[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted as § 2-21 of the 1971 Revised General Ordinances]
A. 
In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 47:1A-2,[1] all records which are required by law to be made, maintained or kept on file by any board, body, agency, department, commission, authority or official of the Township shall be deemed to be public records. Every citizen of the state shall have the right to inspect such records during regular business hours maintained by the custodian of the records. During such regular business hours and under the supervision of a representative of the custodian, every citizen of the state shall also have the right to copy such records by hand, and to purchase copies of the records. Copies of records shall be made available upon the payment of the price as established by law.
[1]
Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 47:1A-2 was repealed by L. 2001, c. 404. See now N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5 et seq.
B. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A, where it appears that the records which are sought to be examined pertain to an investigation in progress by any body, agency, commission, board, authority or official, the right of examination may be denied if the inspection, copying or publication of the records shall be inimical to the public interest; provided, however, that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit any body, agency, commission, board, authority or official from opening such record or records for public examination if not otherwise prohibited by law.
[Amended 9-18-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-22]
The following fees shall be charged for copies of public documents:
A. 
Vital statistic records.
(1) 
Marriage, civil union or domestic partnership license: $28 each.
(2) 
Certified or certification copy of marriage or domestic partnership certificate: $10 per copy, with the exception of the first copy for Stillwater Township residents who marry in Stillwater Township, which is issued at no charge.
[Amended 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-9]
(3) 
Certified or certification copy of birth certificate: $10 per copy.
(4) 
Certified or certification copy of death certificate: $10 per copy.
(5) 
Preparation of a correction of a marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, birth or death certificate: $10 per copy.
(6) 
Burial permit: $15.
B. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 67-2B of the 2005 Code, Police Department, as amended 3-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-3, was removed at the direction of the Township pursuant to Ord. No. 2010-8, adopted 9-1-2010, which abolished the Police Department.
C. 
For official searches for municipal liens (tax searches) or for improvements authorized but not assessed or for a certificate as to approval of subdivisions, as follows:
(1) 
When the property described in the application is shown on the assessment map subdivided into city lots, and does not exceed 5,000 square feet in area, $3; and for each additional 5,000 square feet in area, or fraction thereof, an additional $0.50.
(2) 
When the property is shown on the assessment map as acreage or is so assessed, and lies willfully within the limits of a single block, $3; and if within the limits of two or more blocks, an additional $1 for each block.
(3) 
When the property described in the application is or has been subdivided and assessed as ignore that one item, an additional fee of $1 shall be allowed for each subdivision separately assessed.
(4) 
Five dollars shall be the maximum charge for a certificate covering lands lying wholly within one block, as shown on the Assessment Map of the Township, unless there is a subdivision of proprietorship indicated by the assessment.
D. 
For a continuation of an official search for municipal liens or for improvements authorized but not assessed or for a certificate as to approval of a subdivision within three years from the date of the original search: $1 per year.
E. 
For duplicate tax, water and sewer bills: $1 each.
F. 
Except as otherwise provided by law or regulation, the fee assessed for the duplication of printed records shall be $0.05 per letter-size page or smaller, and $0.07 per legal-size page or larger.
[Amended 3-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-3; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
G. 
Where a request is for a copy in a format other than a photocopy, reasonable efforts will be made to provide the information in the format requested. The cost will be based on the costs of producing the format requested. Also if the request is to have the document duplicated in various color or colors, then the cost will be based on the costs of producing in the print requested. If the request is for a CD, then the cost shall be $0.35 per disc. The charge for a CD with a sleeve shall be $0.50.
[Amended 3-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-3]
H. 
If the estimated cost of providing the document(s) exceeds $5, a deposit shall be required.
I. 
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, a special service charge will be imposed if the request requires extraordinary expenditure of time and effort or requires a substantial amount of manipulation or programming of information technology, defined as requiring at least 25% of the custodian's normal workday. The special service charge shall be reasonable and based on the cost of any extensive information technology, for the labor of personnel providing the service and supervisory assistance required. This fee shall be imposed whether a request is for actual documents or viewing of documents. The amount of the special service charge shall be calculated by the Chief Financial Officer, and the person requesting the information shall have the opportunity to review and object to the charge prior to it being incurred. If the estimated cost of providing the information exceeds $5, a deposit shall be paid before work will commence. The deposit shall be 50% of the estimated cost.
J. 
Zoning documents.
(1) 
For a copy of a color Zoning Map of the Township of Stillwater: $1 per copy.
(2) 
For a copy of the Land Development Book of the Township of Stillwater: $40 if the book is obtained at the Municipal Building, or $45 if it is mailed.
[Added 3-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-3]
Where the document in question is more than 100 pages in length, the Clerk may permit the person requesting copies to use his own copying machine, provided that there is no risk of damage or mutilation of the documents and that to do so would not be incompatible with the transaction of public business. Such determination shall be completely within the discretion of the Clerk. The fee in such case shall be $15 per day.
[Adopted 12-21-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-23]
All requests for discovery in matters pending in the Township of Stillwater Municipal Court shall be submitted through the Municipal Prosecutor.
A. 
The following fees shall be payable by the requestor to the Township of Stillwater for the discovery provided:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(1) 
The per-page fee shall be $0.05 per letter-size page or smaller, and $0.07 per legal-size page or larger.
(2) 
For any discovery sent by mail: actual postage.
(3) 
For the envelope for any discovery sent by mail: $0.25.
B. 
Photographs will be photocopied at the rates established herein. If requests are made for duplicate photographs, the actual cost of making the photographs shall be charged.
C. 
Duplication of videotapes constitutes an extraordinary duplication process and will be charged at the rate of $5 per videotape.
D. 
On any item that cannot be photocopied on the Township copy machine or not otherwise provided for in this schedule, the actual cost incurred in making the copy shall be charged.