Hearing Set For Former Animal Control Officer

By Kendra Bobowick

Will Carolee Mason reclaim her position as Newtown’s animal control officer?

Looking ahead to a hearing May 4, Human Resources Administrator Carole Ross warned, “We’re not going to know right then.” Selectman have more than two weeks’ time to deliberate following the hearing, which is set for 10 am next Monday at Town Hall South. The Board of Selectmen members have 15 days to affirm, modify, or reverse the first selectman’s decision to fire Ms Mason, who was terminated as of April 1. The hearing is open to the public, but is not intended for public comment. Like a civil court, Ms Mason and the town will be represented by legal counsel. “They present their cases,” Ms Ross explained.

After Ms Mason’s full-time employment as Newtown’s Animal Control Officer ended April 1, residents who favored her good work with the animals, pet adoptions, and assistance in individual cases prompted a flood of letters to the editor, blogs, and a roomful of residents speaking in her favor at April’s Board of Selectman’s meeting.

The nine charges against her include failure to enforce laws relating to control of rabies; failure to thoroughly investigate cases of stray, lost, stolen, or injured animals; failure to keep accurate records reflecting impound and quarantine reports; failure to manage the Newtown Animal Control Shelter or to supervise lower level kennel keepers; failure to prepare reports properly; falsifying records and reports; failure to maintain all records.

Her attorney, Henry Murray, made requests to receive copies of any and all letters, communications, etc, between town employees discussing, in any manner, any aspect of Ms Mason’s job performance, including: communication between town employees and town officials discussing, in any manner, Ms Mason’s job performance; any form of discussion regarding possible decisions to discipline or terminate Ms Mason; reports or investigations, etc, that support each or any reason listed for her termination; internal police investigations; human resources investigations; communications received by the town, including letters or emails from the general public and residents regarding the decision to terminate; any and all complaints made to the town by individuals regarding Ms Mason’s discharge as animal control officer.

First Selectman Joe Borst stressed again this week that he expects order during the hearing. “No body language or booing or hissing. No clapping, nothing,” he said. “If people are out of line, I have to clear the room.”

Earlier interviews with the first selectman found little detail about the reasons behind allegations leading to Ms Mason’s termination. “It’s a personnel matter,” Mr Borst had repeated, stating that he would not speak about something that is now a legal matter.