Allan Howland - Town Council

The Town of Durham New Hampshire

ALLAN HOWLAND - Town Council
32 Ffrost Drive

Occupation: Former high school science teacher.

Education:  B.S.  Biology, Hobart College;  M.S. Ed. Secondary Education,  Northern Illinois University

Years as Durham Resident:  20 Years

Previous Service on Governmental/Community/Civic Boards, Commissions, Committees, or Organizations: --Durham Town Councilor: 2016-present; --Durham Economic Development Committee: 2016-present; --Durham Agricultural Commission: 2016-17; --Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee: 2018-present; --Durham Zoning Board of Adjustment alternate: 2015-16; --Durham Representative on the Oyster River School Board:  2012- present; --Oyster River School District Advisory Budget Committee:  2012-2014; --Oyster River School Board Negotiations Committee:  2012- present; --Oyster River School Board Communications Committee:  2012- 15;Oyster River School District Wellness Committee: 2017-present.

Reason for Interest in Running for Elected Office:  During my time on the Durham Town Council, I have spend a great deal of time reaching out to learn about our community. My goal has always been to use civil community dialogue to solve our complex problems. We have a host of challenges ahead of us, and I would like an opportunity to help us work through them.

A significant issue is the redevelopment of both the Central Business District and UNH’s West Edge property. In order to build a thriving Downtown, we need to improve commercial space and encourage diverse businesses to thrive. That requires both our support of existing locally-owned businesses as well as cultivating new ones. This will require examination of current zoning and thinking of strategies to solve the puzzle of affordable rental rates. The West Edge represents an exciting education opportunity for UNH. The Town should work to help them overcome the obstacles they face making it a reality.

Though the efforts of some remarkable people, Wagon Hill Farm, The Oyster River Forest, The Sweet Trail, and Doe Farm have been conserved for all of us to enjoy. Our challenge is to maintain them and continue to build our trail system. This requires adequate funding of the Conservation Commissioner position and the Public Works Departments.

Over the next year, the Town will likely decide the future of the Mill Pond Dam. Since this is a landmark in a gateway to the community, it is critical that the Town Council develop an open and inclusive process for determining its fate. In order to make an informed decision, the community needs a clear understanding of the cost of accepting the obligation of maintaining it; a report detailing the process and cost of removal; and an understand of how each option impacts the river’s ecology.

Additional background information not included in responses above, if applicable.  In late 2017, Councilor Sally Tobias, a Paul Business School intern, and I created the CelebrateDurhamNH.com website. Our aim was to develop an inexpensive digital platform to share information and promote our community. Writing blogs about various topics has allowed me to explore and learn about local businesses and nonprofits. Feedback and ideas are always welcome.