Public Records Disclosure #4

The following letter was sent to the Supervisor of Records, Office of the Secretary of State and a copy hand-delivered to the Middleboro Keeper of Public Records, the Town Clerk, in response to the Public Records Disclosure matters:

November 16, 2007

Supervisor of Records
Office of the State Secretary
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, Massachusetts 02108

Re: Enclosed Public Records request

Gentlepersons:

Enclosed, you will find correspondence regarding public records I requested from the Middleboro Town Clerk.

Of particular concern to me, is that some of the information should be available in the Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes that are posted on the Town’s Web Site.

Financial information is being deliberately withheld from the Finance Committee (in violation of provisions of the Town Charter), as well as the public.

In this particular case, it would appear that the charge of $115.00 was intended to discourage the production of additional information.

My intent was to post the pertinent information on a blog I maintain entitled ‘Middleboro Recall.’ That blog is widely read and circulated in Middleboro and has assisted voters in understanding the issues since the Board of Selectmen continue to maintain a veil of secrecy regarding financial matters and Town business.

I would request that the information either be posted on the Town’s Web Site or the fees be waived for purposes of public discussion.

Your input and opinion would be appreciated so that this information can be widely circulated along with other documents that should be in the public domain.