Dear Summit City,

Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-6(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.

I HAVE NOT been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.

I WILL NOT use the requested government records for a commercial purpose.

I AM NOT seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.

Records requested:

I would like a copy of the payroll records from July 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025 for the city of summit.

I would like a copy ofthe animal trust account bank statement from. July 2025

My preferred delivery method for response(s) to this request is by E-mail as attachments. Please confirm you have received this request. If you are not the custodian of records, please forward my request to that person and provide their email address to me for future reference.

Yours faithfully,

William Bailey

Dear [email address],

Payroll records for a municipal township are official documents that detail the compensation and related financial information for employees of the township government. These records are maintained to ensure accurate payment, compliance with labor laws, tax regulations, and transparency in public sector financial management. Below is an overview of what payroll records for a municipal township typically include:
Key Components of Payroll Records
Employee Information:
Full name, employee ID, and contact details.
Job title, department, and employment status (e.g., full-time, part-time, seasonal).
Hire date and, if applicable, termination date.
Compensation Details:
Regular wages or salary (hourly rate or annual salary).
Overtime pay, if applicable, as per labor laws or union agreements.
Bonuses, stipends, or other forms of additional compensation.
Pay period details (e.g., weekly, biweekly, monthly).
Time and Attendance Records:
Hours worked, including regular and overtime hours.
Leave records (e.g., vacation, sick leave, personal days, or unpaid leave).
Timesheets or electronic timekeeping data.
Tax Withholdings and Deductions:
Federal, state, and local tax withholdings (e.g., income tax, Social Security, Medicare).
Deductions for benefits (e.g., health insurance, retirement contributions like pensions or 401(k) plans).
Other deductions, such as union dues or court-ordered garnishments.
Benefits Information:
Contributions to employee benefits, such as health, dental, or vision insurance.
Retirement plan contributions (e.g., municipal pension plans or deferred compensation plans).
Other benefits, like life insurance or wellness programs.
Payroll Processing Details:
Paycheck or direct deposit records, including net pay and gross pay.
Pay period dates and check issuance dates.
Year-to-date earnings and deductions for tax reporting purposes.
Compliance and Reporting:
Records to comply with federal and state regulations, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements, and state labor laws.
W-2 or 1099 forms issued annually to employees and contractors.
Reports for audits, public transparency, or collective bargaining agreements.
Specifics for a Municipal Township
Public Sector Requirements: As a public entity, a municipal township’s payroll records are subject to public records laws (e.g., Freedom of Information Act or state-specific equivalents like Michigan’s FOIA). Certain details, like employee salaries, may be accessible to the public, though sensitive information (e.g., Social Security numbers) is typically redacted.
Union Contracts: Many township employees, such as public works staff or administrative workers, may be part of unions. Payroll records must reflect terms of collective bargaining agreements, including negotiated wages, overtime rules, and benefits.
Budget Accountability: Payroll records are critical for township budgeting, as employee compensation often represents a significant portion of the municipal budget. These records are used in financial reporting and audits to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds.
Pension and Retirement Plans: Many townships participate in state or local pension systems (e.g., Michigan’s Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) in Michigan). Payroll records include deductions and contributions to these plans.
Transparency and Reporting: Townships often publish salary information for elected officials (e.g., township board members, supervisors) and key employees in annual reports or on public websites to maintain transparency.
Recordkeeping Requirements
Retention: Federal and state laws require payroll records to be retained for a specific period (e.g., IRS requires at least 4 years for tax-related records; FLSA requires 3 years for wage and hour records). Municipalities may have additional local policies.
Format: Records may be kept in paper form, electronically, or both, depending on the township’s systems. Many townships use payroll software (e.g., ADP, Paychex, or municipal-specific platforms) to manage and store records.
Access: Payroll records are typically managed by the township’s clerk, treasurer, or a dedicated human resources department, depending on the township’s size and structure.
Example Context
For a municipal township, payroll records might include:
Salaries for elected officials like the township supervisor, clerk, or treasurer.
Wages for public works employees, such as road maintenance crews or water department staff.
Part-time or seasonal workers, like recreation program staff or election workers.
Overtime for emergency services personnel, if the township oversees fire or EMS departments.
Accessing Payroll Records

In Wronko v. Township of Jackson (2016), Steven Wronko filed an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request seeking copies of all attorney invoices for Jackson Township from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, and litigation settlement agreements from January 1, 2010, to December 19, 2015. The Township denied the request, arguing it was overly broad as it did not specify particular cases or matters. Wronko filed a lawsuit, but the trial court dismissed his complaint, agreeing with the Township.
On appeal, Wronko, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, argued that his request was valid under OPRA and consistent with precedent, specifically Burnett v. County of Gloucester (2010), asserting it was sufficiently clear and not overly broad. The Appellate Division agreed, finding that the request complied with OPRA’s requirements for specificity by identifying a particular type of document and a defined time period. The court rejected the Township’s claim that the request would result in an excessive volume of documents, emphasizing that OPRA does not require requesters to identify specific case names or matters for such records.
The Appellate Division reversed the trial court’s decision and remanded the case for further proceedings, concluding that Wronko’s OPRA request was valid and should be fulfilled.

Fulfill my request for payroll records by the closet of business tomorrow. Also, where are the records i requested on the 13th of August? The immediate access ones.

Yours sincerely,

William Bailey