Double Utility Poles

Brian Keaney filed this request with the Attorney General's Office of Massachusetts.
Status
Completed

Communications

From: Brian Keaney

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, ยง10, I hereby request the following records:

Any decisions sent to city or town clerks from the Office of Municipal Law relating to by-laws or ordinances relating to double utility poles (MGL ch. 164 sec. 34b) in the past five years.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Brian Keaney

From: Gainey, Emalie (AGO)

Hello Brian,

Grant forwarded on your request to me as he now works in a different part of the office. I have submitted your request and will be in touch.
Thanks,
Emalie
______________________________
Emalie Gainey
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: (617) 727-2543

From: Gainey, Emalie (AGO)

Hello Brian,

Please find attached the response to your public records request.
Just for your knowledge on background, our office reviews town by-laws but not city ordinances. Here is information on the role of our Municipal Law Unit:
About the Municipal Law Unit<http://www.mass.gov/ago/government-resources/municipal-law/about-the-municipal-law-unit.html>
Functions of the Attorney General's Municipal Law Unit
Whenever a town adopts or amends its general by-laws or zoning by-laws, within 30 days of adjournment of town meeting, the Town Clerk is required to submit them to the Attorney General for review and approval. The Attorney General then has 90 days in which to decide whether the proposed amendments are consistent with the constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth. If the Attorney General finds an inconsistency between the proposed amendments and state law, the amendments or portions thereof will be disapproved. The Municipal Law Unit is responsible for undertaking this review and for issuing a written decision approving or disapproving by-law amendments.
Hope that helps.

Kindly,
Emalie

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