FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

In the Matter of a Complaint by Report of Hearing Officer

Todd J. Branche,

Complainant

against Docket #FIC 91-315

Center Groton Fire District,

Respondent April 8, 1992

The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on March 9, 1992, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint. This case was consolidated for hearing with Docket #FIC 91-334 and Docket #FIC 91-393.

After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found and conclusions of law are reached:

1. The respondent is a public agency within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.

2. By letter of complaint filed September 18, 1991 and postmarked September 17, 1991, the complainant appealed to the Commission, alleging that the respondent:

a. held meetings without a quorum;

b. did not permit him to attend its July 17, 1991 meeting;

c. failed to make minutes of such meetings available to the public at the Groton Town Hall; and

d. held a special meeting on July 31, 1991 without filing a notice, agenda or minutes.

3. At the hearing on this matter, the parties stipulated that all of the allegations raised by this complaint were previously addressed in Docket #FIC 91-261, Docket #FIC 91-266, and Docket #FIC 91-287.

4. Also, it is found that the complainant did not appeal to the Commission within 30 days of either the alleged July 17 or July 31, 1991 meetings, or the complainant's knowledge of the alleged meetings.

Docket #FIC 91-315 Page 2

The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:

1. The complaint is dismissed.

Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of April 8, 1992.

Debra L. Rembowski

Acting Clerk of the Commission

Docket #FIC 91-315 Page 3

PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-180(c), G.S. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF EACH PARTY AND THE MOST RECENT MAILING ADDRESS, PROVIDED TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION, OF THE PARTIES OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

THE PARTIES TO THIS CONTESTED CASE ARE:

Todd J. Branche

c/o Richard J. Branche

390 Hazelnut Hill Road

Groton, CT 06340

Center Groton Fire District

c/o Attorney Ellen Brown Nicholas

Gianacoplos, Johnson, Nicholas and Grater, P.C.

100 Fort Hill Road

Groton, CT 06340

Debra L. Rembowski

Acting Clerk of the Commission