Town shows new public‑records portal; staff says 69 requests received since May 8 launch

Town Clerk Kelly Carpenter presented the town’s new public‑records‑request platform (NextRequest) to the Town Council on June 10, demonstrating how residents and businesses can file requests online and how the town is making responses publicly searchable.

Platform features and status

Carpenter said the platform went live on May 8 and the town has received 69 requests since launch. The interface provides keyword prompts for commonly requested records (agendas, minutes, resolutions, ordinances) and points requesters to resources that may be available without a records request. Most requests so far have been for building records and permits; staff said the platform’s timeline function shows when a request was received, documents released and the request closed.

Public access and exceptions

Staff emphasized that submitted request details are public and that completed responses are posted online for future public access. The town will make all responsive documents public with two exceptions: building plans, structural calculations and site surveys may be provided to the requester but withheld from the public portal on a proprietary basis. Carpenter said staff currently track internal time spent responding to requests and may publish that data in the future.

Operational notes

Carpenter said requesters must provide contact information (email, phone) and acknowledge that the request itself becomes a public record. The platform also prompts users to suggested public links to avoid a formal request when records are already available. Staff noted they plan to improve external visibility of staff time metrics and provide additional public guidance over time.

Ending

Council members thanked staff for the demonstration and the clarity the new tool provides; the clerk’s office will continue to refine the portal and public guidance.