John Hilliard v. Newton, City of - Police Department (SPR 20231717)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 9, 2023 SPR23/1717 Carol Moore Records Access Officer Town of Newton 1000 Commonwealth Avenue Newton, MA 02459 Dear Ms. Moore: I have received the petition of John Hilliard, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Newton Police Department (Department) 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, Mr. Hilliard requested, “[a]ny police reports involving [a named individual] ... on or about Nov. 27 2005.” Prior Appeal The requested records were the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR23/1564 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (July 20, 2023). The Department responded on July 26, 2023. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Hilliard petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1717, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Mr. Hilliard to address his records request. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Hilliard with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Hilliard may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’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

Carol Moore SPR23/1717 Page 2 August 9, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John Hilliard