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.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Mattfield <[OPRA #41585 email]>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2023 1:50 PM
To: Clerk's Dept. <[Clark Township request email]>
Subject: OPRA request - TNR Program Documentation
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
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
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Please deliver records electronically via email to the below UNIQUE address for all replies to this request:
[OPRA #41585 email]
Is [Clark Township request email] the wrong address for OPRA requests to Clark Township? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=ht...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
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View this OPRA request & responses online:
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=ht...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an OPRA custodian, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's website.
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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.
***************************************************
Chief Financial Officer response; attached and below:
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Kobliska <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 10:12 AM
To: Clerk's Dept. <[Clark Township request email]>; Health & Vitals Dept <[email address]>; David DeRosa <[email address]>; Jennifer Kobliska <[email address]>
Cc: James Ulrich <[email address]>
Subject: RE: OPRA request - TNR Program Documentation
Please see attached. We haven't had any expenditures at this time.
*************************************************************
Health Officer response below:
APRIL 12, 2023
Good Morning:
The Health Dept has no records pertaining to this request.
Nancy Raymond
Health Officer
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.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Mattfield <[OPRA #41585 email]>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2023 1:50 PM
To: Clerk's Dept. <[Clark Township request email]>
Subject: OPRA request - TNR Program Documentation
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please deliver records electronically via email to the below UNIQUE address for all replies to this request:
[OPRA #41585 email]
Is [Clark Township request email] the wrong address for OPRA requests to Clark Township? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=ht...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=ht...
View this OPRA request & responses online:
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=ht...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an OPRA custodian, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's website.
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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