In response to my request, the Township of Greenwich (Cumberland County) adopted an e-mail policy, on-line here, for its elected and appointed officials.  While weaker than what I would prefer, the policy “discourages” Township officials from using their personal e-mail accounts.  Instead, it requires them to adopt a free e-mail account, such as one from GMail or Yahoo, and “use a name such that they are identifiable in the contest of their role with the Township of Greenwich including by way of example and not limitation: ‘[email protected]’”  It requires officials to give the Township Clerk their e-mail passwords so that e-mails may be searched “provide responsive information in compliance with State law to any document request.

Chairman of the New Jersey Libertarian Party's Open Government Advocacy Project. Please send all comments to [email protected]