Friday, September 16, 2011

 Courtesy Todd Selig

Members of the Durham Public Library stand next to a lighting usage display. This program is a partnership between the Durham Energy Committee, Public Service of New Hampshire, and nhsaves to bring awareness and energy savings options to the residents of Durham.  Pictured are from left to right: Lisa Kleinmann, Children’s Librarian; Alix Campbell, Library Assistant; Nancy Miner, Assistant Director; and Tom Madden, Library Director. Photo Courtesy Catalina Celentano, PSNH.

DURHAM PLACES NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY EDUCATION TOOL IN PUBLIC LIBRARY

A lighting usage display has been set up in the Town Library that allows residents to interactively compare ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for energy consumption, color and brightness in an effort to demonstrate  to the community the potential savings by using  energy efficient lighting.

The program is a partnership between the Durham Energy Committee, Public Service of New Hampshire, and nhsaves to bring awareness and energy savings options to the residents of Durham.  With a limited number of units available, Durham is the first community in NH to set up this interactive display for the town.

The lighting usage display at the Durham Library has been well received, according to Tom Madden, Library Director.  In addition to the usage display, the library also lends out Kill-A-Watt Meters, devises that residents can take home and monitor how much electricity an individual appliance is using.  These meters are also designed to educate consumers on possible reduction opportunities.

The lighting usage display is part of the Energy Committee’s plans to reduce Durham’s energy usage and will also be present at the Energy Committee’s booth during Durham Day.

For more information on all energy efficiency programs offered by PSNH, visit http://www.psnh.com/For-My-Home.aspx.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD AT POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Durham Police Department, with the assistance of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and their model “Volunteers in Police Service Program” (VIPS), has begun to move into the second phase of creating a volunteer program for Durham.  Chief Kurz is looking for input from community members who might be interested in volunteering with the department. During the first phase the department identified several tasks and services they could benefit from including statistical analysis, school crossing guards, clerical assistance, equipment maintenance monitoring, assistance with elderly service programs and even telephone follow-ups with victims of criminal incidents. In order to better gauge the interest in providing volunteer services Chief Kurz would welcome comments from the public via his email at dkurz@ci.durham.nh.us or to Captain David Holmstock who is overseeing the program at dholmstock@ci.durham.nh.us . 

At a later point, the department is planning to host an informational meeting where more definitive job descriptions can be discussed with residents and additional feedback will enhance the initiative.  Chief Kurz notes that by incorporating volunteers into the Durham Police enables the department to provide the best possible public safety product, beyond what a department’s budget can purchase.

MASTER PLAN SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW
The Master Plan Survey results are in. Charlie French, a staff member of the UNH Cooperative Extension, worked closely with the a Survey Subcommittee of the Master Plan Advisory Committee to create the survey earlier this year and the survey was released to the public in May and closed in June. Mr. French then tabulated the results of the survey in June with final edits made over the summer.

The tabulated results consist of four documents: A brief summary booklet document; a summary overview of the findings including basic frequency statistics; a question by question summary with bar charts and frequencies; and a summary of the responses to the open ended questions.  They can all be viewed on line at the Town’s home page at www.ci.durham.nh.us under “News”.

A total of 467 individuals responded to the survey (397 full responses and 70 partial responses).  52% of respondents were female; 48% were male.

RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EDUCATIONAL SESSION SCHEDULED FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011

The members of the Town of Durham’s boards, committees, commissions, Town Council, and Library Board of Trustees serve as members of public boards and are therefore responsible to act in accordance with the Right-to-Know law in the State of New Hampshire. The Preamble of the Right-to-Know law reads:  “Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people.” 

In order to ensure that the members of Durham’s public boards are given the resources they need to act in accord with RSA 91-A, a Right-to-Know law educational session has been scheduled for Monday, October 31, 2011 beginning at 7:00 PM in the Town Council chambers. 

Attorney Christine Fillmore from the Local Government Center will be present to provide an overview of the Right-to-Know law and to answer any questions that board members may have. The general public and Town department heads are invited and encouraged to attend the session, or to view it on Durham Community Access Television (Channel 22).  Oyster River School Board members are also invited to attend, as well as the Selectmen and board members from the communities of Lee and Madbury.

GRANGE BUILDING WALKWAY CLOSED DURING CONSTRUCTION

The Grange building public walkway leading to the Mill Plaza below will be closed beginning Monday, September 12, 2011 until construction is completed in the spring of 2012. 

On Sunday, September 11th, members of Durham's Fire Department held a ceremony honoring those who lost their lives and those families that were forever changed on 09/11/01.  Courtesy Durham FD

SEPTEMBER IS "NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH"

As part of the Durham Police Department’s continuing partnership with the Health & Safety Council of Strafford County during the month of September, the department is continuing in its series of messages as it participates in a Joint Information Virtual Exercise (JIVE). The theme this week is the word “LEAVE”.

In order to be prepared for an emergency, it is important that you are able to leave your home quickly and safely.

LEAVE refers to the need to evacuate because in an emergency it may be dangerous to stay at home. This is not an easy thing to do. Many people don’t want to evacuate, but when local officials say it's time to leave, don't argue with them. Your life is in danger.

Having a go kit will make evacuation easier. Instructions about where to go will be provided by local officials. But you will need to bring a change of clothing, personal hygiene items, prescription medications, and toys and other supplies for infants and young children.

Remember that fire is still the most common form of emergency in any household. Make an evacuation plan with routes out of the house and a place to meet at a safe distance from the house. That way you can make sure everyone got out safely. Many fire deaths occur because someone re-enters a burning building to search for a missing person or pet. No one should ever go back inside a burning building.

To learn more about what you should do to prepare to evacuate your home during an emergency, review the “leave” checklist at:

http://www.nh.gov/readynh/documents/readynh_stay_leave_connect.pdf

PUBLIC HEARING ON LAND USE CHANGE TAX PROCEED DISTRIBUTION
On Monday evening, September 26th, the Town Council will hold a public hearing on a resolution regarding the distribution of Land Use Change Tax proceeds and more specifically, whether they should be allocated 100% toward the conservation fund as is presently the case, or whether these funds should instead be diverted for a limited time period to the Town’s general fund due to challenging budget circumstances. The Council meeting will be held in the Council chambers at the Town Hall and will begin at 7:00 PM

BRING YOUR GADGETS FOR CASH TO DURHAM DAY

Have a used smartphone you want to trade-in or recycle? Or any laptops or iPods? Bring them to Durham Day on Saturday and Idea Greenhouse will help you trade it in for cash or recycle it for FREE.

Idea Greenhouse will be on hand to evaluate your used but useful electronic items and help you trade-in or recycle.

For more information about the Gadgets for Cash program, visit http://www.ideagreenhouse.biz/gadgetcash.

ORCSD SUPERINTENDENT LEON LEVESQUE TO SPEAK AT OYSTER RIVER TAXPAYERS MEETING

The Oyster River Taxpayers will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 beginning at 7:00 PM in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall. Oyster River Cooperative School District Superintendent Leon Levesque will be available to answer questions and share his views concerning the ORCSD at the present time. Members of the public are invited to attend.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

With your support, the Durham Public Library will open its new doors in the summer of 2013. We are eager to welcome you in our 10,500 square foot, eco-friendly, dynamic, state-of-the-art community library at 49 Madbury Road. Our goal is to raise $900,000 before a bond vote in March 2012. To date more than $500,000 has been raised from private sources. But we still need another $350,000. You can help by making your own pledge; volunteering to host an event; volunteering to talk to friends and neighbors about the project and ask for pledges directly; and volunteering to help get out the vote in March 2012. Visit our website http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/durham/ for details. Sign up to volunteer at NewLibraryVolunteer@gmail.com and thank you for your support.

Preschool Storytimes - Tue., Sep. 20th and Thu., Sep. 22nd, 10:30 a.m. This week: Fall and Squirrels. All are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a craft.
All in the Family: Navigating Senior Care Options for Your Parents -Tue., Sep 20th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Have you been wondering how to start the conversation with your parents about their long-term care needs?  Instead of searching the Internet, come join the conversation in Durham.  Four area professionals, including an attorney, long-term care insurance agent, and two senior care advisors, will offer practical advice about this difficult process.  Case studies of real families will be used to illustrate the pitfalls to avoid and the benefits of planning ahead. 

Bookeaters, Middle School Book Club begins on Wed. Sep. 21st, 2:45-4:00 p.m. Come and discuss this month’s book Hide and Seek by Katy Grant with other Middle Schoolers.  Copies of the selected book are available at the library. Pizza is served.

An Evening of Adventure with International Motorcycle Traveler Ben Slavin - Wed., Sep 21st, 7:00 pm. In October 2009, Ben Slavin left his home in Hooksett, NH in search of adventure. Over the course of six months he rode his motorcycle 23,000 miles through 15 countries until he reached the southernmost city in the world - Ushuaia, Argentina. He documented the journey on his blog, http://afewmoremiles.com/.
Humanities Book Discussion - Friday, September 23, 10:00 AM. Funded by the NH Council for the Humanities. Discussion Leader: Jennifer Lee.  The short stories of Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) Much is in the details. We will focus on the following stories: The Lady with the Pet/Little/Lap Dog, Gooseberries, The Kiss and The Darling. Your copy awaits you.
Tour of UNH Campus - Sunday, September 24, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.  A tour of the UNH campus for Durham residents led by UNH Architect and DPL Board Chair Doug Bencks.  Parking is available at the Visitor Parking Lot on the corner of Main St. and Edgewood Rd. (next to the pool and New Hampshire Hall). We will meet in the lobby of New Hampshire Hall which faces directly onto Main Street at the traffic light intersection with College Road. There will be a presentation in Room 208 before the tour begins. The entire session should be about 90 minutes.The Dairy Bar has generously agreed to provide 20 free small ice cream cones to participants - first come, first served.

Pajama Storytime begins on Tue., Sep 27th at 6:30 p.m. Join ORPP and the library for our pajama storytime. All are welcome, The theme this month is Superheroes/Heroes. We will read stories about superheroes and heroes and make a superhero craft. 
Raccoon Readers (2nd -4th grade Book Club will begin on Tue., Oct 4th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. This month’s book is Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Florence and Richard Atwater We will discuss the book(s), author(s), play games, and make a craft.  Books are available at the library.
Young Adult Writing/Blog Group, Tue., Oct 4th, 7:00-7:45 p.m.  Like to write?  Join us for this Young Adult writing/blogging group that will meet once a month.
Authors Toby Ball and Kristin Duisberg to speak, Wed., Oct 5th, 6:30 p.m.
Join our Lego Club, Thu., Oct 6th, 3:45-4:45 p.m. for 1st-5th graders.  Like to build Legos?  Come to the Lego club in the Children’s Room to start constructing.
All Together Now For the Durham Public Library, Sun., Oct 9th, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Beatles tribute band "All Together Now" performs at the Mill Plaza as we kick off the Durham Public Library's new library building campaign. Come enjoy the Beatles timeless music and show your support for the Library. This concert is free and open to all.
Registration for Tales for Tails has begun. 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 in September for a session beginning late Sep.
Sign-ups have started for Seacoast Reads (UNH Reading Buddies).  Have a child in 1st through 3rd grade who could use some help reading?  Sign your child up for a UNH Reading Buddy.  Weekly sessions hope to start mid-October.
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.  Thanks to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for their continued support of this program.  We have new patches!

Thanks to the children/families who signed-up this summer to have a Japanese Pen Pal.  All 18 Japanese students have been assigned to Durham Library children/families and have started receiving their letters.  If you are unable to continue writing please let Miss Lisa know at ekleinmann@ci.durham.nh.us.

Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Turf Management Workshop - Hosted by the Seacoast Stormwater Coalition, Mon., Sep 19, 2011, 8:15 AM-12:00 noon, Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Avenue. This workshop is FREE. Register by emailing Cathy Coletti at catherine.coletti@des.nh.gov or calling 603-559-0024.

New Hampshire Youth Band - Wed., Sep 21, 2011, 6:30 - 8:00 PM at the Paul Creative Arts Center (PCAC) at UNH. The Youth Band is an enrichment concert band for players of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments who seek advanced performance opportunity with like-minded middle school and high school age band students from the Seacoast area. For more information, contact Mark DeTurk at mark.deturk@unh.edu

Oyster River Clean-up - Hosted by the Oyster River Watershed Association, Sat., Sep 25, 2011, 9:00 AM. Meet at Durham Landing (via Old Landing Road, off of Route 108 [Dover Road]). Coffee will be available.

Volunteers will be supplied with gloves, trash bags, and tally sheets. This is intended to be a family-friendly event. Wear old clothes and boots. For more information, contact Dick Weyrick, 868-2862, dweyrick@comcast.net.

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT