Friday Updates - December 9, 2016

December 9, 2016

Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr, pilot of the Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight, poses for a photo with the Mercury "Friendship 7" spacecraft during preflight activities in 1962. Courtesy NASA

John Glenn, who was hailed as a national hero and a symbol of the space age as the first American to orbit Earth, and who then became a national political figure for 24 years in the US Senate, died on Thursday in Columbus, Ohio. He was 95.  

I had the great honor of meeting John Glenn in Washington in the 1980's when I was in high school as part of a program that brought a group from Laconia, N.H. to D.C.  He was walking down the hallway in the United States Capitol and took the time to stop, shake hands, and chat with us.  I remember calling my late father back in Laconia to let him know I had met ... John Glenn!  My father was a very conservative man who had served in the U.S. Air Force aboard B-52 bombers during the Vietnam Conflict. Because Senator Glenn was a Democrat, I was not sure whether my dad would be interested or not.  

I still remember my father's response: "John Glenn is one of my heroes.  Anything he says or does is okay with me."

John Glenn definitely had The Right Stuff!

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"FRIDAY UPDATES" SCHEDULE FOR END OF DECEMBER, 2016
The last "Friday Updates" publication in December will be sent on Thursday, December 22nd as the Town Offices will be closed on Friday, December 23rd.

There will be no "Friday Updates" on December 30th.

The first "Friday Updates" publication in January will be on January 6, 2017.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSING SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS

ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE CLOSED WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 2016
Due to vacation scheduling, the Administrator's Office will be closed December 26-30, 2016. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

REFUSE/RECYCLING HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Below is the holiday schedule for the remainder of the year. The 2017 holiday schedule is also listed as well. Please note that the Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be closed on Saturday, December 24th.
 

2016 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

2017 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

REMINDERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

As the holiday season approaches, please remember to remove all packing peanuts or packaging materials from cardboard boxes so they can be properly recycled.

Also, during the winter months especially, the Swap shop at the Transfer Station will not accept any furniture or bulky items as the weather and snow make it even more difficult to manage. Come spring, should space allow, items will be welcomed at the shop again.

PROPOSED FY2017 BUDGET UPDATE
On Monday evening, 12/5/16, the Council continued discussion relative to the proposed FY 2017 budget, which included comments from Public Works Director Mike Lynch.  Mr. Lynch discussed the proposal to rebuild the deteriorating barn at Wagon Hill Farm, different approaches to looking at whether or not to dredge the Mill Pond, and answered other questions pertaining to his budget.  

At the Council's request, Mr. Selig has identified and transferred approximately $30,000 - $40,000 in monies from various other parts of the proposed budget to the cotingency account to fund land stewardship efforts in an TBD manner in 2017.  

The Council plans to adopt the budget at its next meeting on December 12, 2016.  

THERE WAS NOT AN ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION LAST WEEK IN MADBURY – It was a neighbor offering a high school child a ride
A brief note regarding the incident early last Friday morning where a high school student walking to school was approached on Perkins Road (Perkins Road becomes Canney Road at the Durham/Madbury town line) in Madbury and asked if he wanted a ride. The Madbury Police Department has concluded its investigation.

Madbury Police Chief McGann wants the community to know that there was a “clear misunderstanding and there was no criminal intent” of the individual who approached the student. The individual was in fact a neighbor of the student in question but the student did not recognize the individual in the early dark hours of the morning. Since then, residents have contacted local officials fearing to allow their children outside.

Often, caught up in a sincere moment of concern for our children’s safety, rumors take on a life of their own. Easy access to social media allows these rumors to grow in number and intensity.

Any issues on social media related to the school district that did not initiate from official sources should be questioned.

The safety of children within the communities of Durham, Lee, and Madbury is of paramount importance to the Oyster River Cooperative School District and the police departments that serve our communities.

DURHAM HOME TO NEW HAMPSHIRE FARM OF DISTINCTION

Linden Woods Farm on Packers Falls Road, owned by Durham residents Bill McGowan and Karen Bishop, has been selected as a New Hampshire Farm of Distinction by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food.  The annual award recognizes the outstanding appearance of the farm and its contribution to building a favorable image of agriculture in the state.  Linden Woods Farm is "dedicated to providing a happy, healthy and loving environment for you and your horse".  http://www.lindenwoodsfarm.com/

The "Cruel Adversity" panel at the Durham Post Office.  Courtesy Todd Selig

PAGES FROM THE PAST: A MURAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF DURHAM – Post Office mural dating to 1959 generates concern / discussion in town.

In 1959, when the new Federal Building at the junction of Main Street and Madbury Road was nearing completion, the Women’s Club of Durham undertook a community project to visually honor the history of Durham. The building was erected on the site of Durham’s first post office, built in 1796.

The club secured the services of Bernard F. Chapman to make a mural for the walls, depicting the history of Durham. The club paid for the murals and the printing of brochures further explaining each scene in the mural. Members called the project, The Petticoat Project, and the women working on raising the funds, the “Muriels.”

One of the panels, entitled “Cruel Adversity,” depicts a Native American with a torch observing from afar a garrison-type home in what would ultimately become Durham. The description in the brochure from the Women’s Club reads: “The fourteen fortified houses known as garrisons, which were strategically placed throughout the “Plantation”, were symbolic of the dangerous and precarious existence of this early settlement. The colonists were in constant danger of surprise attacks from Indians. There were several raids on the “Plantation”, the most severe occurring in 1694, when five garrisons and fifteen homes were burned, and one hundred persons killed or carried off to Canada.”

Every year to two years, someone stops by the Town Hall or writes concerning the mural. 

An article was in the Union Leader again this week about the topic, which can be read HERE.

St. George's Episcopal Church in Durham along Church Hill.  Courtesy Todd Selig

NH SUPREME COURT RENDERS DECISION ON TAXATION OF CHURCH PARKING SPACES LEASED TO STUDENTS: The Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese in NH (D/B/A St. George’s Episcopal Church) v. Town of Durham
At 9 AM today, the NH Supreme Court issued an important and precedent setting case in NH concerning whether parking spaces rented by religious entities for profit are tax exempt.  The case has been closely followed by both religious institutions and municipal assessors across NH.

The plaintiff, St. George’s Episcopal Church (Church), appealed an order of the Strafford County Superior Court denying its summary judgment motion and granting that of the defendant, Town of Durham (Town), based upon a finding that 24 spaces in the Church’s parking lot that are leased to UNH students, are taxable.
 

The trial court’s order recited the following facts: The Church is located in Durham. Its property includes a church, rectory, “educational wing,” land, and a 37–space parking lot. The Church has been leasing spaces in its parking lot to UNH students since 1998. The Church charges students $300 per space, per semester. Under the lease agreement, students are permitted to park in the lot at all times, except: “Sundays, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; the first Saturday in December; the Saturday after Labor Day; days when the Church hosts weddings, funerals, and other events; and days when it snows or the parking lot requires repair.”

Until 2013, the Church received a religious tax exemption under RSA 72:23, III for its entire parking lot. In early 2013, the Town learned that the Church leased spaces to UNH students. At that time, the Town believed students leased 30 of the 37 parking spaces. Accordingly, after determining that the leased parking spaces were no longer exempt from taxation, the Town issued the Church a tax bill.
 

Sometime thereafter, the Town learned that UNH students leased only 24 spaces and that the students were required to remove their vehicles at times so that the spaces could be used for Church functions. Subsequently, the Town reduced the tax due by 25%.  The tax bill issued was approx. $1,643.

The Superior Court reasoned that “if each space was being used and occupied directly by the Church members, visitors, and employees,” then the entire parking lot would be tax-exempt. The court determined that the 13 spaces that are used by only the Church and are not leased to UNH students are tax-exempt. With regard to the 24 spaces leased to UNH students, the court found that they are not tax- exempt because they are not used or occupied directly by the Church. Rather, the leased spaces are occupied and used by UNH students “for their own private and secular purpose and not for the statutory exempted religious purposes of the Church.” The trial court found that the Church’s use and occupation of the leased spaces, is “too slight and insufficiently significant to warrant an exemption.”

An appeal to the NH Supreme Court followed.

The NH Supreme Court upheld the Superior Court’s decision in favor of the Town of Durham.

To view the NH Supreme Court decision dated 12/9/16, click HERE.

View of existing transition of Eversource power line under Little Bay in Durham.  Courtesy Eversource

TOWN COUNCIL VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO ENGAGE ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT TO VET PROPOSED EVERSOURCE SRP JET PLOW CROSSING OF LITTLE BAY
With a standing room only crowd as part of 2+ hours of public comment expressing concern regarding of the proposed Eversource SRP project, the Town Council voted unanimously on Monday evening, 12/5/16, to engage an environmental expert to vet the proposed jet plow crossing of Little Bay.

The Council passed the following motion (shown in draft form):

"Councilor Katrak MOVED that the Town Council instruct Administrator Selig to identify an expert to guide us as part of the (Eversource SRP application) process, and to have the expert in place if possible by the first week of January (2017). The expert will be tasked with advising officials on what position(s) Durham should take for this project, and as a part of that analysis, the expert shall review Appendixes 34 (Natural Resources Assessment), 35 (Modeling of Sediment Dispersion), and 37 (Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species) (of the Eversource SRP application filed with the NH SEC). The expert will also be tasked with reviewing the third party independent analysis (conducted by ESS Group engaged by the Attorney for the Public at the NH Department of Justice) of the modeling submitted by Eversource’s contractors, to include sediment dispersion impacts, with the intent of helping the community develop policy as it relates to this project going into next year. Seconded by Councilor Kenny Rotner, and amended by Councilor Jim Lawson, the motion passed unanimously.”

Town Engineer April Talon was tasked this week by Admin. Selig to identify an appropriate candidate/firm to engage to undertake this task.  The cost of the effort is not known at this time.  The Attorney for the Public has allocated $82,000 for a third party analysis of the crossing.  

An article appeared in Friday's Foster's Daily Democrat about the issue, which can be read HERE.

Some additional information about the project can be viewed on the Town's web site HERE.

View of proposed transition of Eversource line under Little Bay in Durham.  Courtesy Eversource

EVERSOURCE SRP INFO. | Impacts of EMF fields – Interesting YouTube Video Circulated
This week, a video was circulated within the community by residents concerned with the Eversource SRP. It can be found on YouTube. After viewing it, Mr. Selig followed up to learn more about the video and to place it into context. This research included a discussion with long-time resident Bill Hall.

The video was produced by a British artist, and the highest voltage transmission lines (AC) in Great Britain are at 400 kV. This matches the lengths of the insulators shown on the tower, and the electric field strengths expected to light fluorescent tubes to such a degree and distance from the center-line. In Durham, for SRP, there would be one, 115kV line and one 34.5kV line on the structure, significantly different/less voltage than what was shown on the video.

It is important to note that the phenomenon here is the electric field, not the magnetic field. The electric field is not an uncommon issue for modern day society. You can hold bulbs near any number of objects and they will begin to glow. This includes televisions, near a car battery/alternator, power outlet on the wall, walkie talkie, etc.  

Image of existing Eversoure lines within existing utility corridor at Ffrost Drive.  Courtesy Eversource

EVERSOURCE SRP INFO. – How much line is proposed to be buried underground in Durham v. Newington? 
The proposed Seacoast Reliability Project traverses Madbury (0.4 miles), through Durham (7.8 miles), and Newington (4.5 miles), and into Portsmouth (0.2 miles), and would include overhead, underground and underwater components as described below.

The Durham/UNH team that has been vetting the project to date and engaging with Eversource on behalf of the collective community has determined that line designs that are underground and underwater are significantly more complex and expensive as compared to overhead construction. As a regulated utility, it is factual that Eversource is obligated to spend prudently and must justify the need for proposing a more expensive design option, such as underground, particularly when there is a viable overhead solution to meet the identified reliability need. As such, when developing the line design, Eversource routinely begins with an overhead design and considers underground segments only where there is technical, regulatory, or similar justification.

As filed with the NH Site Evaluation Committee, the current project proposal includes 0.4 miles of underground in Durham, 0.3 miles of underground in Newington and approximately 1.1 mile of underwater construction within Little Bay (Durham and Newington).

Durham
There are two locations of underground line proposed in Durham. The first being underground at UNH from the parking area in A-Lot, crossing under Main Street, and rising above ground by Colovos Road, and the second transitioning to underground near the shoreline of Little Bay. The underground line proposal in these areas was based on historic view sheds, constructability issues, construction access, and the placement of the transition structure (from underground to overhead) away from the edge of the Bay (at Durham/UNH’s request). The design through Durham results in .4 miles of underground and .7 miles of underwater line.
Durham/UNH worked with Eversource for about 18 months including over 30 meetings to address community/university concerns associated with the project, and ultimately Eversource agreed to the following modifications and improvements to the line design in Durham:

• Contracting to acquire an additional easement between Madbury Road and Route 4 to eliminate structures and reduce heights;
• Relocating structures and altering the line design to reduce visibility at road crossings, from adjacent properties and in the neighborhoods located east of Route 108;
• Contracting to acquire an additional easement to avoid a construction road crossing over the Oyster River; and
• Acquiring rights to relocate the transition structure on the western side of Little Bay from the edge of the water to a location further inland.

Some local Durham roadside distribution lines will also be upgraded, including the installation of automation devices to enhance reliability for residents in the area. Portions of the existing roadside distribution lines along Durham Point Road, Longmarsh Road, and some additional cross roads will be upgraded to a covered protected wire (Hendrix Cable) that is significantly more resistant to tree and other contacts and has more capacity than the current line. These upgrades will provide another “feed” or “back-up” into the neighborhood where there is currently only a single feed today.
 

Newington
The current design for Newington proposes one location for underground - where the underwater cable exits Little Bay in Newington. Eversource indicates the driver for this stretch of underground was due to the lack of necessary property rights for the underground to overheard transition structure. This resulted in the transition structure being placed at the edge of Little Bay road in Newington. The design through Newington results in .3 miles of underground and .4 miles of underwater construction.

As part of a possible future amendment to the Eversource SEC filing and as discussed at the public hearings, an additional .5 miles of underground in Newington may be proposed to address constructability in the area of the transition structure and property in an historic designation area.

Eversource also worked with Newington Town officials to address community concerns and, similar to what was done for Durham, made other line design modifications in Newington. Eversource will be implementing roadside distribution line upgrades to improve local reliability for Newington residents as well.

Image of proposed Eversoure 115 kV lines within existing utility corridor at Ffrost Drive.  Courtesy Eversource

A photo of existing Eversource corridor along RR Tracks in Durham.  Courtesy Eversource

EVERSOURCE SRP INFO. – Proposed Pole Heights in Durham | Concrete Mattresses | Cable Placement Crossing Little Bay
Mr. Selig posed a number of question to Eversource over the past few weeks and the following responses have been received:

Are all of the the proposed steel poles in Durham in fact 8’ wide as indicated by many Durham residents? No, this was the estimate provided for the width of the foundation of the Durham transition structure by Little Bay. The average width of the poles will be less than 3 feet.

Proposed SRP Durham Pole Structure Sizes
Average pole height: 88’
Minimum: 50’
Maximum: 103’

What do the 300’ concrete mattresses do at the edge of Little Bay and why would they be they used? The need for concrete mattresses is to be determined based on the ultimate burial depth of the cable. If desired depth can’t be reached, Eversource indicates concrete mattresses may be needed. Eversource indicates at this time, there is only a potential for the need of concrete mattress. The need for, location, and depth of the placement of the mattresses will depend on the fine scale presence of bedrock and other obstructions that might prevent the cable from being buried to the required depth. Eversource indicates all surveys conducted to date have not encountered bedrock in the cable route, but the subsurface conditions in the near-shore areas are not fully known. If subsurface conditions near the shorelines prevent sufficient burial, it would be necessary to protect the cables with concrete mattresses.

Are the three cables that Eversource proposes to traverse the bay installed simultaneously or one by one? One by one

A simulated image of proposed new poles along RR utility corridor in Durham.  Courtesy Eversource

FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON

This week we saw the first snowfall of the season that required plowing. DPW plow crews would like to remind folks that all items in the right of way and street area need to be removed such as basketball hoops and other street recreational structures. We will not be responsible for anything damaged in the way of the snow plow that should have been removed.

Durham and Newmarket representaives speak with NHDES, HSEM, FEMA, NHDOT and others in Concord last week about the $816,610 Longmarsh Road Culvert Upgrade project.  Courtesy Todd Selig

GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL AWARD $612,458 GRANT TO DURHAM FOR LONGMARSH ROAD CULVERT UPGRADE

Durham's grant for the Longmarsh Road Culvert Upgrade Project was approved by the Governor & Council on Tuesday, December 7, 2016. The amount of the approved grant is $612,458.00 with a Durham match of $204,152 and will expire on 8/2/2017.

Last week, Town Engineer April Talon and Administrator Selig spent a full morning in Concord at the NHDES discussing the intersection of Durham’s Longmarsh Road culvert project with Newmarket’s Macallem Dam project. It is at the Longmarsh Road site that the Lamprey River Watershed intersects with the Oyster River Watershed during 100 year storm/flood events. One standard of 100 yr flood design is applicable to the Longmarsh Road project (a low hazard road/culvert project), while another significantly more stringent design criteria for safely passing 100 yr flood waters at a dam with a higher hazard designation is applicable for the Macallem dam.

Durham’s lower threshold design assumptions do not project impacts to the Macallem Dam as a result of Longmarsh, while Newmarket’s higher threshold design assumptions do. There is also a question regarding the NHDOT Rt. 108 highway project’s own impact on water flow at Hamel Brook.

At last week’s meeting, there were representatives from the NHDES Dam Bureau, NHDES Wetlands Bureau, NHDOT Rt. 108 Project, NHDOT Bridge Design, NHDOT Engineering, HSEM, FEMA, Durham & Newmarket representatives, and others present to discuss this highly nuanced conundrum.

The issue really comes down to identifying a single standard to utilize, rather than two competing levels of analysis. The various parties are planning to consider the issue and we will follow up in the coming weeks. There is a likelihood that if higher standards are ultimately required of the Longmarsh Road culvert project by NHDES, Durham will either have to upsize the project (and associated costs) or abandon it altogether. On the other hand, if the criteria being placed upon Newmarket for the dam is lessened, this may have a corresponding decrease in cost for the Macallem dam project. Of course, neither Durham nor Newmarket desire to exacerbate issues for the other.

This week, Administrator Selig wrote a strongly worded letter to Eversource President William Quinlan in regard to concerns the Durham Historic Association raised during Monday evening’s Town Council meeting outlining damage by Eversource and its contractors to historic resources within the Eversource Seacoast Reliability Project (SRP) right-of-way in Durham. Mr. Selig also asked the NH Site Evaluation Committee, the NH Division of Historic Resources, the Attorney for the Public, and the NH Dept. of Environmental Services (NHDES) to take whatever actions are within their powers to ensure that there are no further negative impacts/threats to our collective historic resources as part of the proposed Eversource SRP project.

The NHDES has already followed up to indicate it will investigate the matter.

To view the letter to the Eversource president, click HERE.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR CANDIDATE COMMUNITY MEET & GREET: Meet Rose Bebris, a Final Candidate for the DPL Director Position—Monday, 12/12 @ 7:00pm

The Durham Public Library Board of Trustees cordially invite members of the community to meet a finalist for the DPL Director position.

Please join the DPL on Monday, December 12th from 7:00pm-8:00pm in the Oyster River Room at the Durham Pubic Library. Rose will discuss about her background and her vision for a 21st century library. There will be time for the community to ask questions and light refreshments will be served.

Brief candidate background:
Rose grew up in Pelham NH, graduated cum laude in English from UNH and received her Master’s in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona. Rose’s entire career has been spent in libraries—from her position as a page at the Nashua Public Library before and during her undergraduate years at UNH to her current position as the Director of the Florence Community Library in Florence, Arizona.

While Rose has served as the Director in Florence for almost twelve years, she also worked in children and youth services for more than a decade in both New Hampshire and Arizona prior to her current post. Rose is an active member of the Arizona Library Association and serves as Chair of the Pinal County Library District Federation.

Officer Katie Callahan. Courtesy DCAT Studios

DURHAM'S NEWEST OFFICER ON PATROL - Katheryn (Katie) Callahan

Hired in April, Katie Callahan attended the 14-week New Hampshire Police Academy graduating in late August.

Once she returned to the department as a certified police officer she was assigned to a Field Training Officer program (FTO). The FTO is a designed program of exercises to indoctrinate a new officer to the nuances of providing policing services to the Durham community. It focuses upon knowledge of roadways, prominent locations, radio and report procedures and procedures focused exclusively to Durham. At the conclusion of the FTO and daily evaluations, the officer takes a test on all they have learned and upon successful passing, is assigned to a patrol shift.

Officer Callahan completed all tasks successfully and is shown on her first solo patrol shift.

Bringing a cake she made to look like a Durham Police cruiser is Gabi Selig with Captain Dave Holmstock. Courtesy Todd Selig

DURHAM POLICE HOLD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

When an organization operates 24/7 it is very challenging to get everyone together for a celebration, even at Christmas.

On Thursday evening, members of the agency past and present came together with the exceptional cadre of volunteers to see Santa arrive in a police vehicle. With a number of younger children’s Mom and Dad working for the Department, it is very exciting to see their faces as they look out the window trying to be the first to catch a glimpse of Santa over the flashing blue lights.

The “pot-luck” affair was once again held at the Durham Evangelical Church.

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. Click on the meetings listed below to view agendas and other information.

Town Council - Monday, December 12, 2016

Agricultural Commission - Monday, December 12, 2016 (7PM - Durham PD Community Room)

Zoning Board of Adjustment - Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Planning Board - Wednesday, December 14, 2016

All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.

AMTRAK DOWNEASTER - NEW SCHEDULE - MORE OPTIONS

Beginning November 21, 2016, Amtrak Downeaster added two new daily trains enabling passengers to enjoy even more travel options to/from Brunswick and Freeport. The expanded schedule provides more options for business travelers on weekdays, and sports fans on weekends.

View the new schedule HERE.

The Amtrak Downeaster is celebrating 15 years of service with 15% off its fares 

through December 31, 2016.  (Tickets must be purchased 3 days in advance of travel. Reference promotion code v503).

DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22

As always, Santa was a big hit at the annual Town of Durham Holiday Tree Lighting event on Saturday evening, December 3rd. Courtesy Jeremy Gasowski

2016 Town of Durham Holiday Tree Lighting.  Can you believe that it's that time of year again? DCAT 22 Studios volunteer, Phil Kincaid once again braved the cold and recorded the festivities for your viewing pleasure. Plenty of fun and games for everyone, plus hot cocoa & cookies, and hey, they even carved a snowman out of ice. Guess who arrives at the end? You got it: Santa!! Total run time: 13:20 This video can be viewed directly from the Town website.

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Enjoy the latest video from DCAT 22 Studios.  Volunteer, Phil Kincade recorded the moving Veterans Day Ceremony held at the Durham Public Library.  DCAT works hard to bring you interesting video from the Durham Community.  Total run time: 28 minutes.  The video can be seen on Cable Channel 22 @ 3:00 PM on Saturday & Sunday. It may also be viewed HERE.

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DCAT 22 Studios was on the road again for our latest episode of “In the Biz” Durham Business Spotlight. Join your host, Economic Development Director, Mary Ellen Humphrey as she chats with Amy Gibbs, owner of Amy’s Frame Shop, located inside Hayden Sports. Amy’s will custom frame just about anything, she also has a wide selection of off the shelf frames available. Did you know that she has a Kodak Kiosk to professionally print your digital photos! Please take a few minutes to watch this video short. In the Biz can be seen on DCAT Cable Channel 22 on Saturday & Sunday @ 12:30 & 6:00 PM. The video is also available for viewing On Demand.
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Were you unable to attend the American Southwest presentation by Durham Town Planner, Michael Behrendt on November 2nd at the Durham Public Library? No worries, DCAT 22’s volunteer, Phil Kincade was there capture the presentation on video. Sit back and enjoy as Michael spins his yarns on he and Naomi’s southwestern travel. Plenty of photos and beautiful scenery too! This video can be seen on Cable Channel 22 @ 4:00 PM – Saturday & Sunday. It can also be seen On Demand. Total run time: 45 minutes
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Durham Police Facility Video. DCAT 22 Studios has created the first video in a series of others which are designed to inform residents of the needs of the police facility. This first 15 minute video focuses upon the three critical and immediate needs that challenge the agency. While the department will be presenting and hosting opportunities to tour the facility, the series of short videos will offer some exposure to areas at the police department that the public rarely sees. The video airs on DCAT Cable Channel 22: Monday – Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday @ 7:30 PM. It’s also available On Demand.
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DCAT is Live Streaming. Please join DCAT for any of our regularly scheduled meetings live-streamed directly to the device of your choice . It’s easy, all you have to do is go to: live-stream.com and follow the prompts to set up your live stream account. You’ll receive email updates as to when the meeting will be held and the start time. All you have to do is click and watch. Live-stream works on any PC (just remember to update your Adobe Flash player), Apple or Android device. Please contact dcat@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions.

PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.

Tree Lighting Celebration- The 2016 Annual Tree Lighting Celebration was a great success last Saturday. Hundreds, from the community filled Downtown Main Street for a fun filled evening! Participants enjoyed live music, a bonfire with s’mores, activity stations, cookie decorating, a photo booth, ice sculpting demonstration, great give a-ways from local businesses, and a visit from Santa!

Special thanks to our main event sponsor, Federal Savings Bank for its generous donation of $1,000 towards the event!

Many thanks to the following volunteers, businesses and organizations that helped make this this event such a success:

Kappa Sigma, Oyster River Parents for Preschoolers, Durham Bikram Yoga, Ruby the Photo Bus(Photobooth Planet), Benji Latham (live music) , Durham Fire Department and Durham Professional Firefighters, Durham Police, Durham Dept. of Public Works, McGregor EMS, The Candy Bar, The Makery, The Works Bakery & Café, Emery Farm , Hannaford, Project Graduation, Ice Designs, and Santa!

DPR December Vacation Week Activities- Join us December 27th-January 2nd for vacation week fun with daily drop-in style programs! We are in the process of finalizing our activity schedule and plan to have it out very shortly- stay tuned!

December Vacation Week at Churchill Rink- Churchill rink has a full schedule of expanded skate sessions during December Vacation Week! Please visit us HERE for an up to date skate schedule at the rink!

Family Sweetheart Dance- Friday, February 10th 6-8pm at the Oyster River High School- MPR. Join us for our first Family Sweetheart Dance!! The whole family is invited to join in on an evening of dancing, FUN and to celebrate Valentine’s Day!!  $20/couple or $30/family (add a person for $5). Ticket prices include a 5x7 photo. Tickets go on sale January 2, 2017!

Save The Date!
After School XC Ski & Snowshoe- Tuesdays, January 10th-31st. Grades 1st-4th.
Martial Arts Class- Thursdays, January 19th-February 23rd from 6-7:30pm at the Middle School-MPR.
Energy Medicine Workshop: Explore your Inner Healing- Monday, January 30th 9-10:30am and Thursday, February 2nd 6:30-8pm. FREE!

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Main Street Makery shopping for a good cause, Wednesday, Dec 14, 2016, 6 - 8PM. Total purchases will go to Oyster River Womenade. Oyster River Womenade gives 100% of donations to men, women, and children in Durham, Madbury, Lee and Newmarket to provide short-term assistance to people in financial crisis. Refreshments and sweets will be served. Womenade board members will be gift wrapping by donation. Main Street Makery holiday hours:
Tues- Fri, 10-6; Sat, 10-4; Sun, 12-4

Feast for the Forest Dinner, to help conserve Powder Major's Farm & Forest, Friday, Dec 9, 2016, 6 - 8:30 PM, ORHS Cafeteria, Donations: $25/family($30 at door), $10/individual, $5/student. Sponsored by Madbury, Lee, Durham Conservation Commissions, OR Watershed Assoc, 7 Rivers Paddling, NEMO, Eureka. Raffle. RSVP barbaraelilly@gmail.com. Learn more HERE.

Holiday Drop and Shop, Saturday, Dec 10, 2016, 1-6PM, Madbury Town Hall. ORHS Girl Scout Troop 22916 will be providing a Drop & Shop childcare fundraiser. Troop is fundraising to go to London to visit the World Girl Guide/Scouting Headquarters.  Spots limited. Reserve via kenshuman@comcast.net.  $25 per child, $40 max per family.  All Scouts and Leaders First Aid/CPR/AED certified. Games, snack, and crafts included.

Boy Scout Christmas Trees. New location: Town Hall parking lot, 8 Newmarket Road. Weekends 9AM - 4PM. All trees $39.95, wreaths $15. All proceeds go directly to support local Troop 154 scouts.

Holiday Market at Emery Farm - Saturday, Dec 10, 2016, 10AM - 4PM. Local artisans, food tastings, warm drinks, festive cheer, and more!  Market & Café open 7-7 Daily.  Christmas trees & wreaths.  Coffee & espresso drinks, cold brew, chai, hot chocolate, bagels, soup, and sandwiches.  View fall menue HERE.

ORHS Project Graduation Fundraiser - Holiday Wreaths. Order a beautiful, fragrant wreath which will support Project Graduation for the Class of 2017. For more information and to order a wreath, click HERE.

UNH Museum of Art Upcoming Events. View schedule of events HERE.

December Artist of the Month, Christy Hull Hegarty, Thursday, Dec. 15 from 6:30-7:30 - All are invited to attend the Artist Reception and meet Christy who is an artist and a Durham resident.   "A Winter Scene at Emery Farm"

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Children’s and Young Adult Programs:

Gundalow Family Program with the Gundalow Company! Sat. Dec. 10th at 10:30 am - Take a trip through time with the Gundalow Company and explore the Piscataqua Region through stories, activities and crafts. Using models and maps we’ll talk about the historical role of the Gundalow on our Rivers. We’ll take a look at the amazing network of rivers outside our doors and read some books about the Rivers and life in the water. Test your skills as a sailor by tying some knots, building your own Gundalow model, creating Gundalow origami, and designing your own plankton. All ages and all are welcome!
YA Monday – Holiday Movie: Elf! Monday, December 12th at 2:45PM - Drop by the YA room at 2:45 PM on Monday, December 5th to watch the fun holiday movie: Elf! Fun movie snacks will be provided. This program is designed for young adults ages 10 and up. This is the last YA Monday until January. Check out our calendar for details.
Storytimes Tues. Dec. 13th and Thurs. Dec.15th at 10:30 am - “Cats!”
Baby Lap-sit (ages 2 & under with care giver) Weds. Dec. 14th at 10:30 am
Knitting and Craft Club for 3rd-5th graders Weds. Dec. 14th 4-5 pm (register at the Children’s desk).
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Weds. Dec. 14th 2:45-4:00 pm – Join us for this month’s book group. This month’s book is “Nooks & Crannies” by Jessica Lawson. Ruth Wharton McDonald is the facilitator. Books are available at the circulation desk. Pizza is served.
Pajama Storytime - Holidays! Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30PM NOTE DATE CHANGE!! - Join Oyster River Parents & Preschoolers (ORPP) at the Durham Public Library for our monthly evening storytime for preschoolers! This month we will be all about the Holidays. Come hear stories, do the feltboard, sing some jingle bells, and make a fun Holiday craft. Snack provided by ORPP and all are welcome!
Join us for Lego Club (K-4th grade) on Thurs. Dec. 15th at 3:30-4:30 pm! Our weekly challenge will be Build a lego snowflake and snowman!
Home-schooler’s Group Friday, Dec. 16th at 10:30 am. - “Holidays!”
Family Movie: Arthur Christmas! Sat. Dec. 17th at 10:30 am - Join us for this fun holiday movie: Arthur Christmas! This movie is shown upstairs in the Oyster River Room. Popcorn is served and all are welcome!
Jack & Annie Book Club (Grades K-2) Tuesday, December 20th at 4:00 – 5:00 PM - Join us for our new monthly book club made just for kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade! During our meeting we will talk about our book club book, play games, and make a craft. This month we are reading "Eve of the Emperor Penguin" by Mary Pope Osborne. Books are available at the circulation desk. Registration is required. Please sign-up at the Children's desk!
Make-It-Take-It Craft! Feltboard Gingerbread House! Week of December 27th through December 31st. - Drop by the Storytime/Craft room during vacation week to make a fun feltboard gingerbread house. Come and be creative with felt. NO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CHILDREN’S/YA PROGRAMS THIS WEEK. PROGRAMS START AGAIN THE WEEK OF JAN. 2ND. CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR FOR DETAILS...
Join the Patch Program! Come and join and collect your patches! This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Durham Public Library.

Adult  Programs:

DPL Community Meet & Greet: Meet Rose Bebris, a Final Candidate for the DPL Director Position - Mon. Dec. 12, 7:00-8:00 pm The Durham Public Library Board of Trustees cordially invite you to meet a finalist for the DPL Director position to be held in the Oyster River Community Room at the library. Rose will discuss about her background and her vision for a 21st century library. There will be time for the community to ask questions and light refreshments will be served.
Brief candidate background: Rose grew up in Pelham NH, graduated cum laude in English from UNH and received her Master’s in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona. Rose’s entire career has been spent in libraries—from her position as a page at the Nashua Public Library before and during her undergraduate years at UNH to her current position as the Director of the Florence Community Library in Florence, Arizona. While Rose has served as the Director in Florence for almost twelve years, she also worked in children and youth services for more than a decade in both NH and AZ prior to her current post. Rose is an active member of the Arizona Library Association and serves as Chair of the Pinal County Library District Federation.
Seacoast Area Firefighters Toy Bank - We are proud to support the Seacoast Fire Fighters Toy Bank again this year. They will have a Toy Bank drop off box at the library between Nov. 28 thru Dec. 20. Want to do a good deed and get your overdue library late fees erased? Donate an unwrapped new toy and your fines will be erased. This does not apply to lost items.
December Artist of the Month, Christy Hull Hegarty, Thursday, Dec. 15 from 6:30-7:3 - All are invited to attend the Artist Reception and meet Christy who is an artist and a Durham resident. Refreshments will be served. Her work is on display in the Gallery for the month of December. If interested in purchasing art please contact the artist directly. There are business cards in the DPL Gallery for your convenience.
Oyster River ASD Friends Tues. Dec. 13, 6:30-8:30 pm - Join our group for parents of teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. Conversation, resource sharing and speakers to address how we can best encourage and support Independence.
Acoustic Open Mic with Mike Wed. Dec. 14, 6:30-7:30 - Held in the Cafe. All are welcome, first time performers and original music are particularly encouraged.
DPL Trustees meeting Wed. Dec. 14, 6:45-8:00 pm
Friends of the Durham Public Library - The Friends will not hold any book donation week in December. Also, the Friends will not meet in December.
 

The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology: computers, iPads & cell phones, eReaders (Nook, Kindle, etc.) Call to check on availability of the volunteers and set up an appointment. 868-6699 or email durhampl@gmail.com

For more information, visit the Durham Public Library website.

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

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

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Last week, a Durham parent conveyed to me a story about her 9-year old daughter who loves to bake. While following a new recipe, the daughter, who is still honing her reading skills, carefully read aloud, “This recipe requires plenty of of elbow grease.”

“Ick, that’s disgusting!" exclaimed the child.   “I’m not putting elbow grease into my cupcakes!”  :)

Have a very nice New England weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
T: 603-868-5571 

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us  

Website: https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/

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