David Chritson v. Somerville, City of (SPR 20250673)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records March 24, 2025 SPR25/0673 David Shapiro, Esq. Deputy City Solicitor City of Somerville – Law Department 93 Highland Avenue Somerville, MA 02143 Dear Attorney Shapiro: I have received the petition of David Chritson appealing the response of the City of Somerville (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 7, 2025, Mr. Chritson requested the following: [A]ll “public records” detailing all persons associated directly and/or indirectly with the Somerville Police Department, including, but not limited to: 1. All personnel, 2. All employees, 3. All officers, 4. All non-officers, 5. All contractors, 6. All agents, and 7. All third-parties, e.g.: a. private individuals and entities, and b. local, state, and federal government individuals and entities. Please include: 1. Name, 2. Title, rank, and/or position, 3. Race, 4. Gender, 5. Contact e-mail, 6. Contact phone number, and 7. Other related information of any sort. The City responded on March 10, 2025, providing numerous responsive records, stating that it was withholding other records pursuant to Exemption (c) of the Public Records Law, and 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

David Shapiro, Esq. SPR25/0673 Page 2 March 24, 2025 seeking clarification for parts of the request. Unsatisfied with the City’s response, Mr. Chritson petitioned this office, and this appeal, SPR25/0673, was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, I learned that the City provided a supplemental response by email to Mr. Chritson and this office on March 17, 2025. As this appeal was opened based on the City’s March 10th response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, Mr. Chritson may further appeal the substantive nature of the City’s March 10th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: David Chritson