The letter was brief: “Dear Carolee: This is to inform you that, effective immediately; your employment with the Town of Newtown is hereby terminated.” Mr Borst’s signature concluded the March 31 letter to Ms Mason, which listed the following reasons for ending her employment:

Failure to enforce laws relating to control of rabies as per CT general statute 22-330.

Failure to thoroughly investigate cases of stray, lost, stolen, or injured animals.

Failure to keep accurate records reflecting impoundment and quarantine reports.

Failure to maintain and manage Newtown Animal Control Shelter.

Failure to supervise lower level Kennel Keepers and Assistants.

Failure to prepare monthly and annual reports properly.

Failure to keep records on complaints and activities.

Falsifying Town of Newtown, State of Connecticut records and reports.

Failure to maintain all records.

The first selectman would not talk about the investigation behind the charges. Citing privacy protections for personnel matters, he could not talk about information supporting the nine charges against Ms Mason. “It’s part of a case and investigation and can’t be released,” he said. Again glancing back at a copy of Ms Mason’s termination letter, Mr Borst said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Litigation? “I don’t know,” he said Monday morning. Later that afternoon, however, he received a letter from attorney Henry Murray stating, “I request, on behalf of Ms Mason, a hearing before the Board of Selectmen.” Mr Murray confirmed this week that he is representing Ms Mason. On Tuesday, Mr Borst shuffled through his desk calendar, mentioning he may need additional time to set a hearing date. One member of his board will be away through the end of this month.

Mr Murray wanted background. He wrote: “I request that the town provide me, as soon as possible, with the following”— correspondence pertaining to Ms Mason’s job performance, letters, emails, etc between town officials and employees pertaining to her job performance, decisions to discipline and/or terminate Ms Mason, copies of investigative reports … supporting, in any manner each or any of the reasons listed for Ms Mason’s termination, copies of police investigations in which Ms Mason is the subject, copies of notices to Ms Mason regarding suspension, predisciplinary meeting, her suspension, copies … of any kind, recording any oral complaints made to the town by any individual regarding Ms Mason’s discharge of her duties as animal control officer.

Her attorney’s demands fit well with Ms Mason’s complaints. She said this week, “I had a good relationship with the police, never had a problem. I thought they were happy with me. This was such a shock.” Was she aware of concerns about her performance recently? “No. Everybody thought I was doing a good job,” Ms Mason said. She was at the police station regularly and never sensed a problem, she said. Referring to her animal control work, Ms Mason said, “I try to do the best I can.”

Mr Murray this week stressed that he had not yet heard from the first selectman or town counsel regarding a hearing date. Unconcerned that his letter about Carolee Mason to the first selectman would be released, he said, “She doesn’t have anything to hide.” The eventual hearing will be public, as Ms Mason has requested through her attorney.

A Statement Of Duties

Attached to Ms Mason’s termination letter was a copy of the town’s general statement of duties for the animal control officer, which states: “Enforces laws relating to the control of rabies in domestic animals and wildlife and town regulations. Responds to animal related complaints and investigates cases of stray, lost, stolen, injured, mistreated or vicious animals … Keeps accurate records reflecting impoundment and quarantine reports. Maintains and manages the animals control shelters. Performs routine checkup of dogs requiring licenses.”

Listed under examples of duties are other points mentioned in her charges: “Keeps all records on complaints and activities, prepares monthly and annual reports.”

Noting any confusion regarding Ms Mason’s supervision, the statement of duties clarifies: “[The Animal Control Officer] works under the general supervision of the first selectman and the direct supervision of the chief of police and/or his designee for law enforcement purposes.” Ms Mason was responsible for supervising kennel keepers and assistants.

After learning that Ms Mason had been fired from her job, supporters flooded the library conference room to speak on her behalf during a recent Board of Selectmen’s meeting where several residents alluded that the Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN) might have complained against the former animal control officer. The letter of termination made no mention of CAN, and the organization’s president and vice president last week were upset to learn they were being implicated in Ms Mason’s case.

The animals at the pound are currently doing well. Kennel Assistant Amy Andras said she could use cat litter and still relies on donations for veterinary care and “the same things as always.” The dogs are doing well, and police officers have been helping with calls, she said.