Jillian Bertrand v. Department of Veteran Services (SPR 20220688)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records March 31, 2022 SPR22/0688 Matthew Deacon, Esq. General Counsel Department of Veteran Services 600 Washington Street, 7th Floor Boston, MA 02111 Dear Attorney Deacon: I have received the petition of Jillian Bertrand, Esq., of Pyle Rome Ehrenberg PC, appealing the response of the Department of Veteran Services (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 11, 2022, Attorney Bertrand requested “. . . a copy of the proposal made by Penrose that has tentatively been awarded for the redevelopment of the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home and accompanying ongoing services.” On March 4, 2022, the Department provided a response denying access to the responsive records pursuant to Exemptions (d) and (h) of the Public Records Law. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(d), (h). Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Attorney Bertrand petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/0688, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Department provided a supplemental response on March 31, 2022. Accordingly, I will consider this administrative appeal closed. Attorney Bertrand may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s March 31st response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Jillian Bertrand, Esq. 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