RESERVE — St. John the Baptist Parish Government administrators determined a parish employee used parish equipment to cut grass on private property, leading to disciplinary action being taken against that employee.

St. John Communications Director Baileigh Rebowe Helm said the investigation concluded earlier this month, adding the employee in question was not terminated.

“We wanted to make sure we had all of the information,” Helm said. “We wanted to make sure we gave the employee a fair chance, but ultimately, he was in the wrong and he did receive disciplinary action. We can not disclose what the action is because of employee privacy rights.”

The identity of the employee is also not being released.

Helm said the parish does not anticipate any more issues with the employee or the lot he cut, adding she encourages residents to speak out if they see something wrong.

“While anything is possible, we appreciate the community’s help in identifying some of the things we can’t see or we don’t know about,” she said. “We appreciate being sent pictures and information. As soon as we receive them, we will look into it and start an investigation if necessary.”

The lot in question is located in Reserve and falls in Councilman Lennix Madere’s representation area of District 3.

While Madere said Wednesday he did not know about the incident, he is glad things were addressed.

“If the law says a parish (employee) is not supposed to cut the grass, I’m in agreement,” he said. “I would like to help the residents as much as we can, but if it’s not legally allowed, then I’m against it. These laws were put into place even before I took office.”

The investigation began after pictures where supplied to the parish after an employee cut grass on a lot in the 500 block of Central Avenue in Reserve Dec. 22. Reserve resident Janet Mollere said she could see the lot 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 it’s supposed to be against the law for Parish staff members 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.