East Hampton Democratic Town Committee 2025 Election: Meet Your Candidates!

With a background in business and finance, and a passion for fiscal responsibility, US Coast

Guard Veteran David Caterisano is committed to ensuring our town’s resources are managed

wisely. As a parent and homeowner he understands the importance of balancing essential

services with keeping taxes fair. On the Board of Finance, David will prioritize transparency,

accountability, and long-term financial planning. He will work hard to make sure every dollar

spent benefits the community we all share.

With a background in finance and a passion for fiscal responsibility, Daniel Finn is committed to ensuring our town’s resources are managed wisely. As a local business owner, financial adviser and father of six children, he understands the importance of balancing essential services with keeping taxes fair – especially for those with limited means and income. On the Board of Finance, Dan will prioritize transparency, accountability, and long-term financial planning.

Nancy Kohler has been a resident of East Hampton for over 20 years and is a proud parent of two children who have benefited from the local school system. With a Master’s degree in early childhood special education and several years of experience as a classroom teacher, she brings both professional insight and personal commitment to her work. As we approach the 2025 Election, Nancy is also focused on engaging with other East Hampton candidates to discuss the future of education in our community. For the past 14 years, she has been actively involved in the public schools as a parent volunteer and PTO member. She has served on the Board of Education for over five years, advocating for policies that support students, educators, and families. A strong believer in the value of public education, Nancy is eager to continue building on the district’s strengths and help ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed. 

Corinne Clark Barney, a lifelong educator and East Hampton resident, is a Democratic candidate for the Board of Education in the upcoming 2025 Election. With a Master of Arts and Sciences, she has over 20 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader, dedicating her career to enhancing student achievement and strengthening school communities. Currently, she serves as Acting Principal of Dwight Bellizzi Dual Language Academy and Chief of Schools and Innovation in Hartford, where she has successfully led initiatives that raised test scores, reduced absenteeism and suspensions, and improved staff retention. As a former Teacher of the Year, Barney brings a proven record of collaborative, data-driven leadership and a deep commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. As East Hampton candidates prepare for the election, her extensive experience and dedication will be invaluable to the Town Council and the community.

Sarah has lived in East Hampton for the last twelve years. A graduate of Morgan High School in Clinton, CT, she earned a degree in Finance from Central Connecticut State University. For the past 20 years, Sarah has worked at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, where she has held various roles. As a mother of an active 9-year-old who attends school in East Hampton, Sarah is committed to supporting our schools for all kids that attend them, both now and in the future, especially as we approach the 2025 Election and consider the East Hampton candidates for the Town Council.

Carol Williams moved to East Hampton with her husband Joe in 1991. Her son and daughter both attended East Hampton schools, graduated from UCONN, and have begun their professional lives. With two master’s degrees in Education, Carol has dedicated over 25 years as an elementary school teacher in South Windsor. In addition to her teaching career, she has been actively involved in local governance, serving on the East Hampton Board of Assessment Appeals for 6 years and previously on the Board of Education. As the 2025 Election approaches, she continues to contribute to her community as a past president of the East Hampton Rotary Club and as a former Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 7980 for 5 years. Currently, she serves as the Inbound Chair for the district, which serves the southern half of Connecticut, and is keenly interested in the development and support of local East Hampton candidates for the Town Council.

Paul has been married to his wife Julie for 18 years, and together they are raising three children. A dedicated tradesman, he has worked as a pipefitter with UA Local 777 for 22 years, serving in a variety of leadership roles within the union for the past eight years. His commitment to public service includes time as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Griswold and Canterbury, and as a member of the East Hampton Clean Energy Task Force. He has coached his children in multiple youth sports, and currently serves on the East Hampton Board of Assessment Appeals. In addition, he represents workers statewide as a member of the Connecticut AFL-CIO Health and Safety Committee.

John Tuttle is a current member of the ZBA having served for the last six years. Previously he

has served the community as an elected member of the Town Council and Board of Education.

He is a long standing member of the East Hampton Rotary and is the current President of the

Old Home Days Committee.

John is seeking reelection to the ZBA where he can continue to serve the residents of East

Hampton applying State Statutes and local zoning ordinances in the clearest and most equitable

way for all parties.

Mattie Walton has served the community of East Hampton since the 1970s, when he helped with his children’s Little League teams.  Over the next five decades, Mattie devoted his time to eight boards and organizations, including the Fire Department, where he volunteered for 18 years and ended his tenure as Assistant Chief. After hanging up his fire gear, Mattie served on the Board of Fire Commission (5 years), including as Vice Chairman. Mattie is currently running to be on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The decisions of the ZBA are based on the hardship presented by the land owner and the hardship must arise from the condition of the function of the land and not by the landowner. 

Mattie has been a Rotarian for the past 18 years (a past President) and has held the position of President within the Old Home Day Committee (member for 18 years). Most recently, he has served on the following boards: Middle Haddam Library (5 years, former President), Planning & Zoning Board (4 years, alternate), and Zoning Board of Appeals (4 years, former Chairman). Mattie Walton is a lifelong resident of East Hampton. He worked as a Quality Engineer at Pratt & Whitney (42 years), where he was among the first to be trained in the company’s use of Japanese Kaizen strategy. Kaizen translates to "change for the better" or "continuous improvement," and his embrace of this methodology plays a key role in his townwide volunteer efforts.

All this experience aids in the decision-making process of serving on the ZBA board.

Robert is running for the East Hampton Zoning Board of Appeals, on which he has served as an elected member since 2009. He has been a resident of East Hampton for more than 40 years, raising two boys who are products of the East Hampton School System. He retired several years ago and now enjoys his daily walk and being a Pop-Pop to his four grandsons. Bob is running for the ZBA in order to take a more active role in the town that he loves and calls home.

My name is Bob Hein and I am asking for your vote for the position of Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals. I am a 30 year resident of East Hampton and hold a BA in Political Science from UConn. In 2012 I retired from a more than 40 year career in manufacturing and started a new career as a substitute teacher in the local school system, a career that continues this next school year. I also served a two year term on the local Board of Finance. My intent is to fulfill the responsibilities and requirements of Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals as required by town and state laws and regulations to the best of my ability. I look forward to serving the town and its residents.