Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of Meeting of September 21, 2020

The meeting was called to order at 12:34 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 Operations Kevin D. Lawlor; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration John J. Russotto, State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Michael L. Regan (New London), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Doyle, Jr., Brett Salafia and Sharmese Walcott, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Christian Watson, Training Program Coordinator Vasi Gournaris and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.

State’s Attorney Sedensky moved to accept the minutes of the August 17, 2020, meeting. State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with no one in opposition.

Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the Division’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including preparations for the 2 p.m. dockets. He reminded prosecutors to remote into court proceedings and not appear in the courtroom for continued safety protocols.

Reporting on the budget, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said there has been discussion about possible cuts.

Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that a special session would take place at the legislature in October and that the Division’s new legislative liaison would be starting soon. He said the Criminal Justice Commission planned to meet on September 24, 2020, to appoint the State’s Attorney for the Hartford Judicial District and to nominate the Deputy Chief State’s Attorney/ Inspector General.

State’s Attorney Mahoney reported that a number of new training videos were posted on the Division’s internal website and that a Domestic Violence training roundtable was going to be held. She listed several other upcoming training opportunities for prosecutors.

State’s Attorney Gailor said the Management Committee recently recommended that management plans be updated every two years beginning January 2022. State’s Attorney Sedensky made a motion to approve the recommendation. State’s Attorney Corradino seconded the motion and it passed with no one in opposition.

State’s Attorney Gailor said there would soon be management training for supervisors through the UConn School of Public Policy and that employees would be selected to participate. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo encouraged the State’s Attorneys to receive and support upcoming case management training. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto asked the State’s Attorneys to select an employee in their respective Judicial Districts to start inputting arrest warrants and to identify ways of ensuring that the case management system runs effectively and efficiently once it is fully implemented.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Doyle reported on updates to the expert witness databank and the appellate procedure form.

Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo thanked the State’s Attorneys and others in attendance for their work.

There being no further business State’s Attorney Sedensky moved to adjourn. State’s Attorney Corradino seconded the motion and it passed with no one in opposition. The meeting adjourned at 1:44 p.m.