Kevin Wood v. Georgetown, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20232975)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records December 22, 2023 SPR23/2975 Kerri A. McManus Town Clerk Town of Georgetown 1 Library Street Georgetown, MA 01833 Dear Ms. McManus: I have received the petition of Kevin Wood appealing the response of the Town of Georgetown (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On October 12, 2023, Mr. Wood requested “…for the period between 2016 to 2022 any complaints alleging and/or investigations of payroll fraud related to the conservation commission and any employee settlement agreements associated with payroll fraud in the conservation commission.” Prior Appeal The requested records were the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR23/2707 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (November 21, 2023). In my November 21st determination, I found that the Town did not meet its burden of specificity to withhold the responsive records under Exemptions (c) and (f) of the Public Records Law. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c), (f). On December 7, 2023, the Town responded and provided responsive records with redactions pursuant to Exemptions (c) and (o) of the Public Records Law. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c), (o). Unsatisfied with Town’s response, Mr. Wood petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2975, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Town intends on providing a further response to Mr. Wood. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Mr. Wood with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (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. Wood may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). 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

Kerri A. McManus SPR23/2975 Page 2 December 22, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Kevin Wood