The Town Council was told the council chamber's echo and visibility problems require both acoustic treatment and operational training, and officials said they will pursue the work and improve presenter procedures.

Ralph Nahigan, communications director, said the chamber's audio system itself is in good condition but the room's surfaces cause a three-second echo after someone speaks. "It's $32,000 to fix this room completely the way it needs to be fixed with soundproofing on the walls, grama panels installed ... so it'll all look natural," Nahigan said, adding that the quote was currently unofficial because freight charges were not yet included.

Nahigan also said staff will train presenters on bringing digital presentations (laptops or tablets) because some audience members could not see presenters' materials when speakers used easels or printed boards. The council agreed staff should require presenters to provide digital files and said Brent would arrange training for presenters and for the staff member who supports meetings.

Nahigan said, if approved, the work would probably take a couple of months to schedule and install and that a full, final quote would be ready by the next meeting. The council did not take a formal procurement vote Monday but supported moving forward with obtaining a finalized quote and scheduling the acoustic work.

The communications director suggested costs could come from an existing upgrade account, and staff will return with a full cost estimate and timeline.