West Chatham Project, re: Public Records Request

[Stephen Buckley]

Date: Mon, 15 May 2017 16:33:18 -0400
To: Glenn Cannon <gca...@capecodcommission.org>
From: Stephen Buckley <sbuc...@igc.org>
Subject: Comment to Draft TIP 2018-2022


Dear Mr. Cannon,

For its consideration on finalizing the 2018-2022 TIP (Transportation Improvement Program), I would like the Cape Cod MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) to be aware that I have made a Public Records Request of MassDOT (see email, further below), specifically for:

" ... any record received by MassDOT from the Town of Chatham concerning its choice of a recommended "pre-25%" design concept from amongst the various design alternatives for MassDOT Project #606596 as presented by a MassDOT consultant to the Chatham Board of Selectmen during its meeting of 11/12/13."

By law, MassDOT is required to respond to my request by May 19 (i.e., the Friday before the next MPO meeting on May 22), so I will be able to inform the MPO, at that time, whether the MassDOT has been able to locate and provide any record from the Town of Chatham on its decision regarding the "pre-25%" design for the following TIP project:

Chatham, Rte 28 - George Ryder Rd to Barn Hill Rd (2018)

If the MPO approves the proposed TIP for 2018-2022, then I suggest that its members only do so with the provision that MPO member, Thomas J. Tinlin, Administrator, MassDOT Highway Division, investigate and later report to the MPO about any omissions or irregularities regarding the public planning process, as required by federal regulations, for the subject Chatham project.

best,

Stephen Buckley
15 Balfour Lane, Unit T
Chatham, MA 02633
http://www.OpenChatham.com


=====================================

Date: Fri, 05 May 2017 16:44:48 -0400
To: massd...@state.ma.us
From: Stephen Buckley <sbuc...@igc.org>
Subject: MassDOT Public Records Request: Town's Decision on Pre-25% Design (MassDOT Project #606596 - Chatham, MA)


To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:

I am looking for any record received by MassDOT from the Town of Chatham concerning its choice of a recommended "pre-25%" design concept from amongst the various design alternatives for MassDOT Project #606596 as presented by a MassDOT consultant to the Chatham Board of Selectmen during its meeting of 11/12/13.

I can not find any such record on MassDOT's Highway Projects website, http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ProjectInfo.aspx, nor on the Town of Chatham's website for that project, http://www.wcroadwaydesign.info/documents.html

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 there are fees, 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 business days, as the statute requires.


Sincerely,

Stephen Buckley
15 Balfour Lane, Unit T
Chatham, MA 02633