Questions Remain Regarding Animal Control Officer’s Job

By Kendra Bobowick

Reinstated to her position by the Board of Selectmen after a personnel hearing that concluded in June, Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason received an offer of a lesser position to work as the assistant kennel keeper this week following an evaluation with Chief of Police Michael Kehoe and First Selectman Joe Borst, her son confirmed.

“For what reason?” Selectman Paul Mangiafico wanted to know. “That’s not in keeping with our decision,” he said Wednesday.

As of April 1 Mr Borst, after consulting with the chief and Human Resources Director Carole Ross, had fired Ms Mason — an action she fought. Following more than 11 hours of a personnel hearing, Selectmen Paul Mangiafico and Herb Rosenthal had issued the directive to reinstate her with stipulations, one being training “from her supervisors,” their decision stated. The motion adds, she “must demonstrate clear, significant, sustained improvement in her performance of all duties and responsibilities of the position of Municipal Animal Control Officer.”

Both Mr Mangiafico and Mr Rosenthal were surprised to learn last week that Ms Mason was not yet back at the pound since resuming work June 22, but receiving training at the police department. Both were unaware this week that she had received the offer of a position other than animal control officer.

The news prompted questions. Could Ms Mason or police supervisors not complete her training?

“That’s why I ask, for what reason,” Mr Mangiafico said again. At the time he had not spoken with the chief, Mr Borst, Ms Mason, or Ms Ross. Mr Borst was out of the office this week, Ms Ross could not be reached by phone, but Chief Kehoe did offer some answers. He had said last week, following inquiries about her progress in training, that a meeting would follow this week. The meeting earlier this week, however, was an “evaluation for the previous year,” he said. Discussions regarding her training were a secondary topic.

Had he and the first selectman offered her the assistant kennel keeper’s position? The chief preferred to withhold comment saying, “The conversation was behind closed doors.” He could not confirm the information. The news could possibly be rumor, he said. Overall Chief Kehoe added, “I would rather not comment.”

He did explain that the meeting looked at her past year. The reviews are something the first selectman conducts with “everybody,” he said. Last week neither the first selectman nor the chief offered specifics or a timeline regarding Ms Mason’s training. Chief Kehoe said this week that he has not yet established a timeline. He explained again that unlike field officers that carry out specific training, “I have no format to follow” regarding the animal control officer’s training.

Concurrently on the payroll full time is Assistant Animal Control Officer Matt Schaub. He also is trained by the department, the chief confirmed. His training and Ms Mason’s differ, the chief explained. “He is operating under different procedures as assistant animal control officer than [Ms Mason] would.”

Selectmen Rosenthal and Mangiafico anticipate next Monday’s Board of Selectman’s meeting on August 24, where Mr Mangiafico has “a feeling [the subject] will come up.”

The selectmen’s decision following the personnel hearing did specify that “if there are any further incidents of deficient job performance … she shall be subject to such discipline as the first selectman may deem to be appropriate, up to and including termination.”