TNR Program Documentation
Dear Clark Township,
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.
If your municipality does not support or have a program for Trap-Neuter-Return ("TNR") of feral cats, please state as much to close the request.
Records requested:
1. Copy of current municipal agreement with TNR vendor; if TNR is provided by municipal manpower, please indicate by whom.
2. Written protocol and procedures for implementation of the TNR program and how residents are to access TNR services
3. Copy of budget/ledger showing funds allocated and spent on the TNR program for years 2022 and 2023 (as applicable).
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Elizabeth Mattfield
Your request has been received (4/10/23) 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
WARNING: Email received by or sent to Township officials is subject to the Open Public Records Act [OPRA]. This means that absent some specific privilege, all such communications are considered a public record and are subject to publication and/or dissemination to the public upon request.
To: Elizabeth Mattfield <[OPRA #41585 email]>
From: Edith L. Merkel, Township Clerk, Township of Clark
Re: OPRA request - TNR Program Documentation
Date: April 12, 2023
The Township of Clark received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request on Friday, April 07, 2023 1:50 PM (holiday - office closed). The official Records Custodian, Edith Merkel, received your OPRA request on April 10, 2023. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to respond to your request is April 19, 2023. This response to your request is being provided to you on the second business day after the custodian’s receipt of said request.
Your OPRA request (below) sought access to the documents indicated.
1. Copy of current municipal agreement with TNR vendor; if TNR is provided by municipal manpower, please indicate by whom.
Response: Attached contract with Associated Humane
2. Written protocol and procedures for implementation of the TNR program and how residents are to access TNR services
Two attached ordinances and Health Officer's response
3. Copy of budget/ledger showing funds allocated and spent on the TNR program for years 2022 and 2023 (as applicable).
Excel Spreadsheet and Chief Financial Officer's response
The attached documents and the text below are responsive to your request and provided in their entirety.
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Chief Financial Officer response; attached and below:
Dear Ms. Merkel,
Thank you for your attention to my OPRA request and for organizing all of the responses from the applicable departments in your response.
My nonprofit is attempting to provide objective, accurate information to residents of NJ towns regarding TNR. Our hope is that by educating people on their towns' ordinances and procedures, we can reduce the burden of redundant requests for information and allow them to make informed decisions regarding how to control their own feral cat colony populations.
Your help with this matter is greatly appreciated. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you again.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Mattfield