Topsfield Town Government

Office of the Town Clerk

Public Records

Public Records Access Law (M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7 (26) (194 ed.) - 950CMR 32.00-32.09) - A custodian of a public record shall permit all public records within his or hers custody to be inspected or copied by any person during business hours. The governmental entity shall comply with the request as soon as practical and within the (10) days. Fee for copies and search time may be charged. Failure of the custodian to comply may be appealed to the Supervisor of Public Records. Supervisor of Public Records - Office of the Secretary of State at One Ashburton Place, Room 1719 Boston, MA 02108 (617) 727-2832.

 

Further, you may contact your local District Attorney - Office of Public Records Essex County. The contact person is Attorney Robert Bender at (978) 745-6610 Extension 138.

 

“Public Records” is broadly defined to include all documentary materials or data made or received by Any office or employee of any governmental entity of any municipality in the Commonwealth unless falling within a statutory exemption. MGL Chapter 4, Section 7(26)(a-1)(1990ed.) The statutory exemptions are strictly and narrowly construed. Public records, and any non-exempt, segregative portions thereof, are subject to mandatory disclosure upon request. Further, all boards, committees, commissions, and councils are required to take minutes of all meetings. Said minutes are public record and accessed as such.

Looking for a Town Record?

You should contact the Governmental Body who generated the record, if you wish to obtain a particular public record. They are the custodian of said record. A list of record types and the custodian and/or contact person is available in pdf format by clicking here.