So we put in a records request for all TC member emails for the past 12 months.
This was the Township Clerk's response:
Please be advised that we estimate approximately forty
(40) to forty-five (45) thousand items between received and sent items among
the five (5) members of the Maplewood Township Committee in the last twelve
(12) months. The approximate
cost of this Open Public Records Request would be $2,000.00. This is calculated at some 40,000 emails @
.05 per page = $2,000.00. You are
required to pay the $2,000.00 upfront in order for the Township of Maplewood to
begin the process. We will let you know
the amount for the review when we see the total number of emails.
Asked why they had to be printed out, we were told that the township attorney must review each in printed form prior to distribution. This is the township policy, not related to any ordinance or state statute.
Asked why they had to be printed out, we were told that the township attorney must review each in printed form prior to distribution. This is the township policy, not related to any ordinance or state statute.
We do not blame the clerk, she is following procedures.
But policies that require such major financing to see public information are ridiculous, especially when the information is on emails that could be electronically reviewed and released without the cost of printing them out.
So, apparently, what the TC emails out and receives back on the official email accounts is only public if you can pony up Two Grand.
1 comment:
This is how things work in the public sector. Do the TC members receive a salary and then a pension, in addition to the regular outside full time jobs they hold? In a town like this with such an active civic community, can we not find individuals willing to volunteer their time to provide these services?
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