C.J. Ferry v. Fall River, City of - Office of the Corporation Counsel (SPR 20170017)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords January 4, 2017 SPR17/017 Joseph Macy, Esq. Corporation Counsel One Government Center, Room 627 Fall River, MA 02722 Dear Attorney Macy: I have received the petition of CJ Ferry appealing the response ofthe City of Fall River Office ofthe Corporation Counsel (City) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 10(A); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Mr. Ferry requested four (4) categories of records all pertaining to construction done within the city. See SPR16/1247. In a response dated December 29, 2016 the City informed Mr. Ferry that it is in the process of compiling the information requested. Having yet to receive a substantive response, Mr. Ferry 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 (1 0) 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. The City is advised that all records custodians must comply with both the Public Records Law and the Regulations with respect to the timeliness of response. The City was provided with Mr. Ferry's request, and a member of my staff contacted you about this appeal. I understand you intend to provide a response to Mr. Ferry. Accordingly, I will consider this administrative appeal closed with the proviso that a response is provided without delay in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations. Mr. Ferry may appeal the substantive nature of the City's response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). It is preferable to send an electronic copy ofthis response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma. us. Sincerely, ~ f{;IJAAA~_ Rebecca S. Murray cc: CJ Ferry Supervisor of Records 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