Robert Bland v. Rockport, Town of (SPR 20241027)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 9, 2024 SPR24/1027 Melanie Waddell Town Clerk 34 Broadway Avenue Rockport, MA 01966 Dear Ms. Waddell: I have received the petition of Robert Bland appealing the nonresponse of the Town of Rockport (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 14, 2024, Mr. Bland requested the following records: [1] Records that the shaded areas on the attached . . . have been established as either a public easement or a public footpath according to law. [2] Records that rights for the town and/or the general public to use the shaded areas on the attached . . . have been established according to law. [3] Records that the shaded areas on the attached . . . are not private property. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Bland petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/1027, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Town has provided a response. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Mr. Bland with a response to the request, 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 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. Bland may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) 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

Melanie Waddell SPR24/1027 Page 2 April 9, 2024 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Robert Bland