Decision Reached On Fairfield Fill Pile Trial Television Coverage

FAIRFIELD, CT — FairTV will not cover the upcoming Fairfield fill pile trial, the FairTV Commission decided Wednesday, reaffirming a decision the commission made in July, but essentially for different reasons.

In July, the commission voted unanimously not to air the trial, "on the basis that the current charter for FairTV does not support coverage of the trial," and on Wednesday, it did not act to reverse that vote.

But on Wednesday, following a legal opinion from Town Attorney James Baldwin, the commission learned that it is "within the commission's decision to air or not to air" the trial.

"That conclusion that was made by the commission [in July] was incorrect," Baldwin said. "That's not to say that you must air or broadcast the fill pile trial."

Under the upcoming fill pile trial, which will be held in Bridgeport Superior Court, several former town officials and others are facing allegations of illegal dumping and corruption in connection with the illegal storage and subsequent disbursement of contaminated soil and fill at a host of different sites in town.

Taxpayers are on the hook for the remediation of the toxic material, which will cost the town millions of dollars.

"This would be a mammoth undertaking, and we're in the midst of trying to get our blocking and tackling, so to speak, under control first," said commission Chair David Kraft about why the commission will not cover the trial. "This would take our focus away from what we're mandated to cover."

Former commissioner Kathryn Braun, who is now a member of the Town Plan and Zoning Commission, said over the years, "there have been all kinds of requests for coverage" of various events, but FairTV does not have the ability to do so.

"It's extremely difficult and complex," Braun said of taking on something like coverage of a trial. "A parade or graduation is part of the town, a state or federal court proceeding is not. The budget doesn't permit FairTV to become Court TV."

Commissioner Lee Kamlet agreed. "We have no idea how long this trial will last, or how much it might cost."

Former commission Chair Jim Kennelly said that taking on such coverage could adversely open the door "to cover whatever you want."

"Who would decide what to cover or what not to cover?" Kennelly asked.