Brittany Chavez v. Townsend, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20222090)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records September 26, 2022 SPR22/2090 James P. Sartell Chief of Police Townsend Police Department 70 Brookline Street Townsend, MA 01469 Dear Chief Sartell: I have received the petition of Brittany Chavez appealing the response of the Townsend Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 6, 2022, Ms. Chavez requested a death report for a named person. On September 12, 2022, the Department responded. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response Ms. Chavez petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/2090, was opened as a result. Based upon 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 Ms. Chavez. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Chavez 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. Ms. Chavez may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Brittany Chavez 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