Keith Purrier v. Mansfield, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20250764)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records March 25, 2025 SPR25/0764 Matthew Violette Assistant Town Manager Town of Mansfield 6 Park Row Mansfield, MA 02048 Dear Mr. Violette: On March 19, 2025, this office received the petition of Leo J. Peloquin, Esq., on behalf of the Town of Mansfield (Town) seeking an extension of time to produce records. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4). As required by law, it is my understanding that the Town furnished a copy of the petition to the requestor, Keith Purrier. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv)(2). On March 5, 2025, Mr. Purrier requested “…a copy of the special council [sic] report regarding Dumas and Doherty.” Petition for an Extension of Time Under the Public Records Law, upon a showing of good cause, the Supervisor of Records (Supervisor) may grant a single extension to an agency not to exceed 20 business days and a single extension to a municipality not to exceed 30 business days. In determining whether there has been a showing of good cause, the Supervisor shall consider, but shall not be limited to considering: (i) the need to search for, collect, segregate or examine records; (ii) the scope of redaction required to prevent unlawful disclosure; (iii) the capacity or the normal business hours of operation of the agency or municipality to produce the request without the extension; (iv) efforts undertaken by the agency or municipality in fulfilling the current request and previous requests; (v) whether the request, either individually or as part of a series of requests from the same requestor, is frivolous or intended to harass or intimidate the agency or municipality; and (vi) the public interest served by expeditious disclosure. 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

Matthew Violette SPR25/0764 Page 2 March 25, 2025 G. L. c. 66, § 10(c). If the Supervisor determines that the request is part of a series of contemporaneous requests that are frivolous or designed to intimidate or harass, and the requests are not intended for the broad dissemination of information to the public about actual or alleged government activity, the Supervisor may grant a longer extension or relieve the agency or municipality of its obligation to provide copies of the records sought. Id. The filing of a petition does not affect the requirement that a Records Access Officer (RAO) must provide an initial response to a requestor within ten business days after receipt of a request for public records. 950 C.M.R. 36.06(4)(b). Request for Additional Time to Produce Responsive Records In its petition, the Town requests 30 additional business days to respond to the request. In support of its request, the Town explains that it seeks the extension of time “to allow for the following:”  The Town’s request to charge Mr. Purrier for part of the review and redaction costs;  An opportunity for the Town and Mr. Purrier to discuss narrowing his request to reduce costs to both the Town and him  To do the work required to redact information from the lengthy Report which is exempt from disclosure and provide the redacted report to Mr. Purrier. In light of the need to search for, collect, segregate or examine records, as well as the scope of redaction required to prevent unlawful disclosure, the Town has established good cause to permit an extension of time. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c)(i)-(ii). The Town is granted an extension of 30 business days. Conclusion Accordingly, I find the Town has established good cause for a time extension of 30 business days as described above. Please note, Mr. Purrier has the right to seek judicial review of this decision by commencing a civil action in the appropriate superior court. See G. L. c. 66, §§ 10(c), 10(d)(iv)(4), 10A(c).

Matthew Violette SPR25/0764 Page 3 March 25, 2025 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Keith Purrier