William E. Johnson v. Massachusetts State Police (SPR 20241920)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 17, 2024 SPR24/1920 Allison Mondello Public Records Manager Massachusetts Department of State Police 470 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702 Dear Ms. Mondello: I have received the petition of William Johnson appealing the nonresponse of the Department of State Police (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 29, 2024, Mr. Johnson requested records regarding “[t]he involuntarily towed vehicle title application process, and any actual relative title applications and review of those applications pursuant to MGL 255, Section 39A and MGL159B, Section 6 B”: Parties: 1. Any current and past members of the Massachusetts State Police (MSP), the Massachusetts State Police Legal Counsel staff and any MSP consultants including [an identified individual]. 2. Any current or past employees, legal counsel or consultants of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Time Period: For the period May 1, 2022, to date. What: 1. All documents, including but not limited to correspondence, reports, memoranda, emails, notes, phone records, faxes and text messages created or received by the parties described above and between any or all the above parties. 2. All meeting dates, any supporting documents including but not limited to correspondence intended for discussion, consideration or background for said meetings, created or received by the parties described above and between any or all the above parties. (See attached.)[.] 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

Allison Mondello SPR24/1920 Page 2 July 17, 2024 Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Johnson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/1920, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Department has provided a response. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Johnson with a response to his 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. Johnson may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: William Johnson 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