[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Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 47:1A-2 was repealed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.
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 $0.10 per page and
shall be available in sizes of 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, 11
inches by 17 inches, or 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches.
[Amended 3-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-3]
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.
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:
(1)
For each of the first 10 pages photocopied: $0.75
per page.
(2)
For each of the next 10 pages photocopied: $0.50 per
page.
(3)
For each of the pages photocopied thereafter: $0.25
per page.
(4)
For any discovery sent by mail: actual postage.
(5)
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.
Where the discovery must be obtained from an
entity other than the Township of Stillwater, e.g. another Police
Department, the actual costs paid to the other entity shall be paid
by the requester.
