Open Records Request

Click on the link to download the request form: Open Records Request Form
Complete the form and submit it using one of the following methods:

• Email: openrecords@chesterheights.org
• Mail: P O Box 658 Chester Heights, PA 19017
• In-person Drop Off: 53 W Baltimore Pk, 2nd FL, Chester Heights, PA

POLICY & PROCEDURES:
REQUESTS
Requests shall be in writing using the Borough form provided above or the Pennsylvania form and submitted to the Open Records Officer.

FEES
Fees associated with the processing of requests are set by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. All fees must be paid before access to the records is granted. Chester Heights Borough charges a fee of 25¢ per single page for copying. The Official RTKL Fee Schedule can be found at https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/RTKL/FeeStructure.cfm

RESPONSE
Chester Heights Borough will make a good faith effort to provide the requested records as promptly as possible under the circumstances. As soon as possible, but no later than five (5) business days after actual receipt of a request, the Open Records Officer will respond to the request in a manner consistent with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. In the event that Chester Heights Borough fails to timely respond, the request shall be deemed denied. The Open Records Officer shall, upon receipt of a request, determine if one of the following applies:

1. The request for access requires redaction of a record in accordance with section 706;
2. The request for access requires the retrieval of a record stored in a remote location;
3. A timely response to the request for access cannot be accomplished due to bona fide and specified staffing limitations;
4. A legal review is necessary to determine whether the record is a record subject to access under this act;
5. The requester has not complied with the agency’s policies regarding access to records;
6. The requester refuses to pay applicable fees authorized by this act; or
7. The extent or nature of the request precludes a response within the required time period.

If one of these enumerated circumstance applies, the Open Records Officer will send written notice to the requester within five (5) business days of receipt of the request indicating that (a) the request is being reviewed; and (b) the reason for the review. A response shall be given within thirty (30) days from the date of mailing of the notice. In the event that the Chester Heights Borough fails to timely respond, the request shall be deemed denied unless the requester agrees in writing to an extension.

DENIAL
If the Chester Heights Borough denies the request, whether in whole or in part, the denial shall be issued in writing and shall include:

1. A description of the record requested,
2. The specific reasons for the denial, including a citation of supporting legal authority.
3. The typed or printed name, title, business address, business telephone number and signature of the open-records officer on whose authority the denial is issued.
4. Date of the response.
5. The procedure to appeal the denial of access.

APPEALS PROCESS
If a written request is denied or deemed denied, the requester may file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within fifteen (15) business days of the mailing date of the Chester Heights Borough’s denial or deemed denial. The appeal shall state the grounds upon which the requester asserts that the record is a public record or financial record and shall address any grounds stated by the agency for delaying or denying the request.