Town of Durham, Maine

Boards & Committees

Local Elected Officials

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Select Board

  • Meetings: The Second and Fourth Tuesday of Every Month
  • Where: Durham Fire Station Meeting Room
  • Address: 615 Hallowell Road
  • Email: selectboard@durhammaine.gov
  • Please visit our YouTube Channel to view current or past meeting videos:

Select Board Members

  • Joe Roy - Select Board Chair (Term Expires April 2026)
  • Josh Klein-Golden - Select Board Vice Chair (Term Expires April 2028)
  • Deb Oliver, Board Member (Term Expires April 2027)
  • Rebekah Polster, Board Member (Term Expires April 2028)

Links

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Planning Board

  • Meetings: The First Wednesday of Every Month
  • Where: Durham Fire Station Meeting Room
  • Address: 615 Hallowell Road
  • Email: planningboard@durhammaine.gov
  • Please visit our YouTube Channel to view current or past meeting videos:



The Durham Planning Board is to be comprised of five (5) regular members and two (2) alternate members appointed by the Select Board. Terms will be five (5) years duration with staggered expiration dates. Officers of the Board shall consist of a Chair and Vice Chair to be chosen annually at the first regular meeting each year by and from among Board members. The Chair shall preside at all Board meetings and have authority to rule on questions of evidence and procedure, to maintain order and determine the course of proceedings, and to take such other action as may be necessary; and not inconsistent with these bylaws or other laws to enable the Board to perform its duties and conduct its affairs. The Chair and the Town Planner set the agenda for each meeting. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall preside and have the same authority as the Chair. An appointed Secretary to the Planning Board shall maintain a permanent record of all Board meetings and all correspondence of the Board, which shall be a public record except as otherwise provided by law. This person shall not be a member of the Board.

Vacancies

Board members absent for more than 3 regular meetings without prior notice or prearrangement shall be deemed as having given notice as to their intention to resign their membership on the Board.

Links

Planning Board Members

  • John Talbot - Planning Board Chair (Term Expires 2026)
  • Juliet Caplinger - Planning Board Vice Chair (Term Expires 2027)
  • Marc Derr - Board Member (Term Expires 2029)
  • Brian Lanoie - Board Member (Term Expires 2028)
  • Allan Purinton - Board Member (Term Expires 2027)
  • George Thebarge - Town Planner
  • Email: townplanner@durhammaine.gov
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Agriculture Committee

The Agriculture Committee will act as an advisory and recommending body to the Select Board, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and other municipal committees and town staff on matters relating to agriculture in our community.

Agriculture image

Agriculture Committee Members

  • David Colson, Co-Chair
  • Jonah Fertig-Burd, Co-Chair
  • Steven Sinisi, Secretary
  • Meaghan Grimes
  • Gary Goodrich
  • Claire Ross
  • Eric Day
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Board of Appeals

“Any municipality establishing a board of appeals may give the board the power to hear any appeal by any person, affected directly or indirectly, from any decision, order, regulation or failure to act of any officer, board, agency or other body when an appeal is necessary, proper or required. No board may assert jurisdiction over any matter unless the municipality has by charter or ordinance specified the precise subject matter that may be appealed to the board and the official or officials whose action or non-action may be appealed to the board. Absent an express provision in a charter or ordinance that certain decisions of its code enforcement officer or board of appeals are only advisory or may not be appealed, a notice of violation or an enforcement order by a code enforcement officer under a land use ordinance is reviewable on appeal by the board of appeals and in turn by the Superior Court under the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80B. Any such decision that is not timely appealed is subject to the same preclusive effect as otherwise provided by law. Any board of appeals shall hear any appeal submitted to the board in accordance with Title 28-A, section 1054”.

Appeals Board Members

  • Darin Baker - Board Member (Term Expires 2029)
  • Neil Berry - Board Member (Term Expires 2027)
  • Terry Kirk - Board Member (Term Expires 2030)
  • Claire Ross - Board Member (Term Expires 2030)
  • Milton Simon - Board Member (Term Expires 2027)
  • Byron Philbrick - Board Member (Term Expires 2028)

Links

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Board of Directors, RSU5

Durham Community School image

School Board Members

  • Michelle Ritcheson, Chair - Durham(Term expires April 2028)
  • Elisabeth Munsen, Vice Chair - Pownal(Term expires June 2025)
  • Colin Cheney - Freeport (Term expires November 2027)
  • Malik Farlow - Pownal (Term expires June 2026)
  • Cheyenne Farrell - Freeport (Term expires November 2026)
  • Danielle George - Durham (Term expires April 2026)
  • Carolyn Jensen - Freeport (Term expires November 2026)
  • Kara Kaikini - Freeport (Term expires November 2027)
  • Maura Pillsbury - Freeport (Term expires November 2025)
  • Kelly Sink - Freeport (Term expires November 2025)
  • Stephanie Worth - Durham (Term expires June 2027)

Main Office

  • Address: 17 West Street, Freeport, ME 04032
  • See map: Google Maps
  • Phone: 207-865-6171

Links

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Budget Committee

The Budget Committee of the Town of Durham was established through a Town Meeting vote in 1933 as the Town “voted to have a Budget Committee of nine members to be elected at Town Meeting from the floor, three (3) for 3 years, three (3) for 2 years, three (3) for 1 year. Three members shall be elected each year thereafter”. There being no ordinance or bylaws created at the time of creation, these bylaws have been established for the purpose of establishing reasonable rules of procedure for Committee meetings and to promote the fair, orderly and efficient conduct of the Committee’s proceedings and affairs. These bylaws shall govern the Committee’s practices and procedures except as otherwise provided by law and shall be liberally construed so as to accomplish their purpose.

Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in the membership, or if any member of the Committee during his/her term of office shall die, become incapacitated, resign, or cease to be a resident of Durham, the Select Board shall promptly appoint a person to serve until the next Annual Town Meeting, and the vacancy shall then be filled by election of a candidate for the remainder of the term.

Budget Committee Members

  • Milton Simon - Chair (Term expires 2026)
  • Jill Gastonguay - Vice Chair (Term expires 2028)
  • Neil Berry (Term expires 2027)
  • John Talbot (Term expires 2028)
  • Allan Purinton (Term expires 2026)
  • Donna Church (Term expires 2026)
  • Phyllis Brannon (Term expires 2027)
  • Marc Derr (Term expires 2027)
  • Jeffrey Wakeman (Term expires 2028)

Links

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Cemetery Committee

The Cemetery Committee is an appointed committee that dedicates their time to the preservation of town-owned cemeteries.  A plan is developed every year for mowing contracts, stone cleaning, repairs or restoration of any cemetery fence repairs that may be needed. The committee is also responsible for selling lots in Strout Cemetery located on Hallowell Road, and for an annual cemetery inspection and clean-up.

Vining Cemetery

Cemetery Committee Members

  • Tia Wilson - Chair
  • Linda Bowie - Vice Chair
  • Lindsey Lopes - Secretary
  • Philip Baker
  • Joseph Donovick
  • Natasha Skelton
  • Greg Wilson

If you would like to join the Cemetery Committee submit an appointment application to the Durham Town Office.

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Conservation Commission

Mission Statement

The Town of Durham, in conjunction with the passage of the 2018 Durham Comprehensive Plan, seeks to update and rebuild the Durham Conservation Commission.

The Durham Conservation Commission shall:

  • Be comprised of no more than seven voting members;
  • Keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the municipality;
  • Work to protect current and potential water resources;
  • Work to conserve natural resources in the Town of Durham;
  • Work to create and preserve open space for recreational use and wildlife habitat;
  • Advise the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board on sustaining our Town’s natural resources, including land, water, air, wildlife habitat, and scenic views; and
  • Conduct research, in conjunction with the Planning Board, into local land areas that are being considered for development. The Planning Board will request input from the Commission in conjunction with any proposed subdivision that impacts natural resources or Town-owned property or which involves the transfer of an interest in land to the Town.

The Durham Conservation Commission may:

  • Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets, which it considers necessary.
  • Acquire land in the municipality’s name for any of the purposes set forth in this section with the approval of the municipal legislative body.
  • Receive gifts in the municipality’s name for any of the commission’s purposes with approval of the Board of Selectmen and shall administer the gift for those purposes subject to the terms of the gift.

Note: both of these sections are derived from MSRA Title 30-A §3261 and/or the 2018 Durham Comprehensive Plan.

The Commission shall achieve these duties by:

  • Pursuing public/private partnerships.
  • Cooperating and coordinating with neighboring communities and regional/local advocacy groups.
  • Initiating and/or participating in inter-local and/or regional planning, management and/or regulatory efforts.
  • Raising public awareness through educational outreach.
  • Recommending to the municipal officers or any municipal body or board, or any body politic or public agency of the State, programs for the better protection of water resources, natural resources or open space.

Implementation Philosophy 

The Durham Conservation Commission shall work on conservation-related issues in a climate of mutual respect with all Durham employees, volunteers and residents, other communities, and advocacy groups. We will seek to foster a collaborative working relationship with public and private groups organized around the preservation and enjoyment of the natural environment.

Email: ConservationCommission@DurhamMaine.gov

Conservation Commission Members

  • Jess Costa - Chair 
  • Roberta Brezinski 
  • Samantha Cuccaro 
  • Michael Friendly 
  • Jeffrey Tindall

Links

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Durham Scholarship Committee

scholarship seal

Scholarship Award

The Town of Durham awards one $1,000.00 scholarship award annually. The scholarship is paid directly to the recipient after the successful completion of the first semester (minimum 2.5 GPA).  Recipients are limited to one scholarship award. The Scholarship Program Guidelines may be found here.

Eligibility

  • Resident of the Town of Durham at the time of high school graduation
  • Currently reside in the Town of Durham
  • Have applied and/or been accepted as an incoming freshman in an accredited academic, vocational, professional or technical school, college or university (must attend classes full-time)
  • Complete the scholarship application form
  • Up to two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or community leaders
  • Copy of high school transcript
  • Copy of ACT/SAT scores (may be included on high school transcript)
  • Letter of acceptance from an accredited academic, vocational, professional or technical school, college or university (if available)

Selection

Applications are reviewed and finalists are chosen by the Durham Scholarship Committee. The scholarship award is presented at the Durham Annual Town Meeting each year. All scholarship applicants are notified by mail of the Committee’s decision by mail before April 6, 2024.

The Town of Durham reserves the right not to award any scholarship should there be no qualified applicants.

Links

Scholarship Committee Members

  • Kendra O’Connell
  • Susan Hardison
  • Jonathan Pollock
  • Christine Cormier
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Eureka Community Center Committee

The Eureka Grange #7 (organized in 1874 and the Grange Hall built in 1906), is no longer active as a Grange organization. The building has been restored for use as The Eureka Community Center and sits at the intersection of Routes 9 and 136 across the street from the Durham Fire Department.

The Community Center is available to rent for gatherings of 45 people or less.

  • Contact: Pearl Scribner, 207-754-5912 (call or text) for more information. 
  • All renters are required to obtain insurance for their event either with a special event rider on their homeowner’s insurance or through a third-party vendor, GatherGuard.

Links

Events

If you are interested in coordinating a particular event or would like to see an event held at the Eureka Community Center, please contact the Durham Town Office.

Eureka Community Center Committee Members

  • Jeanne Costigan
  • Kathleen Lowe
  • Pearl Scribner
  • Anita Sellars
  • Cathy Sentner
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Historic Commission

ES Warren Store Historic Pic

Mission Statement

The mission of the Durham Historic Commission is to identify, preserve and inform citizens of the Town of Durham about it’s unique historical heritage.  In fulfilling this mission, the Historic Commission encourages local ordinances, by-laws or public action that preserves historic properties, both private and public.  The Commission encourages appropriate maintenance and restoration of the town’s historical structures and sites.

Purpose

In April of 2025, Durham voters approved an overhaul of the Town’s historic preservation program to move from regulations focused on a small area known as the Southwest Bend Historic District to instead address individual historic properties wherever located in the community. In addition to this change in the scope of Durham’s preservation efforts, the amendments also streamlined the review process to make it fairer for owners of affected properties and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of Town officials appointed for administration of the regulations.

Those regulations now follow widely recognized historic preservation standards of the Department of the Interior that are applied in communities across Maine. The only properties required to follow those regulations and meet the Interior Department historic preservation standards are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or have been determined by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to be eligible for listing on the National Register. Currently, there are eight properties in Durham that are listed or eligible for listing:

  1. Nathanial Osgood House (Listed) at 1731 Royalsborough Rd.
  2. Bagley-Bliss House (Listed) at 1290 Royalsborough Rd.
  3. West Durham Methodist Church (Listed) at 23 Runaround Pond Rd.
  4. Union Church (Listed) at 744 Royalsborough Rd.
  5. Shiloh Temple (Listed) at 39 Beulah Lane.
  6. Friends Meeting House (Eligible for Listing) at 532 Quaker Meeting House Rd.
  7. 1003 Ferry Rd. (Eligible for Listing)
  8. 748 Royalsborough Rd. (Eligible for Listing)

Any construction activity requiring a permit issued by the Code Officer on any of these properties must follow the National Interior Department standards for historic preservation. Prior to issuance of a permit, the Code Officer is required to notify the Historic Commission of the pending application and the Commission is given opportunity to review the project and provide the Code Officer with an advisory opinion on consistency of the proposed work with the National Interior Department preservation guidelines. The Code Officer must consider that advisory opinion and any recommendations of the Commission before issuing a permit.

The same rules apply for any site plan or subdivision application on the officially designated historic properties or the properties immediately abutting them. The Planning Board must also notify the Historic Commission and provide opportunity for the Commission to review the project and make recommendations before any approvals are given.

For more information contact the Durham Town Offices at 353-2561.

Durham Historic Commission Members

  • The Town of Durham has no active members at this time. Citizens with special interest and/or expertise in historic preservation are encouraged to volunteer as the Town transitions to the new program. In the interim, advisory opinions will be requested of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission staff in Augusta.
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Solid Waste Committee

The Solid Waste Committee was created to explore options for Town Trash Collection. This committee consists of 5 members and 2 alternates. Currently, the town has a contract for curbside pick-up of household trash that includes single-sort recycling, this contract expires 6/30/24. The cost of providing this service is increasing and the Durham Selectboard would like this committee to explore and or research other available options and present these options at a regular Selectboard Meeting in January 2024.

solid waste image

Tasks of this committee will include:

  • Alternatives to curbside collections (transfer station?)
  • Exploring “green” technology/Eco-Maine
  • Drafting a Solid Waste Ordinance

Solid Waste Committee Members

  • Juliet Caplinger - Chair
  • Milton Simon, Secretary
  • Todd Beaulieu
  • Catherine Curtis
  • Claire Ross
  • Phyllis Brannon, Alternate
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