John Hawkinson v. Cambridge, City of - Law Department (SPR 20231294)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records June 28, 2023 SPR23/1294 Seah Levy Records Access Officer City of Cambridge Office of the City Solicitor 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 Dear Ms. Levy: I have received the petition of John Hawkinson appealing the response of the City of Cambridge (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 23, 2023, Mr. Hawkinson requested the following: (a) all written communications with the unions regarding this matter (not including the policy itself, of course, unless the City changes its position), including cover letters and the like, as well as anything substantive you’re willing to produce, and (b) as well as all records that identify the “select groups[.]” On June 13, 2023, the City responded and indicated that it was withholding responsive records pursuant to Exemption (d) of the Public Records Law. Unsatisfied with the City’s response, Mr. Hawkinson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1294, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the City intends on providing a further response to Mr. Hawkinson. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Mr. Hawkinson with a response in accordance with the Public Records Law, its Regulations and this order within ten 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. Mr. Hawkinson may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety 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

Seah Levy SPR23/1294 Page 2 June 28, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John Hawkinson