Opra Request
Dear Wallington Borough,
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:
A list of properties in the Borough that currently have delinquent taxes, open property liens, and code violations (including vacant properties). This list should also include amounts of balances owed and the type of violation related to each particular property.
Description of Information Requested:
1.Tax Account Delinquent Report
2.Detailed Lien Status Report
3.Residential code enforcement violations currently active and pending that include:
• Residential Structures that are vacant and open to trespass
• Residential Properties with grass or weeds in excess of the city’s height limit
• Residential Structures without a current city certificate of occupancy
• Residential Properties on the cities vacant property registry (if applicable)
Yours faithfully,
Lance B.
Lance B. Sexton-
Did you receive a response from our Tax Department?
Respectfully,
GregZ
Deputy Clerk
Lance B. Sexton-
I just spoke with our Tax Collector and he stated to me that he did not
respond to your OPRA request.
On March 9, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of
Emergency which has had an impact on Wallington and its vendors and
professionals. Further, the New Jersey Supreme Court has issued an order
suspending all legal deadlines until at least March 27, 2020. While it is
unclear whether this extends to OPRA deadlines, Wallington is dealing with
limited staff and numerous issues related to this emergency. Additionally,
yesterday Wallington closed its borough offices to the public and
instituted limited work hours. All of these factors have contributed to
the need for an extension for your request for the following:
1. Tax Delinquent report
2. Detailed Lien Status
For Residential code enforcement violations (#3) you will need to contact
Wallington Court; I have attached a copy of The NJ Judiciary Records
request form.
Christa Lopera; Violations Clerk
Wallington Municipal Court
500 Madison Street
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
P. (201) 531-7185
F. (201) 939-4648
This request requires additional time beyond the seven (7) business days
to fulfill. OPRA allows custodians to seek extensions of time pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.i. Specifically, OPRA states that, “the requestor shall
be advised by the custodian when the record can be made available. If the
record is not made available by that time, access shall be deemed denied.”
This request requires an initial extension of time until April 07, 2020.
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 the Borough of Wallington 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 [1][email address], or at
their web site at [2]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.
Respectfully,
Greg Zagaja
Deputy Clerk
From: Greg Zagaja <[3][email address]>
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 9:45 AM
To: '[4][OPRA #10277 email]'
<[5][OPRA #10277 email]>
Subject: 20-047 Tax & Lien Status report)
Lance B. Sexton-
Did you receive a response from our Tax Department?
Respectfully,
GregZ
Deputy Clerk
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.state.nj.us/grc
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[email address]
Lance B. Sexton-
Attached you will find the balance of your OPRA request.
Please contact the court for violations:
Christa Lopera; Violations Clerk
Wallington Municipal Court
500 Madison Street
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
P. 201-531-7185
F. 201-939-4648
Stay safe and healthy
Respectfully,
Greg Zagaja
Deputy Clerk