
Our 2023 Durham Candidates!
Click name/photo
for more info.




Board of Selectmen
​
Christopher Balay - First Selectman
-
Chris and Suzy Balay have been residents of Durham for 21 years. They have sent 2 daughters through RSD13
-
Holds a BA from Southern Connecticut State University
-
Has been the Director of I.T. for PEZ Candy Inc. in Orange CT for 23 years.
-
Has served as a member of the Planning and Zoning Board for four years and Inland Wetlands for two
-
Is a founding member and former treasurer of Paperhouse Productions a local children’s theatre company
-
Is currently the treasurer of the Durham Fair Foundation and assistant treasurer of the Durham Fair Association as well as Superintendent of Maps & Schedule and member of the Art Department
-
A strong advocate for agriculture in the Town of Durham. Currently has alpacas and chickens
-
Retired as the Public Education Officer at Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Commission where he served since 2001
-
Worked at the Middletown Press from 1976-1982 and again from 1988-1994 as a reporter
-
Has lived in Durham with his wife, Nancy, and three daughters since May of 1989. All three daughters graduated from CRHS
-
Served on the Board of Selectmen from 2017-2019
-
Member of RSD 13 Board of Education from 2002-2012 and the board chairman from 2007-2012
-
Currently a member of the Compensation Review and Personnel Policy Board
Board of Education
-
Has served on the RSD13 Board of Education for 6 years including chairman for 5 years
-
Greater than 40 years of management experience in public and private sector in the field of
environmental engineering as well as agency management -
Has worked with RSD13 administration and community to maintain a school budget that maintains
high quality education with a net decrease in school budget over the past 4 years -
Long time resident of Durham with 3 children and 10 grandchildren that have attended RSD13
schools: 6 Grandchildren are currently attending schools in district -
Has maintained outstanding advocacy for RSD13 staff & students throughout a series of challenges to education
-
Relocated to Durham from Middletown in 2017 for the exceptional reputation of the RSD13 schools
-
Currently serving on the Board of Education – elected to fill vacancy through town meeting election in May 2022
-
As a parent with 3 children in district has a vested interest in ensuring the best possible education for every student in our community
-
Committed to serving our community with selflessness and a focus on the greater good, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of students, families, and educators, an unwavering advocate for special education
-
Co-founder of the RSD13 Special Education PTO aimed at empowering and supporting families and students with special needs within our district
-
Attended RSD13 from Lyman to graduation at Coginchaug in 2016
-
Involved in the National Honor Society and music department
-
Worked as an orientation leader at Keene State College
-
Co-led the Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team and was a member of the EDI committee
-
As a recent student will provide a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the district, including student wellbeing and school consolidation
​
Town Hall
​
-
Your Tax Collector since 2004 - State Certified Municipal Collector since 2008
-
Member of Charter Revision Commission
-
Helped create two successful Tax Relief programs for Durham seniors
-
Brought innovative methods to the tax office to increase collections
-
Consistently high collection rates that help to keep your tax burden lower
-
Grew up here and with his wife has lived in Durham over 30 years, raising two children
​
-
2 years of experience in the Durham Town Clerk’s Office as Assistant to Town Clerk Kim Garvis
-
Led technological updates in Town Hall including website upgrades and software improvements using grant funds to save taxpayers money, improve services for residents, and reduce excess time spent on daily tasks
-
Currently working towards Connecticut Town Clerk Certification, a three-year process involving classes and an exam on all responsibilities of Town Clerk
-
Recently attended New England Municipal Clerks Institute, a weeklong intensive professional development event to improve leadership and management skills and to network with other New England Clerks
-
Has a strong commitment to improving service for residents especially seniors and those with disabilities.
-
Grew up in Durham & worked for the Durham Public Library from 2020-2021 & Town Hall from 2020 onwards
Boards and Commissions
​
Eileen Buckheit - Board of Finance
-
Currently serving on the Board of Finance, filling an open position beginning in August of 2022
-
Served on the RSD 13 Board of Education for one term 2012-2015
-
Board of Directors for Connecticut Valley Education Fund 2015-2018
-
Durham Women's Club - 2002-2019. President for 4 years
-
Currently on the Infrastructure Committee
-
Worked in various CT municipalities focusing on economic development for 24 years
Mike Fusco - Planning and Zoning
-
A Durham resident since 2006 with his wife, Lori & sons Ryan, a senior at CRHS, & Tyler, a sophomore at UConn
-
Grew up in Northford, CT, and graduated from North Branford High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Boston College before attending Quinnipiac University School of Law
-
A 25 year practicing attorney, having clerked at the Connecticut Appellate Court, litigated at a large Hartford law firm, and now works for Travelers Insurance
-
A longtime volunteer with many of the local sports organizations and other non-profit groups
-
Hopes to join Planning and Zoning to assist with many of the issues facing our community
Trish Dynia - Planning and Zoning
-
Moved to Durham in 1994, raising a family of three with husband Bob
-
Grew up in Middletown, Connecticut, attended local schools, and obtained her BA from Charter Oak State College
-
Became involved with town affairs as the recording secretary for many town agencies and boards; including Inland Wetlands, ZBA, DMIAAB among others
-
Was a reporter for the Town Times, primarily composing local history articles and covering town and commission meetings in Durham and Middlefield
Thomas Peters - Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
-
A 20-year-old college student at Quinnipiac University and 2021 CRHS graduate Durham resident for 19 years
-
Involvement within the town for many years, including volunteering on a couple of committees
-
In high school, he interned at the Town Hall, gaining valuable insights into the operations of town government
-
At Quinnipiac University, Thomas is actively involved in student leadership, serving as a vice president for the student government
-
Driven by a genuine desire to serve his community, Thomas is excited by this opportunity to make well-informed decisions that benefit both town and residents
Matt Taber - Board of Assessment Appeals
​• Member of Board of Assessment Appeals since 2017
• Resident of Durham for 25 years
• Science teacher at CRHS for 14 years
• Believer in bipartisan efforts to make the town of Durham a fair and equitable hometown for all residents
​
​
​
​
Mark Jungels - Zoning Board of Appeals
-
A General Contractor who has lived and worked in Durham for the past 21 years
-
Raised three children here
-
Has served as an alternate and regular member of the ZBA for the past 14 years
