Andrew Quemere v. Worcester, City of - Office of the District Attorney (SPR 20191669)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division

Rebecca S, Murray Supervisor of Records

August 16, 2019 SPR19/1669. Lindsay Corcoran Deputy Communications Director Worcester County District Attorney’s Office 225 Main Street, G301 Worcester, MA 01608

Dear Ms. Corcoran:

I have received the petition of Andrew Quemere appealing the response of the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Mr. Quemere requested three categories of records concerning an identified individual. Unsatisfied with the DAO’s response in which they claimed they were unable to find any responsive records without further specificity to narrow the scope of the search, Mr. Quemere petitioned this office and this appeal was opened as a result.

Subsequent to the intervention by a staff member of the Public Records Division, I learned that a representative from the DAO intends on proving a supplemental written response to Mr. Quemere aimed at addressing the concerns outlined in his appeal. Accordingly, the DAO is ordered to provide Mr. Quemere with said response in accordance with the Public Records Law, its Access Regulations and this order within ten business days.

This office encourages Mr, Quemere and the DAO to continue to communicate to facilitate providing records more efficiently and affordably. For example, Mr. Quemere may wish to clarify further which records he seeks. See G. L. c. 66, § 10(a)(i) (the request must reasonably describe the public record sought); G. L. c. 66, § 10(b)(vii) (an agency shall suggest a reasonable modification of the scope of the request or offer to assist the requestor to modify the scope of the request if doing so would enable the agency to produce records sought more efficiently and affordably). It is preferable to send an electronic copy of pertinent correspondence to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. If issues remain unresolved, Mr. Quemere may appeal within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Accordingly, I will consider this administrative appeal closed.

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

Lindsay Corcoran SPR19/1669 Page 2 August 16, 2019

Sincerely,

Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Andrew Quemere