Benjamin Berke v. Massachusetts National Guard - Joint Force Headquarters (SPR 20201794)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records October 7, 2020 SPR20/1794 Tim Cullen Massachusetts National Guard Joint Force Headquarters 2 Randolph Road Hanscom Air Force Base Hanscom, MA 01731 Dear Mr. Cullen: I have received the petition of Benjamin Berke appealing the nonresponse of the Massachusetts National Guard (Guard) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, on August 6, 2020, Mr. Berke requested records electronically as an Excel file, or other spreadsheet related to “all personnel costs associated with the deployment of the National Guard in Brockton on June 2 and June 3, 2020.” Mr. Berke additionally states in his request to “indicate which government agencies paid the costs associated with the National Guard’s deployment on those days.” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Berke petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR20/1794, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal by a staff member of the Public Records Division, the Guard has yet to provide a response with respect to Mr. Berke’s August 6, 2020 request. Accordingly, the Guard is ordered provide Mr. Berke with said response, provided in a manner consistent with this Order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Berke may appeal the substantive nature of the Guard’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). 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

Tim Cullen SPR20/1794 Page 2 October 7, 2020 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Mr. Benjamin Berke