Jon Chesto v. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (SPR 20232529)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 7, 2023 SPR23/2529 William J. Doyle, Esq. Records Access Officer Office of the General Counsel Massachusetts Department of Transportation 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 Dear Attorney Doyle: I have received the petition of Jon Chesto, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On August 21, 2023, Mr. Chesto requested, “...two specific documents. Document number 1: The most recent MEGA application for federal funds, submitted in August 2023 to MassDOT, for the I-90 Multimodal project in Allston. Document number 2: The MEGA application for the I-90 Multimodal project in Allston that was submitted in 2022 for the first round of MEGA grants.” MassDOT responded on September 21, 2023. Unsatisfied with MassDOT’s response, Mr. Chesto petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2529, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that MassDOT intends on providing a further response to Mr. Chesto. Accordingly, MassDOT is ordered to provide Mr. Chesto 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. Chesto may appeal the substantive nature of MassDOT’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jon Chesto 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