Last month Tullytown Borough hired its second Chief of Police in less than two years with the post-ceremonial hiring marred by a councilwoman’s profane commentary about a borough woman.
Council approved the hiring of interim Chief of Police Nate Aldsworth. He was sworn in by retired District Justice Frank W. Peranteau, Sr. at the January 14 council meeting.
Council had to vote and approve the official announcement of Aldsworth’s hiring as it was listed as a late agenda item on borough records.
Nate’s did a great job in the last year, Council President Bryan Servas said, Aldsworth did a “great job” leading the department over the last year and “we want to hire him as as our full time chief. ”
Aldsworth made no comment after he was sworn in with his father by his side as dozens of public safety officials were in attendance at the meeting.
The hiring of a new Chief of Police comes almost a year to the day after former Chief Michael Martin filed a lawsuit against Tullytown seeking damages.
Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey L. Finley issued a split ruling two days after Lower Bucks Source published a story based upon a dual claim lawsuit filed by the now dismissed former Chief of Police Michael Martin.
Finely, in his January 10 ruling, dismissed the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law claim, but allowed Martin’s Attorney – Scott M. Pollins of Pollins Law – 20 days from the date of his order to file an amended complaint. Finley ruled that the public policy wrongful discharge claim would move forward.
Pollins confirmed an amended complaint on the whistleblower count of the suit has been filed with the judge’s office.
In court papers Tullytown officials say Martin’s Whistleblower claims are flawed and have no merit because they are made in the guise of self-interest and as a result no claim should exist.
Days after his official hiring Aldsworth, as a working chief, responded to Dunkin Donuts on Rt 13 and got into an all-out brawl with a suspect who allegedly assaulted a customer for no apparent reason.
Shortly after the swearing-in of the new chief disparaging remarks Councilwoman Mary Ann Gahagan made about resident Kelli Donlen and wanting to force Councilman Matt Pirolli’s to explain his abstained vote on Aldsworth’s hiring were picked up on a live mic and broadcast to borough residents.
Councilwoman Mary Ann Gahagan whispering in the of Council vice president Shellenberger to call two Tullytown one a former council member and the second a 32 + years resident “…bitches” Credit: Tullytown Borough
Gahagan says to Councilman Joe Shellenberger at 7:17 over the hot mic “F**King Nina (Fmr. Councilwoman Nina Chrzanowski) and Kelli were standing there scowling, couldn’t even smile, the bitches, couldn’t even clap.”
After hearing Councilwoman Gahagan’s comments on the video recording Donlen said she reached out to Councilman Shellenberger.
I left him a voicemail days after explaining what had happened and that her statements were false. I have not received a response from Shellenberger, Donlen said.
“I submitted a formal letter of complaint (copy attached) to Borough Coordinator Patricia Marks on Friday 1/17/2025 at approximately 9:45am, with signed copies for herself, Mayor David Cutchineal, Council President Bryan Servis and Chief Of Police Aldsworth. I have not received a response,” Donlen said in a January communication to Lower Bucks Source.
“I was actually crying during the swearing in ceremony, not scowling. I lost a child, my 15 year old nephew Zachary Gonzalez whom I was raising and had custody, 11 years ago due to an impaired driver. Zach’s birthday was January 16th, date of death January 19th. Officer Aldsworth, now Chief Aldsworth, was one of the notifying officers. An officer previously on the force, whom was our investigating officer, was present for the swearing in ceremony. All these facts hit me emotionally very hard, which caused my tears,” the 31-year-plus Tullytown resident said.
“These local government officials are elected to oversee the Borough of Tullytown, not mock and disrespect a (grieving parent) resident. I have requested a formal apology. I believe it should be in the same manner as to the insults, publicly during a televised Council Meeting. As a resident, tax payer, voter and decent human being, I feel these local governments need to be overseen and held accountable for their actions,” Donlen said.
Lower Bucks Source contacted Gahagan requesting a comment for this story. She did not respond to the request perhaps knowing our microphones would be on and recording too.