MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, November 20, 2025, 10am
Connecticut State Office Building
165 Capitol Ave., Room D/E, Hartford, CT 06106
Call to Order
Chairman Diane Whitney called the meeting to order at 10:05am.
Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Ten appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Eleven Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State, one town failed to appear.
Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Michael Evangelisti, Esq., Elbert Gray, Col. Kyle Overturf, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Chief Carl Rosensweig
Chairman Carolyn Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 24-419-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller. Ofc. Heath Ericson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Brian Palaia, Town of Killingly.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered the Town of Killingly to issue. Dr. Conrad, Atty, Evangelisti, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the appellant.
2) Case No. 24-585-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Tpr. Graham Fraites represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Andrew Tierney, Town of Hebron.
Withdrew: This case has been withdrawn; Hebron will issue the permit.
3) Case No. 25-296-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Withdrew: This case has been withdrawn.
4) Case No. 24-672-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.
5) Case No. 24-567-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Det. Dan Bontempo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Eric Osanitsch, Windsor Locks Police Department.
Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.
6) Case No. 24-590-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
7) Case No. 24-189-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John C. Drapp. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue. Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant. Chairman Whitney and Atty, Evangelisti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the appellant.
8) Case No. 25-230-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller with one witness. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
9) Case No. 24-607-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Tpr. Edward Miller represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Robert McGarry, Town of Haddam.
Withdrew: This case has been withdrawn; Haddam will issue the permit.
10) Case No. 24-539-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Whitmey, Atty. Evangelisti, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad and Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
11) Case No. 24-448-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by C. Christian Young, Esq. Det. Lt. Matthew Malone represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.
Motion: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion for the appellant, due to an erased case and no witness, motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.
12) Case No. 24-598-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lt. Matthew Malone represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Danbury to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
13) Case No. 24-498-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. No one was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fabian Silva, Willimantic Police Department.
Marked off: This case has been marked off as no one appeared for this hearing.
.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from November 6, 2025, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Vote 6-0 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:39pm.