Catherine Jurczyk v. Ashland, Town of - Office of the Town Clerk (SPR 20220011)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records January 18, 2022 SPR21/0011 Tara M. Ward Town Clerk Town of Ashland 101 Main Street Ashland, MA 01721 Dear Ms. Ward: I have received the petition of Catherine Jurczyk appealing the response of the Town of Ashland (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 13, 2021, Ms. Jurczyk requested the following: The preliminary report of the Racial Equity Focus Group and Racial Equity survey performed for the Town of Ashland by Suffolk University. At a recent Selectboard meeting there was discussion that a final report wasn’t yet available. [Ms. Jurczyk is] requesting the preliminary information that was received by Ashland from Suffolk University. The Town responded on December 21, 2021, and following additional correspondence with Ms. Jurczyk, denied her request on January 3, 2022, citing Exemption (d) of the Public Records Law. Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Ms. Jurczyk appealed, and this case was opened as a result. Based on a phone conversation between this office and an attorney for the Town on January 14, 2022, I understand that the Town intends to provide a supplemental response. Accordingly, said response must be provided to Ms. Jurczyk in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its regulations within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. As this appeal was opened based on the Town’s previous responses, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If issues remain unresolved, Ms. Jurczyk may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s supplemental response within ninety 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

Tara M. Ward SPR21/0011 Page 2 January 18, 2022 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Catherine Jurczyk