Ane Smith v. Westwood, Town of - Clerk's Office (SPR 20252264)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 8, 2025 SPR25/2264 Stephanie McManus Finance Director, Treasurer/Collector Town of Westwood 580 High Street Westwood, MA 02090 Dear Ms. McManus: On August 4, 2025, this office received your petition on behalf of the Town of Westwood (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, Ane Smith. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv)(2). On June 26, 2025, Ms. Smith placed two separate public record requests with the Town. 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. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c). 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

Stephanie McManus SPR25/2264 Page 2 August 8, 2025 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). Current Petition In its petition, the Town requests an extension of 30 business days. Conclusion The Town submitted its petition on August 4, 2025, more than twenty business days after receipt of the requests. In light of the fact that the Town has not demonstrated it submitted a timely petition, an extension of time cannot be granted. 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4)(d). To the extent possible, the Town must provide responsive records on a rolling basis. Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Ane Smith Dottie Powers