Howard Knickerbocker v. Middlefield, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20232923)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records December 15, 2023 SPR23/2922 SPR23/2923 Suzanne Lemieux Town Clerk Town of Middlefield P. O. Box 265 Middlefield, MA 01243 Dear Ms. Lemieux: I have received the petitions of Howard Knickerbocker appealing the nonresponses of the Town of Middlefield (Town) to two requests for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). In separate requests on November 7, 2023, Mr. Knickerbocker requested the following records: SPR23/2922 [1.] Time stamped agenda for the October 19 Selectboard meeting. If not available, the Selectboard version of the agenda [;] [2.] The raw instant minutes to the October 19 Selectboard meeting [;] [3.] The raw instant minutes to the November 3 Selectboard meeting [;] SPR23/2923 [1.] Any Selectboard emails from October 1, 2023 to present containing [an identified individual] or historical as any part of the header or text[.] Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Knickerbocker petitioned this office and the following appeals, SPR23/2922 and SPR23/2923, were opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of both appeals, it remains unclear whether the Town has provided a response. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Mr. Knickerbocker with a response to his requests, 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 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

Suzanne Lemieux SPR23/2322 SPR23/2923 Page 2 December 15, 2023 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. Knickerbocker 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: Howard Knickerbocker