Public Records

For copies of vital records, please contact the Town Clerk's office.

Making a Request for Public Records

Public records requests may be made in-person, via first-class mail, fax or electronic mail to the Records Access Officer. A records request form has been provided below, but it is not required to submit a records request.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law (Law), found under Chapter 66, Section 10 of the Massachusetts General Laws, applies to records made or received by a Massachusetts governmental entity. Unless the requested records fall under an exemption to the Law, the responsive documents must be made available to the requester. A list of exemptions may be found under Chapter 4, Section 7(26) of the Massachusetts General Laws.

On June 3, 2016, Governor Baker signed An Act to Improve Public Records into law. Provisions in the new law took effect on January 1, 2017, for more information please refer to the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Website at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prenotice.htm

While requests for records may be made verbally, in person, it is preferable to make the request in writing to reduce confusion. A copy of the written request is required to file an appeal with the Supervisor of Records.

ONLINE PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST

DOWNLOAD FILLABLE PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST FORM and email or hand -deliver to the Oak Bluffs Town Hall, attention to the RAO (Assistant Town Administrator) or Town Clerk.

Response Time

Beginning January 1, 2017, an RAO must permit inspection or furnish a copy of a requested public record within 10 business days following receipt of the request. RAOs may petition the Supervisor of Records for an extension if they are unable to grant access to the requested public records in this time period.

Fees

The Supervisor of Records' Public Access Regulations allowing records custodians to charge 5 cents for black and white paper copies or computer printouts of public records for both single and double-sided sheets was codified and will remain effective with the new law.

Beginning January 1, 2017, the RAO may assess a fee of the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee with the skills necessary to search for, compile, segregate, redact or reproduce a requested record. However, the fee shall not exceed $25 an hour, unless approved by the Supervisor of Records. Municipalities with populations of 20,000 people or fewer will be permitted to charge for the first 2 hours of employee time.

Administrative Appeals

As of January 1, 2017, if an agency or municipality fails to comply with a requirement of the new law, the requester may file an appeal with the Supervisor of Records who will then issue a determination on the public status of the records within 10 business days of receipt of the request for an appeal.

Attorney Fees

Under the new Public Records Law, if a requestor prevails in a court action against an agency or municipal RAO, the court may award the requestor attorney fees or costs.

Public Record State Law Resources

Massachusetts Public Records Law 

A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law

Updated Pubic Records Law

Making a Public Record Request

Contact Us


  1. Records Access Officer (RAO)

    Wendy Brough

    Assistant Town Administrator


     Email


    Mailing Address
    PO Box 1327
    Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

    Office located in the Select Board's Office at Town Hall:


    56 School Street
    Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
    Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.

    Town Administrator's Office


    56 School Street
    Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

    Phone:
    508-693-3554, ext. 115

     Fax: 508-696-7736

    Colleen Morris

    Town Clerk
    Email
    Phone: 508-693-3554, ext. 119

    Physical Address
    56 School Street
    Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

    Mailing Address
    P.O. Box 1397
    Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

    Staff Directory



Records Access Officer (RAO)
Wendy Brough, Assistant Town Administrator
PO Box 1327
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
508-693-3554 ext. 149
wbrough@oakbluffsma.gov

Office located in the Select Board's Office at Town Hall, open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.