Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

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 May 25, 2016
     A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on May 25, 2016, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:09 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
     Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
     Commissioner Jay Shaw
     Commissioner Jonathan J. Einhorn
     Commissioner Matthew Streeter
     Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
     Commissioner Michael C. Daly
     Commissioner Lenny T. Winkler
     Commissioner Ryan P. Barry
     Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Tracie C. Brown, Kathleen K. Ross, Valicia D. Harmon, Paula S. Pearlman, Cindy Cannata, and Thomas A. Hennick.
     The Commissioners voted, 7-0, to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of May 11, 2016. Commissioner Winkler abstained.
     Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.
Timothy Townsend v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Timothy Townsend participated via speakerphone. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report.  The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.* The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Jose Medina v. James Rovella, Chief, Police Department, City of Hartford; Police Department, City of Hartford; City of Hartford; Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
 Docket #FIC 2015-666
Thomas Tanner v. Michael Maniago, Chief, Police Department, City of Torrington; Police Department, City of Torrington; and City of Torrington
    Thomas Tanner participated via speakerphone. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to table the matter. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
John Cupka v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut,  Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     John Cupka appeared on his own behalf. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Jon Schoenhorn v. Chief, Police Department, City of Hartford; Police Department, City of Hartford; and City of Hartford
     The Commissioners voted, 7-0, to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report. Commissioner Daly recused himself from the matter.
Mari-Ellen Valyo v. Arthur Melycher, Chairman, Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Town of Winchester; and Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Town of Winsted
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Elizabeth Wassmundt v. Chairman, Board of Education, Mansfield Public Schools; and Board of Education, Mansfield Public Schools
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Georgia Tedla v. Director of Human Resources, Greenwich Public Schools; and Greenwich Public Schools
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Adam Osmond v. President, Connecticut Lottery Corporation; and Connecticut Lottery Corporation
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Susan Skipp v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services, Bureau of Child Enforcement; and State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services, Bureau of Child Enforcement
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Nsonsa Kisala v. Brenda Halpin, Director, Retirement Services Division, State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller; and Retirement Services Division, State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.

     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in: Bradshaw Smith v. Colleen Murphy, Executive Director, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Freedom of Information Commission; and State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Freedom of Information Commission, Docket # FIC 2015-379. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in: David Godbout v. Colleen Murphy, Executive Director, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; and Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Docket # FIC 2015-477 and David Godbout v. Director, Scientific Services Department, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Docket # FIC 2015-489.

     Victor R. Perpetua reported on pending appeals.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported that due to significant budget cuts, the agency had been forced to lay off two employees.

     The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

 ______________
Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 05252016/tah/05262016
AMENDMENT
Timothy Townsend v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     2. It is found that, by letter dated September 11, 2015, the complainant made a request to the respondents for “a copy of all documents related to Report No. CRCC[-2015-02-012] 1502012 and Incident Report CRCC 2015-10-150, and all other evidence related to the above incident…not limited to e-mails and faxes and telephone transcripts.”  (Ellipsis in original).
     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:
     1. The respondents shall forthwith undertake a search for records relating to disciplinary report number CRCC-[2015-02-012] 1502012, and provide copies of any responsive records to the complainant, free of charge.