MONROE, CT — Alan Vaglivelo, campaign manager for first selectman candidate Leon Ambrosey, a Democrat, recently withdrew a Freedom of Information Act complaint against First Selectman Terry Rooney over a request for town legal fees and all contracts and invoices relating to repairs, renovations and improvements of town-owned buildings during the incumbent Republican’s time in office.
On Friday, Rooney’s office complied with the request, releasing the documents, and Town Attorney Frank Lieto sent Vaglivelo, who filed the FOI request and complaint, a letter of compliance, saying the the request was handled in “good faith” and “as promptly as possible.”
“The FOI complaint is over,” Vaglivelo said Wednesday. “I closed it out with the state, because we got the information we requested.”
On Tuesday night, Fred Martin, a former town attorney involved in local politics for the Democratic Party, who had helped Vaglivelo with the request and complaint, said they are looking over the documents.
‘In good faith’
Lieto’s letter explained the FOI process in response to prior accusations that the first selectman’s response to the request was not timely. The following is his entire letter to Vaglivelo:
Dear Mr. Vaglivelo:
Pursuant to C.G.S §§ 1-200 et seq., commonly referred to as the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), this letter shall confirm that the Town has completed its thorough and diligent research relative to your request dated August 19, 2025 for the following public records:
- Any and all contracts and invoices relating to repairs, renovations and improvements of any town-owned building for the period commencing December 1, 2023, up to the present, including but not limited to a building formerly known as “Saint Jude’s” located at 707 Monroe Turnpike;
- Any and all invoices paid by the Town of Monroe for legal services from the period December 1, 2023, up to the present.
The records identified as responsive to your request are voluminous, estimated to be approximately 2000 printed pages and 250 electronic pages. Requests for records under FOIA are subject to review by legal counsel prior to public release.
This procedure ensures that information is disseminated appropriately and lawfully, with necessary exclusions or redactions applied in accordance with legal requirements. Considering the procedure and circumstances, including without limitation, other pending requests and legal matters, time and resources, I can assure you that the Town has processed your request in good faith and as promptly as possible.
In that regard, and as of the date of this letter, I have been able to review and prepare 1103 pages of records for delivery. As discussed, due to the technology utilized by town departments and to facilitate prompt review thereof, all invoice records identified as responsive were printed to expedite review and delivery.
It should be noted that had the Town not chosen this path, response to your request would have been significantly delayed. As authorized by FOIA, the Town charges a fee of $0.50 per printed page. Considering the circumstances and consulting with staff from the Freedom of Information Commission, the Town has concluded that a fee of $145 is both reasonable and consistent with FOIA regulations. As discussed earlier today, you have acknowledged and agreed to this arrangement.
Please note information contained within the responsive records has been redacted pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 1-210(a), 1-210(b)(2) and 1-210(b)(10). Specifically, the redacted portions consist of credit-card numbers, personnel file references, and legal matters. No records were withheld pursuant to any claimed exemption.
Lastly, you have advised me that the provision of the 853 printed pages and 250 electronic pages shall constitute full compliance by the Town. The electronic documents are attached to this letter.
The printed documents are available for retrieval upon receipt of payment in the sum of $145.00 payable to the “Town of Monroe”. Please contact me to coordinate the exchange of same.
As such, your request is deemed satisfied and has been closed. Thank you for your patience with this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments related to this matter at your convenience.
Respectfully,
Francis Lieto, Esq.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
