After 24 years on the bench serving as District Judge, Frank W. Peranteau, Sr. submitted his retirement papers on the last day of 2024 as mandated by Pennsylvania’s retirement age for judges.
Peranteau retired effective December 31, 2024, according to Stephen D. Watson, Esquire District Court Administrator, Seventh Judicial District Thursday. He hit mandatory retirement age in 2024.
He was elected District Justice in 2001 to serve Bristol Borough and Bristol Township.
Beginning next Tuesday, retired District Judge Daniel Finello will cover the Bristol Borough District Court for his long time friend, Peranteau. For the rest of this week, judges from surrounding areas will cover the court’s schedule.
File Image: Bristol Borough District Court
Credit: Jeff Bohen, Lower Bucks Source
As demonstrated by Senior Judge Finello’s assignment, a senior district judge will preside over the court pending election of a successor, Watson said, explaining coverage plans for this year.
Peranteau was an “instrumental voice” in keeping the district courthouse open. There was a draft plan proposal to shut down the Bath Street location in 2022 which was shelved shortly after it came to light.
Prior to serving as a district judge, Peranteau had a distinguished 28-year career in law enforcement serving both the Bensalem Township and Bristol Borough communities. He retired in 2001 as Chief of Police for the Bristol Borough Police Department.
During his tenure as a magisterial district judge he has served in numerous judicial associations. Judge Peranteau is a past president of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania, which is the state association that represents the Minor Judiciary of Pennsylvania. He is well known in his community for serving on many local boards and committees for the betterment of his constituents. He has emceed the Bristol Borough Christmas parade. During the winter months, he can be found at Bristol Borough High School sitting at the scorer’s table scoring Warriors’ games.
Sources last year said Peranteau plans to run for mayor in the next municipal election challenging current Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III. Before the current Chief of Police Joe Moors was hired to lead the department, the now-retired judge expressed interest in becoming chief again which behind the scenes ruffled borough officials’ feathers.
With Peranteau’s retirement looming last year, potential candidates positioned themselves. One name consistently discussed in hushed tones among officials and those in the know is current Bristol Borough School Board President Dave Chichilitti. Much like the DiGuiseppe name the Chichilitti name is deeply ingrained in Bristol Borough history and culture.
Chichilitti confirmed Thursday night he would run for the district judge’s seat.
“I am officially announcing tonight, I am running for district judge,” he said. Adding, for now that is all he is going to say.
The 2025 municipal election cycle in Bristol Borough is shaping up to be quite interesting.
Efforts to reach Judges Peranteau and Finello were unsuccessful Thursday.