What's New In Open Government...

A continuing series linking to reports and stories about open government issues around Massachusetts. The following are stories about open government issues that appeared during the second half of December 2008:

Court May Decide Police File Release
Dec. 11, 2008, The Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Thomas Caywood
“The Telegram & Gazette intends to ask a judge to force the Worcester Police Department to release details of four citizen complaints made against Officer Mark A. Rojas…” The public records released were covered in redactions.

A Blog Posting with Boston City Councilor Yoon’s Proposals to Provide More Public Information.
Dec. 11, 2008, Sunshineboston blog

Ask a Punk for Records…
Dec. 15, 2008, On Brookline, Jim Conley
Description of problems in obtaining public records from the town’s Treasurer.

DA: ‘Coffee’ Violated Open Meeting Law
Dec. 16, 2008, The Harvard Post, Shaun Moriarty
More on the Harvard School Committee’s “flagrant and egregious violation” of the Open Meeting Law. They still do not seem to get it.

Our View: Why the Secrecy?
Dec.17, 2008, The Salem News, Editorial
This link is from Robert Ambrogi’s excellent Media Law blog. According to the editorial, the Haverhill School Committee went into executive session to discuss a $300, 000 overdue electric bill that was kept secret from the public and from at least one of the school committee’s members.

Medway Selectmen Followed Open Meeting Law Correctly
Dec. 25, 2008, The Milford Daily News, Aaron Wasserman
The title says it all, except the quotes by public officials in the article are a little disturbing.

The “Reasonable” Cost of Public Records
Dec. 30, 2008, The New England First Amendment Center Blog, Coleman Herman
Blog Posting about the costs of public records requests in Boston.

State Upholds Records Denial by Dennis-Yarmouth School District on Toilet Water in Bottle, Failure to Evacuate School During Fire
Dec. 31, 2008, Cape Cod Today, James Kinsella
Denial of Cape Cod Today’s request for two disciplinary records was upheld by the Public Records Division. Records requested were held to be exempt from disclosure.