Greta Jochem v. Springfield, City of (SPR 20233084)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 8, 2024 SPR23/3084 Jeremy Saint Laurent, Esq. City of Springfield Law Department Public Records Division 36 Court Street, Room 210 Springfield, MA 01103 Dear Attorney Saint Laurent: I have received the petition of Greta Jochem, of The Springfield Republican, appealing the response of the City of Springfield (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On November 17, 2023, Ms. Jochem requested “[a]ny data and records the city and/or its police department has provided to the group Citizens of Juvenile Justice in the last two years.” The City responded on December 4, 2023, providing a fee estimate, and indicating that it intended to provide some records in redacted form and withhold others. Unsatisfied with the City’s response, Ms. Jochem appealed, and this case was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, in an email on December 27, 2023, the City provided Ms. Jochem and this office with a further response. Subsequently, based on a telephone conversation between this office and an attorney for the City on January 5, 2024, I understand that the City intends to provide a supplemental response to Ms. Jochem. Accordingly, said response must be provided in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its regulations within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. If issues remain unresolved, Ms. Jochem may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s supplemental response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Greta Jochem 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