NEW GLOUCESTER — A local resident denies he ever threatened town officials in an interview with CBS 13.

Town officials said Frank Staton Jr. recently made threats of violence via email and phone calls.

The issue was addressed last week by Board of Selectmen Chairman Steven Libby near the end of the board’s meeting. According to Libby, he received a menacing email, and Town Manager Paul First was threatened in a phone call from the same man.

“We both received criminal threats,” Libby said May 19. “The language in the email is very, very vulgar. This should not go unchecked.”

But Staton told CBS 13 that the kill list doesn’t exist. “I have never threatened anyone,” he said in the interview. “That’s not who I am. I’m not a bad guy. I’m not out to hurt anyone.”

 The threats had been reported to the Sheriff’s Department and an investigation was underway. Investigators describe the matter as an old situation that has recently flared again. No charges had been filed.