Standard Right-To-Know Request Form - Butler Township printable pdf download

BUTLER TOWNSHIP ACCESS TO

PUBLIC RECORDS POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to assure compliance with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law,

65 P.S. § 66.1 et seq., as amended, by Act 3 of 2008, to provide access to all public records of Butler

Township, except for those records enumerated as exceptions to the law, to preserve the integrity of

Township records, and to minimize the financial impact to the residents of the Township regarding the

resources utilized in the receipt and processing of public record requests and the retrieval and copying

of public records. Such records to be included are those in the possession, custody or control of Butler

Township, including within the possession of a party with whom Butler Township has contracted to

perform a government function and the record related to that government function. All requests for

public documents must be made on the approved form, sample of which is attached, identified as

Standard Right-To-know request form. When Butler Township receives a request that should have

been sent to another covered entity, Butler Township will direct the request to the appropriate entity.

It is the policy of the Township to require the presence of the township manager, who is the

designated Right-To-Know Officer, when public records are examined and inspected and to charge

reasonable fees for duplication of public records of the Township. Butler Township designates the

Township Manager as responsible for assuring compliance with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law,

in accordance with the following guidelines:

The Township Manager will determine if the record is subject to its possession, custody

or control.

The Township Manager will determine if the record, which is presumed to be a public

record, is exempted from disclosure.

The Township Manger shall make a timely written response to the request.

Only written requests will receive statutory protection. Written requests can be

submitted in person, by mail, by facsimile, or by e-mail. All employees of Butler

Township will be directed to forward record requests to Edward A. Kirkwood,

Township Manager, the designated right-to-know officer.

The Township Manager shall respond within five (5) business days of the date of

receipt of the request.

If the Township Manager denies the request, the requester can file an appeal with the

Office of Open Records within fifteen (15) days. The Office of Open Records reviews

the request and response and issues a final determination. Either the requester or Butler

Township can appeal the decision of the Office of Open records to the Butler County

Court of Common Pleas.

Standard Right-To-Know Request Form - Butler Township