Right to Know/Open Records Requests

Public Record Access

The Borough of Downingtown complies with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Requests for examination or copies of public records should be made in writing on the Right-to-Know Uniform Request Form. The completed request form may be presented in person, by mail, by facsimile, or by electronic means, and should be addressed to the respective Open Records Officer listed below. 

Records in possession of the Borough of Downingtown are presumed to be a public record unless they fall within a listed exemption, are privileged or are protected from disclosure under a federal or state law or regulation or court order. 

“Record” Definition

The term “record” means information in any form documenting a “transaction or activity” of an agency. Records include: documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, film or sound recordings, electronically maintained information, date and image processed documents. 

Record Format

A public record will be provided in the medium in which it exists, except that a public record which is kept in electronic format will be duplicated on paper if requested. The Borough of Downingtown will not compile, maintain, format or organize a public record in a manner in which it does not already do so, nor will it create a public record which does not currently exist in response to a request. 

Prepayment

  • Copying fees estimated to exceed $100 require prepay.
  • Response Time: Five (5) business days - Grant or deny request for records. 

Denial/Appeal

Fifteen (15) business days. Time limit for appeal of denial to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. See address below. 

Judicial Review

Court of Common Pleas Decision of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records may be appealed to Chester County Common Pleas Court.

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
Phone:  (717) 346-9903
Fax:  (717) 425-5343
Email

Opens Records Officer (Borough)

Millie Byerly
Administrative Assistant
Borough of Downingtown
4 W. Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone: (610) 269-0344 (ext. 201)
Fax: (610) 269-1580 Email: mbyerly@downingtown.org

Open Records Officer (Police)

 Georgene Carbo
Downingtown Police Department
10 W. Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone: (610) 269-0263
Fax: (610) 269-8754 Email: gcarbo@downingtown.org