Successfully SOLD Foreclosure List
Dear Township Tax Collector or whomever this concerns,
This is a request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
Records requested:
List of properties that have successfully completed foreclosure AND have SUCCESSFULLY SOLD to a 3rd party as a result from January 1st, 2000 - January 1st, 2020. Should include name of Defendant, Location/Address of the Foreclosed property, and Court Case Number. This list should be in EXCEL format. Multiple files may be sent if all leads cannot fit in one document.
Yours faithfully,
Ben
Received.
Robin Hough, RMC/CMR
Borough of Ogdensburg
14 Highland Ave
Ogdensburg, NJ 07439
973-827-3444 ext 5
Dear Ben:
The Borough received your written OPRA request via e-mail on Thursday, April 16, 2020.
As you know, on March 9, 2020 Governor Philip D. Murphy issued Executive Order No. 103 declaring a State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency in the State of New Jersey. Thereafter, Governor Murphy signed into law NJ Bill A-3849/S-2302 which modifies the deadlines imposed by OPRA during a public health emergency. Specifically, “[d]uring a period declared pursuant to the laws of this State as a state of emergency, public health emergency, or state of local disaster emergency, the deadlines by which to respond to a request for, or grant or deny access to, a government record under paragraph (1) of this subsection or subsection e. of this section shall not apply, provided, however, that the custodian of a government record shall make a reasonable effort, as the circumstances permit, to respond to a request for access to a government record within seven business days or as soon as possible thereafter.”
Despite significant changes to the Borough’s normal business schedule and hours of operation, we will make every effort possible to respond and/or complete your request in a timely manner during this crisis.
In specific response to your request, please be advised that the Borough requires further clarification. As presented, 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).
You requested a “[l]ist of properties that have successfully completed foreclosure AND have SUCCESSFULLY SOLD to a 3rd party as a result from January 1st, 2000 - January 1st, 2020.” Before conducting a search for any responsive records, if any, and by way of further clarification, please advise if the “list” you requested is limited to residential mortgage foreclosures initiated by a bank or other financial institution. Please also advise if the list you seek includes (or is otherwise limited to) New Jersey tax sale certificate foreclosures. Once we receive clarification from you, we will endeavor to locate responsive records in the form requested.
In closing, please be reminded that an OPRA request, by definition, must seek a specific government record. OPRA creates no obligation on the public entity to create new records that do not already exist. Further, courts have routinely denied OPRA requests that seek only information, as opposed to a specific government record.
Please respond in writing so that we may process your request. Failure to provide written clarification of your request will result in the closure of this OPRA request.
Thank you.
Robin Hough, RMC/CMR
Borough of Ogdensburg
14 Highland Ave
Ogdensburg, NJ 07439
973-827-3444 ext. 5
Ben,
The Borough of Ogdensburg responded to your OPRA request in the email below; the Borough asked for clarification. If the Borough does not received clarification by Friday, August 14, 2020 this OPRA request will be closed.
If you have any questions call 973-827-3444 ext 5.
Respectfully,
Robin Hough, RMC/CMR
Borough of Ogdensburg
14 Highland Ave
Ogdensburg, NJ 07439
973-827-3444 ext 5.