Christopher Donovan v. Norwood, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20180402)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords April 10,2018 SPR18/402 Thomas J. Mc Quaid, CPA Town Clerk Norwood Town Hall 566 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Room 32, Norwood, MA 02062 Dear Mr. McQuaid: I have received the petition from Christopher Donovan appealing the response from the Town of Norwood (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § lOA; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 28, 2017, Mr. Donovan requested the Norwood Airport Commission meeting minutes for Calendar year 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2013. The Town sent responses on January 11, 2018 and February 7, 2018 to Mr. Donovan which included both the draft and approved minutes of the Norwood Airport Commission meetings from the following years: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Mr. Donovan then sent an email on March 26, 2018 to our office regarding the March 14, 2018 public meeting held by the Norwood Airport Commission. Mr. Donovan asserts no review was conducted of the executive session meeting minutes. Mr. Donovan questions the "process ofreview by the Norwood Airport Commission regarding the Executive session meeting minutes as no public notice was made of any claimed review." Open Meeting Law · It appears Mr. Donovan's appeal is related to the release of executive session minutes and posting public notice which raises issues that potentially invoke the Open Meeting Law. Given that an interpretation of the Open Meeting Law falls within the authority of the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), it is recommended that you contact the AGO should you seek a determination on this issue. See G. L. c. 30A, § 23. Public Records Law The nature of Mr. Donovan's petition under the Public Records Law is unclear. All petitions for appeal shall be in writing and shall specifically describe the nature of the requestor's objections to the response or failure to provide a timely response. 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). It is 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

Thomas J. McQuaid, CPA SPR18/402 Pg. 2 April 10, 2018 uncertain if Mr. Donovan is appealing the redactions of the executive session minutes made by the Town in their March 27, 2018 response to Mr. Donovan's public records request. IfMr. Donovan is appealing the redactions, it is also unclear exactly which redactions Mr. Donovan is appealing. Conclusion Mr. Donovan may submit his appeal for reconsideration upon providing a clarification of the nature of his appeal within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of his reconsideration to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Sincerely, ·~~ Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Mr. Christopher Donovan