ON 10/24/2023 HUGO LOST WHEN THE JUDGEMENT WENT FOR THE CITY, ITS MAYOR, AND ITS SUPER RECORDS ACCESS OFFICER.
LATE IN DECEMBER, HUGO ACTED TO REAFFIRM HIS GREIVANCES & SEEKS TO BE PAID BY CITY TO HAVE HIS COSTS OF LITIGATION COVERED
“1/3/24 This motion for post-judgment relief is allowed in part in so far as the City of Framingham shall pay plaintiff the $290.00 filing fee as costs in this action. It is accurate that plaintiff’s action ultimately was dismissed as moot, but it also is accurate that the City produced public records only after plaintiff brought suit, and because plaintiff brought suit. In these circumstances, I exercise my discretion to award costs, namely filing fees of $290.00, because the Public Records Statute suggests the legislature intended to award costs when a lawsuit is necessary to dislodge public records when a lawsuit should not be required. I have determined the purpose and spirit of the law is satisfied by this award of costs, but that additional arguable costs are not required (namely costs of service) because I do not have information identifying those costs and it is debatable whether service was proper and efficient. So Ordered.”
