Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Freedom of Information Conference. Missed it? Click here to watch a replay via CT-N

TO: Freedom of Information Commission
FROM: Thomas A. Hennick
RE: Minutes of the Commission’s special meeting of February 4, 2015
     A special meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on February 4, 2015, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:07 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
     Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
     Commissioner Matthew Streeter
     Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
     Commissioner Lenny T. Winkler
     Commissioner Francis J. Brady
     Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Clifton A. Leonhardt, Tracie C. Brown, Kathleen K. Ross, Lisa F. Siegel, Valicia D. Harmon, Paula S. Pearlman, Virginia Brown, Cindy Cannata, and Thomas A. Hennick.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of January 14, 2015.
     Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.
Andre Gill v. Chief, Police Department, City of Hartford; Police Department, City of Hartford; and City of Hartford
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Andre Gill v. Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Jose Ayuso v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services
     Jose Ayuso participated via speakerphone.  The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Patricia Cofrancesco v. Administrator, Water Pollution Control Commission, City of West Haven; Water Pollution Control Commission, City of West Haven; and City of West Haven
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Michael Aronow v. Executive Vice President, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center
     Michael Aronow appeared on his own behalf. Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Blumenthal appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Michael Aronow v. Executive Vice President, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center
     Michael Aronow appeared on his own behalf. Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Blumenthal appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
 Docket #FIC 2014-183
Adrienne DeLucca and the Berlin Education Association v. Superintendent of Schools, Berlin Public Schools; and Berlin Public Schools
     Adrienne DeLucca appeared on behalf of the complainants. Attorney Charles Stohler appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted 2-2 on adoption of the Hearing Officer’s Report. Commissioners Streeter and Winkler voted for adoption; Commissioners Eagan and Brady against. By virtue of the tie vote, the Hearing Officer’s Report was not adopted. The Commissioners voted, 3-0-1 to send the matter back to staff to draft a revised report. Commissioner Winkler abstained. The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioner Hankins recused himself from the matter.
Paul Littlefield v. Harriet Polansky, Executive Director, Housing Authority, Town of Trumbull; and Housing Authority, Town of Trumbull
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Anthony Bivona v. Scott McCarthy, Chairman, Board of Education, Brookfield Public Schools; Paul Checco, Susan Queenan, Harry Shaker, Victor Katz, Steve Harding, and Tara Lerner, as members, Board of Education, Brookfield Public Schools; and Board of Education, Brookfield Public Schools
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Cheryl Bartley v. Thomas Danehy, Superintendent of Schools, Winchester Public Schools; and Winchester Public Schools
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
David McNichol v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
     The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to deny an appeal of the Denial of Request for Expedited Hearing in Board of Finance, Town of Morris v. Treasurer, Town of Morris; and Town of Morris, Docket #FIC 2014-906.  Commissioner Streeter did not participate in this matter.
     Colleen M. Murphy informed the Commissioners that no action would be necessary in the following matters: David Godbout v. Murphy Security Company, LLC, Docket # FIC 2014-208; David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, State Bond Commission, Docket # FIC 2014-182 and David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, Asnuntuck Community College, Docket # FIC 2013-196. Executive Director Murphy informed the Commissioners that the complainant had withdrawn all three complaints. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in: David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Freedom of Information Commission, Docket # FIC 2014-174; David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Freedom of Information Commission, Docket # FIC 2014-181 and David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Freedom of Information Commission, Docket # FIC 2014-211. The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioner Streeter did not participate in these matters.
     Valicia D. Harmon reported on New Britain Superior Court Memorandum of Decision in Docket No. HHB CV14-5015956S, Alexander Wood v. Freedom of Information Commission, dated January 21, 2015.
     Valicia D. Harmon reported on pending appeals.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported on legislation.
     The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
 _______________
Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 020420154/tah/02052015