Tentative Date Set For Former Animal Control Officer’s Job Hearing

By Kendra Bobowick

May 20 at 3 pm could be the date and time that former animal control officer Carolee Mason argues to regain her job after postponing an initial May 4 hearing for that purpose.

Depending on the outcome of a hearing with Ms Mason, her attorney, the three Board of Selectmen members, and town counsel, the selectmen have 15 days from that date to affirm, modify, and/or reverse First Selectman Joe Borst’s decision to end her employment.

Ms Mason has been out of a job since April 1 after receiving a termination letter following administrative leave. Mr Borst has kept to himself the reasons leading to the handful of allegations against her — a list including failure to enforce laws relating to control of rabies, and falsifying town and state records and reports — citing personnel matters. Ms Mason’s lawyer has pressed the first selectman’s office for materials, emails, letters, transcripts, conversations, correspondence, and more, regarding Ms Mason’s job performance, decisions to discipline or terminate, copies of written complaints and oral complaints, among other information.

During an early April selectmen’s meeting Ms Mason’s son and daughter, friends, and supporters from the community had filled the library meeting room to speak on her behalf. Would another crowd arrive on May 20 hoping to listen to the hearing?

This week, Mr Borst was aware that residents, family, and friends might again turn out for the hearing that would occupy the meeting room below the Newtown Police Department. “If her supporters come…” he pondered, then jumped to the possibility of relocating the hearing to another available spot, or restricting the number of occupants at Town Hall South.

He anticipates that the fire marshal and possibly a police officer would be available if the selectmen needed to clear the room. “It’s not something I want to do, but we need calm and order.” Comparing the coming afternoon hearing to a court proceeding, he said that the public can witness the process, but cannot comment. “They can’t say anything, just witness the event, “Mr Borst explained. “There will be no input from the public; it’s up to the lawyers.”

Is it possible that Ms Mason will recover her job? Mr Borst couldn’t comment. He said, “I won’t venture thoughts at this time.”

Mr Borst was waiting for one selectman to confirm the hearing date before setting May 20 at 3 pm for certain.