Heather MacDonald v. Hull, Town of - Town Counsel (SPR 20241711)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records June 21, 2024 SPR24/1711 James B. Lampke, Esq. Town Counsel Town of Hull 253 Atlantic Avenue Hull, MA 02045 Dear Attorney Lampke: I have received the petition of Heather MacDonald appealing the nonresponse of the Town of Hull (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On November 14, 2023, Ms. MacDonald requested, “... email and text messages to Conservation Commissioner . . . regarding . . . (my home address) [and] . . . emails between Town Clerk . . . any and all departments/town personnel regarding my property. . . .” Prior Appeals This request was the subject of previous appeals. See SPR23/2908 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (December 11, 2023); SPR23/2977 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (December 22, 2023); SPR24/0096 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (January 24, 2024); SPR24/0560 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (March 5, 2024); and SPR24/1003 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (April 17, 2024). In my April 17th determination, I found that it was unclear whether the Town was claiming Exemptions (a), (c), (f), and (n) of the Public Records Law, to redact only the contact information of complainants from the records. I further found that it was uncertain what exemption(s) under the Public Records Law the Town was claiming to redact additional information, if any, in the requested records. In addition, I directed the Town to clarify if it possessed additional records responsive to the request. Following the April 17th determination, the Town provided a response on May 1, 2024. Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Ms. MacDonald petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/1711, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Town intends on providing a further response to Ms. MacDonald to address the records request. 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

James B. Lampke SPR24/1711 Page 2 June 21, 2024 Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Ms. MacDonald with said response 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. Ms. MacDonald may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Heather MacDonald