To The Editor:

“I just checked and there is no documented policy, but I think you are correct, one should be created and distributed to all appointed and elected Town boards. It should also be made available on the Town website. Such a policy would have to be developed, consistent with the CT Freedom of Information law, by my office and approved by the Board of Selectmen. I will take the action item to draft one in the near future.” – Jeff Capeci, February 2024

It’s been sixteen months since the First Selectman committed to drafting a town-wide policy to provide greater transparency, easier access to public documents and public participation in town meetings, including remote access to documents and meetings, consistently across all commissions, boards and town departments (see below)…and things have only gotten worse.

The last two P&Z meetings had 5 public hearings on their agendas, with no links to any applications or public documents provided to the commissioners, or residents. On 5/15, there were 100+ people in a room where half can’t see the screen, with a posted capacity of 70, and another 20+ standing in the hallways.

Afterwards, several requests were made by residents, commissioners and a BOS member to hold future large meetings in a larger room. Nonetheless, another five P&Z public hearings were held 6/5, with 85 people in the same room where half can’t see the screen, and several more standing in the hallway….another avoidable/willful Freedom of Information Act violation. Since then, the town’s only action was the Fire Marshall changing room occupancy sign limits, doing nothing to address the actual problems.

Several frustrated residents and elected/ appointed officials have asked me to file a CT FOI Commission complaint to put an end to the insanity. A complaint has been filed and I will only consider withdrawing it when the following changes are implemented consistently, across boards and commissions:

Links to digital copies of public documents included on meeting agendas and minutes, and via the town website, that can be accessed 24/7 by commissioners and the public “Public Input/participation” and “Communications Received” included on all agendas for all board/commission meetings, and attached to minutes

Meetings of all boards and commissions include the opportunity for public participation remotely via Zoom or similar free platform, and meetings are recorded, archived and linked to in the meeting minutes and on town website.

Public meetings held in rooms with sufficient SEATING to accommodate the public safely and comfortably, or meetings cannot proceed.

Public meetings held in rooms with adequate, fully functional audio/visual equipment that allows everyone in the room and logged in, to see and hear everything being presented and discussed, or meetings cannot proceed.

Other towns implemented these policies long ago. Implementing them here would be a win-win for everyone, and would also make things easier for town employees, saving taxpayer money in the process. At the end of the day, we need leadership on this. If the First Selectman can’t/won’t lead, perhaps the Legislative Council could.

Dave Ackert

Sandy Hook