Good afternoon,

This request seeks information or asks questions and does not identify
specific government records.  As such, your request is an invalid OPRA
request and is denied.  When a request is “complex” because it fails to
specifically identify the documents sought, then that request is not
“encompassed” by OPRA. See New Jersey Builders Association v. New Jersey
Council on Affordable Housing, 390 N.J.Super. 166, 180 (App. Div. 2007). 
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.  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.

The Health Department does not have or maintain a list that contains every
septic system within the municipality, each block and lot has it’s
individual file with relevant property records. Valid OPRA

requests do not ask questions, do not seek information, and do not require
a custodian to conduct any research or create a new record.  

Sincerely,

Jessalyn Walters, RMC

Deputy Municipal Clerk

Township of Hopewell, Mercer County, NJ

Office 609-737-0605 x6620

[1][email address]

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From: Katherine Fenton-Newman <[Hopewell Township (Mercer) request email]>
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2025 10:28 AM
To: Jessalyn Walters <[email address]>
Subject: Fwd: [EXTERNAL] OPRA request - Total number of the households
using underground septic system and not connected to public sewage

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Denis Bondarenko
<[7][OPRA #73314 email]>
Date: Mar 12, 2025 8:15 PM
Subject: [EXTERNAL] OPRA request - Total number of the households using
underground septic system and not connected to public sewage
To: Katherine Fenton-Newman <[8][Hopewell Township (Mercer) request email]>
Cc:

Dear Hopewell Township (Mercer),

Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A.
47:1A-1 et seq., I am requesting access to records related to the number
of households with septic systems in [Municipality Name].

Specifically, I am requesting:

1.      The total number of residential properties that rely on septic
systems and not connected to public sewage within the municipality. Septic
is also known as Individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS)

I request these records in digital format (CSV, Excel, or PDF) if
available. If the information is maintained in a database, I request an
export of relevant fields.

If any portion of this request is denied or redacted, please provide a
written explanation citing the specific legal reasons for the denial. If
the records are available online, I appreciate guidance on how to access
them.

Please advise me of any fees before processing the request if they exceed
the standard OPRA fee schedule.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the
statutory timeframe of seven business days.

Sincerely,

Email: [9][email address]

P: 6095402690

Denis Bondarenko

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Please deliver records electronically via email to the below UNIQUE
address for all replies to this request:

[10][OPRA #73314 email]

Is [11][Hopewell Township (Mercer) request email] the wrong address for OPRA requests
to Hopewell Township (Mercer)? If so, please contact us using this form:

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Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
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View this OPRA request & responses online:

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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.

"OPRAmachine’s mission is to give people easy and affordable access to New
Jersey public records.

For more information, contact us at: ‪(732) 707-1628 or PO Box 3180, New
Brunswick, NJ 08903."

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