Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of January 10, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 12:38 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, 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, Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.
Deputy Assistant State's Attorney Jacqueline P. McMahon, the Division’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, discussed recently passed legislation regarding traffic laws in work zones and the enforcement of those laws.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo invited Gabriel I. Lomas and Amery Bernhardt of Western Connecticut State University to discuss grant-funded plans to address school violence with regional school safety and crisis centers. Following a short introduction by State’s Attorney Narducci, Professors Lomas and Bernhardt gave a Power Point presentation for plans for the Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation.
State’s Attorney Gallo moved to accept the minutes of the December 20, 2021 meeting. State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the Division’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he requested and obtained COVID-19 testing kits and N95 masks for employees in light of the recent surge in cases. He said he would work to get more test kits. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Division would be sending out updated guidance that combines input from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Public Health for employees on how to handle COVID-19 testing and quarantines.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the Division is submitting requests for funding for Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys through 2024. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto asked State’s Attorneys to compile data and other information about the work currently being done by the COVID-19 per diems, particularly the work to address court backlogs caused by the pandemic, to show the need for these positions.
Regarding legislation, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said Legislative Liaison Dykas sent out an email to the State’s Attorneys detailing the Division’s legislative priorities for 2022. State’s Attorney Walcott said the Trafficking in Persons Council would be voting in January on language for proposed legislation on grooming and child marriage. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Lawlor discussed the state Sentencing Commission’s latest draft proposal on the sex offender registry removal mechanism. Following discussion about the proposal, the State’s Attorneys agreed to have the Division of Criminal Justice abstain from taking a vote on it.
In other business, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said he would be contacting the State’s Attorneys regarding their top personnel needs. State’s Attorney Preleski encouraged the State’s Attorneys to attend the upcoming National District Attorneys Association conference in July. And State’s Attorney Kelley led discussion about disclosure of draft arrest warrant affidavits.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo moved to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. State’s Attorney Gallo seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Executive Session began at 1:56 p.m.
The Executive Session ended at 2:27 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 Corradino made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Kelley seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 2:32 p.m.