Open Records Request

Step 1:

Click on the link to download the request form: Right-to-Know Request Form

Step 2:

Complete the form and submit it using one of the following methods:

• Email: [email protected]
• Fax: 215-822-6051
• U.S. Mail or In-person: 207 Park Avenue, Chalfont, PA 18914

POLICY & PROCEDURES:
REQUESTS
Requests shall be in writing using the Township form provided above or the Pennsylvania form and submitted to the Open Records Officer. Requests shall identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable New Britain Township to ascertain which records are requested. Requests may be submitted in person, by email, facsimile, or U.S. mail.

FEES
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records sets fees associated with processing requests. Before granting access to the records, a requester must pay all expenses. New Britain Township charges a fee of 25¢ per single page for copying. The Official RTKL Fee Schedule can be found at https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/RTKL/FeeStructure.cfm.

RESPONSE
New Britain Township will make a good faith effort to provide the requested records as promptly as possible under the circumstances. As soon as possible, but no later than five (5) business days after receipt of a request, the Open Records Officer will respond to the request in a manner consistent with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. The request is denied if New Britain Township fails to respond within five (5) business days. The Open Records Officer shall, upon receipt of a request, determine if one of the following applies:

1. The request for access requires redaction of a record in accordance with section 706;
2. The request for access requires the retrieval of a record stored in a remote location;
3. A timely response to the request for access cannot be accomplished due to bona fide and specified staffing limitations;
4. A legal review is necessary to determine whether the record is a record subject to access under this act;
5. The requester has not complied with the agency’s policies regarding access to records;
6. The requester refuses to pay applicable fees authorized by this act; or
7. The extent or nature of the request precludes a response within the required period.

If one of these enumerated circumstances applies, the Open Records Officer will send written notice to the requester within five (5) business days of receipt of the request indicating that (a) the request is being reviewed; (b) the reason for the review. A response shall be given within thirty (30) days from the notice’s mailing date. The request is denied if New Britain Township fails to respond within thirty (30) days unless the requester agrees in writing to an extension.

DENIAL
If New Britain Township denies the request, whether in whole or in part, the denial shall be issued in writing and shall include:

1. A description of the record requested,
2. The specific reasons for the denial including a citation of supporting legal authority.
3. The typed or printed name, title, business address, business telephone number, and signature of the open-records officer on whose authority the denial is issued.
4. Date of the response.
5. The procedure to appeal the denial of access.

APPEALS PROCESS
Suppose a written request is denied or deemed denied. In that case, the requester may file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within fifteen (15) business days of the mailing date of New Britain Township’s denial or deemed denial. The appeal shall state the grounds upon which the requester asserts that the record is public or financial and shall address any grounds stated by the agency for delaying or denying the request.
Within thirty (30) days of the mailing date of the final determination of the Office of Open Records, a requester or New Britain Township may file a petition for review or other documents as required by the rules of court with the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County.

Open Records Officer Michael Walsh Assistant Manager Email: [email protected] Subject: Right-to-Know

Appeals Officer Office of Open Records Commonwealth Keystone Building 400 North Street, 4th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225 Fax: (717) 425-5343E-mail: [email protected]