FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

In the Matter of a Complaint by                        Final Decision

 

Linnie Lawrence,

 

                        Complainant

 

            against              Docket #FIC 93-271

 

Gales Ferry Fire District Board of Directors,

 

                        Respondent                  March 9, 1994

 

            The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on December 28, 1993, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.

 

            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 with this Commission on October 1, 1993, the complainant alleged that the respondent and its president violated the provisions of the FOI Act by conducting secret or unnoticed meetings and by failing to give written or verbal notice of such meetings to all members of the respondent.  The complaint also contained other allegations that do not properly fall within the jurisdiction of this Commission.

 

            3.  It is found that the respondent conducted a special, unnoticed meeting of its Bylaws Revision Committee on September 2, 1993.

 

            4.  It is also found that not every member of the respondent was given notice of the September 2, 1993 meeting in accordance with the provisions of 1-21(a), G.S.

 

            5.  It is concluded that the respondent's omissions as described in paragraphs 3 and 4, above, constitute violations of 1-21(a), G.S.

 

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

 

            1.  Henceforth the respondent shall strictly comply with the provisions of 1-21(a), G.S.

 

Docket #FIC 93-271                           Page 2

 

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

 

            1.  Henceforth the respondent shall strictly comply with the provisions of 1-21(a), G.S.

 

Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of March 9, 1994.

 

                                                                 

                                    Elizabeth A. Leifert

                                    Acting Clerk of the Commission

Docket #FIC 93-271                           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:

Mrs. Linnie Lawrence

28 Bluff Road West

Gales Ferry, CT 06334

 

Gales Ferry Fire District

Board of Directors

2 Allyn Lane

Gales Ferry, CT 06335

 

                                                                 

                                    Elizabeth A. Leifert

                                    Acting Clerk of the Commission