GROTON, Mass. — Something with a stronger kick than water was being produced at Groton’s water treatment plant.

Town Manager Mark Haddad says a department employee set up a still and was making moonshine on town property.

Haddad tells The Sun of Lowell that “distilling apparatus” was discovered earlier this month inside the Baddacook Water Treatment Plant. The employee was placed on paid administrative leave and later decided to retire.

He did not disclose the former worker’s name.

Haddad says the distilling equipment has been confiscated by police.

Selectman Peter Cunningham says the still was simply someone’s “hobby” and there is no evidence the employee was drinking on the job.