In its first decision involving the definition of the “emergency” provision of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, the Connecticut Supreme Court recently rejected the Town of Ridgefield’s claim that the Board of Selectmen was justified in holding an emergency meeting concerning the Board’s acceptance of the Town’s Assistant Fire Chief’s resignation. The Court upheld the Freedom of Information Commission’s ruling that the meeting violated the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. The Court also upheld the Commission’s nullification of the Board’s action in accepting the Assistant Fire Chief’s resignation. The Court endorsed the FOI Commission’s longstanding view that the emergency exception applies “only when there is no time for a special meeting notice to be posted twenty-four hours in advance.” For the full court opinion, please click here.
