Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)

FOIL - Freedom of Information Law

If you would like to file a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Request -

Form should be filled out & Mailed or Emailed to Town Clerk Hope Vespia (hvespia@ryetownny.gov) in the Town Clerk's Office. 222 Grace Church Street, 3rd Floor, Port Chester NY 10573

• The specific information has to be requested and your contact information included on the form
• There is a five (5) business day compliance date
• If more time is required to gather and prepare the information, you will be notified
• Click here to fill out the FOIL form online

Freedom of Information Law “FOIL” POLICY

The information below is supplied in connection with the Town of Rye automated FOIL intake procedure.

The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) is part of the New York State Public Officers Law (POL) – Article 6, Sections 84 through 90. The full text of the law can be found on the New York State Website – Department of State –Committee on Open Government.

FOIL is for existing records that are maintained in some physical format. (POL §86.4 - Definitions)If a record does not already exist in a physical format, it does not have to be created. An agency is not required to answer questions or create a new recording response to questions.

There are certain charges to the request or that are allowable under FOIL (POL §87.1(b) iii through §87c). The request or will be notified prior to the records being made available of any allowable charges that may be incurred to produce the documents. The amount will be provided in the estimated cost.

There are certain records that are exempt under FOIL (POL §87.2)

When submitting a FOIL request, the record sought must be reasonably described and the request should not be too broad. A request may be rejected that does not reasonably describe the record being sought. (e.g. “all records relating to…”). Limit each request to one set of records.

When a FOIL request is submitted, the request or will receive an email acknowledgment within 5 business days to receipt the request and indicate that they can expect to receive a response within 20 business days. The counting of the 20-day period will begin on the next business day after receipt of the request. In certain circumstances when documents cannot be provided within the 20-day time period, the request or will be provided with a projected date by which they can expect to receive the documents.

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