Friday, April 19, 2019

Home » » A New Public Records request CITY HALL DOORS

A New Public Records request CITY HALL DOORS

By  April 19, 2019  
Medford Historical Commission
C/O Office of Community Development
Medford City Hall
85 George P. Hassett Drive
Medford, MA 02155
The quickest and best way to contact us is by email at:
historicalcommission@medford-ma.gov

Medford Historical Society 
President
John Anderson
Vice-President
David Fedo
Treasurer
John Anderson (acting)

 
 Dear Historical Society and Commission:

I cannot get a straight answer out of city hall on where the brass doors to city hall went to.

Utilizing a template for Massachusetts from the Freedom of Information Act let's try to find out where these valuable doors went:


Dear Custodian of records:

Under the Massachusetts Public Records Act § 66-10 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that
Please note: there is an appeal pending regarding a previous public records request which included what I consider to be a snippy answer from the law office at Medford City Hall, yet the document was signed by a very polite attorney at city hall.  Makes this reporter think that some coward attorney is hiding behind the skirt of another attorney.  If so, shame on him.
Also, Mr. Anderson, I can't seem to find a phone # for the historical society OR the historical commission.
I don't think many residents know that there is a "society" and a "commission" - but that's simply how Medford conducts itself,
isn't it?  It's time for transparency, an honest city lawyer and honest city government - as in - a new administration with ethics.
TEMPLATE SAYS THIS:
 [Describe the records or information sought with enough detail for the public agency to respond.  Be as specific as your knowledge of the available records will allow. But it is more important to describe the information you are seeking.]
All documents and memos and e mails regarding any contractors who may have worked on city hall doors

Any invoices in regards to the dismantling of the old doors and construction of the new doors
All RFP's (request for proposals) and responses to requests for proposals

all documents stating where the original doors went, if they were melted down, where they were melted down or taken to,
and if anyone profited from the sale.

If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me if the cost will exceed $_5.00_____.  However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of the fate of the doors taxpayers funded [Here, you can identify yourself as a representative of the news media if applicable and state that your request is related to news gathering purposes.]  My popular blog is now @ 1,339,102 page views as of 11:15 AM April 19, 2019  This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
 
The Massachusetts Public Records Act requires a response to this request within 10 days.  If access to the records I am requesting will take longer than this amount of time, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
 
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.

Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,
Joe Viglione