Brian Ratcliffe v. Taunton, City of - Law Department (SPR 20251886)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 10, 2025 SPR25/1886 Lisa Bond, Esq. First Assistant City Solicitor City of Taunton, Law Department 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Dear Attorney Bond: I have received the petition of Brian Ratcliffe appealing the response of the City of Taunton (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 17, 2025, Mr. Ratcliffe requested, “how much the city spent on lawyer fees to defend the civil lawsuit brought to the city of Taunton By [an identified individual] for unlawful termination, and violation of his first amendment rights[.]” The City responded on June 24, 2025. Unsatisfied with the City’s response, Mr. Ratcliffe petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1886, was opened as a result. Subsequently, the City provided a supplemental response on July 10, 2025, providing responsive records. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the City’s June 24th response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Ratcliffe may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s July 10th response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Brian Ratcliffe 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