Waltham resident calls out councilor Bill Hanley in email to mayor 

An email to Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy started a scuttlebutt about Councilor Bill Haley’s behavior at a recent high school hockey game.

Mike Peterson, Waltham middle school teacher and former WHS baseball coach, sent an email to the mayor, all members of the City Council and Waltham Public Schools on Jan. 19.

In it, he said Hanley was escorted out of the Jan. 17 Tewksbury vs. Waltham hockey game by police because his conduct did not comply with spectator guidelines.

Although Peterson stated he was not at the game – and was not aware of the circumstances that led to the removal – he was told of Hanley’s behavior by people who were there. “The removal of a sitting city councilor by law enforcement from a high school athletic event is concerning and reflects poorly on the city of Waltham,” he stated in his email. 

Peterson also cited comments made at a Sept. 16, 2024 city council meeting where Hanley talked about accountability and behavioral standards for teachers and athletic coaches who work with students. “The reported events [at the game]…appear inconsistent with the expectations [Hanley] articulated,” he wrote.

Peterson ended his email by suggesting Hanley apologize at the next city council meeting to “demonstrate responsibility and help restore trust with members of the Waltham community who were disappointed by what occurred.”

Hanley posted a response on social media and said he was surprised the incident had garnered so much attention “based on hearsay.”

According to Hanley, he and some Waltham fans were standing in an area with other spectators to watch the game since seats were not available. 

“This was a game between two undefeated hockey teams, and the rink was completely packed,” he stated. The rink manager approached and told him and the Waltham fans to move from the area, while other spectators were allowed to stay. 

“A brief and spirited discussion followed, as others were permitted to remain while those of us wearing Waltham gear were not,” according to Hanley. The group then moved to the opposite side of the rink but was asked to leave after the first period.

He ended his statement with: “Regardless of whether I agree with the rink manager’s decision, we were standing in an area where we were not permitted and should have moved without objection. This will not happen again.”

Hanley’s full response – and the email itself – is posted on his Facebook account, along with responses from several readers questioning Peterson’s motivation and fairness.