Sally Needell - Town Council

SALLY NEEDELL - Town Council
38 Bagdad Road

Education:  BA in Geology, Middlebury College; MEd, UNH

Occupation:  Retired Middle School Science and Math Teacher

Years as Durham Resident:  34 years

Previous Service on Governmental/Community/Civic Boards: 
Girl Scout Service Unit Manager for Durham, Lee, Madbury, and Nottingham
Durham Swap Shop
IWMAC Committee

Reason for Interest in Running for Elected Office:
Throughout my life, participating positively and with purpose in my community, whether town, school, or summer camp, has been a constant. At a time when our attention is divided in many ways globally and nationally, making a positive difference by participating in the future of our local community is a challenge for which I can focus my energy and interests.

I support the many missions of the Durham Town Council to pursue longer-term economic and environmental sustainability and resilience. To date, I have focused on sustainable waste and recycling management. For many years I have been involved in the operation of the Swap Shop located at the Transfer Station where reusable items are kept out of our waste stream by making them available to our residents. This work led me to join the IWMAC committee as the Town of Durham debates future recycling and the merits of Pay-As-You-Throw. Other focuses of interest include the protection of Durham’s natural environment and the development of our downtown. Our greenspaces, waterfront, and trails are vital parts of our recreation, our scenic vistas, and the wildlife dependent on open lands and clean waterways. Developing a vibrant and stable economic growth for the downtown has been a challenge for a long time. Continued support and encouragement of business growth that can be sustained and will draw residents, university students, and visitors from other communities to our downtown, not just to UNH and its facilities, is imperative. The processes of taking part in brainstorming, considering ideas and compromises, and solving problems are ones I appreciate and enjoy.

My related experiences, professional and community-based, include Marine geologist and chief scientist, Woods Hole, MA (10 yrs); Girl Scout Leader (8 yrs) and Service Unit Manager (1 yr); Middle School science and  math teacher (20 yrs) as well as MS Dean of Students Chair (3 yrs); UNE Adjunct professor for a graduate course in Teaching Elementary School Science (7 yrs); Wilderness Trip Leader (25 yrs); Swap Shop Volunteer (6+ yrs).

Additional Background Information:  N/A