Lisa Crowley v. Brockton, City of (SPR 20243431)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 3, 2025 SPR24/3431 Timothy J. Cruise City Clerk City of Brockton 45 School Street Brockton, MA 02301 Dear Mr. Cruise: I have received the petition of Lisa Crowley appealing the response of the City of Brockton (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 10, 2024, Ms. Crowley requested: [A]any, and all work orders, permit applications, and permits regarding sewer, water, or any other work or repair completed in the vicinity of [an identified address] as well as any, ad all permits and work orders associated with sewer and water installations or repairs performed by [the City’s] DPW and/or outside contractors for [three identified addresses]. This request should include any, and all, documentation regarding DPW work completed from Jan. 18 to Jan. 19 2024 at [an identified address] when the situation became markedly and drastically worse. [An identified person] has photos. This request should include any, and all, documentation including work from before/on/after 9/24/21 when [an identified address] bought their house and had David Construction install sewer or water lines from the area of [two identified addresses], beginning the vibration problems. On December 11, 2024, the City acknowledged the request and asked for clarification, stating, “… [we] understand you are seeking work orders, permits and permit applications. Is your request limited to sewer/water work completed on or near [three identified addresses]? Are you only looking for work that required digging into the ground? Also, can you specify a timeframe for your request? Your request specifically mentions 9/24/21, is that as far back as you would like us to look?” 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

Timothy J. Cruise SPR24/3431 Page 2 January 3, 2025 On December 11, 2024, Ms. Crowley clarified her request, stating, “[f]or our immediate needs going back to around [9/24/21] for any, and all work done in this area, whether it was digging, analysis or complaints…” The City provided a response on December 11, 2024, asserting, “…[we] will work with the DPW to identify any permits, applications and work orders from September of 2021 to present. We will focus on any and all ground work related to the sewer lines, road repairs etc. in the areas you described. If [we] missed anything in your response please let [us] know. Thank you for your inquiry. We will begin locating the records and will be in touch soon with our response.” In a December 23, 2024 email, after not receiving any further response from the City, Ms. Crowley petitioned this office, and this appeal, SPR24/3431, was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, I learned that the City provided Ms. Crowley with a further response on January 2, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the City’s December 11, 2024 response, I will consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Crowley may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s January 2, 2025 response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Lisa Crowley