David Chritson v. Somerville, City of (SPR 20251135)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 7, 2025 SPR25/1135 David Shapiro, Esq. Deputy City Solicitor City of Somerville 93 Highland Avenue Somerville, MA 02143 Dear Attorney Shapiro: I have received the petition of David Chritson appealing the nonresponse 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 April 5, 2025, Mr. Chritson requested the following: [1] [A]ll “public records”… beginning from July 19, 2021 to the present date, made or received by SPD and related in any way to [identified individual][;] [2] [A]ll public records related to [identified individual] beginning from July 19, 2021 to the present date, made or received by any or all personnel listed in the SPD rosters dated 2023[;] [3] [A]ll public records related to [identified individual], beginning from July 19, 2021 to the present date, in the custody of, accessible by, or made, or received by [identified Somerville Police Department Units][;] [4] [A]ll public records related to [identified individual] beginning from July 19, 2021 to the present date, (1.) related to, (2.) located in, (3.) made to, or (4.) received from [identified entities]. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Chritson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1135, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the City has provided a response. Accordingly, The City is ordered to provide Mr. Chritson with a response to his request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) 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. Chritson may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). 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. SPR25/1135 Page 2 May 7, 2025 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: David Chritson