FOIL Requests - Town of Remsen

New York State Freedom Of Information Law (FOIL):

The New York State Freedom Of Information Law (FOIL), set forth in Article 6 (Sections 84-90) of the New York State Public Officers Law, grants the public the right to access records maintained by state and local government agencies. The law is intended to promote transparency and accountability in government, recognizing that an informed public is essential to maintaining a free and open society.

Under FOIL, individuals may request copies of government records, unless those records– or portions of those records– are exempt from disclosure as outlined in the law.

For more information about FOIL and your rights, please refer to the New York State Committee on Open Government at https://opengovernment.ny.gov.

How to Submit a FOIL Request:

To request records from Town of Remsen, you must submit your request in writing to the Records Access Officer:

Meghan Spadaro

Records Access Officer

Email: clerk@remsenny.gov
Address: 9698 Main Street, P.O. Box 308, Remsen, NY, 13438
Phone: (315) 831-5332

Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or online. In your request, please provide a clear and specific description of the records desired; including the type of record, subject matter, and relevant dates, if known. You have the right to submit your request anonymously. However, providing your contact information– such as your name, address, email address, and telephone number– can help facilitate the fulfillment of your request. The Records Access Officer may need to contact you if additional information or clarification is needed.

Submit a Foil Request Online

What Happens After We Receive Your FOIL Request:

After submitting your FOIL request with Town of Remsen, the Records Access Officer will review it and issue a written response within five (5) business days. Their response will either:

Grant the request and provide access to the records;
Deny the request in whole or in part, with a written explanation of the reasons for denial; or
Provide written acknowledgement of the request and provide an estimated date by which the request will be granted or denied.

Denial of Access and Appeals:

If your FOIL request is denied, either in whole or in part, you have the right to file an administrative appeal to Town of Remsen’s designated FOIL Appeals Officer:

Thomas H. McDonald

FOIL Appeals Officer

Email: supervisor@remsenny.gov
Address: 9698 Main Street, P.O. Box 308, Remsen, NY, 13438
Phone: (315) 831-5558

In the event that Town of Remsen fails to respond within the statutory timeframes or within a time that is reasonable under the circumstances of your request, this constitutes a constructive denial of access, which you may also appeal to the FOIL Appeals Officer.

You must file your written appeal within thirty (30) days of denial. Town of Remsen then has ten (10) business days to provide records or explain the basis for further denial of access. A failure to determine an appeal within ten (10) business days of its receipt is considered a denial of the appeal.

Inspection of Public Records:

Records are available for public inspection and copying at the following location:

Town Office: 9698 Main Street, Remsen, NY, 13438

Office Hours
Mondays: 5pm – 7pm

Please call or email the Records Access Officer (Town Clerk) at the phone number or email listed to set up an appointment.