Eileen W. Mooney v. Great Barrington, Town of - Office of the Town Clerk (SPR 20232020)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records September 12, 2023 SPR23/2020 Jennifer L. Messina Town Clerk Town of Great Barrington 334 Main Street Great Barrington, MA 01230 Dear Ms. Messina: I have received the petition of Eileen Mooney appealing the response of the Town of Great Barrington (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 17, 2023, Ms. Mooney requested “all information, including documents, emails, minutes of board meetings and any other records that refer to the classification of property owned by [two identified organizations]. This includes but is not limited to documents, emails, minutes and other records of the Board of Assessors and all employees of the [assessors’] office, including the principal assessor.” On July 21, 2023, Ms. Mooney requested “minutes of the Board of Assessors’ meeting of May 31, 2022, when they denied an application of [a named individual] for a tax abatement or exemption.” Previous Appeal This request was the subject of a previous appeal. See SPR23/1746 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (August 11, 2023). In my August 11th determination, I ordered the Town to provide Ms. Mooney with a response to her request. On August 23, 2023, the Town responded. Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Ms. Mooney petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2020, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Town intends to provide a further response to Ms. Mooney. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Ms. Mooney with said response, 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 the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Mooney may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety (90) 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

Jennifer L. Messina SPR23/2020 Page 2 September 12, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Eileen Mooney