Tom Duggan v. Lawrence, City of - City Attorney's Office (SPR 20251954)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 22, 2025 SPR25/1954 Timothy Houten, Esq. City Attorney City of Lawrence 200 Common Street Lawrence, MA 01840 Dear Attorney Houten: I have received the petition of Tom Duggan, of The Valley Patriot, appealing the response of the City of Lawrence (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 18, 2024, Mr. Duggan requested the following records: [1] All reports, CAD’s, notes, memos, FIO’s or any other records or documents mentioning the name of [identified individuals] from January 2023 to present date. [2] [A]ll emails, interoffice memos, all correspondence to and from [an identified individual] . . . for the same time period, as well as all documents showing complaints about [an identified individual], disciplinary actions taken, and steps to rectify any and all complaints from members of the public or other city workers. On March 11, 2025, Mr. Duggan modified his request as follows: “... for now restrict these to emails to and from [an identified individual]. If I require additional emails I will send a new request.” Previous Petition and Previous Appeal This request was the subject of a previous petition. See SPR25/0098 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (February 5, 2025). In this petition, I found that the City submitted its petition on January 10, 2025, more than ten business days after receipt of the request; therefore, permission to charge for time spent segregating or redacting responsive records was not granted. This matter was also the subject of a previous appeal. See SPR25/1346 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (May 28, 2025). In my May 28th determination, I found that it was unclear how much time was needed to search and how much time was needed to segregate and/or redact 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

Timothy Houten, Esq. SPR25/1954 Page 2 July 22, 2025 the records. Further, I found that the City must clarify whether the it was charging for exemptions that are not required by law. The City responded on June 2, 2025. Unsatisfied with the response, Mr. Duggan petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1954, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the City sent a further response to Mr. Duggan on July 22, 2025. Where the basis of this appeal was opened as a result of the City’s June 2nd response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Duggan may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s July 22nd response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Tom Duggan