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Politics & Government

Animal Control Officer Hiring Procedures Fall Under Scrutiny

Mayor Apologizes, Defends His Decisions

The issue of the hiring procedure for the new Animal Control Officer was brought up by Public Safety Commission member Steve Loiler Monday, during the group's regular meeting.

Loiler said that commission members learned that the position had been filled by a press report. They were not asked to participate in the hiring process, he said.

Speaking to Mayor Joseph W. Jaskiewicz, Loiler asked, "How come we as a commission didn't do any interviews, as per the charter?"

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In response, Jaskiewicz apologized to the commission and also defended his action.

"That was my mistake," he said.  "I'm going to admit that right up front.

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"As far as the notification of a person resigning, I think that person should have had the respect to notify you guys also. That she was resigning. Not just my office. So that part I'm not going to take the full blame on it," he said.

"I did not want to get caught where I did not have anybody and put the burden on the police," Jaskiewicz said.

Commissioner Russ Wehner responded to the mayor's explanation, saying that if the mayor was able to put together an interview committee, "We probably could have put ourselves together. Plain and simple. Right wrong or indifferent. It's a charter violation."

Jane Greenwood, the town's long-time animal control officer, resigned in late October. Chris Martel, the new ACO, started in November. 

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