The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on October 13, 1998, 
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(1), G.S. 

	2.   By letter dated June 27, 1998, and filed June 30, 1998, the complainant 
appealed to the Commission alleging that the respondent department violated the Freedom 
of Information Act by denying her access to her “personal records.”   

	3.   It is found that, shortly before June 30, 1998, the complainant made a request 
to the respondent department for records concerning her case with such department, 
which case appears to have arisen from her eviction from her home.   

	4.   Section 1-19(a), G.S., in relevant part, provides:

[e]xcept as otherwise provided by any federal law or state 
statute, all records maintained or kept on file by any public 
agency, whether or not such records are required by any law 
or by any rule or regulation, shall be public records and 
every person shall have the right to inspect such records 
promptly during regular office or business hours or to 
receive a copy of such records in accordance with the 
provisions of section 1-15…

	5.   It is concluded that the requested records are public records within the 
meaning of §1-19(a), G.S. 

	6.   It is found that, on July 24, 1998, the complainant was provided with all 
records responsive to her request maintained by the respondent department.  It is further 
found that, at the hearing in this matter, the respondents offered to provide the 
complainant with second copies of such records.

	7.   It is found that the complainant has made numerous requests over the past 
several years to many agencies within the town of Greenwich for information related to 
her eviction.  It is further found that, at the hearing in this matter, the complainant sought 
answers from the respondent department regarding the substantive issues of her 
underlying case.  However, it is found that the Freedom of Information Act does not 
require public agencies to answer questions, nor does it require public agencies to create 
records to satisfy a request. 

	8.   Based upon the facts and circumstances of this case, it is concluded that the 
respondents did not violate the provisions of §1-19(a), G.S., in responding to the 
complainant’s request.   
 

	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 regular meeting of 
December 9, 1998.

_________________________
Melanie R. Balfour
Acting Clerk of the Commission

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:

Carole G. Yudain 
22 Harold Street
Cos Cob, CT 06807

Department of Social Services, 
Town of Greenwich; 
and Town of Greenwich
c/o Atty. Haden P. Gerrish
Assistant Town Attorney
101 Field Point Road
PO Box 2540
Greenwich, CT 06836-2540

__________________________
Melanie R. Balfour
Acting Clerk of the Commission

FIC1998-188FD/mrb12141998