Security cameras at center of latest Derby City Hall controversy
DERBY — A missing DVR box connected to a security camera has led to the latest blowup in Derby City Hall, with Town Clerk Marc Garofalo stating Chief of Staff Walt Mayhew committed an “unfathomable” overstep of his authority.
“You took a piece of city owned equipment out of the Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters workspace without authorization and without notification or discussion with the Department heads,” Garofalo wrote in an email to Mayhew. The email chain included Derby city officials, including Mayor Richard Dziekan and members of the Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen.
On Sept. 20 Garofalo had informed numerous city officials that he had discovered the DVR box that stores recorded video from a security camera had been removed. Mayhew later revealed he had removed the box and later on,several security cameras, which Garofalo later described as an overall pattern of Mayhew meddling in other departments. Garofalo went on to state Mayhew does not have the authority to do that, which Mayhew disputed.
The incidents were indicative of a larger issue where Mayhew has taken control of various city government functions that previously operated without interference, Garofalo said.
“The Chief of Staff has commandeered the whole process of the agenda for the Board of Aldermen meetings. And the mayor abolished the committees,” he said.
According to the email dated Sept. 20, Garofalo realized someone had disconnected the DVR box to the security camera that same day at the Registrar of Voters storage room and was later removed.
He said he had filed a police report and added that someone must have entered when no one else was around, which isn’t allowed unless Garofalo authorizes it, he said.
“No staff is authorized to enter our suite or individual office or vault without permission of myself. No one other than Town Clerk staff is authorized to access these confidential vital records,” Garofalo said.
Derby police confirmed officers had been notified of a missing item at Derby City Hall but said there had not been a report.
Mayhew wrote he had reviewed the cameras and found out they were pointed at employees who were not counting cash or pointed at areas that only partly covered cash registers.
Of area communities asked by Hearst Connecticut Media if they routinely monitor employees with video, only Trumbull said it monitors employees, and only when they are handling cash.
Mayhew said he only acts under the authority of the mayor. He had the DVR removed due to fears the recordings were not secured and could be used for inappropriate purposes, he said.
“Everybody reports to the Chief of Staff,” he said. “Under the mayor’s direction, I removed the cameras. The town clerk continually oversteps his boundaries. He sticks his nose into things that, quite frankly, are not his concern.”
Garofalo said the cameras protect vital information. They were pointed at the doors, the cashiering station and the vault where vital records are kept. Their purpose was not only to monitor employees, but to protect them against any false accusations of impropriety.