Laura H. Ortiz v. Lowell, City of - Fire Department (SPR 20240464)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records February 22, 2024 SPR24/0464 Chief Phillip Charron Lowell Fire Department 99 Moody Street Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Chief Charron: I have received the petition of Laura Ortiz appealing the nonresponse of the Lowell Fire Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 8, 2023, Ms. Ortiz requested records pertaining to the following: [1.] Copy of any Lowell Fire Department Inspections or Safety Inspections including the Requests as well as Completed Inspections and Sign Offs. Please provide, as applicable, inspection records regarding fire sprinklers, fire suppression systems, fire pumps, and fire alarm systems for these public utilized buildings, as well as flammable liquid storage permits and for 2022 and 2023, for the following property addresses of the City: [three identified locations]; [2.] Copy of any Directives, Agreements or other from City of Lowell and/or its Lowell Fire Department with National Grid, Eversource, Xfinity or any applicable electrical or cable utility that are responsive to anything requiring these utilities to come to these City of Lowell owned and operated buildings in 1, directing them to shut off utilities after Lowell Fire Department or Police or Massachusetts State Police or other Emergency Department notifies the utility company they cannot shut off their utility, and any that were in effect for 2023 (even if signed or issued or other during a prior year). Claiming to not yet have received a response, Ms. Ortiz petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/0464, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that a representative from the Department intends on providing a written response to Ms. Ortiz. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Ortiz with a response in accordance with the Public Records Law, its Regulations and this order within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at 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

Chief Phillip Charron SPR24/0464 Page 2 February 22, 2024 pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Ortiz may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Laura Ortiz John Pyers