Chambers, Ellen v. Dartmouth, Town of - Public Schools (SPR 20150670)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Shawn A. Williams Supervisor ofR ecords September 17 , 2015 SPRlS/670 Ms. Elizabeth Townson Pupil Personnel Director Dartmouth Public Schools 8 Bush Street Dartmouth, MA 02748-3102 Dear Ms. Townson: I have received the petition of Ms. Ellen Chambers appealing the nonresponse of Town of Dartmouth-Public Schools (Town) to her request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 1O (b ); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, Ms. Chambers requested "A copy ofthe Walker Partnerships' Special Education Program (and) the names of those who will be working on the task force to review the (program) recommendations and contact information." Having received no response, Ms. Chambers 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 of the 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. 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 a response was provided, dated September 16, 2015. Whereas this matter was opened based upon the Town's failure to provide a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Chambers may appeal the substantive nature of the Town's response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). cc: Ms. Ellen Chambers OneAshburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 · (617) 727-2832 ·Fax (617) 727-5914 www.sec.state.ma. us/ pre