Colman Herman v. Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (SPR 20180900)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records July 2, 2018 SPR18/900 Lisa Rooney Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority 60 State Street, Suite 900 Boston, MA 02109 Dear Lisa Rooney: I have received the petition of Colman Herman appealing the response of the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (Authority) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § lOA; 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1 ). Specifically, Mr. Herman requested records concerning legal invoices submitted to the Authority from outside attorneys. June 15th email In an email dated June 15, 2018, you expressed to Mr. Herman that "MEFA will produce the documents in their original format of single-sided upon receipt of payment." Unsatisfied with the Authority's response, Mr. Herman petitioned this office. Current Appeal In an email dated June 15, 2018 Mr. Herman wrote, "I have asked MEFA to provide me with two-sided copies, but the agency is refusing to do so." Based on a conversation with a staff member of the Public Records Division, I have learned that MEFA is willing to produce two sided copies, if feasible. Conclusion In light of the Authority's communication with this office, I encourage the Authority to communicate further to enable the Authority to provide Mr. Herman the requested public 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

Lisa Rooney SPR18/900 Page 2 July 2, 2018 Please note, in accordance with the Public Records Law, custodians are expected to use their superior knowledge of the records in their custody to assist requestors in ·obtaining the desired information. See 950 C.M.R. 32.04(5). lf umesolved issues remain, Mr. Herman may appeal the substantive nature of the Authority's response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Colman Herman