Dispute Over Norwood Dog Officer Position Remains Unresolved-July 17, 1974

Angelo Iodice, who has served as the part-time dog officer for the past 15 years, has been removed from the town payroll since May 23, 1974.

According to a report submitted to the Board of Selectmen by Town Manager John P. Mogan early last month, the removal stemmed from allegations that Angelo Iodice failed to respond to numerous resident calls for service. John P. Mogan asserted that these service failures were attributed to the breakdown of an aging police cruiser that had been provided to the officer by the town. Despite these allegations, John P. Mogan steadfastly maintained that Angelo Iodice had not been formally fired, though the manager had received authorization from the selectmen to advertise for a new part-time candidate to fill the role.

The situation grew increasingly contentious as Angelo Iodice flatly contradicted the town manager’s narrative. Angelo Iodice stated yesterday that he had never been contacted by John P. Mogan regarding the submission of a new service proposal, nor had he been officially notified that his salary payments had been ceased.

Asserting his rights, Angelo Iodice declared, “I’ve been sworn in as the dog officer for a one-year term. They can’t stop my pay, according to my attorney.” He further warned that if the town proceeded with hiring a replacement, he would refer the matter to legal counsel, noting that both the county dog officer and his own lawyer have advised him that the town is contractually obligated to pay his salary for the full duration of his one-year term. During the previous year, Angelo Iodice received an annual salary of $2,100 for his part-time services.

A central point of friction in the ongoing dispute involves the provision of transportation. Angelo Iodice maintained that his primary disagreement with the town manager stems from the refusal to provide him with a reliable vehicle. His wife stated, “Every other town supplies its dog officers with cars or vans.”

While the town manager attempts to resolve the staffing vacancy, he has tasked Patrolman James W. Kelley with the responsibility of responding to animal control calls. Angelo Iodice openly criticized this arrangement, arguing that James W. Kelley is not a sworn dog officer and lacks the authority to issue citations for violations of the local leash law.

Angelo Iodice emphasized that Norwood was the first town in the state to enact such a law, and he continues to argue that a full-time position is unnecessary, claiming, “We have controlled the entire town and cost the taxpayers very little money.” He also stated his firm intention to retain his official books and records, declaring, “Those are my books.”

John P. Mogan proposed a revamped position that would offer a salary of up to $12,000 per year, requiring the officer to work part-time while providing their own kennel facilities, transportation, and a 24-hour answering service. While the town manager acknowledged receiving one application for the post, he declined to name the individual.

Meanwhile, the Board of Selectmen remains dissatisfied with the current status of animal control, citing persistent complaints from residents regarding leash law abuses and the difficulty in securing prompt responses to service calls. John P. Mogan defended the strict enforcement of the leash law, which prohibits dogs from roaming freely on public property, stating, “But it’s a full-time law and we enforce it on a part-time basis.” He suggested that if the residents demand consistent service, they must be prepared to fund the position as a full-time professional role.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger