Robert Mills v. Tyngsborough, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20210201)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records February 11, 2021 SPR21/0201 Shaun M. Woods Deputy Chief of Police Town of Tyngsborough Police Department 20 Westford Road Tyngsborough, MA 01879 Dear Deputy Chief Woods: I have received the petition of Robert Mills of The Lowell Sun appealing the response of the Tyngsborough Police Department (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On November 3, 2021, Mr. Mills requested “. . . any town/police department records pertaining the investigation of Animal Control Officer ...” The Town provided a response on November 16, 2020, withholding the requested records pursuant to Exemption (c). Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Mr. Mills petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/0201, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the subject matter of this request and the issues raised in Mr. Mills’ appeal are similar to those addressed in SPR20/2315 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (December 9, 2020) and SPR21/056 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (February 5, 2021). In my February 5th determination, the Town was ordered to provide this office with un-redacted copies of the responsive records for in camera inspection. In light of this order, I decline to provide a determination as to the public status of the requested records at this time pending an in camera inspection of the records. The Town is ordered to provide a copy of the responsive records for an in camera inspection without delay. Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Robert Mills 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