Rransparency and accountability.
Dear North Bergen Township,
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:
Custodian of Records
Township of North Bergen
4233 Kennedy Boulevard
North Bergen, NJ 07047
Re: Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.) Request
Dear Records Custodian:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act ("OPRA"), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., I hereby request access to certain public records maintained by the Township of North Bergen. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(d), I request that any responsive records be provided in electronic format if available.
Requested Records
Proof of Timesheets and Attendance Records
Copies of all time sheets, attendance, and payroll records for Yolanda Saez and Kaitlyn Cabrera for the period from January 1, 2023 to the present, including any supervisor approvals, corrections, or amendments related to these records. This request is submitted in light of allegations that Yolanda Saez falsified timesheets and that Kaitlyn Cabrera, her daughter, maintained a “no-show” position while paid as a full-time student and Yolanda leaves work early almost everyday.
Nepotism Policy
A complete copy of the Township of North Bergen’s Nepotism Policy or any equivalent administrative policy governing the employment of relatives within township departments, specifically applicable to the Department of Public Safety. This request is made because Yolanda Saez is alleged to have hired or supervised her daughter Kaitlyn Cabrera, creating a potential violation of municipal employment policies.
Job Descriptions and Daily Duties
Copies of official job descriptions, official titles, and records identifying daily work responsibilities for Yolanda Saez and Kaitlyn Cabrera, including any statements of assigned duties, expected work hours, and departmental reporting structures. Also include what Yolanda's duties are with regards to the crossing guards because she has been heard yelling at crossing guards and speaking to them in a condescending manor and has threatened to fire them as well. She does this in front of students and parents out in the middle of the street.
Qualification and Credential Documentation
Any documents, resumes, or materials reflecting the minimum qualifications or credential requirements for Yolanda Saez’s current position, as well as the actual qualifications she submitted during hiring or promotion. This request arises from concerns that Ms. Saez may lack the language proficiency and skills necessary for her current role, which has allegedly led to her reliance on other employees to draft correspondence on her behalf.
Child Care and Dependent Policy
A copy of the Township of North Bergen’s Child Care Policy or any administrative rule, memorandum, or regulation that addresses employees bringing children or dependents into the workplace. This request follows reports that Ms. Saez regularly brings her grandchildren to the workplace and supervises them during work hours, potentially creating liability for the Township.
Reports or Documentation Regarding Work Attendance and Conduct
Any attendance or access control logs reflecting the hours of entry and exit for Yolanda Saez and Kaitlyn Cabrera, in light of observations that Ms. Saez frequently leaves work around 2:00 p.m. and has been seen driving home. The purpose of this request is to assess whether employees have been compensated for unworked hours, which may constitute misuse of township resources. If Yolanda has a contract, I request a copy of that contract to see what her hours are supposed to be.
Request for who above Yolanda signs off on the time sheets to verify that they are accurate and that there are no discrepancies.
Legal Basis and Public Interest Justification
This request is made pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, which declares that government records must be readily accessible to ensure transparency and accountability. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10, an employee’s name, title, position, salary, and payroll record are specifically classified as public information. Furthermore, under N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.1 et seq., employers are required to maintain detailed wage and time records for all employees, confirming that such documents exist and are subject to disclosure.
The requested records are sought to evaluate potential violations of municipal employment policies, potential misuse of public funds, and compliance with state and local governance standards, particularly within the Department of Public Safety. The inquiry pertains to the lawful use of taxpayer funds and compliance with public accountability obligations.
Procedural Requests
If any record is exempt or contains partial exemption, please redact the exempt portion and produce the remainder pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(c). If any request is denied, please cite the specific statutory basis for each denial under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g). Include any applicable fee schedule and description of the appeals process.
If any portion of the requested records is not maintained by your office, please direct this request to the appropriate custodian pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g).
As mandated by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i), a response must be provided within seven (7) business days from receipt of this request.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
Sincerely,
NBSHOULDKNOW
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.
Dear NBSHOULDKNOW:
The Township of North Bergen (“Township”) writes in response to your February 12, 2026 request for records made pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (“OPRA”).
You requested:
1. “Proof of Timesheets and Attendance Records Copies of all time sheets, attendance, and payroll records for Yolanda Saez and Kaitlyn Cabrera for the period from January 1, 2023 to the present, including any supervisor approvals, corrections, or amendments related to these records. This request is submitted in light of allegations that Yolanda Saez falsified timesheets and that Kaitlyn Cabrera, her daughter, maintained a “no-show” position while paid as a full-time student and Yolanda leaves work early almost everyday.”
Township Response: See attached calendars for each of the responsive years. Payroll records will be provided on Friday, February 27, 2026.
You also requested:
2. “Nepotism Policy A complete copy of the Township of North Bergen’s Nepotism Policy or any equivalent administrative policy governing the employment of relatives within township departments, specifically applicable to the Department of Public Safety. This request is made because Yolanda Saez is alleged to have hired or supervised her daughter Kaitlyn Cabrera, creating a potential violation of municipal employment policies.”
Township Response: The Township has no records responsive to this request.
You also requested:
3. “Job Descriptions and Daily Duties Copies of official job descriptions, official titles, and records identifying daily work responsibilities for Yolanda Saez and Kaitlyn Cabrera, including any statements of assigned duties, expected work hours, and departmental reporting structures. Also include what Yolanda's duties are with regards to the crossing guards because she has been heard yelling at crossing guards and speaking to them in a condescending manor and has threatened to fire them as well. She does this in front of students and parents out in the middle of the street.”
Township Response: See attached records outlining job descriptions, along with Ordinance #336-17.
You also requested:
4. “Qualification and Credential Documentation Any documents, resumes, or materials reflecting the minimum qualifications or credential requirements for Yolanda Saez’s current position, as well as the actual qualifications she submitted during hiring or promotion. This request arises from concerns that Ms. Saez may lack the language proficiency and skills necessary for her current role, which has allegedly led to her reliance on other employees to draft correspondence on her behalf.”
Township Response: OPRA requires a requestor to identify with reasonable clarity the specific government records sought. A request for “documents” “materials,” or similarly broad language that does not describe a specifically identifiable record is considered overly broad and invalid. See Bent v. Stafford Police Department, 381 N.J. Super. 30 (App. Div. 2005) (holding that OPRA does not authorize blanket requests for unspecified documents), and MAG Entertainment, LLC v. Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 375 N.J. Super. 534 (App. Div. 2005) (requiring requestors to identify specific government records). Subject to and without waiver of this objection, see records identified in response to preceding request and attached resume.
You also requested:
5. “Child Care and Dependent Policy A copy of the Township of North Bergen’s Child Care Policy or any administrative rule, memorandum, or regulation that addresses employees bringing children or dependents into the workplace. This request follows reports that Ms. Saez regularly brings her grandchildren to the workplace and supervises them during work hours, potentially creating liability for the Township.”
Township Response: The Township has no records responsive to this request.
6. “Reports or Documentation Regarding Work Attendance and Conduct Any attendance or access control logs reflecting the hours of entry and exit for Yolanda Saez and Kaitlyn Cabrera, in light of observations that Ms. Saez frequently leaves work around 2:00 p.m. and has been seen driving home. The purpose of this request is to assess whether employees have been compensated for unworked hours, which may constitute misuse of township resources. If Yolanda has a contract, I request a copy of that contract to see what her hours are supposed to be.”
Township Response: The Township has no records responsive to this request.
7. “Request for who above Yolanda signs off on the time sheets to verify that they are accurate and that there are no discrepancies.”
Township Response: OPRA provides access to identifiable government records. It does not require a public agency to answer questions, conduct research, create records, provide explanations, or otherwise respond to inquiries that are not requests for specific, existing government records. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 (defining a “government record”). Because your request seeks information and/or asks a question rather than requesting a specific, identifiable government record, it does not constitute a valid OPRA request. Accordingly, your request is denied.
As with any OPRA request, you have the right to challenge the decision by the Township. 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 PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ 08625, by e-mail at [email address], or at its 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 Hudson County.
Thank you.
Erin Barillas, RMC
Township Clerk
Township of North Bergen
4233 Kennedy Blvd
North Bergen, NJ 07047
e: [North Bergen Township request email]
o: 201-392-2024
f: 201-330-7694
www.northbergen.org
Dear NBSHOULDKNOW:
The Township of North Bergen (“Township”) writes in response to your February 12, 2026 request for records made pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (“OPRA”).
Please see the attached responses for payroll records for Yolanda Saez and Kaitlyn Cabrera for the period from January 1, 2023 to the present, redacted in accordance to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10.
The initial responses were emailed on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, therefore your request for records is complete.
As with any OPRA request, you have the right to challenge the decision by the Township. 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 PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ 08625, by e-mail at [email address], or at its 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 Hudson County.
Thank you.
Erin Barillas, RMC
Township Clerk
Township of North Bergen
4233 Kennedy Blvd.
North Bergen, NJ 07047
e: [North Bergen Township request email]
o: 201-392-2024
f: 201-330-7694
www.northbergen.org