay Hilyard-Lee; Bill Bryon-Lee; Anne Knight-Durham; Jenna Roberts-Durham; David Proulx-Durham; David Taylor-Durham and Tom Merrick-Durham.

The School District Public Hearing on the FY12 budget will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7 PM in the High School Multipurpose Room (snow date of January 13). Citizens in the Oyster River School District are encouraged to attend the Hearing as their primary opportunity to make comments and recommendations about the budget for later deliberation.

The Rye Energy Committee will host an informational session on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 6:30 PM at the Rye Public Library.

Wondering about available state and federal energy rebates? Here’s just the opportunity to find out more. Would you like to learn about solar hot water and electricity systems for your home or business and how much they would cost? Want to make your home more energy efficient, but you’re not sure where to begin? Need to choose a new heating system and wonder about cost-effective, efficient options?

Eric Steltzer of the NH Office of Energy Planning and Rye resident Michele Sopher will give presentations followed by a question-and-answer session.

New programs and increased rebates make this an ideal time to invest in a renewable energy system for your home or business and to improve your home's energy efficiency. Excellent financial incentives currently exist for NH residents or business owners who install solar electric, solar hot water, and central wood pellet boilers.

Local energy committees are working throughout the state to help bring energy efficient solutions to you, prompted by the passage of the New Hampshire Climate Change Resolution. Learn more in the article “Energizing Ideas: The Emergence of Local Energy Committees,” downloadable at http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/documents/Energizing%20Ideas_town&city_July-08.pdf.

The Town of Durham is updating the community’s Master Plan in 2011, with the first public “visioning” session scheduled for January 28^th. The “visioning” session provides a great opportunity for residents to express its support for policies and land use regulations that enable and support the production and sale of local vegetables, flowers, garden plants, compost, maple syrup, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, hay, fiber, and other agricultural and aquaculture products.

A meeting will be held on Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 3:00-5:00 PM (snow date Thursday, January 27^th, 7:00 PM) at in the Community Meeting Room at the Durham Police Department to discuss making Durham a more sustainable community through supporting and encouraging locally grown and raised products. Interested residents are invited to attend this meeting and provide their perspective on ways in which Durham can better support and sustain local production and learn what other towns are doing to promote sustainability and economic development by supporting local agriculture. For more information, contact Dave Langley, 868-5650,

This comprehensive preparedness training, developed by FEMA and used in all 50 States, 3 territories and 6 foreign countries, helps residents take care of themselves, their families, and neighbors during an emergency. Topics include: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Psychology, Safety Strategies involved in a Terror Attack, Light Search and Rescue, Incident Command Systems, CPR and First Aid. Those who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion from the NH Fire Academy, and CPR and First Aid certification from the American Heart Association.

This class completes the core training requirements for the Strafford County Citizen Corps (SCCC), a team of medical and non-medical volunteers who train to support and assist local first responders during emergencies. No commitment to the SCCC is required from those who enroll in the class. Following the completion of Community Emergency Response, participants can continue to attend trainings through the SCCC (such as Traffic Control, Search & Rescue, Basic Disaster Life Support, Fire Rehabilitation, etc.), which are offered every other month.

Classes will meet Tuesdays, January 11^th – February 10^th from 6:30-8:30 PN in Dover, and Saturday, February 5^th from 8:30-3:30 PM in Newmarket (for First Aid and CPR certification). For more information, or to register, contact Samantha Brann at 335-0168 or sbrann@hscstrafford.org.

The Economic Development Committee currently has one member vacancy available. The focus of the EDC is to make recommendations to the Town Council to foster the stabilization of the residential tax burden through economic development that encourages diverse business, commercial office and research activities, maintain and create jobs, create a good mix of uses, and maintain the rural character of Durham.

DPD EMPLOYMENT OPPORUNITY – SEASONAL PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER/ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

The Durham Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for the combined position of seasonal Parking Enforcement Officer and per diem Animal Control Officer. To view the complete description for this vacancy, click HERE.

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, January 10, 2011. To view the complete Council packet for this meeting, please click HERE.

As an Eagle Scout project, Garrett Moore worked with the Parks and Recreation Committee and Department of Public Works to design, construct, and install two foot bridges at Wagon Hill Farm. These bridges will alleviate stress on the exposed tree roots and protect hikers from the mud. We commend Garrett on his hard work. It is very much appreciated.

§ Saturdays, beginning January 15, 6:00 PM, Oyster River High School: Women’s Pickup Basketball.

§ Saturday, February 12, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Mill Pond: Winter Carnival and Chili Tasting.

For more information regarding any of the programs/events listed above, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 817-4074.

§ Preschool Storytime, Tues. Jan. 11th and Thurs. Jan. 13th at 10:30 a.m. This week: Kangaroos. Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft.

§ Granite Earth Book Discussion: Voluntary Simplicity, Tues. Jan. 11th 7:30-9:00 p.m. Another section of the Granite Earth series, Voluntary Simplicity meets. A new session of the Granite Earth discussion series, World of Health, will start next week and is a six week course, Books will need to be purchased from the coordinator. Please call the library to register, 868-6699

§ Coolest Game? Whose Game? Controlling Ice Hockey, Weds. Jan. 19th 6:00-7:30 p.m. You love to watch and play hockey, but do you know the game's tense and fascinating history? More than just a game of sticks, skates, and pucks, hockey has evolved through the struggles of social classes, nations, genders, and races. Stephen Hardy, UNH professor of kinesiology and affiliate professor of history, will lead us in a discussion of nearly a century and a half of hockey's past, including how the game has changed through tensions over who gets to play and who gets to control the game.

§ Pets are Purrrfect Friends, Cocheco Valley Humane Society visit, Sat. Jan.22nd 10:30 a.m. Learn about pets and pet care. Cocheco Valley Humane Society will visit with one of their favorite pets. Don't miss this fun and informative visit about pets for children and families of all ages.

§ Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Weds. Jan. 19th 2:45-4:00 p.m. This month’s book is “Found” by Margaret Peterson Haddix available at the library.

§ 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 1st through 3rd. Sessions will begin in February.

§ 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.

§ Saturday, January 29^th, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Durham Evangelical Church: PC Clinic. Bring in your “sick” PC and the DEC tech team will run basic diagnostics tests for FREE. For more information, visit www.decITSupport.com.

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.