Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of February 7, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 1:06 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. The meeting was conducted remotely utilizing Zoom software in accordance with directives issued by the Governor because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration John J. Russotto, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Brian W. Preleski (New Britain), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Doyle, Jr., Gail P. Hardy and Brett Salafia, Legislative Liaison Melanie Dykas and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.
State’s Attorney Kelley moved to accept the minutes of the January 10, 2022 meeting. State’s Attorney Gallo seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
In regard to the Division’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said the Division is no longer required to report unexpected absences due to the drop in the number of coronavirus cases but he asked State’s Attorneys to report as soon as possible on any abnormal spikes in the number of Omicron cases in the Judicial Districts.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on budget matters. He said Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin will assist in the compiling of data and other information to justify the need for positions requested in the budget, including data regarding work currently being done by the COVID-19 per diems working to address case backlogs and the workload surrounding sentence modifications and the review of footage from body-worn cameras used by law enforcement authorities investigating criminal cases.
Regarding legislation, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said there was a meeting recently about the Division’s legislative priorities for 2022 with legislators from the Judiciary Committee and public defenders. Legislative Liaison Dykas said she was seeking comments from State’s Attorneys regarding the Division’s proposal to move some criminal offenses to a centralized infractions bureau.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto provided an update from the training committee. He said there would be training for supervisors in either late winter or early summer and another “boot camp” for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys as well as diversity training. The committee is looking for an appropriate location for training held during the summer.
State’s Attorney Mahoney moved to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. State’s Attorney Ferencek seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Executive Session began at 1:30 p.m.
The Executive Session ended at 1:54 p.m. and Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that no motions were made or votes were taken during the executive session.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Mahoney made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.