John E. Miller, Esq. v. Springfield, City of (SPR 20221921)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records September 1, 2022 SPR22/1921 Talia K. Gee, Esq. Records Access Officer First Associate City Solicitor City of Springfield, Law Department 36 Court Street, Room 210 Springfield, MA 01103 Dear Attorney Gee: I have received the petition of John Miller, Esq. appealing the response of the Springfield Police Department (Department/City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 25, 2022, Attorney Miller requested accident reports for five named persons. On July 26, 2022, the Department responded. On August 16, 2022, the City responded on behalf of the Department, further denying the request. Unsatisfied with the responses, Attorney Miller petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/1921, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a City representative, it is my understanding that the City intends on providing a subsequent response to Attorney Miller. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Attorney Miller with said response in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its 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. Attorney Miller may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John Miller, 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