Public Records Access Guidelines
The Massachusetts Public Records Law provides that every person has a right of access to public information. It is the policy of the Town of Cheshire, Massachusetts , to conform and comply with all laws and regulations regarding public records.
General information about public records law and public records requests is found in the Secretery of the Commonwealth’s, “A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law,” January 2017, found online at www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/guide.pdf.
Effective January 1, 2017, the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. Ch. 66 and Ch. 44, Section 7(26) provides that a municipality must, within ten (10) business days respond to a request for records by providing access to or a copy of such records or explaining any delay or denial.
To assist members of the public seeking public records in the custody of the Town of Cheshire, the following guidelines are provided:
Record Access Officers:
The following Records Access Officers (RAO) have been designated:
Town Clerk
Christine Emerson
80 Church Street
Cheshire, MA 01225
Phone : 413-743-1690 x. 104
Email : [email protected]
Police Department
Chief Michael Alibozek
90 Church Street
Cheshire, MA 01225
Phone : 413-743-1501
Email : [email protected]
Fire Department
Chief Tom Francesconi
29 South Street
Cheshire, MA 01225
Phone : 413-743-1690 x. 109
Email : [email protected]
Town Administrator
Jennifer Morse
191 Church Street
Cheshire, MA 01225
Phone : 413-743-1690 x. 100
Email : [email protected]
Public Records Request:
It is the policy to proceed with any Public Records request by giving an estimate of the time required to comply with the request or the procedure involved if such request is extensive in nature and the estimate of required payment will be provided.
All requests must be in writing and hand delivered, mailed, or emailed. Please use the Town of Cheshire Public Records Request Form if possible.