Ben Wood v. Everett, City of - Mayor's Office (SPR 20231675)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 2, 2023 SPR23/1675 Erin Deveney Records Access Officer Mayor’s Office City of Everett 484 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Dear Ms. Deveney: I have received the petition of Ben Wood appealing the nonresponse of the City of Everett (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 6, 2023, Mr. Wood requested the following records pertaining to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) planning and funding activities in the City: [1.] [T]he names and organizational affiliation of people serving on the ARPA Advisory Committee…. [2.] [A] list of all meeting dates and attendance lists[;]…note if the meeting was held virtually, in person, or hybrid…. [3.] [M]eeting minutes…. [4.] For each of these community engagement categories [In-person, Direct, and Electronic]…[t]he total number of engagements, the purpose of each, the number of participants in each, how each engagement was advertised, and describe the accessibility methods…used…. [5.] [H]ow the following allocation have been and will be used: …$1,000,000 in ARPA CSFRF Administrative Expenses…[and] $300,000 in CE ARPA and FEMA Financial Compliance…. [6.] [C]onfirm that the City of Everett ARRP [sic] Fund Performance Tracker is accurate as of the date of this request [July 6, 2023] and how often the tracker is updated. Claiming to not yet have received a response, Mr. Wood petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1675, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the City 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

Erin Deveney SPR23/1675 Page 2 August 2, 2023 has provided a response. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Mr. Wood with a response to his 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. Mr. Wood may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within 90 days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Ben Wood