Dear Requestor, 
 
Thank you for submitting a Open Public Records Act Request Form on Friday,
October 4, 2024 (Eastern Standard Time). As such, the Township will
respond as soon as possible but no later than seven (7) business days.
 
Your request reference number is [1]Request Number: OPRA-JF2024-851 and
your security key is 0443C8AB.
 
Use this information to track the status of your request at any time and
to receive responsive documents through the Township of Lakewood JustFOIA
Public Portal here:
[2]https://lakewoodnj.justfoia.com/publicpo...
 
Please have both reference numbers available when communicating with our
staff regarding your request.
 
Thank you, 
[3]Label1
Township of Lakewood, NJ
231 Third Street
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 364 - 2500
 
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Dear Blueraspberry lemonade,

The Township is in receipt of your OPRA request dated 10/4/2024, as such
the seven business days to respond is 10/16/2024.  Please note that the
Township is closed on 10/14/2024.

In regards to your request in the first paragraph, beginning with
“Documents, correspondences, letters, messages . . .December 31, 2023.  
Please note that OPRA is a request for a specific document.   A proper
request under OPRA must identify with reasonable clarity those documents
that are desired, and a party cannot satisfy this requirement by simply
requesting all of an agency's documents, nor can a requestor simply pick a
topic and request the custodian to identify and provide all records
thereto.  OPRA is a search for a government record that exists, not
research.  See Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37
(App. Div.  2005). Custodians are not required to conduct research or
create new records in response to an OPRA request.   Additionally, as per
Elcavage v. West Milford Twp. (Passaic), GRC Complaint No. 2009-07 (April
2010), a proper request for correspondence/emails etc. requires that a
from/to is identified,  a date range as well as a topic.  The above does
not identify any person who would have sent such correspondence or any
organization where a record would be sent to but rather relies on the
Township to first figure out who or what department may have received or
sent such correspondence as research to see if any item exists. Please
note that OPRA is not a research tool for requestors to force government
entities to identify and siphon off information.  Custodians are not
required to do research to fulfill an OPRA request. See MAG Entm’t LLC v.
Div. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 375 N.J. Super. 534 (App. Div. 2005); 
New Jersey Builders Association v. New Jersey Council on Affordable
Housing, 390 N.J.Super. 166, 180 (App. Div. 2007) and Bent v. Stafford
Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37 (App. Div.  2005). 

 In relation to resolutions of the governing body for the time frame you
noted,  are in part available on our website here
[1]https://lakewood.novusagenda.com/agendap... and
you are free to review same and choose which you would like a copy of. 
For any remaining years, you are invited to schedule an appointment with
our office to review the minutes.  For the remaining items named above,
please clarify your request to identify with reasonable clarity the
records you are seeking.

In relation to Item 3  “any and all reports . . . or responses of
agencies”,  again please note that OPRA is a request for a specific
document.   A proper request under OPRA must identify with reasonable
clarity those documents that are desired, and a party cannot satisfy this
requirement by simply requesting all of an agency's documents, nor can a
requestor simply pick a topic and request the custodian to identify and
provide all records thereto.  OPRA is a search for a government record
that exists, not research.  See Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381
N.J.Super. 30, 37 (App. Div.  2005). Custodians are not required to
conduct research or create new records in response to an OPRA request. 
What are you referring to when you state a study or analysis of actions; 
by whom, of whom and what. It is not clear to what you are referring and
your request would require the Township to do research first to even
identify what entities you are attempting to request records about, if
they even could be identified.  Further, as it is unclear what you are
requesting, contracts are often approved at the Township’s committee
meetings. For the time frame you noted, some are in part available on our
website here in the committee meetings section here:
[2]https://lakewood.novusagenda.com/agendap..., and
you are free to review same and choose to identify which contracts you are
seeking.  For any remaining years, you are invited to schedule an
appointment with our office to review the minutes.  For your remaining
items named above, and contracts, please clarify your request to identify
with reasonable clarity the records you are seeking.

In relation to Item 5 “any agreements entered or contracts” as noted above
a proper request under OPRA must identify with reasonable clarity those
documents that are desired, and a party cannot satisfy this requirement by
simply requesting all of an agency's documents, nor can a requestor simply
pick a topic and request the custodian to identify and provide all records
thereto.  OPRA is a search for a government record that exists, not
research.  See Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37
(App. Div.  2005). Custodians are not required to conduct research or
create new records in response to an OPRA request.   As it is unclear what
you are requesting, contracts are often approved at the Township’s
committee meetings. For the time frame you noted, some are in part
available on our website here in the committee meetings section here:
[3]https://lakewood.novusagenda.com/agendap... and
you are free to review same and choose to identify which contracts you are
seeking.  For any remaining years, you are invited to schedule an
appointment with our office to review the minutes. please clarify your
request to identify with reasonable clarity the records you are seeking.

In relation to item 6 “any awards, compliments, citations, comments, . . 
. .June 30, 2024” once again your request fails to identify with
reasonable clarity what records you are seeking.  Please clarify your
request to name a specific officer or dispatcher, etc. or an incident or
location or event so the Township may identify what records you are
seeking as noted previously a request for “any records” on a topic is not
valid. See Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37 (App.
Div.  2005).  Custodians are not required to do research to fulfill an
OPRA request. See MAG Entm’t LLC v. Div. of Alcoholic Beverage Control,
375 N.J. Super. 534 (App. Div. 2005);  New Jersey Builders Association v.
New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing, 390 N.J.Super. 166, 180 (App.
Div. 2007) and Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37
(App. Div.  2005).

In relation to item 7 The Township does not have a LOSAP program, it is
unclear what you are referring to as a stipend . . .  etc. to a
volunteer.  Can you please clarify your request to specifically identify
what records you are seeking and what applications would be made in
relation to what.  As per Elcavage v. West Milford Twp. (Passaic), GRC
Complaint No. 2009-07 (April 2010) a proper request for
correspondence/emails etc.  requires that a from/to is identified,  a date
range as well as a topic.  The request does not identify any person who
would have sent such correspondence or any organization where a record
would be sent to but rather relies on the Township to first figure out who
may have received and who may have sent such correspondence as research to
see if any item exists. Please note that OPRA is not a research tool for
requestors to force government entities to identify and siphon off
information.  Custodians are not required to do research to fulfill an
OPRA request. See MAG Entm’t LLC v. Div. of Alcoholic Beverage Control,
375 N.J. Super. 534 (App. Div. 2005);  New Jersey Builders Association v.
New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing, 390 N.J.Super. 166, 180 (App.
Div. 2007) and Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J.Super. 30, 37
(App. Div.  2005).   In relation to resolutions of the governing body for
the time frame you noted,  are in part available on our website here
[4]https://lakewood.novusagenda.com/agendap... and
you are free to review same and choose which you would like a copy of. 
For any remaining years, you are invited to schedule an appointment with
our office to review the minutes.

 
 
 
 
Thank you, 
[5]Label1
Township of Lakewood, NJ
231 Third Street
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701
(732) 364 - 2500
 
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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 Lakewood 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.

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1. https://url4102.request.justfoia.com/ls/...
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4. https://url4102.request.justfoia.com/ls/...

Dear Requestor,
The Township of Lakewood received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
request on 10/4/2024. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to
respond to your request is 10/16/2024. This response to your request is
being provided to you on the 7th business day after the custodian's
receipt of said request.
 
It is not clear what you are referring to when you state "regular use". In
the portal, please find the list of vehicles that the township maintains.
Please click the link provided to obtain this record: [1]Request Number:
OPRA-JF2024-851
 
Further, we have not received clarification for your other items. Our
office is requesting an extension of time for the blue/red light permit
copies until 10/24/2024.
 
If you could, please clarify your other items so we may begin to work on
them. Thank you.
 
 
 
 
Thank you, 
[2]Label1
Township of Lakewood, NJ
231 Third Street
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701
(732) 364 - 2500
 
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[Powered by
]
 

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 Lakewood 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.

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1. https://url4102.request.justfoia.com/ls/...

Dear Requestor, 

The Township of Lakewood received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
request on 10/4/2024.  The Township had requested an extension until
10/24/2024. 

Your OPRA request sought access to the following:
 
1) A list of any red light or blue light permits issued, maintained,
renewed, or duplicated to any person by your municipality between January
1, 2013, and December 31, 2023, including the document type, document
number, issue date, the first name, middle name or initial, and last name,
rank or title, license number, vehicle number, vehicle type, vehicle
description, department or organization name, circumstances for issuance,
and name and signature of person(s) approving. Documents, correspondences,
letters, messages, emails, signed application forms, unsigned application
forms, completed application forms, copies of the permits themselves,
copies of training certificates, licenses, mayor council resolutions
passed, and records or documents generated in the process of any red light
or blue light permits issued, maintained, renewed, or duplicated to any
person by your municipality between January 1, 2013, and December 31,
2023.

2) A list of vehicles that were issued to any individual for that
individual’s regular use, including the make, model, year, license number,
identification number, type, and description of the vehicle and to whom it
was issued (name, department, title, rank), and circumstances for
issuance, owned, leased, or provided by your municipality between July 31,
2019, and July 31, 2024

3) Any and all reports made to the municipality or contracted by the
municipality to be made into the emergency services, law enforcement,
fire, emergency medical services, first aid, rescue, emergency management
organizations, in the timeframe of January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2023.
This includes any studies or analysis of the actions or responses of the
agencies.

4) List of all emergency calls in your municipality that were handled by
an outside agency or mutual aide in the timeframe of July 31, 2019, and
July 31, 2024.

5) any agreements entered or contracts signed by your municipality for the
provision of emergency services in the timeframe of July 31, 2019, and
July 31, 2024.

6) any awards, complaints, compliments, citations, comments, reports or
commendations made regarding a first responder, police officer,
dispatcher, EMT, paramedic, firefighter, code enforcement officer, law
enforcement officer between June 30, 2014 to June 30, 2024. any accident
reports, incident reports, aided reports, operations reports, internal
affairs records, investigation reports, citations, summonses issued,
charge sheets, disposition of charges, court records, legal actions,
lawsuits filed, settlement agreements, judgements, CAD / dispatcher /
police journal entry records, ambulance reports, patient care reports,
fire department response reports, sobriety test results, total station
diagrams, accident reconstruction diagrams and reports, 911 tapes, any
dispatch calls, mayor council resolutions passed, images, recordings,
video recordings, surveillance video, dashboard camera video, body worn
camera video of any incidents itself or any persons being interviewed by
the police, and email or other written communications relating to any
awards, complaints, compliments, citations, comments, reports made
regarding a first responder, police officer, dispatcher, EMT, paramedic,
firefighter, code enforcement officer, law enforcement officer between
June 30, 2014 to June 30, 2024.

7) records regarding the administration of your municipality’s stipend,
rewards, compensation, incentive or “Length of Service Awards Program” for
volunteer personell from January 1, 2013 to June 31, 2024, to include a
year by year list of persons, their title(s), department, amounts or
descriptions of the award, any certification forms, application forms,
certification lists, mayor council resolutions passed, vesting documents,
letters, emails, correspondences, agreements, contracts related to your
municipality’s incentive programs for volunteers from January 1, 2013 to
June 31, 2024.

The following records being provided are responsive to your request.

 1. Blue/red light permits from 2013-2023

Please click on the request link here: [1]Request Number:
OPRA-JF2024-851 to download any responsive documents that may have been
released to you. The table attached identifies the redacted records being
denied in whole or in part as well as the legal basis for each denial, as
is required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-6.

For item 1, the township doesn't make or maintain a list of blue/red
permits. Please click the link above to retrieve the actual blue/red light
permits. We are still waiting clarification for the remaining items in
paragraph 1. 

For item 2, the township responded on 10/16/2024 

For item 3, the township is still awaiting your clarification. 

For item 4, the township doesn't make or maintain a list of emergency
calls that were handled by outside agencies or mutual aid. As mentioned
previously, OPRAs is a request for a specific document. Please clarify
your request to name a specific call so that we may see if we can retrieve
it.

For item 5, we are still awaiting for your clarification.

For item 6, we are still awaiting for your clarification.

For item 7, we are still awaiting for your clarification.

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 Lakewood 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.

 
 
 
Thank you, 
[2]Label1
Township of Lakewood, NJ
231 Third Street
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701
(732) 364 - 2500
 
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[Powered by
]
 

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 Lakewood 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.

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References

Visible links
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