Sarah L. Ryley v. Belchertown, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20222564)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 28, 2022 SPR22/2564 David Squires Communications Director Belchertown Police Department 70 State Street P. O. Box 901 Belchertown, MA 01007 Dear Mr. Squires: I have received the petition of Sarah Ryley, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Belchertown Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 29, 2022, Ms. Ryley requested: [T]he following records pertaining to licensed firearms businesses (including individuals licensed as such), covering the time period of Jan. 1, 2017 through the date that [the] records are retrieved: [1] Applications for licenses to sell, rent, or lease firearms, rifles, shotguns, and machines guns; to perform gunsmithing services; or to sell ammunition; including any records during the course of the application process, such as correspondences and attachments. [2] Inspections, and any records provided to [the Department] as a result of inspections. [3] Referrals and complaints from any person or agency on potential violations of federal or state laws, and records of any action taken. [4] Investigations [5] Records of enforcement actions by [the Department], or any other agency that are in [the Department’s] possession. The Department responded on October 7, 2022, denying the request. Following further correspondence with the Department, and unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Ms. Ryley appealed, and this case was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, I learned that the Department provided a supplemental response by email to Ms. Ryley and this office on November 15, 2022. As this 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

David Squires SPR22/2564 Page 2 November 28, 2022 appeal was opened based on the Department’s previous responses, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Ryley may further appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s November 15th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Sarah Ryley