Ten employees of the Department of Public Works in North Reading, Massachusetts, are off the job Wednesday after a criminal drug investigation.
DPW worker Scott McDonough of Methuen has been arrested on charges of possession of oxycodone and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Subcontractor John McNeil of North Reading is accused of dealing oxycodone and marijuana, among other charges.
"[Police] observed several people including members of the Department of Public Works doing these short quick transactions, which based on their training experience is believed to be potential drug activity," a prosecutor said in court Monday.
North Reading Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto says he's now looking into how this will affect the day to day business in town, and says they may have to look at outside services to fill in the gaps, now that nearly half the department is gone.
"The remaining employees are sustaining core municipal services at this time. They are going about their work today as they have been," said Gilleberto. "The appearance is not the one we want to put forth for our residents, I think at this point our goal is to reassure our residents that services are being provided in an efficient way."
Necn went the DPW Wednesday afternoon, only to find the doors to the garage locked.
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Howard Anderson is a taxpayer in town, and was trying to drop off a hot water heater, but couldn't find anyone to talk to.
"I've never heard of anything go down like this, who knows," he said.
In addition to the two arrests of the town employee and subcontractor, six DPW workers are on administrative leave and three have resigned, including DPW director Rich Carnevale.
They aren't charged with anything, but police say the investigation is ongoing.
