FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF
CONNECTICUT
In the Matter of
a Complaint by FINAL
DECISION
Kenith S. Smith
and IBPO Local 540
Complainants
against Docket #FIC 87-13
Police
Commission of the Town of East Windsor, and the Chairman of the Police
Commission of the Town of East Windsor
Respondents May 27, 1987
The above captioned matter was
scheduled for hearing March 30, 1987, at which time the parties appeared and
presented evidence and argument on the complaint.
1. The respondents are public agencies
within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.
2. By letter dated November 25, 1986, the
complainants requested copies of tapes of meetings of the respondent commission
which had been made on November 13, 1986, and November 21, 1986, by Commissioner
Mannette.
3. On December 23, 1986, the complainants
received a letter from the respondent chairman stating that the respondent
commission took no action on their request at a meeting on December 17, 1986.
4. On January 16, 1987, the complainants
filed their appeal alleging denial of their right to receive copies of public
records.
5. Commissioner Mannette claimed that the
tape recordings of the meetings were made for his personal use, to refresh his
recollection concerning the meetings of the commission.
6. Commissioner Mannette shared his tape
recordings with the chief of police who made copies of them to refresh his own
recollection concerning meetings.
7. It is found under the facts of this
case that the tape recordings are public records within the meaning of
1-18a(d), G.S.
Docket # FIC
87-13
page two
The following order by the
Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the
above-captioned complaint:
1. The respondents shall provide the
complainants with copies of the tapes which they requested in their letter of
November 25, 1986, which is more fully described at paragraph two.
Approved by order of the Freedom of
Information Commission at its regular meeting of May 27, 1987.
ÿ
Catherine I.
Hostetter
Acting Clerk of the Commission