Peter J. Duffy, Esq. v. Needham, Town of (SPR 20230637)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 10, 2023 SPR23/0637 Theodora K. Eaton Town Clerk Needham Town Hall 1471 Highland Avenue Needham, MA 02492 Dear Ms. Eaton: I have received the petition of Peter J. Duffy, Esq. appealing the response of the Town of Needham (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 6, 2023, Attorney Duffy requested: [A] copy of the settlement agreement referenced in the first paragraph of this February 14, 2023 joint statement issued by the Town of Needham and the Lawyers for Civil Rights concerning the resolution of the subject(s) of the lawsuit brought by [a named individual] against the Town of Needham and others in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-11116, including all exhibits to the settlement agreement, amendments to the settlement agreement, ancillary agreements, and associated documents concerning terms of the settlement agreement. On March 30, 2023, the Town responded. Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Attorney Duffy petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/0637, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Town intends to provide a further response to Attorney Duffy. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Attorney Duffy with said response, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law, and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Attorney Duffy may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). 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

Theodora K. Eaton SPR23/0637 Page 2 April 10, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Peter J. Duffy, Esq. Chair Marianne Cooley Christopher H. Heep, Esq.