Joseph F. Hennessey v. Worcester, City of (SPR 20230089)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 31, 2023 SPR23/0086; SPR23/0087 SPR23/0089; SPR23/0090 Janice E. Thompson, Esq. Assistant City Solicitor City of Worcester Law Department 455 Main Street, Room 301 Worcester, MA 01608 Dear Attorney Thompson: I have received the petition of Attorney Joseph F. Hennessey appealing the response of the City of Worcester (City) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On November 16, 2022, Attorney Hennessey requested “all internal affairs investigations” and “all letters of disciplinary actions” concerning two named officers. The City responded on December 1, 2022, indicating it would require additional time “to complete the work necessary to fulfill this request.” On November 2, 2022, Attorney Hennessey requested eleven categories of records concerning a specified August 27, 2019 incident. The City responded on December 8, 2022, providing multiple responsive records, and indicating it “will provide an additional update within a week.” On November 13, 2022, Attorney Hennessey requested four categories of records, including various sub-categories, concerning a specified January 1, 2019 incident. The City responded on November 29, 2022, indicating it would require additional time “to complete the work necessary to fulfill this request.” On November 13, 2022, Attorney Hennessey also requested seven categories of records concerning two named officers and a named individual. The City responded on November 29, 2022, indicating it would require additional time “to complete the work necessary to fulfill this request.” 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

Janice E. Thompson, Esq. SPR23/0086; SPR23/0087 Page 2 SPR23/0089; SPR23/0090 January 31, 2023 Having received no further responses to the above requests, Attorney Hennessey petitioned this office and SPR23/0086, SPR23/0087, SPR23/0089, and SPR23/0090, respectively, were opened as a result. Based on a telephone conversation between this office and an attorney for the City on January 25, 2023, I understand that the City intends to provide supplemental responses to Attorney Hennessey. Accordingly, said responses must be provided in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its regulations within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the responses to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. If issues remain unresolved, Attorney Hennessey may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s supplemental responses within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Joseph F. Hennessey, Esq.