Jacquelyn Wehtje v. Fitchburg, City of - City Clerk (SPR 20230923)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 19, 2023 SPR23/0923 Joanna Bilotta-Simeone City Clerk City of Fitchburg City Hall 718 Main Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 Dear Ms. Bilotta-Simeone: I have received the petition of Jacquelyn Wehtje appealing the nonresponse of the City of Fitchburg (City) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On April 19, 2023, Ms. Wehtje requested “...any and all of these documents received within the past six months from owners of agricultural or horticultural properties ...” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Wehtje petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/0923, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the City has provided a response. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Ms. Wehtje with a response to her request, 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. Ms. Wehtje may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jacquelyn Wehtje 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