Bridgewater town officials have launched an independent investigation into the attendance record of Town Manager Justin Casanova‑Davis. The move follows a public‑records request that revealed numerous days when the manager did not use his office key card, raising concerns about his availability to taxpayers.
Background on the manager’s hiring and prior scrutiny
Justin Casanova‑Davis was hired as Bridgewater’s town manager in July 2025 with a starting salary of $220,000 and five weeks of vacation per year. Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General issued a scathing report on his tenure as town administrator in Norfolk, concluding that he abused vacation time and collected an inflated payout by stockpiling unused leave. The IG also noted that he used sick leave while traveling abroad, including trips to Paris and South Africa.
Records show gaps in office presence
NBC10 investigators obtained the manager’s vacation and sick‑time usage, portions of his public calendar, and key‑card swipe data for the period from July 2025 through July 2026. Cross‑referencing the swipe logs with approved paid‑time‑off showed multiple days when Casanova‑Davis failed to access his office despite being on duty. When he did swipe his card, the system recorded several entries per day, as the device is located just outside the manager’s office door.
Bridgewater discontinued remote‑work arrangements at the end of June 2026, requiring employees to obtain documented approval for any regular remote schedule. The town could not produce any remote‑work agreements for Casanova‑Davis, and his contract states he is expected to be on duty and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Town Council response
Town Council President Paul Murphy announced that the council hired an outside law firm to conduct the investigation, paying $300 per hour for its services. The firm has already reviewed Norfolk documents and conducted an initial two‑hour interview with Casanova‑Davis. Murphy expects a second interview and additional fact‑finding, estimating a total timeline of 30 to 45 days before the investigation is completed.
Mary Connaughton, director of government transparency at the Pioneer Institute, said residents deserve full answers. “If you’re being paid on taxpayer dollars, you have a responsibility to do your job and be accountable,” she said. “When a town manager isn’t accountable, it erodes public trust.”
Manager’s response
When NBC10 reached out for comment, Casanova‑Davis requested time to review the documents before responding. He has not provided a further statement since the October 20 town‑council meeting.
What comes next
The council’s independent review will focus on whether the manager’s attendance aligns with the expectations set out in his contract and whether any misuse of paid‑time‑off occurred while serving Bridgewater. Residents can expect a public report once the investigation concludes, offering transparency into how their town’s chief administrator is performing his duties.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
