Stephen J. Morgan v. Ashland, Town of - Public Schools (SPR 20170109)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary ofthe Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords January 25, 2017 SPR17/109 TaraM. Ward Town Clerk-Town of Ashland 10 1 Main Street Ashland, MA 01721 Dear Ms. Ward, I have received the petition of Stephen Morgan appealing the response of the Town of Wellesley- Town Clerk (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 1O (b ); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, Mr. Morgan requested "a copy of all documents used in the charter review meeting" referring to a December 5, 2016 meeting. Mr. Morgan petitioned this office, indicating that he had not received a response from the Town. Mr. Morgan is advised that the requirements to submit an appeal are as follows: Such appeal shall be in writing, and shall include a copy of the letter by which the request was made, and, if available a copy of the letter by which the custodian responded. The Supervisor shall accept an appeal only from a person who made his or her record request in writing. An oral request, while valid as a public record request pursuant to 950 CMR 32.06(1 )(a), may not be the basis of an appeal under 950 CMR 32.08. See 950 CMR 32.08(1 )(g). Itkas come to my attention that the Town provided a response, dated December 22, 2016. In its response, the Town provided a fee estimate for the provision of the records at a cost of $53.65. The Town indicates the sum ofthe fee estimate is comprised of two (2) hours oftime to "pull the records" at an hourly rate of $25.25 in conjunction with the cost of paper ( 63 pages). Mr. Morgan may appeal the fee estimate within ninety (90) days. See 950 CMR 32.08(2). Sincerely, fl1UUWJJ- ~ U Rebecca S. Murray . Supervisor of Records cc: Stephen Morgan 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