Laura H. Ortiz v. Lowell, City of - Law Department (SPR 20231666)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 25, 2023 SPR23/1666 John Pyers Records Access Officer City of Lowell Law Department City Hall 375 Merrimack Street, 3rd Floor Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Mr. Pyers: I have received the petition of Laura Ortiz appealing the nonresponse of the City of Lowell (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 27, 2023, Ms. Ortiz requested the following records from the period of May 15 to June 27, 2023: [1.] Any Notice(s) to Vacate issued by the City of Lowell and/or any Department served, posted or placed near or within any homelessness camp (not limited to the encampment off of First Street Boulevard) after “alleged criminal activity (including weapons and/or drugs)” and the City of Lowell conducting “sweep- type actions” to clear encampments[;] [2.] Any Notice(s) to Vacate or Seizure/Forfeiture or Fines or other issued by the City of Lowell and/or any Department served, posted or placed to any landlord or property owner or upon their property address after “alleged criminal activity (including weapons and/or drugs)” occurred at their property address in the City of Lowell[;] [3.] Any Notice(s) for Personal Belonging and Property Retrievals or other served, posted or placed or given to the Homelessness persons or posted on City Property or other issued by the City of Lowell and/or any Department regarding where they can recover their personal property and belongings after “alleged criminal activity (including weapons and/or drugs)” and the City of Lowell conducting “sweep-type actions” to clear encampments (not limited to the encampment off of First Street Boulevard)[.] 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

John Pyers SPR23/1666 Page 2 July 25, 2023 Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Ortiz petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1666, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the City provided Ms. Ortiz with a response dated July 20, 2023. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the City’s lack of a written response, I will consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Ortiz 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: Laura Ortiz