Township Appoints Temporary FOIA Officer During Trustee’s Leave of Absence

ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Green Garden Township Board appointed resident Belinda Olszewski as a temporary, non-paid Administrative Assistant and FOIA Officer to fill the roles while Trustee Sarah Boxer is on a medical leave of absence.

Key Points:

• Trustee Sarah Boxer, the township’s previous Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer, is on a temporary leave of absence for a medical issue.

• Belinda Olszewski, a community volunteer and precinct committeeperson, will serve in the non-paid positions until Boxer returns.

• State law requires a FOIA officer to be a township official or employee, necessitating the additional “Administrative Assistant” title for Olszewski.

GREEN GARDEN – The Green Garden Township Board appointed resident Belinda Olszewski to serve as its temporary Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer during its meeting Monday night.

The appointment was made to ensure the township fulfills its legal duties while Trustee Sarah Boxer, who previously held the role, is on a medical leave of absence. Supervisor Dean Christofilos announced that Boxer is recovering from a painful medical issue but intends to return to her duties.

“Because of this leave of absence… we do need [a FOIA officer],” Christofilos said. “It’s required of us as a township to have at least one FOIA officer.”

Olszewski, a regular attendee of township meetings and an active community volunteer, agreed to take on the responsibility in a non-paid capacity. To comply with state law requiring a FOIA officer to be an official or an employee, the board also appointed her to the title of volunteer “Township Administrative Assistant.”

Olszewski stated her appointment would be temporary. “When Sarah comes back, you would step down,” Christofilos confirmed.

The board approved the motion unanimously, thanking Olszewski for stepping up. “I’ve come to these meetings for over two years now. I’ve been vocal,” Olszewski said. “I am the committee person… we work real hard for the community.”