Unity Township makes public records more accessible

By Virginia Ross

The public can get copies of records for 5 cents a page.

EAST PALESTINE — Unity Township trustees announced they are continuing to take steps to comply with the state’s open records law. On Tuesday, officials said they have started posting information to let residents know how to obtain public records from the township.

The information specifies that requests may be made during trustee meetings, which are at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Because the township secretary does not keep regular office hours, requests for public records also may be made by leaving a message at the township garage by calling (330) 426-4318.

Officials said at the recommendation of the Columbiana County prosecutor’s office they have lowered the fee for copies of the records from 25 cents to 5 cents a page.

Essentially, Ohio’s public records law requires public offices to make public records available for inspection by any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours. Also, the person responsible for those public records is to make copies available at cost, within a reasonable period of time, to the individual requesting them.

Because township officials don’t keep regular business hours, officials have posted meeting times and a contact number on the outside of the township garage.

In other business, the trustees authorized road supervisor Bryan Henderson to hire a temporary laborer to assist the township while Henderson is on medical leave this summer.

The employee is to be paid $8.50 an hour. That rate is based on the hourly laborer’s wage paid to county employees, officials said.

Henderson said he also is still looking for an employee to work for the road department on an as-needed basis this summer.

Each applicant for that position must have a commercial driver’s license. Henderson said the wage for that position is to be set based on the individual’s experience.