Animal Control Officer Will Fight Her Firing

By Kendra Bobowick

They love her and want her back.

After learning that First Selectman Joe Borst had fired Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason effective April 1, her supporters, including her mother, son, and daughter, flooded the library meeting room Monday evening, taking nearly an hour telling the Board of Selectmen what they think.

Two things were clear: people were not sure why Ms Mason was fired, and they implored Mr Borst reconsider. “I don’t know what happened,” said resident Eugene Rosen, also a Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN) member. In a voice filled with nervousness he said, “If the town loses her, it’s a big loss. A big loss.”

Unfortunately, no one in the room would receive any answers. Before opening public comment regarding Ms Mason, a topic not on the selectmen’s agenda, Mr Borst warned, “This is a personnel matter. We cannot comment.”

Interjecting, resident Karlyn Sturmer stated, “We’d rather you listen to us.”

And they did.

Ms Mason’s mother, Mildred Hawks, was soon on her feet and facing the board. Angry with the town and upset for her daughter, she stated, “I hope the town doesn’t do to other employees what they did to her. She was on vacation and came back to this? I hope that never happens to another person.” Last week Ms Mason told The Bee that she had faced the option of resigning or being fired and had said, “I took fired.” She plans to fight the decision. Prior to her termination an internal investigation produced allegations against her, Ms Mason said this week.

“I will appeal,” she said. Ms Mason is consulting a lawyer Thursday, after this issue of The Bee went to press. Until then she prefers not to talk about specifics of charges against her, saying only, “I will fight. I am going to fight this.”

After hearing about the crowd gathered to speak up for her Monday, Ms Mason said, “I am overwhelmed.” Appreciative of her supporters, Ms Mason admits, “This has been tough for me.”

At the library Monday, residents were emotional.

Standing before the selectmen, Maureen McLachlan said, “Carolee made a big difference in my life.” Often, Ms McLachlan walks the dog she adopted from the pound through her neighborhood. Regarding Ms Mason, she said, “She is one of the kindest people.”

Ms Sturmer, associated with the Animal Center of Newtown, said Ms Mason’s job loss “sounds like railroading.” Wondering aloud about what may have happened, Ms Sturmer asked if officials had asked other nonprofit animal organizations for any input leading to Ms Mason’s job loss. Was she fired because the other organization did not like the way Ms Mason ran the pound? Ms Sturmer asked. Who should define the animal control officer’s job, she wanted to know. “Is the Board of Selectmen letting one nonprofit organization run the show?” she asked.

She indicated, “The other group is concerned with dogs.”

People then spoke about Ms Mason’s effectiveness with animals and people. Several insisted that the selectmen revisit the topic of her removal.

Resident and also a member of the Canine Advocates of Newtown, Mary Gaudet-Wilson spoke. “I’ve been volunteering at the pound nine years and seen a number of animal control officers. Carolee is the best.”

“We can’t afford to lose her,” said Spay and Neuter President Marion Thompson. “I don’t know what she did.” Ms Thomson wondered if training, for instance could be a remedy to things that may have gone wrong for Ms Mason, or possibly shifting responsibilities. “We need her.”

“Under her leadership hundreds of dogs and cats have been helped,” said Animal Center Director Monica Roberto. “It’s hard to believe that the town or the pound is well served by the decision to terminate.”

“She brings out the animal lover in all of us,” Amy Sullivan said. “She is the heartbeat of the pound.”

Ms Mason’s son, Anthony Mason, accompanied by his sister Melissa and several friends, raised a stark reality. “I see her every morning. She loves this job. She is devastated. My mom feels it; we all feel it,” he said. “My mom never gives up on those animals.” With one family member recently diagnosed with cancer, Anthony continued, “She takes care of the animals in the day, then comes and takes care of him at night.” As he had said in a letter to the newspaper last week, the reasons his mother was fired are “sickening.”

“Carolee brings care, compassion, passion, love and enthusiasm for all of it” to her job, said friend and neighbor Donna De Luca. “I don’t know the reasons … I speak with love of Carolee and hope the town revisits this.”

Letters, blogs, and a Facebook website account provide an ongoing forum for residents’ support.

Making An Appeal

Selectman Paul Mangiafico joined the discussion. “I don’t know the facts of the terminations, I only found out a couple days ago,” he said, noting, “There are more comments tonight than a budget hearing.” Turning to the first selectman, Mr Mangiafico asked, “Does she have the right to plead her case with the Board of Selectmen?”

She can. Mr Borst indicated Ms Mason should write a formal letter.

“Is she aware of this?” Mr Mangiafico wanted to know. Mr Borst believed the human resources director must have told her. Making certain that Ms Mason knows her options, Mr Mangiafico asked that the town’s human resources department contact Ms Mason with the information.

Would Ms Mason’s possible meeting with the selectmen be open to the public? “That’s really up to Carolee,” Mr Borst said.

Another Conflict Brewing

Repeatedly, residents raised the possibility that a canine organization in town may have had some influence or involvement in matters regarding Ms Mason’s termination. As a last remark, Ms Mason’s son Anthony put a few names on the record. “I don’t see Virginia Jess here. I don’t see Adria Henderson.” Both women head the Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN), the nonprofit organization that has successfully campaigned for funds to build a new dog pound, and to contribute to veterinary care for the animals at the pound. Volunteers often walk the dogs and spend time with the animals awaiting adoption.

Passing from one curious ear to another are rumors that CAN had something to do with Ms Mason’s termination.

Contacted for comment after Monday’s meeting, Ms Jess said, “That’s unbelievable.” Did she or anyone else with CAN make complaints? “That’s not true,” Ms Jess stressed. She and Ms Mason had been good friends, she said. “I had nothing, absolutely nothing to do with this. I can say adamantly that CAN did not spark an investigation and we were not consulted.” Insisting that her organization works hard to get the animals adopted and get their rabies shots, she said, “Our interest has always been those animals.”

Ms Jess did not comment about Ms Mason’s current situation, her ability as an animal control officer, or speak on her behalf. She did say, “I feel sad for her and for her family. This is difficult for all of them.”

Ms Mason said the police chief had indicated to her that Adria Henderson “had nothing good to say” about Ms Mason.

Angered, Ms Henderson stressed, “I did not make a complaint about [Ms Mason].” She added, “I never spoke to the chief.” Also aware of allegations against Ms Mason, Ms Henderson said, “I can tell you that Virginia Jess, Canine Advocates, and my name are not on the complaints.”

Tuesday afternoon, Mr Borst was firm: “Canine Advocates had absolutely nothing to do with it. This was strictly an internal matter.”

Police, however, did contact Ms Henderson after Ms Mason was suspended. She explained, “I got a call from the police department — out of the blue.” An officer had asked her about a cat she adopted from the pound and asked to see the animal’s rabies certificate. “So, I went to the police station,” Ms Henderson said. The rabies papers indicated the animal had shots months before it arrived at the Newtown pound.