Town Councilor (2-Year Term) - Sally Tobias

Address:  107 Madbury Road

Occupation:  Retired

Education:  Bachelor of Science Business Administration Plymouth State University

How long have you lived in Durham?  11 years

Have you previously served on any government/community, civil boards, commissions or organizations? 

Durham Town Council- 6 year
Conservation Commission- 2 years
Agricultural Commission- one year
Economic Development Committee-4 years
Planning Board-7+ years ( currently serving as Vice Chair)
Land Stewardship Committee-7 years
Historic District/Heritage Commission-2 years
Original team founder of Celebrate Durham (a community centered promotional group)
4Rivers Immigrant Sponsorship Team Durham 2 years

Please provide a brief paragraph explaining your interest in being elected to the position for which you are running.

I moved to Durham in 2014 and quickly became involved in town government because I believe that the best communities are shaped by residents who show up, listen, and do the work. Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to serve Durham in a wide range of roles, giving me a deep understanding of how our town functions—and where it must do better to meet today’s challenges.

Since arriving in Durham, I have served on numerous boards, committees, and commissions. I have worked with the Conservation Commission, both as an alternate member and as a Town Council representative, which gave me valuable knowledge of our lands and the responsibility in their preservation. I also had the opportunity to serve on the Land Stewardship Sub Committee, which gave me a clear understanding of the challenges involved in the care and maintenance of our lands. In addition to this I have served as the Town Council representative of the Agricultural Commission and as a regular member to the Economic Development Committee, where I focused on strengthening Durham’s economic base while preserving the character that makes our town unique.

Housing has been a central focus of my public service. In 2020, I was part of the team that created Durham’s Housing Task Force in response to growing concerns about affordability and availability. I served both as a member and later as Chair, working collaboratively to study housing needs, engage the community, and recommending practical, locally grounded solutions. The culmination of this led to the presentation of 6 initiatives involving zoning and incentives. To date 4 of those have been approved by the council, one presently being considered by council and the final one is being vetted by the planning board.  Our town needs housing options that work for graduate students, young professionals, families, and older residents who may wish to downsize while staying in the community they love.

I served two terms with the Durham Town Council from 2017 to 2023, gaining firsthand experience with the budgetary and policy decisions that directly affect residents’ tax bills and quality of life. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Planning Board, where I work on zoning, development review, and long-range planning, and I also serve as the Planning Board’s representative to the Historic District and Heritage Commission. These roles have given me a clear understanding of how thoughtful planning can support growth while respecting Durham’s history and sense of place.

Durham is at a pivotal moment. Residents are rightly concerned about rising property taxes and a downtown commercial core that has not kept pace with neighboring communities. We have a number of aging buildings in need of redevelopment, and too little high-quality commercial space to attract the kinds of businesses that serve residents, strengthen our tax base, and draw people from outside the community. Smart, well-designed redevelopment—paired with new rental housing—can help bring more multigenerational residents to town, support local businesses, and ease the tax burden on homeowners.

I am running for Town Council because I believe Durham can grow in a way that is fiscally responsible, community-centered, and forward-looking. My approach is collaborative, practical, and grounded in years of hands-on experience. I bring institutional knowledge, a deep understanding of land use and housing policy, and a commitment to building a stronger downtown and a more sustainable future for Durham.

I would be honored to continue serving our community and to earn your support.