Chatfield tops GOP ticket

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State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) nominates Mayor Robert Chatfield, seated second from the end, to run for a 19th term Tuesday night in Town Hall. Chatfield received the Prospect Republican Town Committee’s endorsement and tops a full ticket of candidates. –LUKE MARSHALL
State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) nominates Mayor Robert Chatfield, seated second from the end, to run for a 19th term Tuesday night in Town Hall. Chatfield received the Prospect Republican Town Committee’s endorsement and tops a full ticket of candidates. –LUKE MARSHALL

PROSPECT — The Republican Town Committee endorsed a full slate of candidates for the November election Tuesday, with a familiar name atop the ticket.

Mayor Robert Chatfield received the party’s endorsement to run for a 19th term.

“He obviously has a very good track record with Prospect,” said state Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89), who nominated Chatfield. “I’ve known him since I’ve been here for over 20 years. I’ve worked with the Mayor not only in a political aspect but also through the Special Olympics and other outside things. I think we all know how much he has done for Prospect. It’s an honor to have him here back on the slate again,” Zupkus said.

Chatfield thanked the committee for its support.

“I’m going to be running on our record and everything we’ve accomplished. I like to think that people who’ve moved into Prospect over the last 35, 25, 15 years have moved into town because of something we have done. We run a very well-oiled machine. I run the town as if every nickel was my money,” Chatfield said.

Chatfield promised he will work hard to win the election.

“Every year you run is a little harder, so we’re going to be out there. We do a lot of walking,” Chatfield said.

Chatfield nominated the remaining of the candidates, who filled out the GOP ticket.

Thomas Galvin, current chairman of the Town Council, led the nominations for council.

Stanley Pilat, Douglas Merriman and Jeffrey Slapikas were the three other incumbent council members endorsed. Newcomer Alexander Delelle was also endorsed for a seat on council.  

Incumbent Robert Doyon told party leaders earlier this year that he would not seek a nomination for reelection.

Incumbents Robert Hiscox and Nazih Noujaim were endorsed for four-year terms on the Region 16 Board of Education, which oversees schools in Prospect and Beacon Falls. Newcomer Roxann Vaillancourt was endorsed for a two-year term on the school board.

“We welcome her to our ticket,” Chatfield said of Vaillancourt. “We just want the people to know that we are open because Roxann … is not a registered Republican. She’s an unaffiliated voter and I’m honored to have her on the ticket.”

Newcomer Jason Kolodziej was endorsed for the Zoning Board of Appeals. Kolodziej is also Prospect’s fire chief.

Incumbents Marie Kluge and Stephanie Lusas were endorsed for the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Incumbent Alan Havican and newcomer David Santoro were endorsed for the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Incumbent David Young was endorsed for the position of town treasurer.

“I remember when I made my first nomination here, Jan. 27, 1977. The first person to come to me was David Young asking if he could run for treasurer. I’m very glad he’s back on the ticket with me,” Chatfield said.

Incumbent Diane Lauber was endorsed for tax collector and incumbent M. Carrie Anderson was endorsed for town clerk.

Galvin said the party’s ticket has a good mix of experience and new faces.

“We have a slate now we are proud to be on and represent our party,” Galvin said.