Every so often there's a controversial application or egregious violation, but for the most part municipal zoning is pretty dry stuff. It's typically about setbacks, lot coverage, height restrictions and the place where neighbors turn to settle disputes about junk cars and backyard hoop houses.

It's typically about setbacks, lot coverage, height restrictions and the place where neighbors turn to settle disputes about junk cars and backyard hoop houses.Except in Ledyard, where zoning is currently all about controversy. Not controversy between the town and perspective builders or residents interested in putting up a solar array, but an epic battle - really a monumental personality clash - between the zoning enforcement officer and members of the Zoning Commission.

Except in Ledyard, where zoning is currently all about controversy. Not controversy between the town and perspective builders or residents interested in putting up a solar array, but an epic battle - really a monumental personality clash - between the zoning enforcement officer and members of the Zoning Commission.These days zoning commissioners and Zoning Enforcement Officer Scott Duffus are spending so much time battling one another that it's unlikely legitimate zoning issues are getting the attention they deserve.

These days zoning commissioners and Zoning Enforcement Officer Scott Duffus are spending so much time battling one another that it's unlikely legitimate zoning issues are getting the attention they deserve.This newspaper is not in a position to judge the abilities or qualifications of Mr. Duffus, but if he is incapable or incompetent, fire him. If he's qualified, let him do his job.

This newspaper is not in a position to judge the abilities or qualifications of Mr. Duffus, but if he is incapable or incompetent, fire him. If he's qualified, let him do his job.Instead, he's been suspended, reprimanded, moved to an isolated office and assumed duties of the administrative assistant taken from him. He is required to report daily to the mayor, biweekly to the Zoning Commission, and to submit weekly vehicle-use reports, including a detailed description of the routes he drives.

Instead, he's been suspended, reprimanded, moved to an isolated office and assumed duties of the administrative assistant taken from him. He is required to report daily to the mayor, biweekly to the Zoning Commission, and to submit weekly vehicle-use reports, including a detailed description of the routes he drives. Despite objections, the commission recently amended zoning regulations to allow commissioners to act as enforcement officers in Mr. Duffus' absence. And now, at the request of Mayor Fred Allyn Jr., the commission is revising the ZEO's job description. Zoning officials outside the town characterize that as highly unusual. Mr. Duffus contends it is not only beyond the statutory scope of the commission's responsibilities, but also may be illegal.

Despite objections, the commission recently amended zoning regulations to allow commissioners to act as enforcement officers in Mr. Duffus' absence. And now, at the request of Mayor Fred Allyn Jr., the commission is revising the ZEO's job description. Zoning officials outside the town characterize that as highly unusual. Mr. Duffus contends it is not only beyond the statutory scope of the commission's responsibilities, but also may be illegal.The commission had to eliminate one section of the proposed new job description - which outlined a long, detailed list of conduct requirements - after the town's human resources director warned that it went beyond any other job description in town government.

The commission had to eliminate one section of the proposed new job description - which outlined a long, detailed list of conduct requirements - after the town's human resources director warned that it went beyond any other job description in town government.Meanwhile, the commission and mayor have been slow to respond to Mr. Duffus' letter about potential zoning violations on the property of longtime Commissioner William Geer.

Meanwhile, the commission and mayor have been slow to respond to Mr. Duffus' letter about potential zoning violations on the property of longtime Commissioner William Geer. In a letter this week to the Zoning Commission, mayor and Town Council, Mr. Duffus suggests he is being "brow-beaten," citing commissioners' sudden interest in long-standing violations, many of which have been before the commission since before Mr. Duffus was hired.

In a letter this week to the Zoning Commission, mayor and Town Council, Mr. Duffus suggests he is being "brow-beaten," citing commissioners' sudden interest in long-standing violations, many of which have been before the commission since before Mr. Duffus was hired.It's a Town Hall mess that should be intolerable to taxpayers who are the ones being shortchanged. Mayor Allyn needs to show leadership. So far he has failed miserably. Instead, he's working in concert with the Zoning Commission to either control Mr. Duffus or make things so intolerable that he leaves.

It's a Town Hall mess that should be intolerable to taxpayers who are the ones being shortchanged. Mayor Allyn needs to show leadership. So far he has failed miserably. Instead, he's working in concert with the Zoning Commission to either control Mr. Duffus or make things so intolerable that he leaves. What's more likely is that Mr. Duffus will turn to legal action. He's already retained the same attorney as Andrea Charron, the former selectmen's secretary in Griswold who won a $1.3 million wrongful termination suit. Taxpayers in Griswold just approved $460,000 as their share of the final settlement (the portion not covered by insurance). The town selectmen fired Ms. Charron after she spoke critically of an official. A jury concluded the town retaliated against her for blowing the whistle. The similarities to Ledyard's handling of Mr. Duffus, who also has expressed concerns about the conduct of officials, should serve as a warning to Ledyard's elected officials .

What's more likely is that Mr. Duffus will turn to legal action. He's already retained the same attorney as Andrea Charron, the former selectmen's secretary in Griswold who won a $1.3 million wrongful termination suit. Taxpayers in Griswold just approved $460,000 as their share of the final settlement (the portion not covered by insurance). The town selectmen fired Ms. Charron after she spoke critically of an official. A jury concluded the town retaliated against her for blowing the whistle. The similarities to Ledyard's handling of Mr. Duffus, who also has expressed concerns about the conduct of officials, should serve as a warning to Ledyard's elected officials .If Mr. Duffus isn't doing his job, let him go. He'll be the latest in a long list of former Ledyard ZEOs. But if the commission is the real problem, replace some commissioners. Whatever the choice, don't let this situation fester indefinitely.

If Mr. Duffus isn't doing his job, let him go. He'll be the latest in a long list of former Ledyard ZEOs. But if the commission is the real problem, replace some commissioners. Whatever the choice, don't let this situation fester indefinitely.