Fall River HA approves posting for closed-circuit TV technician to expand camera maintenance and future police link

The Fall River Housing Authority board voted to approve the job description and posting for a closed-circuit TV technician position to perform preventative maintenance, repairs and upgrades on the authority’s camera systems.

Staff told the board the authority currently uses an outside vendor for camera maintenance and that the vendor contract ends June 30; the proposed in-house position would perform day-to-day repairs, assist vendors on major modernization projects and help manage licensing and training needs. The staff presentation said the position would report to the director of facilities and that an internal maintenance employee with camera experience has assisted recently.

Board members asked about the scope of the role and the technical needs. One commissioner warned that some camera software and licensing are vendor-provided and that full in-house coverage can be complex. Staff noted the position description includes continuing education and licensing requirements and that the long-term goal is to link site camera feeds to the Fall River Police Department for more rapid review of incidents.

Staff identified sites that currently lack cameras, including Maple Gardens (which had temporary cameras near dumpsters) and some scattered state sites such as Corky Road. The board approved the posting after a motion and second; the meeting record shows the motion carried by voice vote.

Staff said the posting will be made internally and externally; if hiring lags, the authority may seek a short extension of the vendor contract to avoid service gaps.