NORTH HAVEN, Conn. -- North Haven town leaders met behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss what benefits town employees accused of stealing from the town should receive.

Town employees Joseph and Patricia Ierardi are now asking for their pensions after being arrested in connection with the theft of town funds.

The town's ruling Republican majority opted to take the pension discussion behind closed despite arguments from various media outlets.

"We are opposing and protesting this move to put this in executive session," Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Len Bestoff said.

Reporters from the New Haven Register also disputed the closed door meeting.

"I believe all these meetings should be open to the town," said longtime North Haven Republican Jianny Keegan. "I don't know what's going on."

Bestoff reported that the board adjourned after the session ended and declined to discuss the session.

"To keep us waiting for two hours here today makes a mockery of solving the town's problem," said Charles DeMartini, of North Haven.

Bestoff reported that even the Ierardis weren't informed of the board's decision.

"I have no comment," Joseph Ierardi said. "Whatever they did, they did. I don't know. I don't know any more than what you've seen."

North Haven's first selectman said that at some time in the future the discussions will be open to the public, but couldn't say when.

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