Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of January 28, 2013
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
*Note: The minutes of this meeting were corrected by vote of February 25, 2013, to correct the month in which the referenced training occurred.
The meeting was called to order at 12:36 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.
Also in attendance were: State’s Attorneys Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford); Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland); Peter A. McShane (Middlesex); and Stephen Sedensky (Danbury); Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John Waddock (New Haven).
Participating by telephone conference call due to inclement weather were: State’s Attorneys David I. Cohen (Stamford-Norwalk); Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham); Gail P. Hardy (Hartford); Maureen Platt (Waterbury); Brian Preleski (New Britain); David Shepack (Litchfield) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor; Division of Criminal Justice Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis, and legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette.
The approval of the minutes of the December 17, 2013, meeting was postponed until the February 2013 meeting as all participants had not had the opportunity to review the minutes.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Office of Policy and Management has ordered a hiring freeze as a result of the state’s projected deficit. Agencies are not allowed to fill any vacancies that exist as of today, and OPM will consider allowing the filling of future vacancies as they occur. State’s Attorney should be prepared to provide justification when requesting the filling of any vacancies.
Wilfred Blanchette reported that the Division’s legislative recommendations for the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly have been submitted and are under consideration by various committees.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported that a substantial deficit is projected in the Witness Protection program. The State’s Attorneys were asked to follow up with Inspectors particularly with regard to police informants being referred for witness protection.
State’s Attorney Froehlich reported that she has conveyed the Division’s concerns regarding potential dues increases by the National District Attorneys Association to the NDAA membership committee, of which she is a member. It was decided that DCJ must assess the benefits of membership in NDAA and other organizations versus the costs involved.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Auditors of Public Accounts have begun their audit of the Division for the two-year period ending June 30, 2012. State’s Attorneys will receive information about overdue employee evaluations, which should be submitted as soon as possible.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the daylong management training program held in December* for the State’s Attorneys and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorneys was very well received. The third of four planned programs is expected to take place in April.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin is working with the Judicial Branch to produce a “frequently asked questions” document regarding the electronic signature of police reports. This is another initial step in the inevitable transition to a paperless system. It was stressed that the oaths for such documents must still be taken in person. A draft of the FAQ document will be circulated to the State’s Attorneys.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Gailor reported on a Superior Court decision that the violation of possession of marijuana can be the basis for a violation of probation. The judge’s decision and the supporting brief by Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Reed Durham will be distributed to the State’s Attorneys. The decision is being appealed.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:23 p.m.