[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Smithfield 5-21-1985
(Sec. 2-7 of the 1985 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
Any person seeking access to any public record, which is required to
be made available by General Laws § 38-2, shall make a written,
signed request to the custodian of such records stating specifically which
records are sought for inspection and/or copying.
The custodian shall within 10 business days of such request either permit
or deny such request; provided, however, that failure to take any action within
said 10 days shall be deemed to be a denial. Furthermore, the person to whom
the request is made may, for good cause, extend the period for permitting
or denying a request to 30 days.
The custodian shall designate the time and place at which records may
be inspected or copied. In no case shall records be required to be removed
from the Town offices, and in no case shall records be required to be made
available outside normal business hours.
As provided by General Laws § 38-2-4, all reasonable expenses
involved in retrieval and/or copying of records shall be levied as a charge
to the person requesting such printout or copy. The person making the request
shall be informed at the time the request is received of the charges and shall
be furnished an estimate of the costs which will be incurred. Before any copies
are made, the person making the request shall pay the estimated cost, and
before any copies are delivered, the person making the request shall pay any
balance due after credit for estimated costs paid.
Any person denied the right to inspect may, within 20 days of the date
of denial, petition the Town Council for a review as provided in General Laws
§ 38-2-8, and the Town Council shall make a decision within 10 days
after the submission of the review petition.
