Public Records Center

The Town of Salem is committed to open government and aims to improve transparency through increased access to public information. New Hampshire law protects the right to access public information and has long mandated government disclosure of records. The Town fulfills this responsibility to citizens by pro-actively posting commonly requested documents to its website and providing access to or copies of public records upon request.

New Hampshire's Right to Know Law, RSA Chapter 91-A, states: "Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussion and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people." RSA 91-A:1.

The Right to Know Law affects every aspect of local government in our state. Every board, committee, commission, and subcommittee in every town, city, and village district in New Hampshire must comply with this law. Because we comply with New Hampshire's Right to Know Law, RSA 91-A, we are not required to follow FOIA Statute due to the fact that the Town is not a federal institution. The following information is offered to guide the public in gaining access to public records in the custody of the Town of Salem. The information and lists contained herein are not exhaustive, and any questions or concerns regarding public records should be directed to the Town Manager's Office.

Right to Know Requests (RSA 91-A)

Written requests for governmental records, which reference Right-to-Know or NH RSA 91-A, received by the Town of Salem are to be administered through the Office of the Town Manager. All RTK requests submitted will receive acknowledgment of your request and a fulfillment timeline. 

After the fulfillment of records being released for any Right-To-Know Request, the Town of Salem will post the contents of the 91-A Request and Fulfillment Documents to the Right-To-Know Log on our website. For each request, the log will include the following information: Date of Request, Requestor Name, and PDF’s of both the Initial RTK Request, as well as the Town’s Response and Fulfillment Documents. This process will apply for every Right-To-Know Request made on or after January 1, 2025. This process aligns with the Town’s mission to provide openness and accessibility in the conduct of public business. 

The Town of Salem requires that an original written request for access to governmental records made under NH RSA Ch. 91-A be submitted to the Office of the Town Manager to track timing of all requests and processing. Please see the Town of Salem’s Full Policy for accessing records at the Town of Salem NH Access to Governmental Records – Policy and Procedures Guide

Please find the full text of the 91-A Law from the State of New Hampshire Website

Available Public Records

Certain commonly requested records are regularly posted to the website for viewing at your convenience. 

Please visit the School Department's website for information regarding Salem Public Schools.

Please visit the Inspectional Services Page for building/property specific requests.

Please visit the Police Department Records Unit Page for Police related requests.

Commonly requested records include:

• Budget Information
• Financial Information
• Agenda and Minutes: Visit the pages for the board or committee you seek information about
• Issued Building Permits
• Digital Property Files
• Crime Reports
• Requests for Proposal (RFP)/Bids
• Town Reports
• Bylaws/Regulations
• Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Property Assessments
• Tax Bills
• Water Bills
• GIS Maps: View zoning, wetland, and other maps
• Public Works Project Information
• Town Meeting Warrants
• Litigation
• Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates (Vital Records)

How to Access Public Records

If you could not locate the desired record on the website, you may submit a Public Records Request at any time by completing the Public Records Request Form. This form is intended to help you identify the records sought and facilitate an efficient and timely response to your request. If you request more detailed records, we ask you to submit your official Right to Know request directly to the Assistant Town Manager. This can be done electronically via email or by hard copy via USPS mail or in-person delivery at the Salem Town Hall.

You may request to inspect, copy and/or receive copies of the requested records. Please know under the Right to Know law, "no fee shall be charged for inspection or delivery, without copying of governmental records, whether in paper, electronic, or other forms." RSA 91-A:4, IV (2020). If the Town is not required to "copy" a record before delivery or inspection, no copying fee shall be charged. Examples included, but are not limited to, documents delivered in electronic format or documents with multiple copies already in existence at the time of the request.

Also, nothing in the law requires the Town to compile, cross reference, manipulate or assemble information into a form that is not kept or reported by the Town already. The Town shall provide the information in the format it currently exists.