Joe Difazio v. Whitman, Town of, Fire Department (SPR 20210285)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records February 4, 2021 SPR21/0285 Timothy J. Grenno Fire Chief/EMD/EFO Town of Whitman Fire Department 56 Temple Street Whitman, MA 02382 Dear Chief Grenno: I have received the petition of Joseph DiFazio of the Patriot Ledger appealing the nonresponse of the Town of Whitman Fire Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 12, 2021, Mr. DiFazio is seeking the following records within the possession of the Department: • Any and all contacts, agreements of any kind, or memorandums of understandings with John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC or John Guilfoil; • Any invoices, receipts, records of payment, bills and other payment arrangements, monetary or otherwise, between the Town of Whitman/Whitman Police Department/Whitman Fire Department and John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC or John Guilfoil between January 1, 2019 and January 12, 2021. Claiming to not yet have received the responsive records, Mr. DiFazio petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/0285, was opened as a result. It is my understanding a representative of the Department provided a response dated January 15, 2021 to Mr. DiFazio and a further response was issued on February 4, 2021. Accordingly, I will consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, Mr. DiFazio may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’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

Chief Timothy J. Grenno SPR21/0285 Page 2 February 4, 2021 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Mr. Joseph DiFazio