Michael P. Welsh, Esq. v. Suffolk County Sheriff's Department (SPR 20253264)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 20, 2025 SPR25/3264 Brigid Finnegan Executive Assistant Office of the General Counsel Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department 200 Nashua Street Boston, MA 02114 Dear Ms. Finnegan: I have received the petition of Michael P. Welsh, Esq., of the Law Office of Michael P. Welsh, appealing the response of Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 3, 2025, Attorney Welsh sent a request, dated August 15, 2025, for the following records: [1] All records pertaining to the specific service of process allegedly effectuated on [an identified individual] on November 13, 2023, at [a specified address], Boston, MA 02210. This includes, but is not limited to: [a] All internal notes, logs, or communications (including email, text messages, internal memos, or handwritten notes) regarding the attempt(s) to serve . . . on that date[;] [b] All records identifying the individual(s) who personally attempted to effectuate service on . . . on November 13, 2023[;] [c] All records of payments, invoices, or receipts related to the service of this summons[;] [d] Any and all internal records, communications, or policies regarding the authorization or delegation of official service of process duties to individuals who are not sworn Deputy Sheriffs. [2] All records pertaining to the attempted service of . . . on November 9, 2023. This includes, but is not limited to: [a] All internal notes, logs, or communications regarding this attempted service[;] 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

Brigid Finnegan SPR25/3264 Page 2 November 20, 2025 [b] Any and all records identifying the individual(s) who personally attempted to effectuate service on November 9, 2023[.] [3] All records relating to the identity, employment, and authorization of [an identified individual] … who communicated with . . . regarding service of process on November 9 and November 13, 2023. This includes: [a] Her official title and affiliation with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department[;] [b] Any contracts, agreements, or records of her compensation for performing service of process on behalf of the Department[;] [c] Any and all internal directives or authorizations for [a specified individual] to conduct service of process[.] [4] All records pertaining to [a named individual’s] activities on November 13, 2023, including his assignment, logs, or any other documentation that would corroborate his personal service of . . . on that date[;] [5] All records pertaining to any other attempts to effectuate service of process on . . . for Norfolk Probate and Family Court Docket No. NO19D1196DR prior to November 9, 2023[;] [6] All communications (including email, text messages, phone logs, or internal memoranda) between any employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and [three identified individuals], or anyone acting on their behalf, from October 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023, that refer to . . . or Norfolk Probate and Family Court Docket No. NO19D1196DR[;] [7] Any policies, procedures, or directives in effect in November 2023 concerning: [a] The proper execution and certification of a “Return of Service” by a Deputy Sheriff[;] [b] The delegation of official service of process duties to civilian or unauthorized personnel[.] On September 22, 2025, Attorney Welsh modified his request to include “[a]ll records of any attempted or completed service of process on [an identified individual] in connection with Norfolk Probate and Family Court Docket No. NO19D1196DR, from August 1, 2022 through the present.”

Brigid Finnegan SPR25/3264 Page 3 November 20, 2025 Previous Appeal This request was the subject of a previous appeal. See SPR25/3250 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (November 5, 2025). In my November 5th determination, I closed SPR25/3250 in light of the Department providing a response on November 5, 2025. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Attorney Welsh petitioned this office, and this appeal, SPR25/3264, was opened as a result. Conclusion Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, I learned that the Department provided a supplemental response by email to Attorney Welsh and this office on November 17, 2025. As this appeal was opened based on the Department’s November 5th response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, Attorney Welsh may further appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s November 17th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Michael P. Welsh, Esq.