WELLSVILLE – A resolution to adopt a public records policy was adopted during the May 21 of the Buckeye Water District (BWD) Board of Trustees.

The Public Records Request Policy adopted by the trustees defines public records, the times public records are available for inspection, handling requests, electronic records, denial and redaction of records, copying and mailing costs and a public records request form.

Public records are available for inspection at the BWD office during normal business hours, and public records requests will be acknowledged in writing within three days of the BWD receipt of a record request.

The person making the request must identify the records requested with clarity to allow the office to identify, retrieve and review the records. The request for records does not have to be done in writing, and the requester is not required to identify themselves.

The BWD may deny a request if the request is ambiguous or overly broad or if the requester has difficulty in making a request to where the office cannot reasonably identify what public records are being requested. If denied, BWD must provide the requester with an opportunity to revise their request.

The BWD can charge only the actual costs of making copies. They cannot charge the labor. Copies of public records are 5 cents per page, or the cost of a removable storage device for downloaded or electronic copies.

The requester is choosing to have the public records delivered are responsible for the cost of postage and mailing supplies or other actual delivery costs.

The resolution was adopted with a unanimous vote.

District Al DeAngelis in his report to the board said that the BWD met with Arcadis to discuss the lead service line replacement project and Arcadis is finalizing different areas to address in locating lead service lines in Wellsville.

Representatives from BWD met with Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for discussion on the upcoming Beaver Creek State Park waterline project which the BWD is anticipating to go out for bid this summer. DeAngelis noted that 73% of the engineering for the project has been completed.

BWD has asked about funding for the dredging project through the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and has found it has been determined that OPWC funding for dredging is not feasible due to legalities.

The BWD will be advertising for bids for the Hibbitts Mills waterline project again, because bids received did not meet the $20 overage threshold that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires.

The BWD distribution crew fixed one lead and installed two taps and three re-taps during April.

Board members approved the treasurer’s report, the operations report and the district manager’s report as presented to them and the minutes from the April 16 meeting.

There were no bid openings, committee reports, project reports old 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 June 17.