Martha Barrows v. Randolph, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20243372)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records December 27, 2024 SPR24/3372 Cheryl Sass Town Clerk & Registrar Town of Randolph 41 South Main Street Randolph, MA 02368 Dear Ms. Sass: I have received the petition of Martha Barrows appealing the response of the Town of Randolph (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 14, 2024, Ms. Barrows requested, “[e]mail communications to [an identified individual] [at a specified email address] from the following [four identified email] accounts, during the listed time frames.” Previous appeals and in camera review The request was the subject of previous appeals. See SPR24/2270 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (August 23, 2024); SPR24/2557 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (September 23, 2024) and SPR24/2783 Determinations of the Supervisor of Records (October 22, 2024 and November 19, 2024). In my November 19th determination, I found that although portions of the records may fall under Exemption (c) of the Public Records Law, the Town had not met its burden to withhold the emails, in their entirety, under Exemption (c). Further, upon review of the email withheld pursuant to Exemption (n) of the Public Records Law, I found that the Town had not met its burden to withhold this email, in its entirety, under Exemption (n). The Town responded on December 4, 2024. Unsatisfied with the Town’s response, Ms. Barrows petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/3372, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Town intends on providing a further response to Ms. Barrows. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Ms. Barrows with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic 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

Cheryl Sass SPR24/3372 Page 2 December 27, 2024 copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Barrows may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Martha Barrows