Corey Spaulding v. Department of Agricultural Resources (SPR 20200615)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records April 14, 2020 SPR20/0615 Carol A. Szocik Information Officer Department of Agricultural Resources 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500 Boston, MA 02114 Dear Ms. Szocik: I have received the petition of Corey Spaulding appealing the response of the Department of Agricultural Resources (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § l0A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Ms. Spaulding requested three categories of records pertaining to complaints filed with the Department. In its March 30, 2020, response the Department provided Ms. Spaulding with responsive records, and indicated “[i]n response to #2 and #3…the Department…cannot fulfill this portion of your request at this time as our office is closed due to the State of Emergency regarding the Covid-19 crisis.” Further the Department stated “[p]lease feel free to send the Department a new public records request once this crisis is over…” Ms. Spaulding states in her appeal “DAR is seeking for me to re-file.” While this appeal was pending, the Department provided a response to Ms. Spaulding on April 13, 2020 indicating “…you do not need to submit another request and we will do our best to fulfill the remainder as soon as possible.” Based on the Department’s response addressing Ms. Spaulding’s appeal, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Spaulding may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Please note, a business day does not include a weekday where a custodian’s office is unexpectedly closed. 950 C.M.R. 32.02. Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Corey Spaulding 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