Cheshire Election 2025: Thomas Bartley 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.

Thomas Bartley is running for election to the Cheshire Town Council as a Republican.

What office are you seeking?
Town Council At large

Occupation:

Retired: 40 Years Travelers Insurance

Family:
Married, 2 daughters, 4 grandsons

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes. Cheshire Zoning Board of Appeals

Why are you seeking this office?
I think Cheshire is a great town and I have some ideas to make it better.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Taxes; We need to more effectively manage taxpayer money. I would set budgeting targets early in the process and work towards an affordable outcome. Right now, it's the other way around. Communication: We need to more effectively engage our citizens in government decision making. I would create a Town Newsletter to fill a significant communication gap.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have extensive experience in business development, budgeting, sales and marketing. I intend to leverage those skill sets to improve how the Town Council conducts its strategic planning, budget management and community outreach.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
There have been a few occasions where the community was not proactively engaged in decisions that would have directly affected their neighborhood. I will make sure that anytime the Town Council is faced with major decisions like this, we will engage the community early and often. No surprises.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have been married for 42 years. Raised two wonderful daughters who were educated through the Cheshire school district, and I can still wrestle all 4 of my grandsons at the same time. I retired as a VP from Travelers Insurance. Since retiring 5 yrs ago I have served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and served as Nominating Chair for the Cheshire Republican Town Committee. The Nominating Chair is responsible for the recruitment of political candidates and the volunteers who serve on Cheshire's numerous Boards and Commissions. The combination of business experience and a working knowledge of how Town Government functions will serve as a solid foundation for effective service as a Town Councilor.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
"God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason."

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I think Cheshire is a great town. I am looking forward to serving as a Town Councilor.