Mitchell Dean v. Stoughton, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20242753)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records October 16, 2024 SPR24/2753 Sergeant Michael Cowgill Stoughton Police Department 26 Rose Street Stoughton, MA 02072 Dear Sergeant Cowgill: I have received the petition of Mitchell Dean appealing the nonresponse of the Stoughton Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 9, 2024, Mr. Dean requested “all communications between [identified individuals] and/or employees of [a specified business]… [including], but not limited to, emails, text messages, written communications, voicemails, and recorded phone calls” for the dates June 21-June 24, 2024 and August 27-August 29, 2024.” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Dean petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/2753, 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. Dean 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. Dean 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: Mitchell Dean 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