Ron Cecchini v. Milton, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20252270)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 11, 2025 SPR25/2270 Susan M. Galvin Town Clerk Town of Milton 525 Canton Avenue Milton, MA 02186 Dear Ms. Galvin: I have received the petition of Ron Cecchini appealing the response of the Town of Milton (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 6, 2025, Mr. Cecchini requested, “…all emails between [an identified individual] and Select Board chair for the time period of May 1, 2025 through July 6, 2025. These are all emails from [an identified individual] to [an identified individual] (or a group that includes [an identified individual]) and all emails from [an identified individual] to [an identified individual] (or a group that includes [an identified individual]).” On July 27, 2025, Mr. Cecchini modified his request, seeking the following: [1] A Vaughn Index of all emails withheld under the claimed attorney-client privilege exemption[;] [2] Production of all responsive records with redactions as appropriate, rather than wholesale withholding[;] [3] Clarification of the specific statutory basis under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7 you are relying upon to assert attorney-client privilege[;] [4] Records establishing when and how [an identified individual] was retained as Special Counsel, including: [a] Letters of engagement or contracts[;] [b] Scope of engagement[;] [c] Any compensation (planned or paid)[;] 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

Susan M. Galvin SPR25/2270 Page 2 August 11, 2025 [d] Who approved or signed the engagement (Chair or full Select Board)[;] [5] Clarification on the Town’s policy and legal basis for asserting attorney-client privilege…[;] [6] …all emails or written communications between [an identified individual] to any member of the Select Board, and from any member of the Select Board to [an identified individual], for the time frame April 1, 2025 to July 6, 2025. The Town provided responses on July 6 and July 22, 2025. Unsatisfied with the responses, Mr. Cecchini petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/2270, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Town provided Mr. Cecchini with two additional responses on August 4 and August 11, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Town’s July 6th and July 22nd responses, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Cecchini may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s August 4th and August 11th responses within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Ron Cecchini