Fire Chief Circulated Petition for Town Clerk, Considered Election Law Violation

Fire Chief Roger Hatfield has admitted to assisting Town Clerk Robert Cutler’s effort to gain tenure by circulating a petition among firefighters and other personnel at the public safety building while on duty.

Hatfield told the Sun Chronicle that the allegations were true and he should not have done that.

The act of gathering signatures while on duty as a town official is illegal and a violation of state election law.

Town Manager Bill Keegan said Hatfield was remorseful and apologetic, promising not to do it again.

Recently, Cutler revealed plans to seek tenure during this May’s town election. He was required to gather at least 589 signatures prior to March 4. If voters choose to give the town clerk tenure, he will not have to run for reelection until the age of 70.