Animal control officer placed on paid leave

Selectmen announced Tuesday night that Paul Bastable, the town’s animal control officer, has been placed on 30-day administrative leave with pay, pending an internal investigation into an alleged drug incident that occurred in the parking lot of Page’s Convenience Store in Stoughton on Monday, August 8.

Stoughton police stopped Bastable in the town ACO vehicle and allegedly found cocaine in the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation by Stoughton police.

Selectmen Chairman John Connolly said Town Administrator Bill Friel will conduct his own investigation to determine if any town policies were violated. Following Friel’s investigation, selectmen will hold a disciplinary hearing, although Connolly said it will be up to Bastable whether it will be held in open or closed session.

Connolly said there were no injuries sustained in the incident and no damage was done to the town vehicle. He said all animal control functions will be performed by part-time ACOs and volunteers.

In other news, DPW Operations Director Dan Teague provided selectmen with an update on all DPW operations, including repairs to the two culverts that were damaged during a rain storm last spring.

Teague said work on the Pine Street culvert is well underway and should be completed by August 31, while work on the Bolivar Street culvert is scheduled to begin September 7 and is expected to take 30 days. Traffic detours will be set up on Sherman Street and continue to Pleasant and Lawrence streets.

Teague said almost half of the 13 street-paving projects have been completed, including Everendon Road, Curtis Road and Curtis Circle, First Parish Road, Pequit Street and Lewis Street. Upcoming paving projects include Old Coach Road, a section of Chapman Street, Westdale Road, Will Drive, Kenney Street and Flintlocke Road.

Other recent or ongoing DPW projects include a sewer flushing program, street sweeping, crosswalk repainting, and assistance on the new Luce School playground.

In other news:

* A screening committee has narrowed down the field of applicants for the human resource administrator position to three finalists, and interviews will be conducted by selectmen and School Committee members on or around August 23.

* Friel reported that work on the sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements planned for the Hansen School will begin next spring. The federally funded project, called “Safe Routes to School,” will result in improvements to Washington, Pecunit and Kenney streets. The project has been approved by the School Committee and all temporary easements have been finalized.

* The Canton Youth Commission will host a pool party for Canton middle school students on Wednesday, August 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bolivar Street pool. Tickets cost $2 each and can be purchased at Town Hall on August 16 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and August 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A parent or guardian should accompany the youth when the ticket is purchased but is not required to attend the event.

* A new all-alcohol license was granted to the Takara Japanese Restaurant on Washington Street.

* State Senator Brian Joyce will hold office hours at Canton Town Hall on September 8 beginning at 10:30 a.m.

* Selectmen will next meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, at Town Hall.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Aug 10 2011. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.