Open Records Requests

Manheim Township is in compliance with the requirements of PA Act 3 of 2008, the Right to Know and Open Records laws. This law ensures that public information and records pertaining to the Township government are open and available and serve as a resource for citizens, public officials and members of the media.

Open Records Officers

Manheim Township has two Open Records Officers.  Sergeant Barry Waltz, Jr. is responsible for the records of the Manheim Township Police Department. 

Assistant Secretary, Susan Schaeffer, is responsible for records pertaining to the following Township Departments:  Administration, Code Compliance, Finance, Human Resources, Fire Rescue, Golf, Planning and Zoning, Public Library, Public Works, and Recreation and Park Planning.

Process to Request an Open Record

Here is the link to the Manheim Township Police Department Crimewatch Portal for further information on how to obtain police records.

For copies of all other Township government public records, complete the on-line Public Records Request Form via our JustFOIA public portal.

An alternate method for submitting a request is to complete a Right-to-Know Request Form and submit it to the Open Records Officer by email, regular mail or in person.  

Right to know requests should seek records, not ask questions.  Be clear and concise.  Provide as much specific detail as possible, ideally include record type, subject matter, time frame, property address, and/or party names.  

Upon receipt of a request, the Open Records Officer will:

  • Note the date of receipt on the written request.
  • Compute the day on which the five-day period will expire and make a notation of that date on the written request.
  • Maintain an electronic or paper copy of a written request, including all documents submitted with the request until the request has been fulfilled. If the request is denied, the written request shall be maintained for 30 days or, if an appeal is filed, until a final determination is issued, or the appeal is deemed denied.

Appeals

Appeals should be made to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the mailing date of the Township’s denial of a record. Appeals should be sent to the Office of Open Records, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225.

For more information on what is required to appeal the Township's decision to deny a record, visit Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records’ website.

Open Records Request Policies and Fees

View the Township’s Open Records Policies and Fee Schedule for "Right to Know" requests in Manheim Township.

Manheim Township’s General Government Open Records Request Policy (PDF)

Open Records Request Fees and Charges

Open Records Request Forms

View the forms related to "Right to Know" and open records requests in Manheim Township.

Other Information Resources