Cheshire Election 2025: Peter Talbot Running For Town Council

CHESHIRE, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in Cheshire with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for seats on the Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission and more.

Cheshire Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Peter Talbot is running for re-election to the Cheshire Town Council as a Democrat.

Campaign Website
https://www.facebook.com/Talbo...

Occupation:

Retired - Government Affairs Manager 37 years with Cox Communications

Family:
I have been married for 35 years to the love of my life, Carol. We have two daughters, Lauren and Lindsay. Lauren is married to my son-in-law Mike and they are the parents of our grandson Jameson.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I was appointed to the Cheshire Chamber Board of Directors and served for nine years, including two as Chair. I was appointed to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission in 2009. In 2010 I was selected by the Democratic Party to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education. I was elected to the Town Council in 2011 and have now served seven terms, including the last two years as Town Council Chair and Mayor.

Why are you seeking this office?
As a lifelong Cheshire resident, I ran to give back to a community that has been so good to my family. I continue to serve because experience matters and I feel I still have a solid vision for Cheshire moving forward.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Taxes. In the budget passed in 2025 the Council started with a $15M deficit. The Council was able to significantly reduce that number, but the fact is, lost revenue from the State and Federal Government as well as the beginning of debt payments for the two new elementary schools that residents passed at referendum in 2022 led to a tax increase. No one was happy about the increase but we weeded out all the "nice to haves" and kept the "must haves". I pledge to continue to look for areas where we can reduce cost as well as calling for an analysis of properties like Chapman and Darcey School that will be vacant once the new Norton School and Barnum School are opened in the Fall of 2026.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Experience. I am the only candidate with 14 years of service on the Council.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Senior and Veteran tax relief, public safety, transportation and open space.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
In 2014 as a minority Council member, I crafted an alternative budget to the one proposed by the majority. The budget I designed cost the same as the one proposed but it included full day kindergarten in Cheshire. I worked with my two Democrat colleagues and reached across the aisle to bring in two Republicans to get that budget passed. It is the only alternative budget ever passed in Cheshire.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
My parents always told me, "be honest, work hard and good things will come".

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am a fiscal conservative and will always do my best to balance taxes and services.