Joshua Bloom v. Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (SPR 20231702)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 7, 2023 SPR23/1702 Thomas Matuszko Executive Director Berkshire Regional Planning Commission 1 Fenn Street, Suite 201 Pittsfield, MA 01201 Dear Mr. Matuszko: I have received the petition of Joshua Bloom appealing the response of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (Commission) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 24, 2023, Mr. Bloom requested the following: [1] The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA). [2] The Committee’s intervenor brief that was submitted to the US Appeals Court. The complete and unredacted versions of the following communications and documents: [3] A three-page email chain dated January 5, 2023 through January 9, 2023 concerning the January 11, 2023 Executive Session and litigation strategy matters among [named individuals] [4] A four-page email chain dated January 5, 2023 through January 10, 2023 concerning the January 11, 2023 Executive Session and litigation strategy matters among [named individuals] [5] A seven-page email chain dated January 5, 2023 through January 10, 2023 concerning the January 11, 2023 Executive Session and litigation strategy matters among [named individuals] [6] A two-page Executive Session meeting minutes of the January 11, 2023 Executive Session Meeting of the Housatonic Rest of River Municipal Committee. [7] A two-page email chain dated March 21, 2023 through March 23, 2023 among [named individuals] ... about litigation strategy matters. The Commission responded on June 1, 2023. Unsatisfied with the Commission’s response, Mr. Bloom appealed, and this case was opened as a result. 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

Thomas Matuszzko SPR23/1702 Page 2 August 7, 2023 Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, based on an email to this office from an attorney for the Commission on July 25, 2023, I understand that the Commission intends to provide a supplemental response to Mr. Bloom. Accordingly, said response must be provided in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its regulations within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. If issues remain unresolved, Mr. Bloom may appeal the substantive nature of the Commission’s supplemental response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Joshua Bloom