Lower Windsor Twp. changes policy, increases public access
May 14, 2010 | Filed in: Open
records | Right to Know
Law
By AMY MARCHIANO
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Lower Windsor Township changed a policy and will let people see drafts, ordinances and other documents before the supervisors act on them, as long as the information isn't privileged.
On Thursday, supervisors unanimously voted for the change, saying they wanted to be open with the public about information. Recently, township resident Frank Harvey expressed concern that obtaining information was more difficult since the new Right-to-Know law took effect in January 2009.
The law increased access to information and declared it public unless it fell under one of 30 exemptions. The law allows an agency to release information if the public would benefit, and if the release isn't prohibited under any other law.
Harvey said a prior township manager had given him a board packet before meetings. The state's new right-to-know law prompted the changes, supervisor Mary Caldwell said after the meeting. The law doesn't require that pre-meeting packets be made public, according to Barry Fox of the state's open records office.
Before voting, Caldwell said she was concerned that a draft could be construed as law. Supervisor Gerald Kellner said that could be remedied by noting that the document is a draft, which will be done.
"An important part of open government is providing this to people," Kellner said.
Providing access would also give residents the opportunity to ask questions about ordinances before they are advertised, thus limiting costly re-advertisement, Caldwell said.
Township solicitor John Herrold said the RTK law exempts certain items such as drafts and ordinances, but they can be made available if the board opts to do so, he said.
Supervisor Barry Miller said residents can see such items as rough drafts if they so choose.
Township resident Hollis Bedell said providing access to drafts to the public before they're advertised is "better for the public."
Afterwards, Harvey thanked supervisors for their efforts to better inform the public.
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Lower Windsor Township changed a policy and will let people see drafts, ordinances and other documents before the supervisors act on them, as long as the information isn't privileged.
On Thursday, supervisors unanimously voted for the change, saying they wanted to be open with the public about information. Recently, township resident Frank Harvey expressed concern that obtaining information was more difficult since the new Right-to-Know law took effect in January 2009.
The law increased access to information and declared it public unless it fell under one of 30 exemptions. The law allows an agency to release information if the public would benefit, and if the release isn't prohibited under any other law.
Harvey said a prior township manager had given him a board packet before meetings. The state's new right-to-know law prompted the changes, supervisor Mary Caldwell said after the meeting. The law doesn't require that pre-meeting packets be made public, according to Barry Fox of the state's open records office.
Before voting, Caldwell said she was concerned that a draft could be construed as law. Supervisor Gerald Kellner said that could be remedied by noting that the document is a draft, which will be done.
"An important part of open government is providing this to people," Kellner said.
Providing access would also give residents the opportunity to ask questions about ordinances before they are advertised, thus limiting costly re-advertisement, Caldwell said.
Township solicitor John Herrold said the RTK law exempts certain items such as drafts and ordinances, but they can be made available if the board opts to do so, he said.
Supervisor Barry Miller said residents can see such items as rough drafts if they so choose.
Township resident Hollis Bedell said providing access to drafts to the public before they're advertised is "better for the public."
Afterwards, Harvey thanked supervisors for their efforts to better inform the public.