Colman Herman v. New Bedford, City of - Clerk's Office (SPR 20232603)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 10, 2023 SPR23/2603 Nicholas DeMarco, Esq. Associate City Solicitor City of New Bedford 133 William Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Dear Attorney DeMarco: I have received the petition of Colman Herman appealing the response of the City of New Bedford (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On August 30, 2023, Mr. Herman requested, “...copies of any and all communications related to UMass Dartmouth recently vacating a downtown New Bedford building that once was a department store.” On August 30, 2023, Mr. Herman clarified his request to include the time period January 1, 2023 to the present. Subsequently, Mr. Herman modified his request on August 31, 2023 to include three [identified] names. The City provided a fee estimate on September 15, 2023. Unsatisfied with the response, Mr. Herman petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2603, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the City intends on providing a further response to Mr. Herman. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Mr. Herman 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. Herman may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Colman Herman 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