FOIL Submission Audit: Town of Henrietta (Low Barrier / Best Practice)
This post is part of the Monroe County FOIL Submission Audit.
View the full audit hub
TL;DR
The Town of Henrietta demonstrates best-in-class FOIL submission practices in Monroe County. Its online FOIL portal requires only a description of the records requested, does not require identifying information, and clearly explains requester rights, timelines, fees, and appeal procedures.
Henrietta shows that FOIL compliance can be achieved without unnecessary barriers.
How to Submit a FOIL Request in Henrietta
The Town of Henrietta provides multiple, clearly documented FOIL submission options:
- Online FOIL portal (JustFOIA)
- Email (Town Clerk contact information provided)
- In-person inspection
Requesters are not forced into a single submission method.
Online FOIL Form Requirements
Required field:
- Description of the records requested
Not required:
- Name
- Physical address
- Phone number
- Account creation
- Identity verification
The portal allows anonymous requests and does not impose additional conditions beyond what is required by law.
✅ Best Practice
Henrietta’s FOIL portal aligns exactly with statutory minimum requirements and avoids unnecessary data collection.
Barriers Not Required by Law
None identified.
Unlike many Monroe County agencies, Henrietta does not require:
- A physical address
- A phone number
- Account creation
- Selection from restrictive request categories
This significantly reduces friction for requesters.
Accessibility & Equity Notes
Henrietta’s FOIL submission process supports:
- Anonymous requests
- Disabled requesters
- Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals who prefer written communication
- People without stable housing
- Journalists and public-interest researchers
The simplicity of the process reduces both technical and cognitive barriers.
Subject Matter List (Notable Best Practice)
Henrietta publishes a comprehensive Subject Matter List of records pursuant to Public Officers Law §87. This list helps requesters identify records without needing insider knowledge.
The list covers records across all major town departments and was compiled on September 22, 2016.
✅ Best Practice
Publishing a subject matter list materially improves transparency and reduces unnecessary back-and-forth in FOIL requests.
Clear Guidance & Statutory Information
Henrietta’s FOIL page clearly explains:
- Response deadlines (5 business days)
- Extension timeframes (up to 20 business days unless otherwise notified)
- Fee schedules
- Inspection rights
- Appeal rights and contact information
This information is presented without discouraging language or implied deterrents.
Summary Scorecard
- Email FOIL allowed: Yes
- Online FOIL form used: Yes
- Non-required fields mandated: No
- Anonymous requests possible: Yes
- Subject matter list published: Yes
- Accessibility concerns identified: No
- Overall risk level: Low
Conclusion
The Town of Henrietta serves as a benchmark agency for FOIL accessibility and compliance in Monroe County. Its FOIL submission process demonstrates that transparency, efficiency, and requester rights can coexist without unnecessary barriers.
Other Monroe County agencies that mandate identification fields, account creation, or restrictive intake methods should be evaluated against Henrietta’s model.
Legal & Reference Notes
- New York Public Officers Law §§ 87–89
- Town of Henrietta FOIL guidance page
- Town of Henrietta Subject Matter List (compiled September 22, 2016)
This post is part of the Monroe County FOIL Submission Audit.