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Right to Know
Requests
Public records will be available for inspection and copying at the Township Municipal Building during Bridgewater Township Secretary's normal business hours between Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., with the exception of holidays.
Open Record Requests (PDF) shall be in writing and directed to the Township Secretary at the Township Municipal Building. Written requests shall be on a form provided by the township and shall include the date of request, the name, and address of the requester, and a clear description of the records sought.
Fees
Paper copies will be $0.25 per page. If mailing is requested, the cost of postage will be charged. Fax copies will be available at the cost of $0.50 per page. If "True and Correct Certification" is requested, an additional charge of $2 will be added. Each electronic access fee is $2. The Bridgewater Township will require prepayment if the total fees are estimated to exceed $100.
Response
The Township will make a good fair effort to provide the requested public records as promptly as feasible. Township employees shall cooperate with those requesting to review and/or duplicate original Township documents while taking reasonable measures to protect Township documents from the possibility of theft and/or modification.
The Township Secretary shall review all written requests for access to public records. As soon as possible, but no later than 5 business days after receiving a written request to access public records, the Township Secretary shall respond to all such requests in a manner consistent with Act 100 of 2002, the Open Records Law.
Appeals Process
If a written request is denied or deemed denied, the requester may file exceptions with the Board of Supervisors within 15 business days of the mailing date of the Township's denial. The exceptions shall state grounds on which the requester asserts that the record is public record and shall address any grounds stated by the Township for denying the request.
The Board of Supervisors shall make a final determination on the exceptions within 30 days of the mailing date of the exceptions. The Board of Supervisors may hold a hearing on the issue during the 30 days. If the Board determines that the denial was correct, it must provide a written explanation to the requester.
The requester may appeal a final determination to the Common Pleas Court or District Justice within 30 days of denial or final determination.
Electronic Records
Electronic public records include information that documents a transaction or activity that is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business or activity of the Township. These emails include:
Public records will be available for inspection and copying at the Township Municipal Building during Bridgewater Township Secretary's normal business hours between Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., with the exception of holidays.
Open Record Requests (PDF) shall be in writing and directed to the Township Secretary at the Township Municipal Building. Written requests shall be on a form provided by the township and shall include the date of request, the name, and address of the requester, and a clear description of the records sought.
Fees
Paper copies will be $0.25 per page. If mailing is requested, the cost of postage will be charged. Fax copies will be available at the cost of $0.50 per page. If "True and Correct Certification" is requested, an additional charge of $2 will be added. Each electronic access fee is $2. The Bridgewater Township will require prepayment if the total fees are estimated to exceed $100.
Response
The Township will make a good fair effort to provide the requested public records as promptly as feasible. Township employees shall cooperate with those requesting to review and/or duplicate original Township documents while taking reasonable measures to protect Township documents from the possibility of theft and/or modification.
The Township Secretary shall review all written requests for access to public records. As soon as possible, but no later than 5 business days after receiving a written request to access public records, the Township Secretary shall respond to all such requests in a manner consistent with Act 100 of 2002, the Open Records Law.
Appeals Process
If a written request is denied or deemed denied, the requester may file exceptions with the Board of Supervisors within 15 business days of the mailing date of the Township's denial. The exceptions shall state grounds on which the requester asserts that the record is public record and shall address any grounds stated by the Township for denying the request.
The Board of Supervisors shall make a final determination on the exceptions within 30 days of the mailing date of the exceptions. The Board of Supervisors may hold a hearing on the issue during the 30 days. If the Board determines that the denial was correct, it must provide a written explanation to the requester.
The requester may appeal a final determination to the Common Pleas Court or District Justice within 30 days of denial or final determination.
Electronic Records
Electronic public records include information that documents a transaction or activity that is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business or activity of the Township. These emails include:
- Email between or among a quorum of the Township officials and contain discussions of Township business for purposes of making a decision.
- Email to or from personal email accounts of Township employees and officials that discuss Township business or document a transaction or activity of the Township.
- Emails that discuss Township business and is sent or received by officials or employees acting in their official capacity.