RESERVE — St. John the Baptist Parish officials are investigating the claim that a parish employee cut grass on a private property in Reserve after pictures of the incident were supplied to the parish.

Reserve resident Janet Mollere said grass cutting took place Dec. 22, adding another concerned resident, Nick Roppolo, took the photos of an employee cutting grass on a lot in the 500 block of Central Avenue in Reserve.

Mollere can see the lot in question from her home.

“I had seen them back there and I found it strange that the Parish was cutting private property,” Mollere said. “The lot is off of Central Avenue in Reserve, between the two tracks. They only cut a certain potion of it, then they left.”

Mollere said she wanted the community to know about the issue, because she said it’s supposed to be against the law for the Parish to go on private property and cut grass.

“If they do it for one, they need to start doing it for all, or don’t do it all,” she said.

Mollere said the area cut was about 200 x 300 feet.

Baileigh Rebowe Helm, communications director for the parish, said the incident is under investigation by the Parish.

“We are still talking to the employee,” Helm said, adding the Parish has had possession of the pictures for a couple of weeks.

“If there is merit to the accusation  that grass cutting took place on private property, there will be disciplinary action.”

The identity of the employee is not being released, Helm said because of confidentiality rules.

She said the Parish could not reveal the nature of the disciplinary action for the employee if it is discovered the grass was actually cut, adding that was the direction of the Parish’s human resources director.

“We are addressing the situation,” Helm said.

“We want to make sure our residents know we take accusation like this very seriously and we do a full investigation. If the situation calls for it, the employee receives disciplinary action, appropriate disciplinary action, as according to our parish policy.”

Helm said if residents come across similar issues or have concerns, they are welcome to contact her.

“I have no problem receiving inquires,” she said. “We will look right into them. They can send an email to communications@sjbparish.com.”