Public Records & Disclosure

For the sake of enlightening and informing,
below you will find information and a link
regarding 'PUBLIC RECORDS.'



The founding fathers of our nation strove
to develop an open government formed on
the principles of democracy and public
participation. An informed citizen is better
equipped to participate in that process.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has
had a law mandating the disclosure of
public records since 1851.

What records are public?
Every document, paper, record, map, photograph, etc., as defined by law, that
is made or received by a government entity or employee is presumed to be a
public record.


The Massachusetts Public Records Law provides that every person has a right
of access to public information.1 This right of access includes the right to
inspect, copy or have copies of records provided upon the payment of a
reasonable fee.2
The Massachusetts General Laws broadly define “public records” to include
“all books, papers, maps, photographs, recorded tapes, financial statements,
statistical tabulations, or other documentary materials or data, regardless of
physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee”
of any Massachusetts governmental entity.

http://www.mma.org/images/stories/AbtLocalGov/public_records_guide.pdf