Patrick Higgins v. Swansea, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20231903)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 29, 2023 SPR23/1903 Diane Pelland Town Clerk Town of Swansea 81 Main Street Swansea, MA 02777 Dear Ms. Pelland: I have received the petition of Patrick Higgins appealing the nonresponse of the Town of Swansea (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 14, 2023, Mr. Higgins requested a “... pdf file copy of the executive session minutes from the Swansea Board of Library Trustees meeting held on November 30, 2022.” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Higgins petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1903, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it is unclear whether a response has been provided. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Mr. Higgins with a response to the request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, 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 this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Higgins may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Patrick Higgins 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