Parking Permit List

Good afternoon Mr. Nash.

In order for me to fulfill your request and provide estimated costs ahead of time, I will need to know the time period (or duration) you have in mind. So, for example, issued from January 1, 2010 - November 1, 2010?

Thank you,
Matt Dias

Matthew J. Dias
Traffic and Parking
City of Somerville
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143

Mr. Nash,

Traffic and Parking has determined that the fee for researching and retrieving the documents containing the nature of your request is $55.58 (3.5 hours at $15.88).

Please send check, payable to the City of Somerville, in the amount of $55.58 to City Solicitor, David Shapiro. Upon receipt, I will provide the information to you.

Thank you,
Matt Dias

Tom.

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I realize I received your check in January. So although the weather has been formidable, in the future, I will attempt to be more responsive.

Upon further inquiry, the records you are seeking do not currently exist in our software system in a manner that allows me to obtain them without including hundreds of other, unrelated records. Because of this, the public records law does not require this office to create a record in response to your request. I apologize for the confusion, and therefore, will return your check.

That being said, I'd like to fully explain, in detail, why I cannot fulfill your request as requested. Because of the manner in which we input permits into our system, I am unable to segregate the data you requested (permits falling "outside of the permits posted on the city's website") from other everyday permits we issue. What I mean is, the information you requested is coded in our system with a specific symbol because they were issued at "no charge." Unfortunately, there are also hundreds of other permits issued by this office everyday that are coded in exactly the same manner -- for example, temporary permits for new resident, medical, funeral, military, BOA, and then, of course, permits to teachers, firefighters, police, city hall employees, nurses, annex employees, recreation, school dept., etc.

So in summary, I am unable to segregate the data you seek from other, unrelated data for everyday residents. What I could show you is a print out of all permits issued at no charge, but because there are so many records, even I am unable to tell the difference between a new resident and a new intern at city hall. If you would like, I can send you a screen shot of the report that is generated as an example of why the records request cannot be fulfilled.

Please be assured that I have taken the necessary steps to prevent this from happening again in the future. As you know, I am fairly new to this Dept. So going forward the information you requested will now be coded separately, should you or anyone else make a similar request in the future.

If there is any other information you seek or if you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience. I am also always available by phone at 617.625.6600 ext 7910.

Thank you,
Matt Dias

Matthew J. Dias
Traffic and Parking
City of Somerville
133 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144
W: (617) 625-6600 ext. 7910
www.somervillema.gov