Peter E. Strniste, Jr., Esq. v. Berkley, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20170589)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords May 12, 2017 SPR17/589 Adam J. Costa, Esq. Mead, Talerman & Costa LLC 30 Green Street Newburyport, MA 01950 Dear Attorney Costa: I have received the petition of Attorney Peter Strniste, Jr. appealing the nonresponse of the Berkley Town Clerk (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 1O A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Attorney Strniste requested "all documents relating to the construction project known as the Berkley Town Hall" and went on to identify specific documents concerning the project he was seeking. Claiming to net yet have received a response, Attorney Strniste petitioned this office and this appeal was opened as a result. In subsequent correspondence dated May 11, 201 7, on which Attorney Stmiste was copied, you explain that "upon consultation with Attorney Strniste, it has been agreed that the documents sought by the above Public Records Request shall be made available by the Town for inspection at the Town Office Building, at a date and time mutually-agreeable to the parties." Further, I understand the parties intend to meet and "it was suggested by Attorney Strniste that inspection of the aforementioned documents would be postponed." You assert that "should the parties' reconciliation efforts fail or should Attorney Strniste wish to review the requested records in the interim, the Town is ready to produce them for inspection." Accordingly, I will consider this administrative appeal closed with the proviso that the Town proceeds with the arrangement described above. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the agreed-upon date, if applicable, at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Attorney Stmiste may appeal the substantive nature of the Town's response within ninety (90) days. See C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, ~mra~ Supervisor of Records cc: Peter Strniste, Jr. 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