Grace Ferguson v. New Bedford, City of - Clerk's Office (SPR 20231086)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 31, 2023 SPR23/1086 Nicholas DeMarco, Esq. Associate City Solicitor City of New Bedford 133 William Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Dear Attorney DeMarco: I have received the petition of Grace Ferguson, of the New Bedford Light, appealing the nonresponse of the City of New Bedford (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 5, 2023, Ms. Ferguson requested “[t]he daily calendar (schedule of events, activities, and meetings) for Mayor ... from February 19, 2023 through May 5, 2023.” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Ferguson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1086, 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. Ferguson with a response to the 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. Ferguson 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: Grace Ferguson 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