Eoin Higgins v. Great Barrington, Town of - Town Manager (SPR 20170218)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords February 24, 2017 SPR17/218 Jennifer Tabakin Town Manager Town of Great Barrington 334 Main Street Great Barrington, MA 01230 Dear Ms. Tabakin: I have received the petition ofEoin Higgins appealing the response of the Town of Great Barrington (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 1 OA; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Mr. Higgins requested notes and schedule documents regarding a specifically identified property. You responded to Mr. Higgins stating no such documents existed. Previous appeal This request was the subject of a previous appeal. See SPRl 7 /190 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (February 17, 2017). Current appeal In an email to this office dated February 21, 2017, Mr. Higgins indicates he seeks further action with respect to his matter; in particular, he believes notes and schedule documents exist and were withheld. 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). 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

Jennifer Tabakin SPR17/218 Page 2 February 24, 2017 Conclusion After numerous conversations and emails between members of my staff and the Town, I believe all responsive and existing records have been provided and I will therefore consider this administrative appeal closed. Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Eoin Higgins