Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

Due to public health concerns, CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS scheduled for the weeks of March 16 and March 23 are POSTPONED. The regular meeting of the FOI Commission scheduled for March 25, 2020, is CANCELED.

TO: Freedom of Information Commission
FROM: Thomas A. Hennick
RE: Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of June 12, 2013
     A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on June 12, 2013, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:10 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
     Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
     Commissioner Amy J. LiVolsi
     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, Victor R. Perpetua, Kathleen K. Ross, Lisa F. Siegel, Paula S. Pearlman, Cindy Cannata and Thomas A. Hennick.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of May 22, 2013.
     Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.

Umar Shahid v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Umar Shahid participated via speakerphone. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
The proceedings were recorded digitally.
James Torlai 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
     James Torlai 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.*
James Torlai v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of State Police
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
James Torlai 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
     James Torlai appeared on his own behalf. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
 Docket #FIC 2012-376
David Godbout v. Gayle Weinstein, First Selectman, Town of Weston; Town of Weston; Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     David Godbout appeared on his own behalf. Attorney Patricia Sullivan appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to table the matter until the
next meeting. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Richard Boccaccio v. First Selectman, Town of Westbrook; and Town of Westbrook
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Pat Eaton-Robb and the Associated Press v. Director, State of Connecticut, Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, University of Connecticut; and State of Connecticut, Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, University of Connecticut
     Attorney Steven Ecker appeared on behalf of Webster Bank and IMG College, entities granted party status at the hearing on the matter. Assistant Attorney General Holly Bray appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted twice to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.* The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Michelle Tuccitto Sullo and the New Haven Register v. Town Attorney, Town of Hamden; and Town of Hamden 
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Henry Gowan Dacey v. Thomas Hermann, First Selectman; Scott Centrella, Selectman; Robert Lessler, Selectman, Town of Easton; and Board of Selectmen, Town of Easton
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Carl Liano v. Richard Weiner, Benefits Manager, City of Bridgeport; and City of Bridgeport
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Diane Reed v. Mayor, Town of Plymouth; Director, Human Resources, Town of Plymouth; and Town of Plymouth
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Maggie Gomez 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.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a Notice of Decision not to schedule hearings in David Godbout v. Office of the Corporation Counsel, City of Stamford; and City of Stamford, Docket  #FIC 2012-488; David Godbout v. First Selectman, Town of Newtown; and Town of Newtown, Docket  #FIC 2012-707; David Godbout v. Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety, Docket  #FIC 2013-042; David Godbout v. Edward Meyer, Member, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Senate, Docket  #FIC 2013-051; David Godbout v. Andrea Stillman, Member, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Senate, Docket  #FIC 2013-062; David Godbout v. Public Safety and Security Committee, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Legislature, Docket  #FIC 2013-068; David Godbout v. State of Connecticut, Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety, Docket  #FIC 2013-083; and David Godbout v. Executive Director, State of Connecticut, Office of Legislative Management; and State of Connecticut, Office of Legislative Management, Docket  #FIC 2013-117.

     Victor R. Perpetua reported on pending appeals.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported on a two-day visit to Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Commission by a high-level delegation from Liberia, which was visiting the U.S. on a fact-finding mission about the importance of transparency in a thriving democracy.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported on legislation.

                                The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
________________
Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 06122013/tah/06132013
AMENDMENTS
James Torlai 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
     The 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.  IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, THE RESPONDENTS SHALL PROVIDE THE COMPLAINANT WITH A COPY OF THE RECORDS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH 14 OF THE FINDINGS, ABOVE, FREE OF CHARGE, WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE NOTICE OF FINAL DECISION IN THIS MATTER. 

     [1.]  2. Henceforth, the respondents shall strictly comply with the promptness provisions of §§1-210(a), and 1-212(a), G.S.
Pat Eaton-Robb and the Associated Press v. Director, State of Connecticut, Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, University of Connecticut; and State of Connecticut, Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, University of Connecticut
     The 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. Based upon the withdrawal, the complaint is hereby dismissed, WITH PREJUDICE.
In addition, the signature of the hearing officer was changed to Matthew Streeter and the date of the report to June 12, 2013.