| TO: | Freedom of Information Commission |
| FROM: | Thomas A. Hennick |
| RE: | Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of May 11, 2016 |
A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on May 11, 2016, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:22 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
Commissioner Jay Shaw (participated via speakerphone)
Commissioner Matthew Streeter
Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
Commissioner Jay Shaw (participated via speakerphone)
Commissioner Matthew Streeter
Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Clifton A. Leonhardt, Tracie C. Brown, Kathleen K. Ross, Valicia D. Harmon, Paula S. Pearlman, Virginia Brown, Cindy Cannata, and Thomas A. Hennick.
The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of April 27, 2016.
Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.
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Ricardo Correa v. Jonathan Fontneau, Chief, Police Department, City of Stamford; and Police Department, City of Stamford |
Ricardo Correa participated via speakerphone. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
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Linda Congdon-Marr v. Mae Ellen Lyons, Chairperson, Board of Education, Brooklyn Public Schools; Robert Rossi, Sheila Johnson, John Donfrancisco, Amy Majek, as Members, Brooklyn Board of Education, Brooklyn Public Schools; and Board of Education, Brooklyn Public Schools |
The Commissioners voted, 3-0, to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report. Commissioner Hankins abstained.
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Patricia Mechare v. Andrea Downs, Chairman, Board of Education, Regional School District 1; Board of Eduation, Regional School District 1; Electra Tortorella, Chairman, ABC Committee, Regional School District 1; and ABC Committee, Regional School District 1 |
Attorney Frederick Dorsey appeared on behalf of the complainant. Attorney Gary Brochu appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
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Docket #FIC 2015-544 |
Laura Terry v. David Freedman, as Member, Newtown Board of Education; Kathy Hamilton, As Member, Newtown Board of Education; and Newtown Board of Education |
Laura Terry appeared on her own behalf. Attorney Mark Sommaruga appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 3-1, to remand the matter to the Hearing Officer to gather and review more evidence in the matter. Commissioner Streeter voted against remand. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
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Docket #FIC 2015-771 |
Laura Roche v. David Freedman and Kathy Hamilton as Members, Newtown Board of Education; and Newtown Board of Education |
Laura Roche appeared on her own behalf. Attorney Mark Sommaruga appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 3-1, to remand the matter to the Hearing
Officer to gather and review more evidence in the matter. Commissioner Streeter voted against remand. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Officer to gather and review more evidence in the matter. Commissioner Streeter voted against remand. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
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Amy Rolon v. 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.
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Jeffrey Gandolfo and Merle Gandolfo v. Grove Beach Point Association |
The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
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Jeremy Shafer and the American Civil Liberties Union v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Stratford; Police Department, Town of Stratford; and Town of Stratford |
Attorney Dan Barrett appeared on behalf of the complainants. Attorney Bryan LeClerc appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 3-0, to approve the Hearing
Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioner Shaw did not participate in this matter.
Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioner Shaw did not participate in this matter.
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Bradshaw Smith v. Steven Mitchell, Chairman, Board of Directors, Greater Hartford Transit District; Frank Lord, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Greater Hartford Transit District; Ricardo Quintero, David Raney, as members, Board of Directors, Greater Hartford Transit District; and Greater Hartford Transit District |
The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
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Allison Fennelly v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Cheshire; Police Department, Town of Cheshire; and Town of Cheshire |
The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
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Jafar Razmi v. Chief Officer, Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut; and Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut |
Jafar Razmi and Leila Ladani appeared on behalf of the complainant. Rachel Krinsky-Rudnick 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.
Colleen M. Murphy reported on pending appeals.
Paula S. Pearlman reported on legislation.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:13 p.m.
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Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 05112016/tah/05122016
AMENDMENTS
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Jafar Razmi v. Chief Officer, Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut; and Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut |
The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
29. After careful inspection of IC 2015-634-017 through 040, it is found that such records are “preliminary drafts,” within the meaning of §1-210(b)(1), G.S., and that the respondents determined that the public interest in withholding these documents [was] clearly outweighed [by] the public interest in disclosure of such records. It is further found that such determination was “made in good faith,” and that the reasons given were “not frivolous or patently unfounded.” Van Norstrand v. Freedom of Information Comm’n, 211 Conn. 339, 345 (1989).