FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

In the Matter of a Complaint by FINAL DECISION

John P. Ranciato,

Complainant

against Docket #FIC 90-104

North Haven First Selectman and Republican Members of the North Haven Board of Education,

Respondents January 23, 1991

The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on June 29, 1990, at which time the complainant and the respondents appeared, stipulated to certain facts 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 respondents are public agencies within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.

2. By letter of complaint filed March 16, 1990, the complainant alleged that the respondent members of the Board of Education and the respondent First Selectman held an illegal breakfast meeting at the Ramada Inn on February 28, 1990.

3. The respondents claimed at hearing that the gathering was a caucus and, therefore, not a meeting within the meaning of 1-18a(b), G.S.

4. It is found that the respondents gathered at the Ramada Inn for breakfast on February 28, 1990.

5. It is found that the respondent First Selectman is an ex-officio member of the Board of Education pursuant to 7-12a, G.S. and pursuant to the North Haven Charter.

Docket #FIC 90-104 Page Two

6. The Commission takes administrative notice of the fact that the First Selectman of North Haven is identified as a republican in the State of Connecticut Register and Manual for 1989.

7. It is concluded that the gathering in question is not a meeting because it is a caucus and as such is expressly excluded from the definition of meeting set forth at 1-18a(b), G.S.

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 January 23, 1991.

Tina C. Frappier

Acting Clerk of the Commission

Docket #FIC 90-104 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:

JOHN P. RANCIATO

92 Maple Avenue

North Haven, CT 06473

NORTH HAVEN FIRST SELECTMAN AND REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE NORTH HAVEN BOARD OF EDUCATION

c/o Robert K. Ciulla, Esq.

P.O. Box 1936

New Haven, CT 06509

Tina C. Frappier

Acting Clerk of the Commission