Susan C. Phillips, Esq. v. Office of the Attorney General - Environmental Protection Division (SPR 20161200)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Shawn A Williams Supervisor of Records December 20, 2016 SPR16/1200 Lorraine A.G. Tarrow, Esq. Assistant Attorney General Office of the Attorney General General Counsel's Office One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108 Dear Attorney Tarrow: I have received the petition of Susan C. Phillips, Esq. appealing the response of the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § lO(b); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, Ms. Phillips requested records pertaining to a specific court case and school. The AGO initially responded on October 27, 2016, indicating it was searching for records and would provide her another response as soon as possible. Attorney Phillips 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, § lO(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. All records custodians must comply with both the Public Records Law and the Regulations with respect to the timeliness of response. Whereas the AGO indicated it would provide a further response to Attorney Phillips, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed with the proviso that the AGO provides a written response to the request made in compliance with this order, the Public Records Law, and its Regulations. Attorney Phillips may appeal the substantive nature of the AGO's response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). urs, illiarns erv1sor of Records cc: Susan C. Phillips, Esq. One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre• pre@sec.state.ma.us