Right to Know Requests

About

Filing a Right-to-Know (RTK) request allows citizens to access public records held by the Township. You may file a RTK request with the Township's Right-to-Know Officer, who is generally the Township Manager or their delegated appointee.  This can be done via email, mail, or in person. 

Generally speaking, a response will be issued within five business days of the date the request is received. If additional time is required to prepare the response, the RTK Officer may invoke a thirty-day calendar extension under the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL).

To learn more about Pennsylvania's RTKL, detailed information can be found on the PA Office of Open Records (OOR) website.

Submit Your Request

Submit your request for records via one of the methods below, describing in detail the records you seek. This is the Right-To-Know Request form you should use: Right to Know Request Form

  • Email: office@newgarden.org
  • Mailing Address: 299 Starr Rd, Landenberg, PA 19350
  • In person: Submit to staff at New Garden Town Hall during weekly business hours (8 AM to 4 PM)

If you have any questions, you may contact the RTK Officer via email (listed above) or phone (610-268-2915) to clarify the RTK process.

Things to Know

Make sure your request for records is specific and concise. Identify the records you want as specifically as you can, so that the Township can quickly locate them and determine whether they are public record. Don't ask questions. The RTKL is designed to provide access to records; it does NOT require the Township to answer questions. 

Submitting a request is always free, but you may be required to pay certain fees before receiving or inspecting your records. 

When submitting a RTK request to the Township, always retain a copy for your file. A copy of your RTK request will be necessary if you're denied access to any records and decide to file an appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR). If you don't have a copy of your RTK request, the OOR has no choice but to dismiss the appeal as insufficient.

Appealing a Denial

If your RTK request is denied, you have the right to file an appeal with the OOR. You must file an appeal within 15 business days of the denial with the OOR. You must include your initial request, the agency's denial (if provided), and the reasons for the denial. You may also submit an appeal via email, fax, or in person: 

  • OOR Address: Office of Open Records; 333 Market Street, 16th Floor; Harrisburg, PA 17101-2234
  • OOR Email: OpenRecords@PA.gov
  • OOR Phone/Fax: (717) 346-9903 / (717) 425-5343