What is a Public Record?
On June 3, 2016, Governor Baker signed into law "An Act to Improve Public Records," enhancing public access to information. That law went into effect January 1, 2017.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts broadly defines what constitutes a public record. The Public Records Law includes nearly all documentary materials or data of any form generated, received or maintained by the Town, its employees, boards, committees and commissions. All documentary materials or data that is made or received by a government entity or employee is presumed to be a public record unless a specific statutory exemption permits or requires it to be withheld in whole or in part. In order to protect certain privacy and security interests there are certain narrowly defined statutory exemptions prohibiting particular public records, or portions thereof, from disclosure.
A list of public records that are exempt may be found at https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleI/Chapter4/Section7.
More information on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Public Records Law can be found at
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/preinformation.htm
What is
a Public Records Request?
A public records request is a request to either inspect, copy or both, public records. There is no requirement that the request be made in person or in writing, or be in any particular form. The person making the request is not required to identify himself/herself, or to provide information about the reason for the request or how the records will be used. The request must be clear enough to enable the Town to conduct a meaningful search. The Town may ask questions about the request in order to respond to the request fully and in a timely manner. The State acknowledges that access to information is a fundamental and necessary right of every citizen.
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