Jake Fortes v. Department of Environmental Protection- Northeast Regional Office (SPR 20250240)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 31, 2025 SPR25/0240 Marc Laplante Records Response Coordinator Northeast Regional Office Department of Environmental Protection 205B Lowell Street Wilmington, MA 01887 Dear Mr. Laplante: I have received the petition of Jake Fortes appealing the response of the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 19, 2024, Mr. Fortes requested all communications between the Department and the City of Lowell relating to “the Markley Lowell site.” The Department provided Mr. Fortes with a response on January 7, 2025. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Fortes petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/0240, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Mr. Fortes. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Fortes with said response, in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten 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. Fortes may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jake Fortes Jeanne Argento, Esq. 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