1995 Formal Opinions

Page 2 of 3

  • Harry J. Hartley, University of Connecticut, 1995-012 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    n your letter of November 7, 1995, you asked several questions concerning the relationship between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Foundation. You have asked three specific questions. First: May University employees work under the direction of the Foundation, with the Foundation reimbursing the University for the salary and fringe benefits of these employees? Second: May the Foundation utilize money received from the University for fund-raising services to repay its obligations (including salaries) to the University? Third: May the University provide services, such as computer support services, to the Foundation at no cost?

  • Honorable Robert M. Ward, Legislative Office Building, Rm 4200, 1995-007 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    In a letter dated August 16, 1994, Representative Krawiecki, then House Minority Leader, requested that this office answer two questions regarding an alleged boundary dispute in the Borough of Newtown. We now reply to your attention. 1. His first question asked: What is the appropriate method for taxpayers who assert that the boundaries of a political subdivision of the state are unknown or inadequately marked to compel that entity to conduct a survey of its boundary? 2. His second question asked: Does an individual member of the General Assembly have the power to compel a political subdivision such as a borough to survey its boundary?

  • Honorable John G. Rowland, State Capitol, 1995-028 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    This advisory opinion responds to your letter of September 25, 1995. That letter asks whether you may "nominate a sitting associate justice of the [Supreme] Court to succeed Chief Justice Peters if the associate justice in question's name is not on the list of eligible candidates for the position provided ... by the Judicial Selection Commission?"

  • Hon. John G. Rowland, Executive Chambers, 1995-008 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    We have received your letters of February 8, 1995, soliciting our opinion on issues concerning temporary gubernatorial appointments arising from the application of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-7(b)(2). Specifically, you both ask whether a "designate" under § 4-7(b)(2) must be sworn in pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-1 before exercising the powers and duties of the office.

  • Hon. Mortimer A. Gelston, Connecticut Siting Council, 1995-029 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    You have requested our opinion regarding the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Council (the "Council") in connection with the proposal of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation ("Amtrak") to complete the electrification of the Northeast Corridor rail line from New Haven, Connecticut to Boston, Massachusetts (the "Project"). Specifically, you have asked whether the Federal Railroad Administration (the "FRA") has preempted the Council by its oversight and involvement in the Project, including in particular its preparation and issuance of an environmental impact statement.

  • Mr. Johnston and Mr. Jaekle, Auditors of Public Accounts, 1995-006 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    You have requested an opinion regarding the applicability of the Freedom of Information Act ["FOIA"], Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-7 et seq., to the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation ["CSLF"]. Specifically, the issue you raised is whether the CSLF is a public agency subject to the public records and meeting requirements of the FOIA.

  • Honorable Joyce Thomas, Department of Social Services, 1995-031 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    On September 25, 1995, the Attorney General issued a formal opinion concerning the regulation of invalid coach and wheelchair livery services within the State of Connecticut. The Office of Emergency Medical Services ("OEMS") regulates invalid coach service as an ambulance service pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-180. The Department of Transportation ("DOT") regulates the transportation of livery service for the elderly and the handicapped pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §13b-105. Subsequent to the issuance of the opinion, a question has arisen regarding the distinction between invalid coach and wheelchair livery service, and therefore, whether the regulation of a particular transportation service falls under the jurisdiction of OEMS or DOT.

  • Reginald Jones, Office of Policy and Management, 1995-005 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    Your office requested our opinion on four questions arising out of audits of municipalities and nonprofit entities conducted pursuant to the State Single Audit Act, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-230 et seq. (the "Act"). The Act establishes a uniform annual single audit procedure for recipients of combined federal and state financial assistance. The Act eliminates duplicate audits required under other state laws and regulations.

  • Richard J. Howard, P.E., State Traffic Commission, 1995-023 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    You have requested our opinion on whether the owner of an unimproved parcel of land abutting a state highway must obtain a certificate of operation from the State Traffic Commission ("STC") under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-311 in order to operate a so-called "flea market" on the land.

  • Senator M. Adela Eads, Legislative Office Building, 1995-009 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    This is in response to a request for advice from fromer President Pro Tempore John B. Larson in which he asked if owners of commercial or residential rental properties are required to permit telecommunications providers access to their buildings prior to adoption of implementing regulations by the Department of Public Utility Control.

  • Hon. Mortimer A. Gelston, Connecticut Siting Council, 1995-002 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    You have requested our opinion regarding the scope of the Connecticut Siting Council's (the "Council") jurisdiction over the placement of an FM radio station antenna on an existing community antenna television tower.

  • Hon. John P. Burke, Department of Banking, 1995-024 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    You have asked this office for an opinion regarding your authority to approve and to regulate a branch (the "Branch") of a Connecticut bank (the "Bank") to be established in Foxwoods Casino (the "Casino") on the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation (the "Reservation") in Ledyard, Connecticut.

  • Honorable John G. Rowland, Hartford, Connecticut 06106, 1995-014 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    On February 17, 1995, you requested an opinion of this office on whether or not seven individuals appointed by former Governor Weicker are qualified to serve as members of the Employees' Review Board, and the terms they can serve if they are qualified.

  • Mr. George A. Precourt, Board of Education and Services for the Blind, 1995-003 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    You have asked for an opinion regarding the Board of Education and Services for the Blind's ("BESB") reimbursement to towns, pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-295, for certain special education instructional and service costs for special education students who are blind or visually impaired. In particular, you have indicated that while the statute places yearly monetary limits on the amount BESB may reimburse towns per student for such costs, due to billing and paperwork delays, reimbursements owed to towns have gone into arrears in recent years. Further, you have indicated that in dealing with this statutory reimbursement scheme, BESB has switched from a cash to an accrual basis of accounting, and you now wish to know whether, consistent with the statutory amount limitations, actual reimbursement payments to towns in a given year may exceed the statutory limits, provided the costs being reimbursed accrued within the yearly statutory limits per child.

  • The Honorable Jesse Frankl, Workers' Compensation Commission, 1995-032 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

    This is in response to your letter dated October 16, 1995, wherein you requested a legal opinion from this office concerning the computation of cost of living adjustments (COLAs) under the Workers' Compensation Act for the years 1994 and 1995 for persons injured prior to July 1, 1993.