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Open Records Act (Right to Know Law)

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Open Records Officers: Amanda Layton

 

Right to Know (RTK) is to provide procedures and fees for requesting, inspecting and obtaining copies of public records maintained by the Borough of Southmont pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (RTK), 65 P.S. §§67.101, et seq., This policy replaces all prior inconsistent borough policies.

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How to Submit a Right-to-Know Request to the Borough of Southmont

Persons requesting copies of public records maintained by the borough must submit a written request to Southmont Borough’s Open Record Officer. The request should identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the borough to ascertain which records are being requested and the name and address to which the borough should address its response.

To avoid delays, all requests should state explicitly that the information is being requested under the Right To Know Law (RTKL) and should be made using the RTK Request Form developed by the Office of Open Records.

 

Written requests may be made by one of the following methods:

  • Deliver the required form in person during regular business hours
    Southmont Borough Municipal Building
    148 Wonder Street
    Johnstown, PA 15905
     

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  • Mail the required form to:
    Southmont Borough
    Attn: Open Records Officer
    148 Wonder Street
    Johnstown, PA 15905

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  • Fax the required form to:
    (814) 255-4150
    ATTN: Open Records Officer
     

  • E-mail the Open Records Office at:
    smtboro@atlanticbbn.net
    Subject line: RTK Request

 

The request should specify the type of access sought by the requester. When no specific type of access is requested, the request will be deemed a request for a paper copy of the identified document(s) that will be sent to the requester by first class U.S. mail.


The requester should also provide additional contact information such as a telephone number, facsimile number and e-mail address to facilitate the processing of a request.

 

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Fees

If a written request for records is granted, the following fees will be charged to the requestor:

  • $0.25 per page for duplication

  • $2.00 per record certification

  • Actual costs for postage, facsimile or other media and for duplication of specialized records

 

Requestors must pay all applicable fees before access to requested records is provided. Should the Borough of Southmont determine that applicable fees are projected to exceed $100.00, the requester will be required to prepay the fees before the request is processed. All fees must be paid by cash, certified check, bank check, money order made payable to the "Borough of Southmont."

 

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Appeals

Any appeal must be filed within 15 business days of the mailing date of the borough’s response or within 15 days of a deemed denial.
 

All appeals shall be addressed as follows:

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records

Commonwealth Keystone Building

400 North Street, Plaza Level

Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225

Phone: (717) 346-9903

Email: openrecords@state.pa.us

Website: http://openrecords.state.pa.us

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For further information regarding appeals, please consult the Office of Open Records' website.

 

PA Open Records Website

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PA RTKL Citizens' Guide

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Standard Right-to-Know Request Form

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