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Meriden city attorney: FOIA rules strict for advisory boards; human‑rights advocate position poses limits
Summary
City Attorney Emily Holland told the Human Rights Advisory Board that Freedom of Information Act rules require open notice and careful email practices, and she said the city’s legal role creates limits for a human‑rights advocate who cannot represent residents suing the city.
Emily Holland, the city attorney for Meriden, told the Human Rights, Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Board that public‑meeting and records rules under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act require vigilance and clear recordkeeping.
Holland said the legal department is small — she named an associate city attorney, Danielle Combs, and part‑time corporation counsel Matthew McGoldrick — and described the office’s role defending claims against the city. "If you are in the habit of sending an email to the entire board, you are at risk of creating an online meeting," Holland warned, urging members to use blind…
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