Ward, John v. Rockland, Town of - Board of Selectmen (SPR 20150381)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Shawn A. Williams Supervisor ofR ecords June 16, 2015 SPRlS/381 Mr. Allan R. Chiocca Town Administrator Town of Rockland 242 Union Street Rockland, MA 02370 Dear Mr. Chiocca: I have received the petition of John Ward appealing the nonresponse of the Town of Rockland (Town) to his request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 10(b); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, Mr. Ward requested records regarding the Southfield Redevelopment Authority. Having received no response, Mr. Ward petitioned this office. Under the Public Records Law and the Access Regulations (Regulations) all requests for public records must be met with a response within ten (10) days ofthe request. G. L. c. 66, § 10(b); 950 C.M.R. 32.05. The response may be an offer to provide records, a fee estimate for provision of the records, or a denial. The Town is advised that all records custodians must comply with both the Public Records Law and the Regulations with respect to the timeliness of response. Subsequent to the intervention by a member of my staff, this office was notified that you personally handed Mr. Ward all responsive records. Whereas this matter was opened based upon the Town's failure to provide a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Ward may appeal the substantive nature of the Town's response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). a Supervisor of Records cc: Mr. John Ward OneAshburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 · (617) 727-2832 ·Fax (617) 727-5914 www.sec.state.ma. us/ pre