Highlighting in the form of underlining is mine; KES]

cruzrt
(an unidentifiable member of Wethersfield.ProBoards26.com):
Re: Minutes & Public's Right to Know
« Reply #50 on Dec 30, 2005, 8:11pm »

The information in the Council packet included a memo from Dolores Sassano explaining her actions, which had very weak justifications and which did not contain anything that this board hasn't already heard; the Attorney Bradley memo which included his opinions that haveing historical information, knowing the intent of the councillors, and having the means to get insights on how the Council decided issues; and a memo which expressed the displeasure of the Town Department heads, who prefer the former method of doing minutes.

Jubashero
(an unidentifiable member of Wethersfield.ProBoards26.com):
Re: Minutes & Public's Right to Know
« Reply #54 on Dec 31, 2005, 12:24pm »

The town attorney was given the task to express the opinion of whether or not the revised “minutes” met the statutory requirements. He could have ended his correspondences after the first paragraph or so but to his credit, he, as many of us in the community do, realize the importance of minutes in the democratic process and included the politely worded rebuff; a rebuff that apparently is ignored by the clerk.

The debate has been focused on meeting the FOI statutory requirements and not the intent of the FOI. How is the general public to find/participate on an issue before a public agency when the clerk doesn’t even know where the minutes or agenda are maintained?

I believe that the Council will only be given a choice between (1) the revised minutes and meeting the statutory requirements, or (2), the continued practice and not be in compliance. Unfortunately we all lose under those options. Therefore, I propose the following to resolve the conflict:

1. The town attorney determines which committee must meet the FOI requirements.

2. Each committee is responsible to forward to the clerk a copy of the agenda for their next meeting 48 hours prior to the meeting. Attached to the agenda is a form for each public issue on which the committee potentially votes.

3. The clerk logs the agenda on some sort of database and posts a hardcopy in a notebook for public inspection.

4. Within 24 hours of a committee meeting, a representative forwards the completed forms to the clerk or notifies the clerk who can then complete the blank forms in item (3).

5. Within 7 days, the committees must forward a draft copy of the minutes to the clerk.

6. The clerk logs the minutes on some sort of database and posts a hardcopy in a notebook for public inspection.

7. The minutes are reviewed and approved by the respective committees within a certain specified time period (e.g. within the next subsequent meeting or 2 months). The approved minutes are sent to the clerk and posted on the website.

8. The clerk logs the approved minutes on some sort of database and replaces the draft copies with the approved minutes in a notebook for public inspection.

Dr.Ken Sokolowski
- FOOT HEALTH SERVICES -
Wethersfield, CT, 06109 U.S.A.
Phone: (860) 529-6845