FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

In the Matter of a Complaint by                        FINAL DECISION

 

Darrel Lovley and Lois Lesieur,

 

                        Complainants,

 

            against              Docket #FIC 89-354

 

Range Advisory Committee of the Town of Stafford,

 

                        Respondent                  January 10, 1990

 

            The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on  November 9, 1989, at which time the complainants 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.         It is found that the respondent is a committee created by the Planning and Zoning Commission of Stafford to study issues pertaining to the establishment of a shooting range in  Stafford.

 

            2.         It is concluded that the respondent is a public agency within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.

 

            3.         By letter filed October 24, 1989, the complainants alleged that the respondent held an illegal meeting on October 22, 1989.

 

            4.         It is found that the respondent held a meeting October 22, 1989 at the Stafford Fish and Game Club to evaluate the noise of firearms.

 

            5.         It is found that members of the public were prohibited from entering the property by Bruce Dobson, a member of both the respondent and the Stafford Fish and Game Club.

 

            6.         It is found that reporters were permitted on the property belonging to the Stafford Fish and Game Club while the test was conducted, but that members of the public were not.

 

            7.         It is found that the respondent violated the open meetings requirement of 1-21, G.S., when it excluded the public from the October 22, 1989 meeting.

 

Docket #FIC 89-354                                       page two

 

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

 

            1.         The respondent shall henceforth comply with 1-21, G.S.

 

            2.         The FOI Commission finds the action of the respondent regrettable not only because the law was violated, but also because the inability of members of the public to view the shooting test made it impossible for them to observe what firearms were being fired.

 

Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of January 10, 1990.

 

                                                         

                                    Tina C. Frappier

                                    Acting Clerk of the Commission

 

Docket #FIC 89-354                                   page three

 

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:

DARREL LOVLEY AND LOIS LESIEUR

c/o Hugh I. Manke, Esq.

Reif & Manke, P.C.

38 Trumbull Street

New Haven, CT  06508

 

RANGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF STRATFORD

c/o Mr. Francis Benison

300 Furnace Avenue

Stafford Springs, CT  06076

                                                         

                                    Tina C. Frappier

                                    Acting Clerk of the Commission