Paul T. Gour v. Chicopee, Town of - Housing Authority (SPR 20170183)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords February 14, 2017 SPR17/183 Monica Blazik Chicopee Housing Authority 128 Meetinghouse Road Chicopee, MA O1 013 Dear Ms. Blazik: I have received the petition of Paul Gour appealing the nonresponse of the Chicopee Housing Authority (Authority) to his request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § lOA; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Mr. Gour requested certified payroll records and paperwork associated with a specifically identified contract. Having received no response, Mr. Gour petitioned this office. The Public Records Law The Public Records Law strongly favors disclosure by creating a presumption that all governmental records are public records. G. L. c. 66, § IOA(d); 950 C.M.R. 32.03(4). "Public records" is broadly defined to include all documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee of any town of the Commonwealth, unless falling within a statutory exemption. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26). Subsequent to the intervention by a member of my staff, this office was notified that a response was provided dated February 13, 2017. Whereas this matter was opened based upon the Authority's failure to provide a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Gour may appeal the substantive nature of the Authority's response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, ~~ Rebecca S. Murray cc: Paul Gour 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