Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of March 15, 2021
The meeting was called to order at 12:53 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, 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), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield), Brian W. Preleski (New Britain), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), 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, Training Program Coordinator Vasi Gournaris, Manager of Research and Planning Ivan Kuzyk and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.
State’s Attorney Kelley moved to accept the minutes of the February 23, 2021 meeting. State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with no one in opposition.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the Division’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including updates on the use of technology to conduct court hearings, the Governor’s vaccination distribution plan and what the lifting of capacity limits on March 19 would mean for courthouses.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the budget, saying the Division recently met with the Joint Committee on Appropriations and its subcommittees. In addition to discussion about securing more funding for training, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said committee members were interested in learning about the Division’s Early Screening and Intervention Program.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo and Legislative Liaison Dykas provided updates on legislative matters. Legislative Liaison Dykas said language in legislation regarding risk warrants and the creation of a new Inspector General’s office is expected to be reworked.
State’s Attorney Griffin said the Training Committee met recently and discussed training for new hires, including the use of a standardized Power Point presentation to be used in all of the Judicial Districts. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said some Power Point presentations have already been created and that he would be reaching out to State’s Attorneys about giving presentations on important topics of discussion for future training programs. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto also said a recent policy aimed at conducting ongoing development, review and publication of policies in all areas of administration and operations within the Division would be sent out for a final review.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo discussed a new Appellate Bureau policy on victim notification, summer internships and asked for suggestions on how to indicate cases have been scanned into the new Case Management System.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Hardy reported that the first meeting of the statewide Community Engagement Board was held and that there would be another meeting in May. The State’s Attorneys discussed creating mission statements for their individual community engagement boards and asked for input from those who had established statements.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto would hold meetings with four separate focus groups comprised of State’s Attorneys to discuss the needs of and other important issues in each Judicial District.
State’s Attorney Platt discussed her recent efforts to resolve a backlog of cases, including violation of probation cases.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Doyle provided an update on the COLLECT System Security Awareness Training.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Griffin made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Ferencek seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:57 p.m.