Thursday, December 22, 2011

Happy Holidays from Frosty!

Courtesy the Selig Family

A few of us were talking about a new fad we have witnessed while out and about holiday shopping over the course of the season this year:  young women wearing pajama pants, whether flannel, silk, or linen, as outerwear in public — at the mall, at stores, etc.  In addition, there is a new trend in animal character hats (hats that make the wearer look like a dog, a cat, a rabbit, etc.) for both children and adults.  Perhaps indicators of economic recovery? 

NO "FRIDAY UPDATES" NEXT WEEK

Due to the Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year holidays, there will be no "Friday Updates" next week.  The next publication will be on Friday, January 6, 2012. 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY COLLECTION SCHEDULE

All Town offices will be closed on Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th for the Christmas Holiday. 

Friday, December 23, 2011:  There will be no commercial recycling.

Monday, December 26, 2011:  There will be NO CHANGE to the regularly scheduled refuse and recycling collection. 

Saturday, December 24, 2011:  The TRANSFER STATION will be CLOSED.

NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY COLLECTION SCHEDULE

All Town offices will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2012 for New Year’s Day. 

Monday, January 2, 2012:  There will be NO COLLECTION of refuse and recycling. All refuse and recycling will be pushed forward one day (Example:  Monday’s route will be on Tuesday, Tuesday’s will be on Wednesday, etc.).  All items need to be out by 7am as always. 

Friday, January 6, 2012: There will be no collection of commercial recycling. 

Christmas at the Streelman residence, Nobel K. Peterson Drive

Courtesy Todd Selig

LOOKING FOR A LOCAL EVENING ACTIVITY RIGHT HERE IN DURHAM? – TAKE A DRIVE DOWN NOBEL K. PETERSON DRIVE
For residents looking for something local to do over the holiday weekend, consider taking a drive down Nobel K. Peterson Drive (follow Rt. 108/Dover Rd. to Canney Rd., left onto Bagdad Rd., left onto Nobel K. Peterson Drive), to see the work that has been done decorating houses there.  In particular, our neighbors, Ron and Jan Streelman at 5 Nobel K. Peterson, without a doubt have to win the prize for the most festive household in the community! Interestingly, the Streelmans were featured on the front page of Foster’s this morning focusing on “Happy Christmas memories in Durham of Hungarian food and family.”  To see the story, go to:

http://bcs.dll/article?AID=/20111222/GJNEWS_01/712229744

DURHAM RESIDENT AND UNH PROFESSOR FEATURED IN UNH HOLIDAY GREETING WEB VIDEO
Each year the University of New Hampshire releases a holiday video on the web.  This year the video (created by Durham resident Bridget Finnegan) illustrates seven New Year’s resolutions.  Durham resident and UNH Professor Ihab Farag is shown with two of his engineering students with the resolution “to engineer a cleaner ride.”  This is certainly in line with the Town’s goal of supporting sustainability!  To view the video, go to:

http://www.unh.edu/ucm/animations/holiday2011/.

HOUSE REDESTRICTING PLAN IMPACT ON DURHAM
Under the plan approved by a NH House Committee this week, Lee will be in a separate district with 1 seat and Durham and Madbury will be combined with 5 seats.  To view an article in Foster’s Daily Democrat on the topic, go to:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20111222/GJNEWS_01/712229704/-1/FOSNEWS0102&template=GreatBayRegion.

NEW BILL INTRODUCED IN LEGISLATURE WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT CONSERVATION COMMISSIONS ACROSS NH
This week Durham has been made aware of House Bill 1512-FN introduced by Representative Hoelzel of Raymond which involves reducing the ability of  Conservation Commissions to acquire and Manage Land for conservation purposes. 

The Department of Revenue Administration states HB 1512-FN would remove certain powers of conservation commissions, including accepting monetary or proprietary gifts, and removes the authority of commissions to purchase property or rights to property.  It also eliminates the existing local option of transferring proceeds from the Land Use Change Tax (derived when land is removed from Current Use) to the Conservation Fund for conservation purposes. 

As you know, the Town of Durham and numerous other communities across New Hampshire utilize proceeds from the Land Use Change Tax to put money aside for conservation purposes.   While the question of whether or not to use Land Use Change Tax proceeds for conservation purposes can be a hotly debated topic and has been in Durham on and off for many years, it is a local option for communities.  HB 1512-FN would strip this local option away entirely. 

The nexus of this bill may a local disagreement in Raymond between the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission over issues of community-specific relevance.  The implications of the bill, however, will be of concern to all conservation commissions and communities across New Hampshire.  To view an article from the Union Leader on the Raymond dispute, go to:

http://NEW BILL INTRODUCED IN LEGISLATURE WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT CONSERVATION COMMISSIONS ACROSS NH.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT INITIATES NEW VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS
Through a new program at the Durham Police Department, residents can become involved with the community through the work of the police department.

Recently, six Durham residents were given a tour of the police station where they will soon be helping out through the Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) program.  To learn more about the program, go to:

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111222/GJNEWS_01/712229726/-1/FOSNEWS0102&template=GreatBayRegion

To contact the Durham Police Department about participating in the program, call the department at 868-2324 or email Captain David Holmstock at dholmstock@ci.durham.nh.us. 

DURHAM TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTS FY 2012 BUDGET
On Monday evening, December 12, 2011, the Durham Town Council adopted a 2012 General Fund budget totaling $11,257,284.00.  The approved 2012 budget is projected to increase the 2012 local municipal portion of the tax rate by four cents (or .55%) to $7.61 from the estimated 2011 level of $7.57.
 
For comparative purposes, the twelve-month September 2010 to September 2011 Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) numbers are:  U.S. City Index – 3.9%, Northeast Urban Index – 4.0%, and Boston-Brocton-Nashua – 3.7%.

To view an article in Foster’s Daily Democrat from this week on the approved budget, go to:

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111220/GJNEWS_01/712209951.

THE DURHAM CEMETERY TRUSTEES HAVE WORKED TO MITIGATE IMPACT OF CAPSTONE PROJECT ON DURHAM CEMETERY

As an abutter to the Capstone property, the Town was notified along with others by the Planning Board as soon as this project began the permitting process last year.  The Trustees of the Trust Funds, who serve as the Cemetery Committee (along with 3 council members), were advised of the design and appeared at a Planning Board meeting to address any issues regarding impact to the cemetery.
 
After several meetings with the developer and landscape designer, it was agreed that the developer would construct, and maintain, an 8-foot solid wood fence running the length of their property on the west side, all along the back of the cemetery on the north side, and for a short distance along Technology Drive (behind the white shed).  In addition, the developer would install landscaping consisting of large, mature cedar and arborvitae trees as well as a few sugar maples to provide both a visual and noise shield.  Shown above is a copy of the fence and landscaping plan. 

Tree selection was made in consultation with Mary Reynolds, the NH State Arborist and Durham resident, and Charles Moreno, a registered forester who has worked with the Trustees at Doe Farm and at other selective cut tracts that the town has carefully managed.  The owner of the Capstone property, including all future owners, is required to maintain the fence and the landscaping in perpetuity, so that the Town is not saddled with any costs.
 
The site plan for the project calls for buildings to be built quite close to the property line (partially as a result of the requirement that the entire project be shifted eastward away from the river).  This resulted in the need to cut most of the trees along the fence.  Our consulting forester recommended that we also cut (at the developer’s expense) the remaining few large pines on the Cemetery property, since they would likely not do well in a ‘stand-alone’ situation, and would pose a risk of blow-over into the Cemetery at some point.
 
As a result, once the project is completed in the spring and the fence is installed, the view looking back will indeed be changed.  What residents will see is the roofs (and perhaps some of the second stories) of the five cottages that are close to the property line, with a large solid fence between the buildings and the road, along with plantings of 5-6 foot cedars and arborvitae on both sides of the fence, and four or five 8-12 foot sugar maples in front of the fence.  These trees will quickly grow and provide additional visual shielding over the next few years.  Capstone, which will own and operate the development, has assured the Town that their on-site management will work closely with us regarding any noise or other issues.
 
In addition, on the recommendation of our consulting forester, we will be removing some of the older, large pine trees along the back of the cemetery this winter as a precaution against their falling into the cemetery due to their age and condition.  This should not impact the view in that direction as there will be no buildings in that area and we will be leaving the healthier trees standing.

TOWN OFFICE FILING PERIOD FOR MARCH 13, 2012 TOWN ELECTION
The filing period for Town offices for the March Town Election is Wednesday, January 25, 2012 through 5:00 PM, Friday, February 3, 2012. The following positions will be available for citizens who might choose to become involved in Durham Town government:

Town Council, 3 positions (3-year terms)

Library Board of Trustees, 2 positions (3-year terms)

Library Board of Trustee, 1 position (2-year term)

Moderator, 1 position (2-year term)

Supervisors of the Checklist, 1 position (6-year term)

Trustees of the Trust Funds, 1 position (3-year term)

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED $2,700,000 LIBRARY BOND REFERENDUM

At the Town Council meeting scheduled for Monday, January 9, 2012, beginning at 7:00 PM, the Council will hold a Public Hearing (required by RSA 33-8:d, II) on a proposed library referendum question to be placed on the March 13, 2012 Town Election ballot which would authorize the issuance of up to $2,700,000 in long-term debt for constructing and equipping a new library. After holding the Public Hearing, the Council will then vote to order placement of the referendum language below on the Town Election ballot. This requires a 2/3 majority vote of the Council.

“Are you in favor of authorizing the issuance of $2,700,000 in bonds or notes, issued in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33), in order to fund a portion of the cost of constructing and equipping a new library?”

Over the past year, the Town Council has received presentations from Douglas Bencks, Chair of the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees, relative to the Trustees’ progress in conducting fund-raising efforts toward the construction of a new public library.

The resulting design of the library is 10,500 square feet, which is less than the 13,000 square feet that was identified in the building program report prepared last year.  The Building Committee and the full Board of Trustees agree that this library design is forward looking, but also acknowledge the expectation that it is to be as space-efficient and condensed as possible.

The design/build team has provided for all of the space program needs in a two-level design that allows for the use of various meeting spaces even when the library might be closed.  It is energy efficient, durable, and easy to maintain.  The layout allows staffing to be kept to a minimum with good sight lines and staff coverage of a much larger facility than exists today. 

The total cost to build and outfit this library is $4.2 million plus the $600,000 spent to date by the Library Trustees to buy the land, resulting in a total project cost of $4.8 million.  The Library Trustees received $1.2 million of funds prior to March 2011, and are pleased to report this week that they have surpassed their fund-raising goal of $900,000 with efforts still continuing. The remaining $2.7 million will need to be approved by a bond referendum in March 2012, however, the bond issue is already factored into the adopted FY 2012 budget and long-term fiscal forecasting of the town. 

The Trustees anticipate that operating costs for the new building, including staffing, will increase the annual budget by less than $15,000 for the same amount of hours.

The Public Hearing will be held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall. Members of the public are invited to attend and express their views. Questions concerning the proposed library and bond referendum should be directed to Douglas Bencks, Chair, Durham Library Board of Trustees at 603-868-6559, dbencks@comcast.net. Written comments for submission to Town Council members may be sent to the Administrator's Office. Comments may also be sent by electronic mail to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

ALTERNATE MEMBER VACANCY - DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

There is currently an alternate member vacancy on the Durham Library Board of Trustees. Residents interested in seeking appointment to this vacancy should contact the Town Administrator's office at 868-5571 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/ on the right-hand side in blue.

Completed applications may be mailed to the Town Administrator's office, or submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

DURHAM POLICE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Members of the Durham Police Department met with several highly committed citizens who have expressed an interest in volunteering some of their time to help out at the police department. The goal of the meeting was to identify tasks that would require minimal training and/or expertise to accomplish yet are still important functions that the department must perform. One idea focused upon the volunteers providing small blocks of time to answer telephones, provide data entry, and other office roles. This would allow the two administrative assistants to focus upon critical functions relative to court preparation, financial accounting, payroll, and analysis of police officer activity. 

As Chief Kurz attempts to launch the program, he would welcome input from active citizens who could possibly donate their energy, snippets of time, coupled with their desire to help out the community that would enable trained and experienced staff to focus upon critical police matters.  Please feel free to contact Chief Kurz @ dkurz@ci.durham.nh.us.

This week's featured business is WHAT A CROCK! HOMEMADE SOUPS. What a Crock is located at 4 Jenkins Court and is owned and managed by Dawn and John Knorr, who may be contacted a 603-590-9866 or email whatacrock@comcast.net, Web site: http://www.whatacrockhomemadesoups.com/. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

What a Crock offers eight homemade soups daily. Menu changes daily.

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Businesses interested in participating in this weekly feature should send their information, including location, contact information, web site, hours of operation, and a brief description of the business, to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. Photographs of the business would also be welcomed.

PUBLIC MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND

THERE ARE NO TOWN MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 2011.

The Historic District Commission/Heritage Commission will meet on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the Council chambers at Town Hall.

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://www.ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

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 PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

The Winter Carnival & Chili Festival will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 1:00 - 3:30 PM at the Churchill Rink. This year, the event will include a Mac & Cheese Tasting.

An opportunity to contribute to the warmth and comfort of your community awaits you. Durham Parks & Rec is looking for people who would like to share a crock of chili or a dish of macaroni & cheese at this year's Winter Carnival on Jan. 28th from 1- 3:30 PM. For more information contact Sandy Devins at recreation@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Community Christmas Eve Service, Saturday, Dec 24, 2011, 4:00 PM, Oyster River High School Gym.

Oyster River FIRST Robotics Team #3499 Competition, Saturday, Jan 7, 2012, Southern NH University. Working with adult mentors, Oyster River High School students have just six weeks to design, build, program, and test their robots to meet this year’s engineering challenge. For more information on this competition, click HERE.

The Pressured Child: How to Help your Child find Success in School and Life, presented by Dr. Michael Thompson, consultant, author, and psychologist specializing in children and families, Oyster River High School Auditorium, Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012, 7:00-9:00 PM. This event is being hosted by the Mast Way PTO, Moharimet PTO, ORMS PTO, ORHS PTO, The Alliance for Better Childcare, and Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers. All are welcome.
 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Wonderful news: The Durham Public Library has surpassed the $900,000 fund-raising objective for the new library. Donations now total $921,665! All told, the Trustees and donors will contribute at least $2.1 million as the private portion of the project costs. The Library’s Board of Trustees and campaign volunteers are still continuing to fund-raise with the intent of surpassing the goal and bringing down the bond as much possible.

Durham Businesses Support the New Library Campaign: The business community is rallying in support of the New Library Campaign. Beginning New Year’s Day, Hayden Sports and Outback Gift Shop will contribute 10% of sales through January 31. The ffrost Sawyer Tavern at Three Chimneys Inn follow on January 7 with an offer to contribute $1 for every order of the chef’s popular potato-crusted haddock entrée through January 21st. We encourage you to support our community-minded businesses during these special promotions.

Community Initiative to Get Out the Vote for DPL:  Are you interested in joining the effort to help get out the vote for the new library? You are invited to join a community initiative to Get Out the Vote for DPL. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend one of the meeting dates for new volunteers:  Monday, January 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Durham Public Library and Sunday, January 22nd at 3:00 p.m. at the Durham Public Library. Make-it-take-it craft all week in the Children’s Room.  There are no storytimes this week, but come in to make a craft. Storytimes resume Tues. Jan. 3rd at 10:30 a.m

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Library Holiday Hours:  Closed Fri., Dec 23rd and Sat., Dec 24th.  Reopen Tues. Dec 27th.  Closed Sat. Dec. 31st. Re-open Tues. Jan. 3rd.   Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Registration for Tales for Tails: Sessions starting again January, 2012. 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 at the library.
Need a reading buddy?  UNH tutors are available through Seacoast Reads at the library for your child in 1st through 3rd grade.  Sign up for the second semester.
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!

Check out the library's website, www.durhampubliclibrary.org, for more information.

A GRAPHIC VIDEO OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRINKING AND DRIVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Last year 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.

And finally ... I was pleased to learn this week that Santa Claus is a fellow alumnus from my alma mater, Syracuse University.  Please have a happy and healthy holiday season!

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

Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?