Public Records
Dear Clark Township,
1. A list of all residential single family, and multi family properties with code violations on them for the last 3 months from today. Address, and owner name provided please.
2. A list of all residential vacant land, single family and multi family properties that are currently in the probate process.
3. A list of all residential single family, and multi family properties that are in the eviction process.
4.A list of all residential vacant land, single family, and multi family properties that are going through the divorce process.
5. A list of all residential single family and multi family properties that are delinquent on their utilities. Address, owner name, and balance owed provided please.
6. A list of all residential single family and multi family properties that are flagged abandoned.
7. A list of all residential single family and multi family properties that are fire damaged in the past month.
8. A list of all residential single family and multi family properties that have had their utilities shut off for 6+ months
Yours faithfully,
Jordan Santiago
Your request has been received and will be processed in accordance with the Open Public Records Act.
Edith L. Merkel, RMC
Township Clerk
Township of Clark
430 Westfield Ave.
Clark, NJ 07066
(732) 388-3669 ph.
To: Jordan Santiago, opramachine
From: Edith Merkel, Township Clerk, Township of Clark
Re: OPRA property record list 1 - 8 (2 identical requests - both email addresses included)
Date: February 4, 2022
The first attachment answers item #s 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8
The second attachment answers item #7
The only remaining item is #5. I am waiting for a response from the Tax Office regarding sewer utility delinquencies. I will forward the list when I receive it.
The Township of Clark received your initial Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request on February 2, 2022 and another identical request on February 3, 2022. The official Records Custodian, Edith Merkel, received your OPRA request on the same two days. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to respond to your initial request is February 11, 2022. This response to your initial request is being provided to you on the 2nd business day after the custodian’s receipt of said request. The seven (7) business day deadline to respond to your second request for the same records is February 14, 2022. This response to your the second request is being provided to you on the 1st business day after the custodian’s receipt of said request.
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 Township of Clark 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.
To: Jordan Santiago, opramachine
From: Edith Merkel, Township Clerk, Township of Clark
Re: OPRA property record list 1 - 8 (2 identical requests - both email addresses included)
Date: February 9, 2022
As indicated in my response of February 4, 2022 the only remaining item was #5. The third attachment satisfies that item. All other items were satisfied on February 4th. This email with associated attachments is responsive to both your request of February 2, 2022 and the identical request submitted on February 3, 2022.
The Township of Clark received your initial Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request on February 2, 2022 and another identical request on February 3, 2022. The official Records Custodian, Edith Merkel, received your OPRA request on the same two days. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to respond to your initial request is February 11, 2022. This final response to your initial request is being provided to you on the 5th business day after the custodian's receipt of said request. The seven (7) business day deadline to respond to your second request for the same records is February 14, 2022. This final response to your the second request is being provided to you on the 4th business day after the custodian's receipt of said request.
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 Township of Clark 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.