Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Public Records Requests



1,208,661 @ 4:35 pm

Public Records Requests


On June 3, 2016, Governor Charlie Baker signed An Act to Improve Public Records into law (MGL. 121 SECTION 7. Chapter 66) Many of the provisions in the new law took effect on January 1, 2017.
In accordance with the Act to Improve Public Records, Mayor Stephanie M. Burke has named Assistant City Solicitor Kimberly Scanlon, Esq., as the Public Records Access Officer for the City of MedfordWritten public records request for the City of Medford can be addressed to Kimberly Scanlon via email at kscanlon@medford-ma.gov or via mail to 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155.
Alicia Palmer will serve as the Public Records Access Officer for the Medford Public SchoolsWritten public records request for the Medford Public Schools can be addressed to Alicia Palmer via email at mpspublicrecords@medford.k12.ma.us or via mail to 489 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA 02155.
A comprehensive description of the law can be found within this link, https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2016/Chapter121.
For your information, per the Secretary of State’s Office, an analysis of the new law is as follows:
New Provisions
Records Access Officers
Agencies and municipalities are required to designate 1 or more Records Access Officer (RAO).
The contact information for the RAO must be posted conspicuously, including on the agency’s or municipality’s website, if available.
The RAO has a duty to:
  • Coordinate the agency’s or municipality’s response to requests for access to public records;
  • Assist individuals seeking public records in identifying the records requested;
  • Assist the custodian of records in preserving public records; and
  • Prepare guidelines that enable requestors to make informed requests.
Electronic Records