Thomas Siefert v. Shutesbury, Town of (SPR 20242196)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 15, 2024 SPR24/2196 Grace Bannasch Town Clerk Town of Shutesbury Shutesbury Town Hall 1 Cooleyville Road, P. O. Box 264 Shutesbury, MA 01072 Dear Ms. Bannasch: I have received the petition of Thomas Siefert appealing the response of the Town of Shutesbury (Town) to requests for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 12, 2024, Mr. Siefert made two separate public records requests. In his first request, Mr. Siefert requested: [1.] A copy of the minutes of the Shutesbury Select Board’s meeting on October 11, 2022[;] [2.] A copy of all records in the Town’s possession of communications concerning the minutes of the Shutesbury Select Board’s meeting on October 11, 2022. In his second request, Mr. Siefert requested: [1.] A copy of the approved minutes of the Shutesbury Select Board’s meeting on September 27, 2022, which were approved during the Select Board meeting on October 11, 2022[;] [2.] A copy of all records in the Town’s possession of communications concerning the minutes of the Shutesbury Select Board’s meeting on September 27, 2022. In an email to Mr. Siefert dated July 12, 2024, a representative of the Town confirmed receipt of his requests and informed him that since Town Clerk’s Office would be closed the following week, the Town planned to respond no later than August 2, 2024. The Town responded on August 2, 2024. Unsatisfied with the response, Mr. Siefert petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/2196, was opened as a result. 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

Grace Bannasch SPR24/2196 Page 2 August 15, 2024 Subsequently, I learned that the Town provided a further response to Mr. Siefert on August 15, 2024. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Town’s August 2, 2024 response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Siefert may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s August 15th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Thomas Siefert