Colman Herman v. Department of Conservation and Recreation (SPR 20221066)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records May 20, 2022 SPR22/1066 Michael Tencellent, Esq. Records Access Officer Department of Conservation and Recreation 251 Causeway Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02114 Dear Attorney Tencellent: I have received the petition of Colman Herman appealing the response of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On April 16, 2022, Mr. Herman requested, “…copies of any and all communications related to DCR 'working to better align internal and external resources to advance the recommendations that were made.' Communications include, but are not limited to, emails, text messages, letters, memoranda, faxes, and/or notes…” On May 2, 2022, the Department responded. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Herman petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/1066, was opened as a result. Based on a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Department representative, it is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a subsequent response to Mr. Herman. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Herman with said response to his 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. Mr. Herman may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Colman Herman 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