Sabrina Shankman v. Department of Public Utilities (SPR 20232617)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 7, 2023 SPR23/2617 Mathieu Cunha, Esq. Records Access Officer Department of Public Utilities One South Station Boston, MA 02210 Dear Attorney Cunha: On October 31, 2023, this office received your petition on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities (Department) requesting an extension of time and permission to charge for time spent segregating or redacting responsive records. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4). As required by law, it is my understanding that the Department furnished a copy of the petition to the requestor, Sabrina Shankman, of The Boston Globe. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv)(2). On October 17, 2023, Ms. Shankman requested “… [t]he full text of consumer complaints on record with DPU during calendar year 2022 and up to present day 2023 for ... seven [specified] companies.” Subsequently, in an email to the Department and this office on November 3, 2023, Ms. Shankman states “… [we] understand and accept the charges and need for an extension …” The Department responded on November 3, 2023 stating, “[we] will begin processing the request upon receipt of payment …” In light of the above, it is unnecessary to opine on the Department’s petition for an extension of time to produce records and permission to charge for time spent segregating or redacting responsive records. Further, this office encourages Ms. Shankman and the Department to continue to communicate to facilitate providing records more efficiently and affordably. See G. L. c. 66, § 10(b)(vii). 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

Mathieu Cunha, Esq. SPR23/2617 Page 2 November 7, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Sabrina Shankman