Files on Waste Incinerators (North Andover Town Clerk)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

A copy of all environmental impact reports related to the seven waste combustion facilities in Massachusetts: Covanta Haverhill, Covanta of SEMASS, Wheelabrator Millbury, Wheelabrator North Andover, and Wheelabrator Saugus. For the offices of the town and city clerks who are also receiving this request, please limit your search to the facility located within your jurisdiction.

I am also requesting a copy of all emails between department employees and employees of Wheelabrator Technologies from 2000-the present; as well as between department employees and employees of Covanta Energy.

I am also requesting a copy of all contracts between the state or city and Wheelabrator Technologies, as well as all contracts with Covanta Energy.

I would also like a copy of all emails from constituents that include the keywords "waste incinerator," "waste combustion," "Wheelabrator," "Covanta" and/or "waste pollution."

I request that I be properly classified as a news media requester. I am an intern for MuckRock, and I am requesting this information in that editorial capacity. MuckRock is widely known for its investigative work as well as historical pieces based on public records requests.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Liam Knox

Hi Laurie,

I'm looking for environmental impact reports from 1985-2019, so that I can examine the impact of the facility over the course of its existence in North Andover. As far as emails go, you can search only the inbox of Dept. of Public Works director Jim Stanford and Assistant Director John Borgesi for emails sent to or from Wheelabrator employees.

Please let me know what the updated time frame/cost will be when you get a chance. If possible, I would like to maintain my request for a fee waiver, as this information is in the public interest and will not be used for commercial purposes.

Thank you for your help!

Best,

Liam Knox

Hi Laurie,

Thank you so much! Unfortunately, I cannot access the email files you sent me -- when I try to open the folders, my computer tries to use GarageBand for some reason. I'm not sure why this is the case, but I'm assuming you meant to send me zip folders instead of .pst files? If you wouldn't mind resending them, I'd appreciated it.

Thank you!

--Liam

Thank you so much! I've received the records and can now open them.

I appreciate all your help!

--Liam