Corbett, Suzanne v. Ashland, Town of - Office of the Town Clerk (SPR 20140689)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Shawn A. Williams Supervisor ofR ecords February 20, 2015 SPR14/689 Mr. Duncan Colter Ashfield Board of Health 412 Main Street Ashfield, MA 01330 Dear Mr. Colter: I have received a petition from Suzanne M. Corbett appealing the July 31, 2014 response of the Ashfield Board of Health (Board) to her request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 1 O(b ); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, Ms. Corbett requested copies of public records requests received by the Board from January 1, 2010 through April25, 2014. Ms. Corbett appealed the Board's written fee estimate regarding both her requests. An attorney on my staff discussed this matter with a Town employee who assists the Board of Health periodically. This employee explained that some of the requested records are stored in binders, but most are housed in filing cabinets, therefore it may take five (5) hours to search the files through several years' of records. "Search time" is described as the time it takes to search for, copy and refile records. Your letter explains that if the amount of time necessary to cull and copy all the records is less than estimated, the Town would reimburse Ms. Corbett for the difference in cost. Accordingly, based on the information provided to this office, I find that the estimate provided to Ms. Corbett is reasonable and in compliance with the Public Records Law and Access Regulations. Once Ms. Corbett pays the estimate, the Town must provide her with the responsive records within ten (1 0) days. This administrative appeal is closed. cc: Ms. Suzanne Corbett Ms. Mary Fitz-Gibbon. OneAshburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 · (617) 727-2832. Fax (617) 727-5914 www.sec.state.ma. us/pre