The Massachusetts Public Records Law provides that every person has a right of access to public records. This right of access includes the right to inspect copy or have copies of records provided.

The Secretary of State has published a guide that outlines the law and provides an FAQ and allowable exemptions.

A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law 2017 ed (PDF)

What is a Public Record?

Every record that is made or received by a government entity or employee is presumed to be a public record unless a specific statutory exemption permits or requires it to be withheld in whole or in part.  The Records Access Officer (RAO) must prove with specificity why a certain record should be allowed to be withheld.

Making a Request

The RAO has up to 10 days to provide a response to the request and is only required to provide records that are in existence.  Under the updated Public Records LAW, RAO’s are required to provide public records in an electronic format, unless the record is not available electronically or the requestor does not have the ability to receive a report in electronic format.

Requests may be written, or by postal mail, by fax, or through electronic mail.  A reasonable description of the document(s) requested should be provided, to assist the ROA in identifying the requested documents.

Records Department Hours of Operation

The Saugus Police records department will be available for requests:

Monday – Friday – 7:30am – 4:00pm

Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays

*The records department follows Town Hall closures for inclement weather.

It is suggested that persons making in-person requests call the records department at 781-941-1126 to confirm RAO availability.

Records Personnel

Supervisor of Records – Asst. Chief Ronald Giorgetti
Records Access Officer – Christine Finocchiaro

Accident Reports

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in which a person is injured or damage to any one vehicle or property is in excess of $1000.00 you are required to complete a Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report, you may download these forms here https://www.mass.gov/doc/motor-vehicle-crash-operator-report/download.

You will need to make three copies of your completed form, one for local police where the ACCIDENT OCCURRED, one copy for the Mass RMV and one copy for your insurance company. You have five business days to complete and file these forms.

If you would like a copy of the Officer’s Accident Report you may request this form in writing, or by postal mail, by fax, or through electronic mail. Crash reports are not available until 3 business days after initial report

Fees

Black and white copies/printouts may be charged .05 cents per page for single and double-sided when electronic records are not available. Materials that are not susceptible to ordinary means of reproduction may be assessed the actual charge to reproduce. However, no fee shall be assessed for requests requiring less than two hours time searching for, compiling, segregating, redacting and reproducing the record.

Time to prepare and compile documents (in excess of 2 hours): $25 per hour of staff time searching, compiling, segregating, redacting and reproducing may be assessed. The RAO will provide a good-faith estimate of the cost of complying with the request in advance.

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