Christine Berube v. Merrimac, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20220946)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records May 6, 2022 SPR22/0946 Gwendolyn Sabbagh Town Clerk/ Records Access Officer Town of Merrimac 2-8 School Street Merrimac, MA 01860 Dear Ms. Sabbagh: I have received the petition of Christine Berube appealing the response of the Town of Merrimac (Town) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On April 14, 2022, Ms. Berube requested, “. . . video footage from any cameras that are covering the basement hallways and stairwells of Town Hall including but not limited to the area around the board of health offices for the 24 hour per day period for the following days. 3/23/2022, 3/24/2022, 3/25/2022, 3/26/2022, 3/27/2022, 3/28/2022 and 3/29/2022.” The Town responded on April 21, 2022. Unsatisfied with the response, Ms. Berube petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/0946, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division senior attorney and a Town representative, it is my understanding that the Town intends on providing a further response to Ms. Berube. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Ms. Berube with a response to the 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. Berube 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: Christine Berube 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