Mayor Joseph Polisena announced on Tuesday that the town has suspended firefighter David Lashus, 49, without pay following his arrest on Nov. 9 on felony drug charges.

During an interview at Town Hall, Polisena said that Deputy Police Chief David DeCesare delivered a letter to Lashus at his home notifying him of the suspension.

"I had to get some justice for the taxpayers, so [Lashus] can no longer go an collect his salary," Polisena explained.

State police arrested Lashus at his Plainfield Pike home after officers say his 21-hear-old son signed for a package of marijuana delivered by police, the Providence Journal reported.

Officers from the state police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force reported finding 100 marijuana plants, packaged marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and nearly $8,000 in cash.

Following his arraignment on Nov. 13, Lashus remains on home confinement. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 20.

Lashus also faces felony weapons charges after State Police reported finding six firearms in the home. His son, Aaron, faces one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession.

On Tuesday, Polisena said he decided to take the step of suspending David Lashus after he failed to appear for a hearing. Last Friday, Polisena sent Police Chief Richard Tamburini, Fire Chief Timothy McLaughlin, Town Solicitor William Conley, and Chief of Staff Doug Jeffrey to Lashus's home in an attempt to hold the hearing there, according to WPRI.com.

"We offered him, on three different occasions, a pre-disciplinary hearing — we started on Wednesday, he couldn't make that; then on Thursday, he couldn't make that; and on Friday, he couldn't make that," Polisena recalled. "We had to take some action."

IAFF Local 1950 President Keith Calci said in a text message on Tuesday that "the union has no comment on the issue at this time."