Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

Township of Lakewood has received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
request dated 7/19/2020 6:28:10 AM. The official Records Custodian
received your request on 07/19/2020. As such, the seven (7) business day
deadline to respond to your request is 07/28/2020.

Your OPRA request sought access to the following information:

I appreciate your consideration of the following matter. Under OPRA and
the Common Law Right of Access, I am requesting a current list of records
for each of the following be delivered via e-mail:  1) All
abandoned/vacant residential properties (Property Class 2) 2) All
condemned properties 3) All residential properties with delinquent taxes
4) All residential properties for which a Lis Pendens notice has been
filed or that are currently in probate 5) All properties that are
absentee-owned 6) All properties with delinquent water and sewer which
date back up to 1 year, including amounts owed 7) All properties currently
listed with water shut-off notice 8) All properties with code violations,
including the type of violation 9) All properties with notices of
abatement Again, I appreciate your attention to this matter and thank you
in advance for your help.

Your request is in review as of 07/19/2020 and will be responded to
within 7 business days.

If your request for access to a government record has been denied or
unfilled within the seven (7) business days required by law, you have a
right to challenge the decision by Township of Lakewood to deny access. At
your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court
of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council
(GRC) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form.  You may contact
the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at P.O. Box 819,
Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at [email address], or at their web site
at www.state.nj.us/grc. The GRC can also answer other questions about the
law.  All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be
directed to the Court Clerk in your County.

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

On 7/19/2020 6:28:00 AM, Florence Ochs commented regarding your request:

BE ADVISED ALL TOWNSHIP BUILDINGS ARE CLOSED.  STAFF IS WORKING REMOTELY. 
THEREFORE, THIS MAY AFFECT THE DUE DATE OF YOUR REQUEST AS ACCESS TO
CERTAIN FILES MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE.  YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE IS
APPRECIATED.  WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNDER THE
CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

Township of Lakewood has received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
request dated 07/19/2020. The official Records Custodian received your
request on 07/19/2020. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to
respond to your request is 07/28/2020.

Your OPRA request sought access to the following information:

I appreciate your consideration of the following matter. Under OPRA and
the Common Law Right of Access, I am requesting a current list of records
for each of the following be delivered via e-mail:  1) All
abandoned/vacant residential properties (Property Class 2) 2) All
condemned properties 3) All residential properties with delinquent taxes
4) All residential properties for which a Lis Pendens notice has been
filed or that are currently in probate 5) All properties that are
absentee-owned 6) All properties with delinquent water and sewer which
date back up to 1 year, including amounts owed 7) All properties currently
listed with water shut-off notice 8) All properties with code violations,
including the type of violation 9) All properties with notices of
abatement Again, I appreciate your attention to this matter and thank you
in advance for your help.

Accordingly, the following department(s) have requested clarification with
the following comments:

Department Comments
Municipal Clerk YOU MUST SPECIFY A TIME FRAME. `CURRENT` IS NOT A
TIMEFRAME.

ITEMS 6 & 7: YOU MUST CONTACT LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
AUTHORITY OR AMERICAN WATER

This request does not completely identify specific government records.  A
proper request under OPRA must identify with reasonable clarity those
documents that are desired, and a party cannot satisfy this requirement by
simply requesting "any" or "all" information. Custodians are not required
to conduct research or create new records in response to an OPRA request. 
See Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37 (App. Div. 
2005). Wholesale requests for general information to be analyzed, collated
and compiled are not "encompassed" by OPRA, See New Jersey Builders
Association v. New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing, 390 N.J.Super.
166, 180 (App. Div. 2007). 

Currently, your request fails to identify with reasonable clarity the
specific government records sought, as is required by Bent v. Stafford
Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37 (App. Div.2005). At this time, we
request clarification of your OPRA request. Please respond in writing and
identify the specific government records sought so that we may process
your request. Failure to provide written clarification of your request
will result in the closure of this OPRA request.

PLEASE CLICK REPLY ALL WHEN SENDING FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON THIS REQUEST.
PLEASE DISREGARD ANY EMAILS YOU MAY RECIEVE FROM
[email address]. THE TOWNSHIP OF LAKEWOOD WILL RESPOND
ACCORDINGLY.

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

Township of Lakewood has received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
request dated 07/19/2020. The official Records Custodian received your
request on 07/19/2020. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to
respond to your request is 07/28/2020.

Your OPRA request sought access to the following information:

I appreciate your consideration of the following matter. Under OPRA and
the Common Law Right of Access, I am requesting a current list of records
for each of the following be delivered via e-mail:  1) All
abandoned/vacant residential properties (Property Class 2) 2) All
condemned properties 3) All residential properties with delinquent taxes
4) All residential properties for which a Lis Pendens notice has been
filed or that are currently in probate 5) All properties that are
absentee-owned 6) All properties with delinquent water and sewer which
date back up to 1 year, including amounts owed 7) All properties currently
listed with water shut-off notice 8) All properties with code violations,
including the type of violation 9) All properties with notices of
abatement Again, I appreciate your attention to this matter and thank you
in advance for your help.

Accordingly, the Municipal Clerk department has requested clarification
with the following comment:

YOU MUST SPECIFY A TIME FRAME. `CURRENT` IS NOT A TIMEFRAME. ITEMS 6 & 7:
YOU MUST CONTACT LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY OR AMERICAN WATER
 

This request does not completely identify specific government records.  A
proper request under OPRA must identify with reasonable clarity those
documents that are desired, and a party cannot satisfy this requirement by
simply requesting "any" or "all" information. Custodians are not required
to conduct research or create new records in response to an OPRA request. 
See Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37 (App. Div. 
2005). Wholesale requests for general information to be analyzed, collated
and compiled are not "encompassed" by OPRA, See New Jersey Builders
Association v. New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing, 390 N.J.Super.
166, 180 (App. Div. 2007). 

Currently, your request fails to identify with reasonable clarity the
specific government records sought, as is required by Bent v. Stafford
Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37 (App. Div.2005). At this time, we
request clarification of your OPRA request. Please respond in writing and
identify the specific government records sought so that we may process
your request. Failure to provide written clarification of your request
will result in the closure of this OPRA request.

PLEASE CLICK REPLY ALL WHEN SENDING FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON THIS REQUEST.
PLEASE DISREGARD ANY EMAILS YOU MAY RECIEVE FROM
[email address]. THE TOWNSHIP OF LAKEWOOD WILL RESPOND
ACCORDINGLY.

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

On 7/19/2020 6:31:00 AM, Florence Ochs commented regarding your request:

YOU MUST SPECIFY A TIME FRAME. `CURRENT` IS NOT A TIMEFRAME. ITEMS 6 & 7:
YOU MUST CONTACT LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY OR AMERICAN WATER

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

On 7/28/2020 9:45:00 AM, Florence Ochs commented regarding your request:

SECOND AND FINAL REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION:  YOU MUST SPECIFY A TIME
FRAME. `CURRENT` IS NOT A TIMEFRAME. ITEMS 6 & 7: YOU MUST CONTACT
LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY OR AMERICAN WATER

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

On 7/28/2020 9:45:00 AM, Florence Ochs commented regarding your request:

SECOND AND FINAL REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION:  YOU MUST SPECIFY A TIME
FRAME. `CURRENT` IS NOT A TIMEFRAME. ITEMS 6 & 7: YOU MUST CONTACT
LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY OR AMERICAN WATER

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

On 8/5/2020 4:33:00 PM, Florence Ochs commented regarding your request:

8/5/2020  THIRD AND FINAL REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION:  7/28/20    SECOND
AND FINAL REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION:  YOU MUST SPECIFY A TIME FRAME.
`CURRENT` IS NOT A TIMEFRAME. ITEMS 6 & 7: YOU MUST CONTACT LAKEWOOD
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY OR AMERICAN WATER

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

On 8/17/2020 11:37:00 AM, Florence Ochs commented regarding your request:

NO CLARIFICATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED AS OF 8/17/2020.  THEREFORE, REQUEST IS
CONSIDERED ABANDONED. 8/5/2020  THIRD AND FINAL REQUEST FOR
CLARIFICATION:  7/28/20    SECOND AND FINAL REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION: 
YOU MUST SPECIFY A TIME FRAME. `CURRENT` IS NOT A TIMEFRAME. ITEMS 6 & 7:
YOU MUST CONTACT LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY OR AMERICAN WATER

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]

Township of Lakewood

Open Records Request

Reference # OPRA-2020-02935

Dear Ben OPRA MACHINE,

Township of Lakewood has received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
request dated 07/19/2020. The official Records Custodian received your
request on 07/19/2020. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to
respond to your request is 07/28/2020.

Your OPRA request sought access to the following information:

I appreciate your consideration of the following matter. Under OPRA and
the Common Law Right of Access, I am requesting a current list of records
for each of the following be delivered via e-mail:  1) All
abandoned/vacant residential properties (Property Class 2) 2) All
condemned properties 3) All residential properties with delinquent taxes
4) All residential properties for which a Lis Pendens notice has been
filed or that are currently in probate 5) All properties that are
absentee-owned 6) All properties with delinquent water and sewer which
date back up to 1 year, including amounts owed 7) All properties currently
listed with water shut-off notice 8) All properties with code violations,
including the type of violation 9) All properties with notices of
abatement Again, I appreciate your attention to this matter and thank you
in advance for your help.

Response: The Township of Lakewood cannot provide the document(s)
requested because no document relative to the request exists.

You have a right to challenge the decision by Township of Lakewood to deny
access. At your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the
Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government
Records Council (GRC) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. 
You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at
P.O. Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at [email address], or at
their web site at www.state.nj.us/grc. The GRC can also answer other
questions about the law.  All questions regarding complaints filed in
Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in your County.

If you have any questions, please email [1][Lakewood Township request email].

Sincerely,

Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR

Township Clerk

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Lakewood Township request email]