Bob Hough, the director of Infrastructure and Operations, has been fired as a result of the continuing investigation into allegations of illegal dumping at the Princeton Sewer Operating Committee’s River Road facility, Administrator Marc Dashield announced.
Hough, who was fired June 24, had been placed on administrative leave with pay June 12. But new details from the investigation revealed that Hough had not provided “appropriate oversight,” Dashield said.
Hough is one of three town employees who have been subject to administrative action in connection with the on-going investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Thomas Hughes, the supervisor of sewer operations in the Sewer Operating Division, was fired June 6. He has been subsequently charged with bribery for accepting payments to influence his official duties in connection with illegal dumping at the River Road site.
In addition to Hough and Hughes, “administrative action” was taken against a third, unnamed Sewer Operating Division employee on June 21, Dashield said. The number of employees against whom administrative actions have been taken could increase as additional information becomes available, he said.
“The municipality is committed to a full and thorough investigation of the allegations of improper dumping at River Road,” Dashield said.
“We are committed to ensure any and all inappropriate or illegal activities are uncovered and rectified, and that all responsible parties are held accountable,” he said. The town will take “all necessary administrative and personnel actions required,” he added.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, which has been called in to lead the investigation, uncovered widespread, systemic violations of municipal policies, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection rules and other regulations, Dashield said.
“The municipality is reviewing the organizational structure of its sewer operations and tightening oversight procedures,” Dashield said. “The municipality is launching a full review of our administrative policies and procedures, including those related to internal controls, to mitigate the potential for any future infractions.”
Princeton officials asked the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to take charge of the investigation, following allegations of improper dumping and improper use of town equipment and staff, according to online website Planet Princeton.
It has been alleged that several private contractors dumped dirt and asphalt at the River Road Convenience Center, and also used it as a source of cheap equipment and labor, Planet Princeton reported.
A driver admitted that he was dumping dirt at the River Road site that had come from the Mary Moss Park playground project on the corner of John and Lytle streets, according to Planet Princeton.
It is the contractor’s responsibility to get rid of the dirt, but Hughes, the supervisor of sewer operations, allowed several truckloads of dirt to be dropped off in exchange for $75 in cash per load, according to Planet Princeton.
Dashield, the town administrator, said the Princeton Health Department, along with county and state environmental officials, had inspected the Sewer Operating Division site on River Road to determine if there were violations of environmental regulations.
Meanwhile, Princeton received a notice June 11 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that materials had been disposed of at the River Road Convenience Center without proper approvals, Dashield said.
As a result of that notice, the town is hiring a licensed site remediation specialist to advise on the necessary cleanup actions, Dashield said.