WELLSVILLE — Robert Wines, a member of the Buckeye Water District Board of Trustees, told the board Thursday that the district will be required to have a new infrastructure maintenance fund.

District Manager Al DeAngelis said that the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) want districts as far as their asset management goes to have money set aside for any unsuspected cost as far as long-term maintenance to their system. The funds are to be set aside for those reasons only.

DeAngelis noted that the EPA is mandating this fund, and that the EPA is looking at it as, if there is a problem, the funds to fix it are set aside and the districts won’t have to go to them for the funding such as loans or grants. They want districts to be self-sufficient. Most grants or loans require a match. These funds could be used as that match if needed.

Wines noted that to create the fund the district might have to raise the rates.

The board voted to enter into an executive session for personnel matters to discuss compensation and for matters regarding litigation. They returned to the open meeting session with no action taken.

DeAngelis told the board that there were two instances where customers have turned their water on after being shut off for non-payment. Both of these incidents have been reported to the authorities for legal proceedings to be initiated.

DeAngelis stressed that if anyone is caught doing this they will be prosecuted.

DeAngelis also told the board that the district met with USG Water Solutions for a schedule for asset tank management and has scheduled tank management of all the district’s tanks.

The district has relined a filter at the water treatment plant.

Dallis Dawson and Associates submitted documents to the USDA for Hibbitts Mills water line project.

DeAngelis also told the board that the district will be receiving closing instructions from the USDA for the administrative services building and that the distribution crew repaired four leaks and completed two taps.

Board members unanimously voted to approve and accept the treasurer’s report, operations report and district manager’s report as presented to them.

There were no resolutions, bid openings, project reports, old business or new business.

The Buckeye Water District Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. in council chambers at Wellsville Village Hall, 1200 Main St. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 19.