Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST
Jeff Plunkett Questioned About Hamilton Shelter
Nov 9 2018
By Tammy Duffy
Photo by Dave Henderson
Yesterday, the special committee that has been assigned to investigate the issues at the Hamilton Township Animal shelter performed interviews. They asked numerous questions of Marty Flynn, Jeff Plunkett and Todd Bencivengo as it pertains to the Hamilton Animal Shelter. We will share with you the one on one commentary from today’s questioning. We will warn you that this is heartbreaking. There were moments that the testimony brought tears to my eyes. As you know I adopted a turtle from this shelter and I am flabbergasted after today’s testimony that my Elbra (the turtle I rescued from the Hamilton shelter) survived 5 years at the shelter.
As you are aware, two of the Hamilton council members; Ileana Schirmer and Richard Tighe were appointed as the special committee to investigate the issues at the Mercer County, Hamilton Animal Shelter. There was a recent subpoena sent to the township on the animal shelter and the refused to respond to it. It was not until today, Nov. 9, 2018 did the special committee receive some of the information that was subpoenaed. This will extend the investigation indefinitely due to the lack of response from the township administration.
Investigation Commentary Key
IS: Ileana Schirmer
RT: Richard Tighe
JP: Jeff Plunkett
MF: Marty Flynn
TB: Todd Bencivengo
Yesterday’s investigation started with the questioning of Jeff Plunkett
IS: How are things going with the computer system?
JP: We have new forms on line now. The forms go to a folder for archive.
RT: Can the forms be edited? Are there signatures required?
JP: Yes and No signatures are required
RT: So in effect anyone can alter the form at any time
IS: We need to make this fraud proof and be able to have an audit trail. Let’s make an appointment to revisit this during our next visit to the shelter
IS: What was your involvement in the renovation of the shelter?
JP: Very little, I sat in meetings. The Division of Health paid the invoices as the construction progressed.
Let it be known that there was zero due diligence on the payment of invoices. The invoices showed up to JP’s office and they just paid them. JP stated under oath that as long as there was a signature from Richard Williams on the invoice it was paid. Mr. Plunkett made zero effort to walk the length of the shelter to ensure the invoices they were paying, that the work was actually done. This is not the first time the township leadership has demonstrated their complete inability to spend tax payer dollars effectively. Below are two links to two other examples of extreme government waste. There has to be accountability for this level of incompetence by the Mayor and her entire staff.
https://www.tammyduffy.com/ARTFASHION/index.blog?start=1443875228
https://www.tammyduffy.com/ARTFASHION/index.blog/2355184/irresponsible-growth-and-quality-of-life/
RT: Why did they expand the shelter versus build new?
JP: I was not the director, I was Health officer at the time. I gave zero input. I was asked to look at satellite sites on Sylvan, E State street and Broad Street however.
IS: But as the Health officer was it not your job to ensure the new shelter met code?
JP: No, that was the job of planning
IS: What is your role?
JP: I was not part of the process. I reviewed the plans and the plans met the needs of the shelter.
IS: So how is it that all these violations happened? How is it that the air quality, the HVAC, the sanitary aspects, grooming area, quarantine area, etc were omitted?
JP: We relied on the architect and construction team, lead by Wayne Neville to ensure all aspects were met. I provided no input.
Here we go again. JP and the entire Yaede administration take zero accountability. Mr Flynn did the same in his testimony. He stated it was not his job to make sure people did their jobs. He assumed they were doing it. The word Mr Flynn used consistently in his testimony was, collaborative. That everything is done in a collaborative manner. He used this word as much as Trump uses the words, no collusion.
RT: So, let’s say NorthStar vets wants to make a new place in Hamilton what is the process they would have to go through to do so?
JP: They would have to hire an architect and contractor. The architect would create designs that would be presented to our zoning and planning boards for approval. The entire process would be monitored up until the ribbon cutting. I would be involved with setting the standards for the new animal dwelling and make recommendations on optimization
RT and IS: So, you would do this for an “outsider”, make recommendations for an animal dwelling yet you state you had nothing to do with the new animal shelter that you were employed to supervise with tax payer dollars. How is this possible? That makes zero sense.
JP: The township never came to me for input
STOP…..the insanity. If you are hired to do a job you must do it or you get fired. How is it that Mr. Plunkett supposedly was never asked about the shelter that he was in charge of? How could it be that he never asked or demanded to know what was going on? Who silenced him and why? A quick google search of the Yaede family and the Neville’s demonstrates very interesting photos. This must be a coincidence. What is Mr Plunkett doing every day for the residents of Hamilton?
IS: What is happening with the SOP’s?
JP: They are in Dr Boden’s possession now for approval and sign off. There are minimal edits.
RT: Who will be doing training of the ACO’s and the staff?
JP: Dr Boden will do that. She is a full-time vet at Columbus Animal Hospital. She will be the only one who will do the euthanasia.
IS: You have stated that you were not involved with the shelter reconstruction. Yet, in a 2013 interview you stated,” We are currently meeting on the plans for the shelter.” Where there discussions on the quarantine rooms, grooming areas, etc? Where there permits done? There were changes made in the process of the shelter build, but no one is telling us what went on.
LOOKS like another OPRA request is in order for the permits on the shelter. How much was done under permit and what was “overlooked”? I would advise the council to also question Mr Neville and the contractors. They should be brought in to review the drawings they supplied to the township and under oath be asked the tough questions. Who told you to do what? Who do you know on the administration personally? Council should review all the RFP responses to understand why Mr. Neville got the award to build the shelter. They should also look at the other shelters that Mr. Neville supposedly built as per Mr Plunkett’s comments in his testimony of Nov 9. A call to those facilities may be eye opening.
IS: How did you feel about the findings after the July inspection of the animal shelter?
JP: ---------------------
He did not answer this question but went on to say how the shelter is doing everything in accordance to the letter of the law. Well, he evidently missed the memo of the Oct 18th inspection by DOH. Clearly, the shelter is not doing all it can to be compliant. How much more incompetence and lack of accountability do the residents of Hamilton township have to endure. We can only hope the township council and the outside attorney take a firm and strong stance to the behaviors of the administration.
RT: What about the medication process can you talk to me about that?
JP: Medications are logged in by Dr Campbell . The vet assumes full responsibility for all the medications and logs. We hired a licensed vet to manage this. It is not my responsibility to ensure they did their job
WHAT! Mr. Plunkett runs the shelter. How is this not his responsibility? Well, another OPRA request is needed for Mr. Plunkett’s job description entail.
IS: From July to Oct what changed at the shelter with the evening medications?
JP: The evening ACO’s were responsible for giving medications to the animals. This was not happening and or not being logged in. Dr Boden is changing the process so no evening meds are given. We will spend more money giving different meds less frequently but will ensure the animals are medicated properly. The ACO’s will oversee the new process.
Wait…..further on Todd talks about the current process. You are going to explode when you hear his testimony.
IS: On Oct 18th, there was an issue with the scale during the inspection. Was there a new scale delivered?
JP: During the inspection we shared with the inspector that we already had ordered an new scale and it was on the way.
HOLD THE PHONE JEFF…..you lied to the inspector. We have a copy of the OPRA request for the requests for the scale. The second scale was not ordered until Oct 25th, which is well after the inspection of Oct 18th. The first scale that was ordered (we have that receipt as well) was a 12 x 12 Rubbermaid scale that cost $150. Clearly not appropriate for large animals. We wonder why it was ordered in the first place and why Jeff flat out lied to the inspector?
