Joseph Rowland v. Department of Public Health (SPR 20242098)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 7, 2024 SPR24/2098 Helen Rush-Lloyd Records Access Officer Department of Public Health 250 Washington Street, Second Floor Boston, MA 02108 Dear Ms. Rush-Lloyd: I have received the petition of Joseph Rowland appealing the response of the Department of Public Health (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 15, 2024, Mr. Rowland requested “... copies of 276 death certificates. See the attached excel file for the 276 death certificate numbers, compiled from the Massachusetts Death Index on FamilySearch, along with the individual's names and years of death.” The Department responded on July 23, 2024. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Rowland petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/2098, was opened as a result. On August 6, 2024, the Department provided a further response. In the response, the Department advised that it is working with the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (Registry), and that the Registry is working with Mr. Rowland by “allowing him to access the records during public research hours.” In light of the Department’s August 6th response, indicating that the parties are working to together to provide access to the requested records, I will consider this administrative appeal closed. If issues remain unresolved, Mr. Rowland may file an appeal. Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Joseph Rowland 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