Commonwealth Transparency v. Topsfield, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20241284)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 10, 2024 SPR24/1284 Mary E. Willis Town Clerk Town of Topsfield 8 West Common Street Topsfield, MA 01983 Dear Ms. Willis: I have received the petition of Commonwealth Transparency (“requestor”) appealing the nonresponse of the Town of Topsfield (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On April 6, 2024, the requestor sought: …the following documents/records in the possession or under the control of your school/district or town/city for the time period January 1, 2018 through April 5, 2024: [1.] Any and all contracts, communications, or documents of any kind with the following: [identified individuals and addresses;] [2.] Any and all payments made to: [identified individuals and addresses;] [3.] Any and all conflict of interest documents for: [identified individuals and addresses.] Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, the requestor petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/1284, 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 the requestor 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. The requestor may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’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

Mary E. Willis SPR24/1284 Page 2 May 10, 2024 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Commonwealth Transparency