TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI) — It’s business as usual at Taunton City Hall, even though Mayor Shaunna O’Connell is facing a felony assault charge for attacking her husband over the weekend.

O’Connell, who was arrested Friday night , is accused of biting her husband, hitting him with gasket scraper and jumping on the hood of his car as he tried to leave.

The 54-year-old became Taunton’s first female mayor when she was elected back in 2019 and is currently serving her third term .

O’Connell has been charged with felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as assault and battery on a family member, which is a misdemeanor. She pleaded not guilty in court Monday and was released on personal recognizance.

Ted O’Connell told 12 News outside court that he regretted calling the authorities on his wife.

“It was a huge mistake,” he lamented.

He claimed the argument stemmed from a marital issue and eventually turned physical, according to police.

The city’s website notes that the mayor’s “door is open,” so 12 News visited Taunton City Hall Wednesday to test that theory.

Though the mayor’s car was in the parking lot, 12 News was told by her chief of staff that she was unavailable.

In a letter sent to residents earlier this week, Taunton City Council President David Pottier assured that the mayor’s current situation will not impact her ability to successfully manage the city.

Pottier also put his faith in O’Connell’s administration, as well as those tasked with conducting “a fair, thorough and transparent investigation” into the incident, “identical to that of any other of our citizens … in a similar circumstance.”

“The court system allows for a presumption of innocence and I think we on the council are seeing how this plays out,” Pottier added in a statement to 12 News.

Pottier said there is an arrangement in place should O’Connell later determine she can’t fulfill her duties as mayor.

“If any mayor is unable or feels unable to perform those duties, there is a mechanism in place for the Taunton City Council President to step in on the mayor’s behalf,” Pottier explained.

But Pottier stressed that this does not appear to be the case with O’Connell, and that he fully expects to continue to work in concert with her administration to move the city “ever forward.”

O’Connell’s next court appearance is slated for September.

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