John Katella v. Worcester, City of - Law Department (SPR 20210501)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records March 12, 2021 SPR21/0501 Janice Thompson, Esq. Assistant City Solicitor City of Worcester Law Department 455 Main Street, Room 303 Worcester, MA 01608 Dear Attorney Thompson: I have received the petition of John Katella appealing the response of the City of Worcester Law Department (City) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 9, 2021, Mr. Katella requested “[a]ny and all texts & messages, emails, and transcript of phone conversations (with date and time), between and among…” identified phone numbers and email addresses “between January 1st, 2021 through, and including, January 31st, 2021.” The City provided a response on February 24, 2021, which included responsive records, as well as indicating that the City required additional time to respond to a portion of the request. Unsatisfied with the response, Mr. Katella petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/0501, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the City intends on providing a subsequent response to Mr. Katella to address his concerns. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Mr. Katella with a response to his request, in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Katella may appeal the substantive nature of the City's response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: John Katella 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