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 July 9, 2014
     A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on July 9, 2014, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:12 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
     Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
     Commissioner Matthew Streeter
     Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
     Commissioner Lenny T. Winkler
     Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Clifton A. Leonhardt, Tracie C. Brown, Kathleen K. Ross, Lisa F. Siegel, Gregory F. Daniels, 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 25, 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.
Jean Gonzalez 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.
Richard Stevenson 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.
Maggie Gordon and Hearst Connecticut Newspapers v. Director, Department of Human Resources, Town of Greenwich;  Town of Greenwich; Office of the Controller, City of Stamford; City of Stamford; Office of Corporation Counsel, City of Danbury; Director, Human Resources Department, City of Danbury;  City of Danbury; Office of Corporation Counsel, City of Bridgeport; Director, Human Resources Department, City of Bridgeport; City of Bridgeport; Commissioner, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; Bridgeport Police Union, Local 1159, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO; Danbury Police Union, Local 891, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO; and the Silver Shield Association
     Attorney Diego Ibarguen appeared on behalf of the complainants. Attorneys Valerie Maze Keeney, Laslo Pinter and Gregory Conte appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 3-0, to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. Commissioner Hankins recused himself from the matter. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Greenwich Silver Shield Association v. Director, Human Resources Department, Town of Greenwich; Human Resources Department, Town of Greenwich; and Town of Greenwich
     Attorney Valerie Maze Keeney appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*
Dawn Llewellyn v. Superintendent of Schools, Fairfield Public Schools; Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Fairfield Public Schools; and Fairfield Public Schools
     Attorney Joshua Wyatt appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Peter Hood v. Chairman, Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance; and Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance
     Peter Hood appeared on his own behalf. The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*
Peter Hood v. Chairman, Fairfield County Deer Management Alliance; and Fairfield County Deer Management Alliance
     Peter Hood appeared on his own behalf. The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*
Bryant Rollins 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.
Gino Legaz v. Director, Parks and Recreation Department, Town of Wilton; Parks and Recreation Department, Town of Wilton; and Town of Wilton
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
 Docket #FIC 2013-733
Barry Moynihan v. David Reed, Chairman, Economic Development Committee, Town of Somers; Economic Development Committee, Town of Somers; and Town of Somers
     Barry Moynihan appeared on his own behalf. The Commissioners unanimously voted to remand the matter to the Hearing Officer in order to reopen the matter.
Elizabeth Devine v. Chairman, Economic Development Commission, Town of Somers; and Economic Development Commission, Town of Somers
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in David Godbout v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of State Police; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of State Police, Docket # FIC 2013-500.  The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in Consideration of Notice of Decision Not to Schedule in David Godbout v. Board of Directors, State of Connecticut, Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority;  State of Connecticut, Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, Docket # FIC 2013-505. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in Consideration of Notice of Decision Not to Schedule in David Godbout v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Docket # FIC 2013-537. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     Victor R. Perpetua reported on the Superior Court, Judicial District of New Britain decision dated June 24, 2014 in Jay R. Lieberman, M.D. v. Michael, Aronow, et al.
     The meeting was adjourned at 3:47 p.m.

_______________
Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 07092014/tah/07112014
AMENDMENTS
Greenwich Silver Shield Association v. Director, Human Resources Department, Town of Greenwich; Human Resources Department, Town of Greenwich; and Town of Greenwich
     The order in Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     1. The respondents shall forthwith provide the complainant with copies of the Marcum Report described in paragraph 2 of the findings, above, FREE OF CHARGE.
Peter Hood v. Chairman, Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance; and Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance
     The order in Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     2.  THE COMMISSION IS COMPELLED TO REMIND THE RESPONDENTS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE PROVISIONS OF §1-225(e), G.S., AND TO ADVISE THAT THE RESPONDENT ALLIANCE’S CONDUCT WAS NOT APPROPRIATE.
Peter Hood v. Chairman, Fairfield County Deer Management Alliance; and Fairfield County Deer Management Alliance
     The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     2. By letter filed October 21, 2013, the complainant appealed to this Commission, alleging that the respondents violated the FOI Act by failing to make available minutes of their meeting of September 9, 2013, within [7 ] SEVEN days of such meeting.  The complainant requested the imposition of civil penalties in this matter.
     10. It is also found that THE RESPONDENT’S website states on its home page, just below the link for meeting agendas and minutes:  “A Copy of all agendas and minutes is available in Redding, CT at the Office of the Town Clerk.”
     13. The respondents conceded, and it is found, that the minutes for the September 9, 2013 meeting were not made available until September 22, 2013, which is more than [7] SEVEN days after the meeting.