New Recording Rules In Seymour

After years of complaints, the town has finally adopted a new set of guidelines for recording public meetings — but not everyone is happy.

Frank Loda (see videos), a town Democrat who videotapes Selectmen meetings and posts them on the Internet and cable access television, is frustrated with the new rules adopted Tuesday.

“It’s already taken five years to get this matter resolved and probably $25,000 in legal fees,” Loda said. ​“Maybe we are just trying to develop more legal fees.”

Loda become something of an expert on Freedom of Information laws after battling with former First Selectman Robert Koskelowski. 

Koskelowski tried to set rules dictating where Loda could stand while videotaping meetings.

Loda countered by filing complaints with the state’s Freedom of Information Commission.

The Board of Selectmen has been working on the new rules for several weeks. Loda submitted a set of suggested regulations. The Selectmen also had a set of suggestions from the Freedom of Information Commission itself.

Instead, the Selectmen went with a set of rules written by its attorney, Colleen Fries.

Loda is upset because Fries’ rules omit two suggestions from the FOI Commission. 

They are:

1. Those speaking at a public meeting have no right to privacy and should expect the possibility of being recorded.

2. There are no restrictions on the use of the recorded material

Loda wanted both points spelled out in the new rules — because both have been bones of contention when Seymour violated FIO rules in the past.

Deputy First Selectman Phillip Wilhelmy supported Fries’ guidelines, saying he felt the objected points were implicit.

Selectman Kurt Miller disagreed. He sought to bring an end to the potential for lawsuits by adopting the regulations put forth by the FOI commission itself.

“I don’t think there is any real reason for us to recreate the wheel,” Miller said.

According to Loda, the rules are anything but implicit.

“This is ludicrous. We spent five years and $25,000 because people didn’t understand the statute.”

As the vote passed Miller placed his head on the table, having told First Selectman Paul Roy, ​“We’re going to be right back at this in a month.”

Loda said he plans to take the statute to the FOI commission for review. If they find it unacceptable, he will be back with another lawsuit.

Fries said members of the FOI commission had seen her draft and any concerns were addressed.

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