Joan F. Blake v. Berkley, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20232935)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records December 19, 2023 SPR23/2935 Heather J. Almy Town Clerk Records Access Officer Town of Berkley One North Main Street Berkley, MA 02370 Dear Ms. Almy: I have received the petition of Joan Blake appealing the response of the Town of Berkley (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 21, 2023, Ms. Blake requested, “[c]opy of a report generated by Town Counsel including summaries of interviews with two elected officials having a dispute, which I am named.” The Town provided a response on September 27, 2023. Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Ms. Blake petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2935, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Town intends on providing a further response to Ms. Blake. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Ms. Blake with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Blake may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Joan Blake 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