FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

In the Matter of a Complaint by                        FINAL DECISION

 

Diane L. Buda,

 

                        Complainant,

 

            against              Docket #FIC 89-294

 

Finance Director, Town of Stratford,

 

                        Respondent                  December 18, 1989

 

            The above-captioned matter was scheduled for hearing on October 16, 1989, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared and presented evidence and argument on the complaint.

 

            Based upon the evidence in the above-captioned complaint 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 dated July 17, 1989, the complainant alleged that the respondent had failed to provide her with copies of the delinquent tax lists for the years 1987 and 1988, and 1988-1989, which she requested on July 6, 1989.

 

            3.         It is found that the respondent did not provide the requested lists to the complainant.

 

            4.         It is found that the respondent does have a record of delinquent taxes in the rate books which the town is required by law to maintain.

 

            5.         It is found that the respondent acknowledges that the record of delinquent taxes in the rate books is inconsistent with other records maintained by the respondent, and that the respondent is developing worksheets which have more accurate  information.

 

            6.         It is found that the complainant does not seek the worksheets or the rate books, but rather seeks a final and complete list of delinquent taxes.

 

            7.         It is found that a final and complete list of delinquent taxes does not exist.

 

Docket #FIC 89-294                           Page 2

 

            8.         It is found further that the respondent does not have a computer program which would permit it to utilize its computerized data to produce a final and complete list of delinquent personal property and real estate taxes, although it could provide a current list of motor vehicle delinquencies for the complainant.

 

            9.         It is found that the complainant does not want a list of delinquent taxes for motor vehicles only.

 

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

 

            1.         The complaint is hereby dismissed.

 

Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its special meeting of December 18, 1989.

 

                                                         

                                    Karen J. Haggett

                                    Clerk of the Commission

 

Docket #FIC 89-294                           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:

DIANE L. BUDA

46 Glenwood Avenue

Stratford, CT  06497

 

STEVEN G. BERG, ESQ.

Gregory & Adams

P. O. Box 190

Wilton, CT  06897

 

                                                         

                                    Karen J. Haggett

                                    Clerk of the Commission