The People's right to know the process of government decision-making
and the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic
to our society. Access to such information should not be thwarted
by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality. This
article provides information concerning the procedures by which records
may be obtained. Personnel shall furnish to the public the information
and records required by the Freedom of Information Law and those which were furnished to the public prior to
its enactment. Any conflicts among laws governing public access to
records shall be construed in favor of the widest possible availability
of public records.
Records shall be available for public inspection and copying
at Town Hall, 65 Broad Street, Waterford, New York, or at the location
where they are kept.
[Amended 9-1-1987 by L.L. No. 3-1987]
The Town of Waterford does not have daily regular business hours.
The following procedures for making an appointment to inspect and
copy records are therefore established: A person desiring an appointment
shall contact the Town Clerk on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between
10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon or on Wednesday evening between 6:30 p.m.
and 8:30 p.m. For the purpose of making an appointment, please contact
the Town Clerk, 65 Broad Street, Waterford, New York 12188, telephone:
235-8282.
A notice containing the job title or name and business address
of the records access officers and fiscal officer; the name, job title,
business address and telephone number of the appeal person or persons
or body; and the location where records can be seen or copied, shall
be posted in a conspicuous location wherever records are kept and/or
published in a local newspaper of general circulation.
The RMO or the RMO's designee shall be responsible for the records
management program established by this article and subsequent amendments
thereto. Said office will be responsible for administering the noncurrent
(inactive) and archival, public records for the Town of Waterford
in accordance with local, state and federal laws and guidelines. Said
officer shall also be responsible for overseeing micrographic and
technology projects involving the Town of Waterford records according
to quality control specifications and guidelines.
The Records Management Officer shall have at his/her disposal
adequate designated space dedicated specifically for the storage,
processing and servicing of noncurrent (inactive) and archival records
for all local government departments and agencies. The records center
will be administered by the Records Management Officer or the RMO's
designee.
The Town of Waterford counsel, in consultation with the RMO,
may take steps to recover local government records which have been
alienated from proper custody and may, when necessary, institute actions
of replevin.