Former animal officer claims rights violated by selectmen

17 years ago
By Debra Walsh
Staff Writer

    A former animal control officer has sued the Town of Woodland, saying his rights were violated when town officials fired him when he claimed he was questioned illegally about a disability.     Rodney Haskell of Woodland filed the complaint in Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou in January. As of Tuesday, the suit has not been served on the town and a spokesman for the Woodland Town Office said local officials had no comment on the complaint.
    In the four-count claim, Haskell is asking for $10,000 for each alleged violation and other damages for emotional distress and costs of the lawsuit. He also is asking for his job back, retroactive pay and other relief the court deems just.
    Haskell was appointed to serve as the town’s animal control officer in May of 2005, according to the complaint. He was later terminated from the ACO position in March of 2006, the complaint said.
    According to the complaint, Haskell has an unspecified disability and that he accepted the job without the need for accommodations to do the job.  
    The complaint said that the Board of Selectmen, composed then of Theodore St. Pierre, Harold Tardy and Jason Moir, held a public meeting on Jan. 31, 2006. During the session, the board asked whether Haskell was fully or partially disabled. The ACO told the board that he was partially disabled.
    The complaint said that the board entered into an executive session and that after the meeting resumed in open session, the board told Haskell that his continued employment “would be conditioned upon his receipt of a full ‘physical release’ from the physician of his choosing and a ‘mental release’ if that physician felt it necessary.”
    Citing state law, Haskell said he told board members that they had questioned him illegally about his disability.
    Haskell also has claimed that the Maine Human Rights Act was violated when he was fired from the job “in part due to his disability.” His rights were further violated when the town retaliated by firing him after Haskell sent the town a letter regarding the alleged illegal questioning, the complain said.
    Haskell also cites the Whistleblower Protection Act, which he claims the town violated when his employment was terminated.
    According to the complaint, Haskell filed a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission. When the fact-finding and conciliation efforts were unsuccessful, the matter was referred to Haskell’s attorney, Matthew Hunter of Presque Isle, to file the suit.