ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SVB LIBERTATE QVIETEM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth
Public Records Division

Alan N. Cote
Supervisor of Records
pre at sec.state.ma.us

One Ashburton Place, 17th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
617 727-2832
fax 617 727-5914
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcrmu/rmuidx.htm

April 24, 2008
SPR08/026

Mr. Jeff Conley
Boston Finance Commission
152 North Street
Boston MA 02113
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Finance_Commission
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Boston_Finance_Commission
jeff.conley at cityofboston.gov

Dear Mr. Conley:


            I have received a petition appealing the response of the Boston
Finance Commission (Commission) to a January 15, 2008 public records
request. G. L. c. 66, s 10(b) (2006 ed.) (Supervisor of Public
Records has authority to resolve public records appeals);
see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2) (appeal process).
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/pubreclaw.pdf
Specifically requested Commission meeting minutes.


            "Public records" is broadly defined to include all documentary
materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics,
made or received by any officer or employee of any town of the
Commonwealth, unless falling within a statutory exemption.
G. L. c. 4, s 7(26) (2006 ed.)
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/pubreclaw.pdf


            Governmental bodies are required to keep
accurate written minutes of all of their meetings. G. L. c. 66, s 5A.
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/pubreclaw.pdf

It is consistent with the underlying policy behind both the Open
Meeting Law and the Public Records Law that these minutes must be made
readily accessible to the public.
See G. L. c. 39, s 23B;
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/39-23b.htm
G. L. c. 66, s 10(a).
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/66-10.htm

While a records custodian may assess a fee for the provision of public
records, the fee charged should not serve as a deterrent for the
requestor to access public records. See Globe Newspaper Co.
v. Boston Retirement Bd., 388 Mass. 427, 436 (1983).
http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/388/388mass427.html



            Minutes of meetings should be provided without delay at a
minimum cost, if any.

This office encourages records custodians to waive fees associated
with the provision of meeting minutes given that disclosure is
incontrovertibly in the public interest.


            You are hereby ordered to release the responsive minutes in
accordance with this determination. Accordingly, I will consider this
matter closed.
Very truly yours,
Alan N. Cote
Supervisor of Records
pre at sec.state.ma.us
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcrmu/rmuidx.htm



_______________________________________________________________
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at
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