HomeMy WebLinkAboutAccess to Laserfiche recordsDEBORAH DOTY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
670 W.~.ST CP. EEI(
P.O. BOX 1151
CLrTcHOGL~ NT 11935-0876
'Fax
&3 t-734-664a
DATE:
TO:
FAX #:
FROM:
FAX LETTER
June 23, 2010
Hon. Scott Russell & Members of the Town Board
631-765-1823 & 631-765-6145
Deborah Doty, Esq.
JUN 2 20]0
TOi'/i~ OF S,E,L~THOLD
Access to Town Records
TOTAL NUMBER. OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS PAGE .~_~. I f you do not r¢ccive all of thc pages, please call
this office as soon as possible.
MESSAGE:
Dear Mr. Russell & Members of the Town Board:
It is my understanding that the Town has denied computer access to the records of the
Building Department, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board and Board of TrusteeS. This is to
request that access be restored.
AS an attorney, J frequently use the computer terminals to research records applicable to
various properties within the Town. Those records provide information regarding, among other things,
the legality of structures on a property, prior ZBA proceedings, planning records, Trustees' and DEC
actions. (As an example, I recently spent in excess of three hours reseamhing Town records about a
property on behalfofclients.) Immediate access is critical in light of the pressures of time connected with
contract signing, closings, etc. Additionally, access is needed in order to prepare and/or oppose
applications to Iown. Delays attendant with seeking approval of a FOIL request will result in
unreasonable and unnecessary hindrances to the smooth conduct of business within the Town. Moreover,
significant additional hours will be spent by Town employees in responding to requests and will result in
increased cost to the Town taxpayers.
Accordingly it is vital that computer access be restored immediately.
DD:bdr
Debomh DoW
Town Clerk Elizabeth Neville (via FAX)