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Freedom of Information


The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives you the right to request and obtain records from public agencies within certain limitations. You may request records that are not already available on the internet through the Town of Bethany's website. The Town has no obligation to perform analytical work, studies, investigations, calculations, program reviews or create any special/customized document/materials or retrieval in response to a FOI request. Only public documents/records that currently exist are subject to the law. There is an established retention schedule for all Town Records per the Connecticut State Library. Records that have exceeded the required retention may no longer be available.

Connecticut Freedom of Information Act

Submitting a FOI request

Please include your name and contact information so we can respond to your request. You may be contacted if further information is needed to fulfill your request or if payment is required for delivery.

Clearly describe the records you are requesting. Helpful details may include the type of records sought, keywords for a records search, a date range, or identification of a specific record. Please also indicate the department, agency, or official to whom your request is directed.

Please note that a public records request itself is considered a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.

Submit your request using any of the following methods: 

SUBMIT A FOI REQUEST

 

FAQs

INSTRUCTIONS: The question/title is just text changed to an H2 (Header 2). Then add a bullet to create the "drop-down" panel that will stay hidden until the user clicks on the question/title.

How Will I Receive My Request?

  • Records may be inspected by the Requester and copied by Town staff, subject to $0.50 per page copy fee (C.G.S.§ 1-212); 2. Records may be inspected and scanned by the Requester using a handheld scanner, subject to $20.00 scan fee (C.G.S. § 1-212); 3. Records may be received by email or an electronic storage device, subject to costs incurred by the Town (C.G.S. § 1-212); or 4. If the Requester does not have computer access, records may be received by mail, subject to costs incurred by the Town (C.G.S. §§ 1-211, 1-212). If the request is for inspection of records, a Town representative will contact you to make arrangements.

What Are The Fees?

  • Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, the Town may charge fees when providing copies of public records. These fees are set by the State of Connecticut. Paper copies are provided at a cost of $0.50 per page. Records may be inspected and scanned by the Requester using a handheld scanner, subject to $20.00 scan fee. If records are provided on removable media, such as a USB drive, the requester may be charged the actual cost of the storage media. If records are provided by mail, the requester may be charged the cost of mailing. If the estimated total fee exceeds $10.00, the Town may require prepayment before processing the request.

    Fees for land records or vital records differ from standard FOI copy fees; additional information is available through the Town Clerk’s Office.

Do I need to submit a FOI request for records that are already available online?

  • No. Records that are publicly available on the Town website or through online portals may be accessed directly without submitting a FOI request. See the questions below for information on where records can be found online.

Where Can I Find Land Records?

  • Most land records are available online through the Town’s online Land Records portal using Cott RecordHub. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, property surveys, and other recorded documents. Older records may also be available through the Town Clerk’s Office.

Where Can I Find Tax or Assessment Records?

  • Property tax bills, balances, and payment history are available through the Town’s online Tax Collector portal using MyTaxBill.
  • Assessment values, property record cards, and other assessor information are available through the Town’s online GIS mapping portal using MapXpress.

Where Can I Find Public Meeting Agendas and Minutes?

  • Meeting agendas, notices, and minutes are available online here.

Where Can I Find Public Meeting Recordings?

Where Can I Find Ordinances, Regulations, or the Town Code?

Where Can I Find Police Records?