Selectmen

First Selectman Robert E. Burke

A Connecticut native born April 23, 1947, Bob Burke has lived in Bethel nearly his entire life. He grew up in town, went through the public school system, and graduated in Bethel High School’s class of 1965.

Bob Burke served in the United States Army National Guard for six years where he achieved the rank of Sergeant in Connecticut’s 102nd Infantry Division. Bob worked as a driver and then manager for the United Parcel Service until beginning his own business as a building contractor in 1985. His son, Scott, still continues to run Burke & Son.

With his long interest in serving the community, Bob served three years on the Planning & Zoning Commission, and more recently, on several Bethel building committees. His service includes the Permanent Building Committee, and the committees for Frank A. Berry and Bethel High schools. Stressing his lifelong passion for Bethel, Bob ran for and won election as First Selectman in 2005.

Bob Burke prides himself on being a friendly, outgoing leader with a lot of common sense. His office door is always open and he encourages constituents to call, write, or stop in with their concerns. He looks forward to a cooperative relationship between the Boards of Selectmen, Education, and Finance. Bob believes in constituent service and treating citizens as valued customers.

First Selectman Burke and his wife of over thirty years, Catherine, live in the Greenwood Avenue home where Bob grew up. The Burkes have six adult children, one grandson, a yellow Labrador and a Siamese cat.

Selectman Paul Szatkowski

Selectman Paul Szatkowski and his wife Diana are 29-year residents of Bethel. They are the parents of three children namely: Paul, Susan and Michelle. All three children were graduates of the Bethel Schools and have graduated from various universities with advanced degrees. Both Paul and Diana are active members of St. Mary's Parish.

Paul has an undergraduate science degree from Ferris State University. He is a retired executive from the biomedical industry in which he has extensive management experience in the areas of global business development, product development, strategic market planning and sales. Within the scientific community, Paul has been acknowledged as a "Fellow" by the American Institute of Chemists for outstanding contributions in chemistry. He has several scientific publications found within the biomedical community.

Paul Szatkowski has served the town publicly on many committees and commissions. He was a member of the Permanent Building Committee, Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Bethel Middle School Building Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Berry School Building Committee, former Vice-Chairman of Ad-Hoc Bethel High School Building Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Public Site and Building Committee, and member of the recent Charter Revision Commission. Paul is a member of the Bethel Republican Town Committee and currently serves as Vice Chairman.

Selectman Kevin L. Cleary