Louis Crisci, chairman of the Republican Town Committee and a local attorney, filed a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission last week, claiming the Town Council illegally entered into executive session to discuss litigation issues.

Town Attorney Patricia Cofrancesco and Mayor April Capone could not be reached for comment.

By default, board and commission meetings are open to the public. Under a very limited set of circumstances, however, boards and commissions can enter executive session to discuss matters in private.

In his letter dated Feb. 14, Crisci claimed "the litigation matters had been 'otherwise settled' as that term is defined in…the Connecticut General Statutes and there was no proper occasion for the council to convene in executive session." Also, Crisci claimed that the Town Council "convened a single executive session to discuss multiple matters."

During executive session, the Town Council discussed the following cases: Sanchez v. Town of East Haven et al, Jackson v. Town of East Haven et al, Jane Doe vs. Town of East Haven et al, and Liquori vs. Town of East Haven et al, during meetings on Jan. 24 and Feb. 8.

During the Feb. 8 meeting, the Town Council discussed, and later approved, setting an ordinance appropriating $1.25 million for settlement suits against the town and authorizing $1.25 million in bonds to fund the appropriation.

In his letter, Crisci asked the FOI Commission to "declare the executive session(s) invalid and as a result to invalidate any and all action taken by the council as it relates to the settlement and bonding authorization for payment of said settlements."

Crisci said if that happens, the Town Council would have to begin the processes related to the ordinance again.

It will likely take a while for the complaint to be addressed. According to an FOI Commission spokesperson, it typically takes about 8 to 12 weeks for the commission to review letters and respond.