Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Freedom of Information Conference. Missed it? Click here to watch a replay via CT-N

TO: Freedom of Information Commission
FROM: Thomas A. Hennick
RE: Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of June 25, 2014
     A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on June 25, 2014, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:05 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
     Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
     Commissioner Matthew Streeter
     Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
     Commissioner Michael C. Daly
     Commissioner Lenny T. Winkler
     Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Clifton A. Leonhardt, Tracie C. Brown, Kathleen K. Ross, Gregory F. Daniels, Lisa F. Siegel, Valicia D. Harmon, Paula S. Pearlman, Cindy Cannata, and Thomas A. Hennick.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of June 11, 2014.
     Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.
Lindsey Edwards v. CTO Washington, FOI Liaison, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction, MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution; Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and  State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Lindsey Edwards participated via speakerphone. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Edward Peruta v. Reuben Bradford, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Sean Bodamer v. Chief Public Defender, State of Connecticut, Office of the Chief Public Defender, Division of Public Defender Services; and State of Connecticut, Office of the Chief Public Defender, Division of Public Defender Services
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Nancy Chapman v. Chief Operating Officer, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc.; and Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*
Mark Chicano v. C. Mitchell, FOI Liaison, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction, Cheshire Correctional Institution; State of Connecticut, Department of Correction, Cheshire Correctional Institution; Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Ethan Book v. Mayor, City of Bridgeport; and City of Bridgeport
     Ethan Book appeared on his own behalf. Attorney Gregory Conte appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Bryan Jordan v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Donald Berg v. Mary Stanton, Town Clerk, Town of Mansfield; and Town of Mansfield
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Carl Liano v. Benefits Coordinator, City of Bridgeport; and City of Bridgeport
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Michael Richey v. Allan Lawrence, Fire Marshal, Town of Ellington; and Town of Ellington
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*
Michael Richey v. Fire Marshal, Town of Ellington; First Selectman, Town of Ellington; and Town of Ellington
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*

     The Commissioners unanimously voted to deny a Motion for Reconsideration dated May 30, 2014 filed by Abraham Solomon in Abraham Solomon v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health, Docket #FIC 2013-466.  The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     The Commissioners did not act on a Notice of Decision Not to Schedule in David Godbout v. Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety Legislative Committee, State of Connecticut, Connecticut General Assembly, Docket # FIC 2013-441. The complaint was formally withdrawn by the complainant.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Freedom of Information Commission, Docket # FIC 2013-457. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in David Godbout v. City of Stamford, Docket # FIC 2013-458. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to deny a request for a declaratory ruling from David Godbout dated May 29, 2014.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported on the Commission’s Compliance with Court Order, dated April 24, 2014, in David Godbout v. Freedom of Information Commission, CV-13-5015870-S.  Such order relates to the following underlying matters: (1) Docket #FIC 2012-488; David Godbout v. Office of the Corporation Counsel, City of Stamford; and City of Stamford (2) Docket #FIC 2013-042; David Godbout v. Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety (3) Docket #FIC 2013-051; David Godbout v. Edward Meyer, Member, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Senate (4) Docket #FIC 2013-062; David Godbout v. Andrea Stillman, Member, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Senate (5) Docket #FIC 2013-068; David Godbout v. Public Safety and Security Committee, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Legislature (6) Docket  #FIC 2013-083; David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety and (7) Docket #FIC 2013-117; David Godbout v. Executive Director, State of Connecticut, Office of Legislative Management; and State of Connecticut, Office of Legislative Management. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported to Commissioners about the annual Connecticut Council of Freedom of Information meeting on June 18 and informed them that FOIC Public Education Officer Thomas Hennick had received a Champion of Open Government award.
     The meeting was adjourned at 2:44 p.m.

_______________
Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 06252014/tah/06262014
AMENDMENTS
Nancy Chapman v. Chief Operating Officer, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc.; and Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc.
          The order in Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:
     1. Henceforth, the respondents shall provide the complainant with the records described in paragraph 2 of the findings, above, FREE OF CHARGE.
Michael Richey v. Allan Lawrence, Fire Marshal, Town of Ellington; and Town of Ellington
     The order in Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:
     1. The complaint is hereby dismissed WITH PREJUDICE.
Michael Richey v. Fire Marshal, Town of Ellington; First Selectman, Town of Ellington; and Town of Ellington
     The order in Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:
     1. The complaint is hereby dismissed WITH PREJUDICE.