All the books, maps, papers, accounts, statements,
vouchers and other documents whatsoever acquired or produced in any
Township department shall be carefully and conveniently filed, kept
and preserved, and be and remain the sole property of the Township
and shall not at any time be removed from the offices of such department
except when required for use in the official business of the Township,
and shall then be returned to such office without delay. Each Township
officer shall be responsible for assuring that the requirements of
this section are complied with in respect to his particular office.
This section shall be subject to the provisions of Destruction of
Public Records Law (1953), N.J.S.A. 47:3-15 et seq. All such documents
and records of the Township shall, during office hours, be open to
public search, inspection and examination, provided that such search,
inspection and examination shall not extend to records pertaining
to an investigation in progress by any department, board, commission,
agency or official nor to materials prepared for the prosecution or
defense by the Township of any legal right or action; and provided
that such search, inspection and examination be made under such regulations
as the person in whose custody such records, books and documents shall
establish for the safety and preservation thereof.
Copies of public records shall be made available to any member of the public upon specific request. Each Township officer responsible for the record shall require the requester to sign a statement setting forth his or her name, address, phone number and specific public records requested. In the event the records are not immediately available, or require some searching or compilation by the Township officer, the Township officer shall advise the requester of a specific time when such copies shall be made available, and may require a deposit, not to exceed $10, to cover the cost thereof. The fees for photocopies of records, police accident reports and charges for additional time spent by Township officers are set forth in Chapter 135, Fees and Costs.
