Stephen J. Morgan v. Ashland, Town of - Office of the Town Clerk (SPR 20171452)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords October 23, 2017 SPR17/1452 Cindy Livingstone Assistant 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 Ashland (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10(b); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, Mr. Morgan requested notices, minutes and documents from a meeting on August 8, 2017 regarding the Ashland Strategic Advisory Group. In your initial response to Mr. Morgan, the Town stated there were no responsive documents. Mr. Morgan, believing documents existed, appealed this response and SPR17/1207 was opened. The Town provided Mr. Morgan with another response on October 10, 2017. Unsatisfied with the Town's supplemental response, Mr. Morgan is appealing. Specifically, Mr. Morgan finds the Town's response inadequate because "there are meeting notices and other documents that would fall into the scope which have not been identified and provided." Subsequent to the intervention by a staff member of the Public Records Division, I learned that a representative from the Town intends to provide Mr. Morgan with a supplemental response explaining why they are withholding the records. Accordingly, whereas the Town has indicated that it will provide a supplemental response, I will consider this administrative appeal closed with the proviso that the Town provide said response in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Morgan may appeal the substantive nature of the Department's response within ninety calendar days. 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1) Please note this request is also the subject a petition filed with this office on September 28, 2017. See SPR17/1374 Determination ofthe Supervisor ofRecords (October 2, 2017). 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

Cindy Livingstone SPR17/1452 Page 2 October 23,. 2017 Sincerely, ~~ Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofRecords cc: Stephen Morgan Lisa Mead, Esq.