NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...    

 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Third grader Sophie Sullivan poses with the Dark Chocolate Cabbage Cake she entered in the "Crazy Cakes" competition held as part of the Winter Carnival Cake Walk hosted by the Moharimet Elementary School on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Courtesy Elise Sullivan

 

This week our family saw a moth of some kind landing on our porch light on Nobel K. Peterson Drive.  Is this really winter in NH?

 

CANDIDATE PROFILES DURHAM ELECTED OFFICES

To view the questionnaires completed by candidates running for various Town elected offices, click on the respective name listed below. This information will also be posted on the Home page of the Town's web site next week.

 

Diana Carroll - Town Council candidate

Robin Mower - Town Council candidate

David Howland - Town Council candidate

Leslie Schwartz - Town Council candidate

 

Douglas Bencks - Library Trustees candidate

Robin Balducci - Library Trustees candidate

Ann Windsor - Library Trustees candidate

 

George (Curly) Frick - Trustees of the Trust Funds candidate

 

Christopher Regan - Moderator candidate

 

OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT CANDIDATES' NIGHT - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

On Tuesday evening, February 21, 2012 (snow date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012), beginning at 7:00 PM in the OR High School Auditorium, a School District Candidates' Night will be held, sponsored by the Mast Way PTO.

 

This is an opportunity for residents to meet, listen to, and ask questions of participating district moderator and school board candidates. Refreshments will be served.

 

For more information contact the SAU Office at 868-5100 x 20 or email wdifruscio@orcsd.org.

 

QUARTERLY DURHAM FINANCIAL REPORT TO BE PRESENTED MONDAY TO TOWN COUNCIL
After a year of uncertainty involving revenue loss and spending freezes we are pleased to report that our unaudited year end budget shows an unexpended balance of $13,333 and a revenue surplus of $236,257.
 
General Fund Revenues:
Our revenues are showing a surplus of $236,257 or 2.1%. The two most obvious reasons for the surplus are the building permit fees from the Capstone project and the increase in revenue from Police and Fire Special Details.

General Fund Expenses:
The Town’s unaudited expenditures as of December 31, 2011 show a total underexpenditure of $13,333 or about 1/10th of 1% of the total approved budget. Business Manager Gail Jablonski has noted that this would not have been possible without the help of all departments in reducing expenses.
 
The following areas should be noted:
 
Town Administrator line includes costs for a feasibility study of 57 Madbury Road as a Town Office site, downtown parking study, neighborhood signage and services to review the Durham street conversion.

  1. Legal line
  2. DCAT added the installation of equipment to allow the replaying of meetings on-line.
  3. MIS includes the cost to rewire the Police Station to allow for the installation of new computers and the hiring of Mainstay Technologies to perform an initial IT audit.
  4. Police Department saw an increase in retirement costs and in the special details lines (revenue was received to offset this increase).
  5. Building Inspection and Public Works Engineering were exceeded due to the hiring of additional support staff to perform inspections at the Capstone project.
  6. Direct Assistance (welfare) was overexpended by $13,230. Unfortunately the budget for State fuel assistance from the federal government was cut approximately 50% which has left many individuals coming to the Town for assistance.
  7. The Public Works equipment maintenance line had some increased costs. A few of the pieces of equipment that had been scheduled for replacement but pushed out in the CIP required unexpected repairs.

On a positive note the quiet winter season left the snow removal account with a surplus.

 

Other Funds:
 
WATER – The Water Fund had a revenue surplus of almost $80,000. This can be attributed directly to the connection fees received from the Capstone project. Expenses came in approximately $20,000 over budget. This overage was due to the purchase of the water meters for the Capstone project and is offset by the connection fees received.
 
SEWER – The Sewer Fund revenues came in right on target. The expenses were under budget by approximately $160,000. $65,000 is the result of funds that were budgeted to be applied to the fund balance. The remaining $95,000 is due to reduced chemical and electricity costs, as well as a reduction in the money spent for equipment repairs. These savings are all attributed to the department’s continued vigilance in updating the components of the WWTP.
 
PARKING – Parking fund revenues exceeded budget projections by $6,155. All net proceeds from this fund are transferred into the General Fund at the end of the year.
 
DEPOT ROAD – Depot Road Fund revenues exceeded budget projections by $25,205. 90% of all revenues received, after expenses, are transferred into the General Fund at the end of the year.
 
CHURCHILL RINK – The Rink Fund was under in both the amount of revenues received and the expenditures. Any surplus in revenues, after expenses, will be applied to the fund balance.
 
LIBRARY – The Library came in under budget.
 

2011 YEAR END FISCAL AUDIT SCHEDULED FOR WEEK OF MARCH 26TH
The firm of Plodzik and Sanderson are scheduled to come the week of March 26th for the 2011 audit. This will be the 10th and final year they will be performing the Town audit. Section 4.10 of the Town Charter requires a new auditor be selected at least every ten (10) years. We will be sending out Requests for Proposals this spring.

 

NH Building Code Officials Visit Capstone Site Last Week in Durham

Courtesy Tom Johnson

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE BUILDING OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION MEET IN DURHAM TO TOUR CAPSTONE CONSTRUCTION SITE

The New Hampshire Building Officials Association, along with representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, held its February monthly meeting in Durham recently hosted by Durham’s Code Official Tom Johnson (center of photo) at the Capstone Cottage’s building site. This three-hour site tour and training led by Durham’s Code Official was attended by in excess of 60 officials from around New Hampshire.

 

This particular project has generated a lot of interest regionally due to innovative construction techniques and higher code standards than the 2009 New Hampshire State Building, Fire, and Energy Codes currently require. The construction scheduling and number of trades on site create unique situations that have to be monitored and inspected hourly. It was a great learning opportunity for all the other officials to witness first-hand.  The Association extended its thanks both to the Capstone Developers and to Tom Johnson for the invitation.

 

ALTERNATE NEEDED FOR THE PLANNING BOARD -- IS THERE A UNH PROFESSOR/STAFF MEMBER, RESIDENT WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN SERVING?  A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRIDGE BOUNDARIES AND INCREASE COLLABORATIVE PLANNING
The Planning Board has an alternate position available and would like to fill the position as soon as possible.  To find out more about the position, please feel free to contact Jim Campbell, Director of Planning and Community Development, at jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us or 603-868-8064. You may also want to speak to a current member of the Board to gain further insight on the position.

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR ANNUAL EVALUATION PROCESS

Pursuant to Section 17 of Administrator Selig’s Employment Agreement with the Town (to view it click HERE),: “Commencing in April of 2011, and each succeeding April thereafter, the Town Council and Selig shall mutually establish goals and objectives [these are the approved 2011-2012 Town Council goals] which they deem necessary and appropriate for the proper management of the Town during the succeeding twelve (12) months. Such goals and objectives shall be committed to writing and formally adopted by the Town Council. . .  Commencing in January 2012, and for each January thereafter, the Town Council shall review/evaluate Selig’s performance in accord with the criteria provided to Selig by the Town the preceding April. The Town Council shall provide Selig with a written summary of this Annual Performance Evaluation and shall provide Selig with an opportunity to discuss this evaluation with the Town Council.
 
On January 23, 2012, the Council discussed the approach it would take to conduct Mr. Selig’s 2012 performance evaluation. Councilors decided to use the same process as in 2011 in which the Council utilized a one page evaluation form/matrix outlining key elements of importance and ranking the administrator’s performance (on a scale of 1 to 5) for each of these elements which included five categories: Ability to maintain or improve strong relationships, Financial oversight and Initiative, Leadership, Initiative, and Other.  Rankings included: 5=Excellent, 4=Very Good, 3=Good, 2=Acceptable, 1=Unacceptable. The objective of this process is to develop a consensus of the Council regarding the performance of the Administrator over the course of the previous year and to offer collective guidance (one voice to the extent possible) for the upcoming year. 

 

On January 24, 2012 Council members were provided the matrix via email in Microsoft Word format and were asked to return their responses electronically to Council Chair Diana Carroll by February 6th. Chair Carroll would then compile the responses for distribution to Councilors electronically in advance of the February 20th Council meeting at which time the Council and Mr. Selig will discuss the results.
 
Only Mr. Selig’s annual performance evaluation is required to be completed in 2012 as the Council approved a resolution in 2011 (Resolution #2011-05) approving his employment agreement for a period of three years extending from 1/1/11 to 12/31/13 and establishing his base annual salary at $110,000 annually.

 

To view the annual evaluation, click HERE. To view Administrator Selig's current agreement with the Town, click HERE.

 

Preliminary view of how using Hamilton Smith for a new creative arts center would look on the site in phase 1. Courtesy University of New Hampshire

 

UNH MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROCESS
The campus master plan update begun in the fall continues with ideas developing around a new Center for the Arts, locations for graduate and family housing, and land use options for future public-private partnerships.This effort is broadly updating the 2004 Campus Master Plan to respond to the challenges of higher education in the 21st century.


Four possible sites have been selected from a field of 12 for the first phase of a new Center for the Arts, which would be paid for primarily through fund-raising efforts, the pursuit of state and federal grants, and the university’s capital funds.

 

Phase 1 of the project would feature advanced digital technology, a unique arts residency program for students and artists-in-residence, a central home for multi-disciplinary programs and endowed projects, innovatively designed collaborative learning spaces, a 350-seat performance/hall, a 175-seat “white box” theater, and sound and visualization suites to accommodate rehearsals and simulation. Eventually with expansion, all elements of the fine and performing arts as well as the Museum of Art would be housed in the new arts center.

 

Construction would be done in phases, with the first phase having an estimated 45,000 usable square feet and future phases increasing the building to a total of 152,000 usable square feet, depending on funding. There is the possibility of a substantial lapse of time between phases.


Sites currently under consideration for the arts center include Hamilton Smith Hall, B Lot, C Lot, and the Lower Quad. Factors  being considered in evaluating the sites are visibility, ease of access, parking proximity, relationship to downtown, proximity to Paul Creative Arts Center (PCAC), and proximity to other campus event venues. Any of the four locations will impact existing land uses and each site has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses.


The Hamilton Smith site would mean relocating the English and philosophy departments, most likely to a renovated McConnell Hall. Hamilton Smith has excellent visibility and access as well as the benefit of repurposing one of the university’s flagship buildings rather than adding new space to campus.
 

Working against the location is the lack of directly adjacent parking, challenging connections to the PCAC, and added construction cost because of many site constraints. What’s more, the entire project wouldn’t fit on the site but it works well for Phase 1.
 

Building the arts center on the Lower Quad would require the removal of up to three residence halls although it is possible that Phase 1 could be built by displacing only one dorm. The Lower Quad offers excellent parking and is conveniently located near the PCAC, downtown, and other campus event venues. However, displacing up to 345 beds is a serious consideration as is the site’s limited visibility and its distance from academic areas of campus.
 

C Lot offers excellent parking and access, is close to downtown and other campus event venues, has good visibility and can accommodate the full arts program. But it would eliminate 125 visitor parking spaces, is very close to residence halls, and is removed from academic areas of campus. It is also the site that is least proximate to PCAC. Using C Lot for the arts center also would mean losing a residence hall to make way for the 152,000-square-foot building. It’s possible Phase 1 could be constructed at the Mill Road end of C Lot or it could be placed at the Quad Way end of C Lot.
 

B Lot is the final site option being considered and it also offers excellent parking (about 400 directly adjacent spaces), can accommodate the full program and is close to PCAC.  It would displace about 150 faculty/staff parking spaces and would require extending Quad Way to McDaniel Drive. The location also lacks visibility and is the furthest from downtown.
 

An option blending C Lot and the Lower Quad will be studied; this could limit the displacement of student housing and parking.

 

​As part of the the "new normal" post the Great Recession, projects such as a new Center for the Arts must transcend the boundaries of the core campus and look outwards, not exclusively inwards as had traditionally been the case.
 

The campus master plan update process continues through the end of the semester with an open forum to be held in mid-April. The revised campus master plan is due to be presented to President Huddleston this summer. For more information, and for details on possible locations for new graduate school housing and potential sites for public-private partnerships, visit http://unh.edu/cmp/

 

PLANNING BOARD - DESIGN GUIDELINE & OCCUPANCY GUIDELINES TO BE DISCUSSED

The Planning Board will be meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012.  Roger Hawk of Hawk Planning Resources LLC will be presenting his report of Architectural Design Guidelines for the Commercial Core.  The Board will also be discussing a possible amendment to the requirements for an owner-occupied rental unit, changing the requirement of only 2 unrelated occupants in an owner-occupied home to 3 unrelated occupants in an owner-occupied home.

 

 

Mixed use student housing development such as that located on Jenkins Court offers a
variety of non-residential uses for residents including hair salon, What a Crock,
restaurant space, the Idea Greenhouse, and more. Courtesy Todd I. Selig
 

WHY IS THERE SUCH INTENSE STUDENT HOUSING INTEREST IN DURHAM AT THIS TIME?
 The April 2011 Durham Town-Wide Market Analysis concluded that as many as 30% of all UNH students (4,332 students) live outside of Durham. 2,662 students were estimated to live in off-campus housing in Durham.


The Town-Wide Market Analysis also concluded that given the appropriate circumstances, there may be an opportunity to attract some of these students into town via new and/or updated housing offerings.


Quite simply, when new investors look at Durham they see high demand for student housing, low supply available, and high rent prices charged.  Investors also see that the off campus student housing supply that does exist in Durham is largely outdated, not meeting the desires of the modern day college student who want a private room and upscale amenities.


This situation offers much opportunity for the community in fueling new mixed use development in the downtown core, such as the new mixed use project on Jenkins Court, with student housing serving as the economic catalyst that makes new construction possible, incentivizes owners of older housing stock to invest in or redevelop their properties, broadens the tax base, and is expected to relieve the pressure of student housing within Durham’s numerous traditional single-family neighborhoods surrounding the downtown core.
 

This last assumption is supported by the fact that when the Durham Police Department vetted the Capstone project two years ago, college communities where Capstone and other new large student housing complexes had been operating indicated that the infusion of modern, professionally managed student housing had served to relieve the student housing pressure experienced by traditional family neighborhoods.

 

Two items that follow this overview dealing with Varsity properties and Peak Campus Development are testament to the intense interest investors have in Durham at this time.
 

To view the 2011 Town-wide Market Analysis, go to: http://ci.durham.nh.us/generalpdfs/townwide_market_study_FINAL.pdf

 

Varsity Place buildings located at 25, 29, and 35 Main Street.
Courtesy Todd I. Selig
 

VARSITY PLACE PROPERTIES SOLD TO ORION STUDENT HOUSING
As noted at this past week's Economic Development Committee meeting, Orion Student Housing is acquiring and will reportedly selectively redevelop the existing portfolio of 17 class B multi-unit properties currently leased to students attending UNH in Durham.  The portfolio reportedly consists of 296 units with 656 beds of student housing proximate to the UNH core campus.  Orion is therefore the largest student housing company operating in Durham.
 
Orion’s promotional materials state:  “The student housing market [in Durham] serving UNH consists of traditional class B market rate housing . . ..  There are high occupancy rates throughout housing options in Durham.  The [Varsity] portfolio is currently 100% leased (by the unit) and 40% pre-leased for fall 2012.  Only one purpose-built class A community serves the student populations.  It [Capstone] is opening fall 2012 and is currently 100% pre-leased.
 
Orion indicates as well that it hopes to redevelop 25, 29, and 35 Main Street (the old tri-colored buildings across from the Post Office within the Historic District pictured above) into a 200 bed “class A purpose-build community.”
 
The total acquisition cost according to Orion as part of a distressed sale by Varsity was $22,000,000.
 

PEAK CAMPUS COMPANY SECURES PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR TECCE LAND ON MAST ROAD
Apurchase and sale agreement has reportedly been entered by Peak Campus Company (http://www.peakcampus.com/) on property owned by the Tecce family farm on Mast Road.  The exact location is somewhat opposite the Perry Bryant Apartments in the orchard area that abuts the UNH West Edge parking lot (between Art and Dee Grant’s former homestead and the Moore Fields).
 
The Peak Company is exploring the potential construction of large apartment complexes more similar to Rivers Edge than the cottage style of Capstone.  In looking at the website, Peak appears to be very similar to a Capstone and has locations across the US.  The envisioned Durham complex would house some 450+/- students and would add $20,000,000 to $30,000,000 to the Durham tax base.
 

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT USE OF FORCE ANALYSIS 2011

The Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) has awarded the Durham Police with law enforcement accreditation since 1999.  One of the many annual reports that is required under the program is an annual analysis of all force used by agency personnel within that year.  A written set of directives have been implemented which define the use of force and emphasize the agency’s core values and intent to meet or exceed the Durham community’s expectation in the deliver of professional law enforcement services. 

 

Each time an officer uses any amount of physical force greater than the simple application of handcuffs to safely bring a suspect into custody, the officer/s must complete a report that provides the police administration with the opportunity to review the circumstances.  At the end of the year, CALEA requires that the agency perform an analysis of all these incidents to reveal patterns, or trends that could indicate training needs, equipment upgrades, and or the need for policy modifications.  

 

To view this document, click HERE.

 

TOWN AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS - MARCH 13, 2012

The 2012 Town and School Elections will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Voters will park in reserved spaces along the front of the school and use the Multipurpose Room entrance. To view the Election Warrant, click HERE.

 

The following is a list of citizens that have filed for Durham elected offices:

 

Town Council, 3 positions (3-year terms): Diana Carroll, Robin Mower, David Howland, Leslie Schwartz

Library Board of Trustees, 2 positions (3-year terms): Robin Balducci, Douglas Bencks

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

Moderator, 1 position (2-year term):  Christopher Regan

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

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

 

The following is a list of individuals that have filed for the ORCSD elected offices:

 

Moderator - Richard Laughton

School Board, 3 positions, one each from Durham, Lee, and Madbury (3-year terms) and 1 At Large position (1-year term): Maria S. Barth and Henry Brackett (Lee opening); Peter Macdonald and Tom Newkirk (At Large opening); Allan Howland (Durham opening); Edwin Charle and James Kach (Madbury opening).

 

NH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES STREAMLINES PERMIT PROCESS

In an effort to provide a higher quality, more streamlined permitting process for the regulated public, most Land Resources Management Programs(Alteration of Terrain Bureau, Subsurface Systems Bureau, Wetlands Bureau and the Shoreland Program) have updated their permit application forms.  If you provide permit applications to the public or submit permit applications to New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), please take a moment to discard old permit application forms and ensure you have the newest versions.  All current application forms are available at their respective NHDES web pages and have a revision date of 01/01/2012 located within the footnote. As of April 1, 2012, the Land Resources Management Programs will no longer be accepting outdated permit application forms.  Going forward, all Land Resources Management application forms will be simultaneously updated every 6 months.

 

Land Resources Management, a subsection of the Water Division, coordinates communication and resources across those bureaus and programs that regulate land development projects that may impact state aquatic resources. For more information, please visit the NHDES Land Resources Management web page at: 

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/lrm/index.htm.

 

BUTTON UP NH COMES TO DURHAM ON FEBRUARY 23 - FREE!

Feeling the drafts in your home? Need to lower your heating bills? Want to help make our region more sustainable and resilient? Join your neighbors in two free Button Up NH workshops to be held on Thursday, February 23rd (snow date Tuesday, March 6th), starting at 6:30 P.M., in the Multipurpose Room at Durham's Oyster River High School. Local energy experts, renewable energy installers, and residents with energy efficiency experience will be available for questions and discussion. Get information and a bit of hands-on experience with weatherization techniques. For more specific information, click HERE for the flyer or go to http://www.sustainable-durham.info/2012/01/27/button-up-durham/.

 

To help us plan refreshments and seating, please pre-register.  Pre-registered guests will be entered in a drawing for weatherization related door prizes! Pre-register at http://buttonupdurham.eventbrite.com/.

 

For more information on these workshops in general, go to the Button Up, New Hampshire site at http://myenergyplan.net/buttonup/.

 

If you have questions about this particular Durham event, please contact Energy Committee member Charles Forcey at cforcey@historicusinc.com or 603-868-9900.



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.

 

Town Council - Monday, February 20, 2012. To view the complete packet of information for this meeting, click HERE. 

Planning Board - Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Durham Agricultural Commission - Wednesday, February 22, 2012 (Dept. of Public Works - 7:00 PM)

 

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/  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
Spring is just around the corner! The Annual Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012 beginning at 11:00 AM at Durham's Town Landing by the pedestrian bridge. For more information, click HERE.

 

Journey Dance - Begins Saturday, February 18, 2012. For more information, click HERE.

 

To view the schedule of upcoming winter classes, click HERE.

 

For more information contact Parks & Recreation Director Sandy Devins at recreation@ci.durham.nh.us, 817-4074.

 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

ORMS Drama Presents Unwrapped by Charlie Lovett, Thursday & Friday, February 16 &17, 2012, ORHS Auditorium. A send-up of 1930s Hollywood populated with zany characters as they try to unravel the mystery of a string of murders on the set. Adults $5, Children $3, Family(4 or more) $12, Children under 5 years of age FREE. All proceeds benefit ORMS Drama.

Durham Historic Association Museum - The Durham Historic Association Museum will be open Sunday, February 19, 2012 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM. Come and learn about early Durham. Call 603-868-2579 for more information.

A Greener Taste of Greater Durham: Community Forum on Sustainability and Entrepreneurship - Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, UNH Granite State Room, Memorial Union Building. Admission is Free! For more information, click HERE.

Lamprey Rivers Film Festival, Sunday, February 26, 2012, 3:00-5:00 PM, Durham Recreation Department Community Room. Free to the public. Films include: The Lamprey River Through History, Connecting Lives on the Lamprey River, Spring Into Vernal Pools, and Wiswall's Mill. Co-sponsored by the Lamprey River Advisory Committee, Lamprey River Watershed Association, and the Durham Historical Association.

On Belay Outdoor Winter Program, Sunday, March 4, 2012, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Plymouth State University. On Belay provides unique adventure-based programs that build community among children 9-19 with Cancer. Programs are free for participants. For more information and to register, click HERE.

Durham Democrats Meet to Choose Local Leaders, Monday, March 5, 2012, 7:00 PM, Community Conference Room of the Durham Police Department. All registered Democratic voters in Durham are invited to attend and participate in the caucus. For more information contact Tim Ashwell at durhamnh@comcast.net or telephone 603-868-3775.

"Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Friendship Development, Popularity and Social Cruelty in Childhood", Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, ORHS Auditorium. Presented by Dr. Michael Thompson, consultant, author, and psychologist specializing in children and families. Hosted by Mast Way PTO, Moharimet PTO, ORMS PTO, ORHS PTO, The Alliance for Better Childcare, Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers.

Movement Heals for On Belay, Saturday, March 10, 2012, 9:00 AM-1:30 PM, The Gables Apts B Community Center, UNH. Classes taught by Durham resident Ruth Abelmann as well as Kathy Kerrigan and guest instructors. For more information, click HERE.

Museum of Art, UNH Exhibitions Through April 4, 2012 (closed March 9 – 18)

Chris Jordan: Running the Numbers features 14 large-scale digital images that explore contemporary mass culture from a variety of photographic and conceptual perspectives. Free. Paul Creative Arts Center, UNH.

What's New: Recent Additions to the Collection showcases 20 recently acquired drawings, paintings, prints, and sculpture by renowned regional and national artists. Free. Paul Creative Arts Center, UNH.

For more information call (603)862-3712, or visit http://www.unh.edu/moa/.

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Good news:  The Library Board of Trustees has surpassed its fund-raising goal of $900,000.  As of February 5, 2012, the Trustees have raised $1,054,545.00 for the new library.  A than you is extended to all of the Library's donors.  All told, the Trustees and donors will contribute at least $2.2 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!
Storytimes, Tues. Feb. 21st and Thurs. Feb. 23rd at 10:30 a.m. – This week: Magic! Read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays feltboard and make a craft.  All are welcome!
Pajama Storytime, Tues. Feb. 21st, 6:30 p.m. - Join ORPP - the Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers group- for the library's monthly night-time storytime. Come wearing your pajamas!  We will read stories about  Magic, do some Magic tricks and make a craft.  This is a fun time for kids and for networking parents and all are welcome.  Snacks provided by ORPP.
Build Your Own Website for the Technically Literate!  Week 5:  Weds. Jan. 25th, 6:15-8:00 p.m. - Dates Beginning Consecutive Wednesdays from Jan. 25 to Feb. 29. Interested in designing your own website for your business or blog? Not sure how to start? This free 6-week course will focus on everything you need to know, including Web Server Basics, HTML Basics, Formatting & Styles, JavaScript, and Guided Development. This course is limited to 8 to 10 participants. David Sietz has been an IT software developer for 11 years.
Lego Club meets this Thursday, Feb. 23rd from 3:45-4:45 p.m. - Like to build with Legos?  Join the library's Lego Club for 1st - 5th graders.  We will meet for 6 Thursdays.  Dates are Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 23 (no meeting March 1st due to Oyster River Vacation Week), March  8 (no meeting March 15 due to UNH Spring Break), March 22 and March 29.
Friends Book Discussion, Weds. March 7th, 10:30 a.m. -  Please join the book discussion of Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri, led by Jennifer Lee. Books are available at the library now. The discussion will focus on the title story and the stories "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dinner," "Mrs. Sen's," "The Third and Final Continent," and others as time allows.
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 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. 
Need tax forms?  Durham Public Library will receive one complete set of forms and instructions, which should be available in late February; these can be copied here for 10 cents a page.  Need them now?  Go to:  irs.gov.   All forms are available for download.
Attention Museum of Fine Arts pass users!  Museum of Fine Arts passes are now available again.

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

 

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.

 

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

Business (1960-1985): "In 1976 a new building for the Durham Trust Company was built at the west end of the former Alpha Tau Omega lawn on the north side of Main Street. Ballard's, to the west of the bank, was enlarged and renamed The Tin Palace, in recognition of the first restaurant on the site (1912). The Durham Clinic now provides patient care in the remodeled Durham Trust's old quarters on Madbury Road." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

 

Have a good 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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