Township of Andover, NJ Article XXV Public Records [1]

[1] Editor's Note: See also, Chapter 125, Records, Public.

§ 3-80 Inspection of Public Records.

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[1] Editor's Note: Repealed by L. 2001, c. 404.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 would be inimical to the public interest; provided that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit any body, agency, commission, board, authority, or official from opening such records for public examination if not otherwise prohibited by law.

§ 3-81 Fees for copies.

[Amended 6-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-8]

A. Vital statistic records.

[Amended 6-14-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-08; 2-3-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]

(1) Certified copies of all vital statistic records: $15.

(2) Amendment to a vital statistic record: $10.

B. 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 Township lots: $10.

(2) When the property described in the application is or has been subdivided and assessed as more than one item, an additional fee of $10 shall be allowed for each subdivision separately assessed.

(3) Ten dollars shall be the maximum charge for a certificate covering lands wholly within one block, as shown on the Assessment Map of the Township, unless there is a subdivision of proprietorship indicated by the assessment.

C. 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: $2 per year.

D. For duplicate tax bill: $5 for the first duplicate copy and $25 for each subsequent duplicate copy of the same tax bill in the same tax year.

E. For a discharge of a lien affidavit: $10.

F. For filing a cancelled tax sale certificate with Sussex County Clerk: $10.

G. For written certification of paid taxes: $10.

H. To generate a duplicate tax sale certificate for a lost certificate held by an outside holder: $100.

I. Mailing of notice of tax sale: $25.

J. Written confirmation that no certificate of continued occupancy is required for resale of property: $15.

K. Municipal Court disposition: $10.

L. Third and subsequent lien redemption calculation requested within a calendar year: $50.

[Added 6-14-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-08]

M. Lien redemption calculations requested by lienholder or his or her representative: $50. To be paid by the lienholder upon request for the calculation.

[Added 6-14-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-08; amended 11-25-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-14]

§ 3-82 Copying by person requesting documents.

If the custodian of any such records shall find that there is no risk of damage or mutilation of such records and that it would not be incompatible with the economic and efficient operation of the office and the transaction of public business therein, he may permit any citizen who is seeking to copy more than 100 pages of records to use his own photographic process, approved by the custodian, upon the payment of a reasonable fee, considering the equipment and the time involved, to be fixed by the custodian of not less than $10 or more than $50 per day.

§ 3-83 Return check policy.

[Amended 6-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-8]

If not addressed by the New Jersey state statutes for a specific municipal department or specific subject, checks returned for insufficient or uncollected funds shall be subject to a surcharge of $20, payable by cash, money order or certified check to the Township of Andover.