Matthew Rocheleau v. Department of Agricultural Resources (SPR 20210374)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records March 1, 2021 SPR21/0374 Carol Szocik, Esq. Paralegal/Records Access Officer Department of Agricultural Resources 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500 Boston, MA 02114 Dear Attorney Szocik: I have received the petition of Matthew Rocheleau of the Boston Globe appealing the nonresponse of the Department of Agricultural Resources (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 11, 2021, Mr. Rocheleau requested “…any and all disclosures of immediate family working in the Massachusetts state government that were made by individuals who applied for employment with the State Reclamation Board between January 1, 2015 and present.” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Rocheleau petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/0374, was opened as a result. It is my understanding the Department “is working on Mr. Rocheleau’s request and will respond as soon as possible.” Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Rocheleau with a response to the request provided in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Access 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. Rocheleau may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Mr. Matthew Rocheleau 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