Bear Creek Township is intending to comply with the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania Open Records Law and, in doing so, drafts a policy for the public viewing,
copying and receiving of public records of the Township.
For purposes of this article, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
PUBLIC RECORDS
Any account, voucher or contract dealing with the receipt
or disbursement of funds by Bear Creek Township, use or disposal of
services or of supplies, materials, equipment, or other property and
any minute, order or decision by Bear Creek Township, or agent thereof,
fixing the personal or property rights, privileges, immunities, duties
or obligations of any person(s). "Public records" shall not include
any report, communication or other record or paper, the publication
of which would disclose the institution, progress or result of any
investigation, and/or litigation undertaken by Bear Creek Township
or its agents in the performance of its official duties. It shall
also not include any record, document, material, exhibit, pleading,
report, memorandum or other paper, access to or the publication of
which is prohibited, restricted or forbidden by statute law or order
or decree of court, or which would operate to the prejudice or impairment
of a person's reputation or personal security, or which would
result in the loss by the Township of federal funds, excepting therefrom,
however, the record of any conviction for any criminal act.
RECORD
Any document maintained by an agency, in any form, whether
public or not.
REQUESTER
A person who is a resident of the commonwealth and requests
a record pursuant to this article.
RESPONSE
Access to a record or an agency's written notice granting,
denying or partially granting and partially denying access to a record.