Final Decision FIC75-16
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In the Matter of a Complaint by
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George M. Murphy, Complainant
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Report of Hearing Officers |
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against
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Docket #FIC 75-16 |
| Barkhamsted Board of Education Respondent |
December 1, 1975 |
The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on November 24, 1975, at which the complainant and respondent appeared and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.
After consideration of the evidence the following facts are found:
1. The respondent is a public agency, as it is the Board of Education of the Town of Barkhamsted.
2. On October 1, 1975 and November 5, 1915, duly noticed, publicly open work sessions of the respondent were held to discuss with the community matters of educational policy.
3. No votes were taken at these sessions nor were any informal understandings reached.
The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint.
1. The Act requires that accurate votes be recorded at every meeting. Here no votes were taken. The Commission's authority does not extend to prescribing the form or content of a meeting beyond accurate recordation of attendance, votes adopted, and the propositions determined by such votes.
2. As a matter of policy, even though not mandated, the Commission urges that minutes reflect the events that occur at the workshop meetings which, in this case, are conducted as informal hearings. This type of disclosure and record-keeping is beneficial and is consistent with the spirit of the Act.
s/ Helen Loy
Commissioner Helen Loy
as Hearing Officer
s/ Henry S. Cohn, Esq.
Henry S. Cohn, Esq.
Hearing Officer
Henry S. Cohn, Esq.
Hearing Officer
Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission on December 10, 1975.
s/ Louis Tapogna
Louis Tapogna Clerk of the
Commission
Louis Tapogna Clerk of the
Commission