Animal Control Hearing To Continue June 4

By Kendra Bobowick

Telling answers emerged as former animal control officer Carolee Mason — at times wiping her eyes and struggling with composure — and other witnesses faced the Board of Selectmen Thursday, May 28, during the continued employment hearing she sought in the hopes of reclaiming her job. First Selectman Joe Borst fired Ms Mason effective April 1. (See the June 5 print version of The Newtown Bee ).

This second session of the hearing began with 75 minutes of Ms Mason’s answers to the town attorney Fred Dorsey’s cross examination. After four hours, selectman Paul Mangiafico noted, “It’s a good time to stop now.”

Ms Mason’s hearing will continue next Thursday, June 4, at 4 pm. The location is not yet determined.

Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe’s testimony remains regarding evidence and an investigation that prompted Mr Borst, on advice, to terminate Ms Mason. Excluding the first selectman, who has recused himself from the decision process, the Board of Selectmen has 15 days from he time the hearing concludes to affirm, alter, or reverse Mr Borst’s decision to fire Ms Mason. Once the police chief’s testimony and subsequent questions from Ms Mason’s attorney Henry Murray and the selectmen conclude, Mr Mangiafico believes the hearing will adjourn.

“We will not begin deliberations at the conclusion of the hearing,” expressed Mr Mangiafico with 99 percent certainty Friday afternoon.

Mr Mangiafico said he won’t trust memory alone to recall key portions of conversations with witnesses. He wants the transcripts of the entire hearing, including the discussion generated on June 4. He will “absolutely” refer to the exact conversations recorded in the transcripts, he said. The paperwork is hefty. “Hundreds of pages,” said Mr Mangiafico, “hundreds.” He wants to review the case carefully. “There is some critical testimony that took place,” he said, including words form state Animal Control Officer Roy Connor.

He also noted that, “some answers had to be drawn out,” and would require close review.