Fourth Estate Journalism v. Somerville, City of (SPR 20251882)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 11, 2025 SPR25/1882 Meredith Stivers, Esq. Assistant City Solicitor City of Somerville 93 Highland Avenue Somerville, MA 02143 Dear Attorney Stivers: I have received the petition of Fourth Estate Journalism (requestor) 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 27, 2025, the requestor sought: All public records, spanning from February 27, 2023 to the current date, concerning all reports or complaints-whether oral, written, informal, formal, partial, or fully documented-that involve allegations, concerns, or grievances raised against former and present employees, personnel, or affiliates of the Somerville Police Department. This includes cases in which the reporter or complainant may have chosen not to proceed, opted against further engagement, or otherwise ceased participation at any stage of the process. Previous Appeals This request was the subject of previous appeals. See SPR25/0737 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (March 25, 2025); SPR25/0830 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (April 7, 2025); and SPR25/1189 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (May 13, 2025). In my May 13th determination, I ordered the City to clarify its claims under Exemptions (c) and (f) of the Public Records Law to redact the responsive records, and to provide the requestor with the remaining responsive records on a rolling basis. The City responded on May 29, 2025 and May 30, 2025. Unsatisfied with the City’s responses, the requestor petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1882, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the City provided a further response on July 10, 2025. Where this appeal was opened based on the City’s May 29, 2025 and May 30, 2025 responses, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, the requestor may 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

Meredith Stivers, Esq. SPR25/1882 Page 2 July 11, 2025 appeal the substantive nature of the City’s July 10th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Fourth Estate Journalism