NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...    

Friday, July 15, 2011

 

Courtesy Dennis Meadows

On Sunday, July 10, some of the people who are tending garden plots in the Wagon Hill Community Garden came together at the Farm for a potluck dinner. Experienced gardeners shared tips with those gardening for the first time. If you would like information about getting a plot for the 2012 season, email Dennis Meadows at LATAILLEDE@aol.com.

 

Congratulations are in order this week for EDC Chair Tom Elliott who, along with his wife Jennifer, celebrated the birth of their new baby son, Bearnard "Bear" Elliott. 

 

CHRONICLE'S MYSTERY MAIN STREETS PROGRAM MAY INTEREST DURHAM RESIDENTS

Durham residents may have an interest in tuning into Monday's edition of Chronicle's Mystery Main Streets on Channel 5 out of Boston.  The clue to July 18th show is: "Our mystery town this time around has a lot of clues – and a lot of red herrings. It's got farmland and waterways, abundant wildlife and a population that goes up and down depending on the season. Tonight, Shayna Seymour drops the hints, and it's up to you to solve the mystery."  We ask Durham residents to hold off on calling in an answer as they may have an advantage in working through the red herrings.  For more information go to http://www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle/28537485/detail.html.

 

 

Baseball enthusiasts may be interested to know that The New Yorker magazine published an article on July 4, 2011 on major league baseball player Sam Fuld of the Tampa Bay Rays. For those residents who may not be aware, Sam Fuld is from Durham and is the son of UNH Liberal Arts Dean Ken Fuld and New Hampshire Senator Amanda (Mandy) Merrill. To read the article, click HERE.

 

PHASE 2 OF DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC ENHANCEMENTS SCHEDULED TO MOVE FORWARD

Last summer, the town moved forward with a traffic enhancement pilot program along Pettee Brook Lane reducing two lanes of traffic to one and adding a designated bicycle lane, twenty-one additional parking spaces to service the downtown core, and various traffic calming measures.  The pilot program proved quite successful and was made permanent. 

 

This summer the Town is poised to move forward with Phase II of our downtown traffic enhancements focusing on changes through the Madbury Road corridor from Main Street to Garrison Avenue. To view a pdf file of the above image, click HERE.

 

The primary goal of this summer’s pilot program is focused upon bicycle lanes, traffic calming measures, pedestrian friendliness, safety enhancement, and additional convenient downtown parking to support our commercial core. Planned changes included:

  • Installation of new bicycle lane, eight (8) new parking spaces, and the narrowing of two lanes of traffic to one between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane;
  • Install new stop sign on Main Street at Madbury Road causing vehicles traveling west and entering Madbury Road to come to a stop at the traffic island;
  • Installation of new bicycle lanes on both sides of Madbury Road extending from Pettee Brook Lane to Garrison Avenue, narrowing of vehicular traveled lanes, and the elimination of largely unused parking spaces on the east side of Madbury Road. 

The Public Works Department is planning on implementing these adjustments and testing the concept beginning next week, weather permitting, by painting parking spaces, stop bars, and erecting the stop sign. 

 

It should be noted that there was significant discussion about replacing the yield sign at Madbury Road/Pettee Brook Lane with a stop sign for vehicles entering Pettee Brook but the Traffic Safety Committee members concurred that there should be a tempered approach to such a change in a widely utilized roadway. 

 

The Traffic Safety Committee will monitor the pilot changes through the remainder of the summer months while traffic downtown is lighter and modify as appropriate.  If successful as was the case last year, we will extend the pilot program into the fall to evaluate it when the UNH student body has returned. 

 

 

 

Tedeschi Parking Lot Bioretention Project - Courtesy Todd Selig

 

DURHAM’S TEDESCHI LOT IS SITE FOR STORMWATER PILOT PROGRAM OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

The UNH Stormwater Center is partnering with the Town of Durham and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the installation of a new stormwater bioretention system in the Tedeschi Parking Lot in downtown Durham.  At the present time, construction crews are working to install this new pilot application designed to remove nitrogen and phosphorus and other materials from stormwater utilizing cutting edge technology in order to protect streams, rivers, ponds, and other water bodies from harmful elements.  In the picture above, Durham resident, Conservation Commission member, and UNH Stormwater Center staff member Jamie House can be seen overseeing elements of the project. 

 

Work commences on Jenkin's Court this week - Courtesy Todd Selig

 

JENKIN’S COURT ORNAMENTAL LIGHTING AND REPAVING PROJECT UNDER WAY
Durham Public Works crews have begun the process of installing infrastructure for new ornamental street lights to match existing lighting on Main Street.  Once conduits are in place, paving will be done to overlay the roadway per the Town’s approved road program.

 

Pettee Brook Lane construction begins - Courtesy Todd Selig

 

PETTEE BROOK LANE CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES
Public Works crews have begun work on the installation of improved sidewalks and lighting along Pettee Brook Lane as well as the “hardening” of last year’s pilot improvements along the roadway itself which included the addition of 21 new parking spaces to support downtown businesses, a designated bicycle lane to support alternative means of transportation, traffic calming measures, and enhanced pedestrian friendliness. 

 

Culvert work in progress under Depot Rd. Parking Lot - Courtesy DPW

 

DEPOT ROAD PARKING LOT CULVERT PROJECT

This week the Department of Public Works started another one of its many summer projects down at the Town-owned Depot Road parking lot.  This project involves a Brownfields Remediation Grant of $200k from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for the slip lining of the 72-inch culvert that runs under the railroad tracks and the Depot Road parking lot carrying waters from Reservoir Brook to Pettee Brook. 

 

Specifically, this project incorporates the installation of a 60-inch diameter pipe with a fieldstone header wall. This is one of the last components of the Town's remediation of this Brownfields site. The grant  requires a 20% match from the Town which will be comprised of labor and the furnishing of stone for header wall  and gravel from the Town gravel pit.  Recent soil sampling at the site showed levels below State remediation standards for VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) indicating that the remediation efforts are working.  The project is anticipated to take approximately 6 weeks.  The attached picture shows working being done this week at the culvert.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DOWNTOWN TIF DISTRICT MONDAY EVENING
On Monday evening, the Economic Development Committee will hold a regular monthly meeting.  On the agenda is a discussion regarding the possibility of developing a Tax Increment Finance district for downtown Durham.  Consultant Don Jutton will be present to work with the EDC regarding this initiative.

 

 

Site work commences this week on the Capstone project

 

COURT DISMISSES APPEAL OF PLANNING BOARD’S DECISION IN CAPSTONE PROJECT – CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES

On June 20, 2011, the Strafford County Superior Court granted a motion to dismiss the appeal filed by River's Edge Apartments, LLC regarding the 619 bed Capstone student housing development project approved by the Durham Planning Board which will be located off Technology Drive in Durham. 

 

In his decision, Presiding Justice Kenneth C. Brown wrote: “The land use that is proposed by Capstone and which was approved by the Planning Board is student housing, the exact same use enjoyed by River’s Edge in the exact same zoning district.  River’s Edge did not demonstrate, in any way, that it was “directly affected” by the Planning Board’s decision.” 

 

Judge Brown continued:  “The Court appreciates that the Capstone proposal may be seen as significant economic competition to River’s Edge in the student housing market in Durham, however, the Supreme Court has made it clear that economic competition is not a basis for standing in a land use case.”   

 

With the court challenge settled, Capstone construction crews have mobilized to break ground.  At the present time, a second entrance road is being developed to the construction site, initial underground utilities are being installed (water, sewer, storm water), stumping is ongoing, and preparation is being done for the development of approved roadways and construction parking. 

 

The Town of Durham expended $3,955.97 in June to defend the Planning Board’s decision as part of the appeal. 

 

To view the Superior Court decision, click HERE.

 

COME MEET THE INTERIM ORCSD SUPERINTENDENT

On Wednesday, July 20, 2011, from 5:00-6:00 PM at the Oyster River High School Library, the Oyster River School Board invities citizens to meet and greet the new Oyster River Cooperative School District Superintendent, Leon Levesque, at a community tea. Refreshments will be provided.

 

To read the Foster's Daily Democrat article published on July 8, 2011 regarding the hiring of Dr. Levesque, click HERE.

 

1931 Seagrave

 

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT - 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION    

Come join the men and women of the Durham Fire Department in celebration of 100 years of service to the community on Saturday, July 23, 2011. The celebration will begin with a fire apparatus parade muster at 10:00 AM.

 

The parade lineup will be at 9:00 AM at UNH's "C" Lot at 10 Mill Road and will end at UNH's "H" Lot on Edgewood Road behind New Hampshire Hall. Muster will begin at the conclusion of the parade. For more information regarding this event, please click HERE.

CITIZENS NEEDED TO SERVE ON NEWLY-FORMED AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION

At the Town Council meeting on Monday, July 11th, the Council passed a resolution establishing a Durham Agricultural Commission to generally focus on activities that promote and preserve agriculture.

 

At this time the Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to serve on the Agricultural Commission. Interested citizens may contact the Town Administrator's office at 868-5571 or email Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us and ask for a board application form or stop in at the Town Clerk's office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road, and complete an application.  Applications are also available on the Town's web site at: http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/generalpdfs/Board_Appt_Application.pdf. Completed applications may be mailed to the Town Administrator's office, or submitted via email to Jennie Berry.

 

To view the resolution establishing the Commission and outlining its charge, click HERE.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING TRANSIT SERVICE REDUCTION
Monday, July 25, 2011 from 12:00-1:00 PM, the public is invited to attend a Public Hearing at the Memorial Union Building, Theater I, related to the planned discontinuance of the UNH Campus Connector - Woodside Service. The MUB is located at 83 Main Street and is accessible via UNH Wildcat Transit and Campus Connector routes. The facility is also ADA accessible.

 

Due to budget constraints, low ridership, and other system priorities, University Transportation Services plans to discontinue the Woodside route in Academic year 2011-2012 (effective 8/28/11).

 

Any individuals needing assistance or auxiliary communication equipment due to sensory impairment or other disability should contact Keith Belanger, University Transportation Services, no later than 4:00 pm, July 22, 2011 at one of the following:

 

TEL: 603-862-2328
TTY: 603.862.2333
Email: keithB@unh.edu

 

DURHAM'S FRIDAY DEALS

Listed below are ongoing offers of various downtown businesses.

 

Wildcat Fitness - located in the Mill Plaza next to the Public Library
Use the gym for FREE on Fridays
 

Red Carpet Flower Shop - 56 Main Street
$5 Bouquets of Flowers every Friday  

 

Village Pizza - 45 Main Street
$5 Wraps or Large Salad w/Steak or Chicken add $2    

 

Minos's Roast Beef - Located in the Mill Plaza
Come try the best Boston-style roast beef sub for only $5 on Fridays.

 

Money spent locally stays local. Support Durham businesses. If your business has a Friday special to offer please send it to Ken Entz at sentz@comcast.net. The phone number is 603-661-2907.

 

UNH OUTDOOR POOL EVENTS AND INFORMATION

Pool hours: 

Noon - 7:0 PM until August 14

 

Special Events:

Next Night Under the Lights is August 3rd.

Ice Social is August 8th 2:00pm


Parking:

New Hampshire Hall parking lot Is in the final stages of renovation. Please do not park in the lot until it is officially open as you will be ticketed and towed. 

 

The Alumni parking lot is off limits to those who do not have a UNH Facility/Staff parking permit until 6:00 PM unless you have a handicap parking permit.

 

The Town lot (Depot Road) by the Dairy Bar is open and FREE for use until mid-August.

 

Woodside parking permits may be purchased for $35 from UNH Transportation Services.

 

Reminders:

Only US Coast Guard Approved personal floatation devices are allowed in the pool

 

Swim lesson registration maybe found at

http://campusrec.unh.edu/index.cfm?id=ECD40DF6-A19E-D5B6-F024C05A06C92C14.

 

UNH is in the process of installing an ADA compliant chair lift into Perch. There will be some minor concrete work being done so please excuse the mess.

 

PUBLIC MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND

The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week  All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham 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.

 

VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://ci.durham.nh.us/ or directly by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

 

Economic Development Committee - Monday, July 18, 2011

Oyster River Taxpayers - Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Planning Board (special meeting) - Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee - Thursday, July 21, 2011

 

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 PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

“One World, Many Stories” Week 4 of Summer Reading.  Events for this week are:

  • Tuesday, July 19, 10:30 a.m. – All ages storytime (preschool) – Taking a Trip Around the World. Stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft.
  • Tuesday, July 19, 6:30 p.m. (9-12 yr old group) – World Crafts/Cooking. Come and make a world craft and a world cooking recipe and discuss what you are reading.
  • Wednesday, July 20, 6:30 p.m. All ages Family night – Murray Irish Step Dancers Perform and teach some Irish Steps.  See the Murray Irish Step Dancers of Portsmouth and Stratham perform.  They will also teach the audience some basic steps.
  • Thursday, July 21, 3:00-4:00 p.m. (6-8 yr. old group) – World Art.  Come and make some World Art.  We will hear stories, play games, do puzzles, crafts, and share what we are reading.
  • Thursday, July 21, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (young adult writing group) – Like to write?  Join this writing group and add your writing to the Durham Library blog “Write Away”!  Local Young Adult Author, Megan Frazer started our writing blog and is an on-line mentor.  Write book reviews, movie, play reviews, travel logs, poetry, song lyrics, short stories, and more. 

There’s still time to register for summer reading.  Bring in your reading logs once a week to collect your prize.  Answer our trivia question of the week and receive another prize.  Help fill up our world map with all the minutes we read and don’t forget to send us a postcard from your travels for our display!

 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Annual Summer Series at the MUB - Begins July 13th and ends on August 3rd. Movies every week including the outdoor movie on T-Hall lawn on Wed., Jul 20th and MUB Mini-Carnival on the same date. For more information, click HERE.

Great Bay Rowing Youth Summer Camp - Two sessions available: Jul 18-22 and Aug 8-12, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Meet and row out from Jackson's Landing. All are welcome grades 7-9 (must be age 12 by June 1, 2011). To print registration forms, click HERE.

Durham Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration - Sat., Jul 23, 2011, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Main Street, Durham and Scott Lawn, UNH.

Fund-raiser for On Belay! Thu., Jul 28, 6:00 PM (Yoga with appetizers to follow), The Gables Apartments-B Community Center at UNH. Come enjoy an evening of Yoga to raise funds for On Belay (providing unique adventure programs to build community among young people who have or have had a family member with cancer). Sponsored by Shakti Activewear. Yoga taught by Ruth Abelmann. Please contact Ruth Abelmann with additional questions at Ruth.Abelmann@unh.edu.

Summer Art Camp Classes for Children, Teens, and Adults. The Museum of Art, UNH, is offering week-long summer art classes during the weeks of Aug 1-5 and Aug 8-12, 2011. For a complete description of the classes or to register on line, visit the Museum of Art's website at http://www.unh.edu/moa/ or contact Catherine A. Mazur at catherine.mazur@unh.edu, 603-862-3713.

 

Courtesy Durham Historic Association

 

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

Business (1900-1930): "In 1907 Lucien Thompson built Durham's first official post office building close to the west side of Mary P. Thompson's old house. The smallest structure on the south side of Main Street, it had steam heat, electric lights, and a flagpole. Prior to this, the post office had been set up wherever the postmaster reised or kept shop." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

 

Have a nice weekend.

 

Todd

 

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, New Hampshire

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us    http://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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