FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
In the Matter of a Complaint
by FINAL
DECISION
Sharon C. Tarrant,
Complainant
against Docket
#FIC 88‑371
Commissioner Diogenes P.
John of the Norwich Town Housing Authority and Norwich Town
Housing Authority,
Respondents December
14, 1988
The above‑captioned matter was heard as a contested
case on October 25, 1988, at which time the complainant and the respondents
appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony, exhibits and
argument on the complaint. The matter
was heard in conjunction with Docket #FIC 88‑367, Allison Lussier v.
Commissioner Diogenes P. John of the Norwich Town Housing Authority and Norwich
Town Housing Authority.
After consideration of the entire record, the following
facts are found:
1. The
respondents are public agencies within the meaning of §1‑18a(a), G.S.
2. It is
found that on August 30, 1988 the complainant visited the office of the
respondent authority for the purpose of inspecting and copying minutes of
meetings of the respondent authority's commissioners.
3. It is
further found that the complainant was permitted to inspect the minutes, but
upon requesting copies was informed that, upon the order of the respondent
commissioner, copies were not available.
4. By letter
of complaint dated September 6, 1988 and filed with the Commission on September
12, 1988 the complainant appealed the respondents' refusal to provide copies of
minutes.
5. It is
found that the respondents' failure to provide the complainant with copies of
minutes when requested on August 30, 1988 denied the complainant prompt access
to such records, in violation of §1‑15, G.S.
Docket #FIC 88‑371 Page
Two
6. It is
further found that the respondents' initial denial of the complainant's request
for copies was, regrettably, based upon a lack of knowledge of the requirements
of the Freedom of Information Act. Upon
being made aware of their responsibilities following their denial of a similar
request on September 6, 1988, the respondents took steps to provide the
requested copies, which were received by the complainant on September 7, 1988.
The following order by the Commission is hereby
recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above‑captioned
complaint.
1. The
respondents henceforth shall act in strict compliance with the requirements of
§1‑15, G.S. regarding prompt access to copies of public records.
Approved by order of the Freedom of Information
Commission at its special meeting of December 14, 1988.
Catherine
H. Lynch
Acting
Clerk of the Commission