Catherine Foster v. Adams, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20220483)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records March 11, 2022 SPR22/0483 Haley Meczywor Town Clerk Town of Adams 9 Park Street Adams, MA 01220 Dear Ms. Adams: I have received the petition of Catherine Foster appealing the response of the Town of Adams (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 1, 2022, Ms. Foster requested various documents from a named Town housing program. Following extensive correspondence with the Town, including a cost estimate for the request, on February 1, 2022, Ms. Foster modified and narrowed her request to the following: 1. Copies of applications in Adams for housing rehabilitation/repair funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. 2. Of those applications, I would like to know which properties were approved for housing grants. 3. All written requests for HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program conflict of interest determinations. 4. All resulting conflict of interest determinations from HUD. 5. All CDBG funds that were repaid due to sale of property or any other reason to become ineligible for continued deferment. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Ms. Flynn appealed, and this case was opened as a result. On February 11, 2022, the Town responded. Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Ms. Foster petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/0483, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Town representative, it is my understanding that the Town intends on providing a subsequent response to Ms. Foster. 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

Haley Meczywor SPR22/0483 Page 2 March 11, 2022 Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Ms. Foster with a response to her request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Access 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. Ms. Foster may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Catherine Foster Edmund R. St. John, III, Esq.