Rebecca Garverman v. New Bedford, City of - Office of The City Solicitor (SPR 20252335)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 22, 2025 SPR25/2335 Romina Moniz Administrative Manager/Central Records Access Officer City of New Bedford Solicitor’s Office 133 William Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Dear Ms. Moniz: I have received the petition of Rebecca Garverman, Esq., of the Nonhuman Rights Project, appealing the response of the City of New Bedford (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 26, 2025, Attorney Garverman requested the following “records on or related to the care and housing of the Asian elephant named Emily, who is held at the Buttonwood Park Zoo”[:] [1] Any and all veterinary or medical records related to Emily, including but not limited to medical assessments, diagnosis, treatment plans, daily medical logs, medication lists, photographs, videos, or any other records related to her health and medical care from the time period of April 10, 2025 to date[;] [2] Any and all records related to Emily’s care and behavior, including but not limited to, keeper logs, notes on her behavior, observations by elephant keepers, documented changes in her care, incident reports, photos, videos, or any other records related to her behavior and daily care from the time period of April 10, 2025 to date[;] [3] Any and all records from the Elephant Welfare App related to Emily, including but not limited to, daily logs, notes on her behavior and health, observations by elephant keepers, photos, videos, or any other records related to her behavior and daily health from the time period of December 27, 2024 to date. The City responded on July 11, 2025. Unsatisfied with the response, Attorney Garverman petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/2335, was opened as a result. 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

Romina Moniz SPR25/2335 Page 2 August 22, 2025 Subsequently, I learned that the City provided a supplemental response to Attorney Garverman on August 22, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the City’s July 11, 2025 response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Attorney Garverman may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s August 22nd response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Rebecca Garverman, Esq.