William Ashton v. Cohasset, Town of - Town Clerk (SPR 20253733)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records December 30, 2025 SPR25/3733 Michelle Leary Assistant Town Manager Town of Cohasset Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA 02025 Dear Ms. Leary: I have received the petition of William Ashton appealing the nonresponse of the Town of Cohasset (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 3, 2025, Mr. Ashton requested, “[a] copy of the email [an identified individual] sent to the advisory committee regarding school budgets” in reference to an identified meeting. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Ashton petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/3733, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Town has provided a response. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Mr. Ashton with a response to his request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Ashton may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: William Ashton 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