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Selectboard discusses camera upgrade for town hall and security, wastewater plant upgrades
Summary
A vendor proposal for a 32-channel video system to cover town hall, parking, and future expansion was reviewed and tabled for funding; the board also discussed security and alarm improvements at wastewater facilities and a desktop computer purchase for plant reporting.
The Swanzey Selectboard reviewed a vendor proposal to install a surveillance system at Town Hall and discussed related security upgrades at the municipal wastewater facility.
Vendor and staff described a system built around a 32-channel network video recorder (NVR) and 13 cameras to cover the main lobby, all exterior points of access, most windows and large portions of the parking area. A staff member said the larger 32-channel NVR would support future expansion after the fire station moves, and another speaker said a typical retention window for recorded footage would be about “30 to 45 days.”
The vendor and staff described specific camera placements: a 360-degree fish-eye camera with audio in the main lobby, interior cameras to monitor the airlock/entrance area, multiple exterior cameras to cover back doors and parking, and additional cameras looking toward the fire station and front parking lot. Staff said the system would allow the police department to request and download footage when investigators have a date and time.
The vendor quote for the installed system was $10,850. Board members decided to table the purchase pending determination of funding sources and said the purchase might be pushed to 2026; the record shows no vote to proceed and indicates the item was deferred for budgeting considerations.
Staff also reported on security and monitoring needs at the wastewater plant. They are conducting a planning study that includes possible lagoon decommissioning and force-main improvements, and staff said some pump stations lack alarms. One pump station on Spring Street currently lacks a high-water alarm; staff said they are working with the town electrician to add a simple high-water warning as an interim measure.
Separately, staff reported a need for a desktop computer at the wastewater plant to support monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) and other regulatory submissions to the Department of Environmental Services. Staff recommended a desktop ($799) rather than a laptop for cost and durability; the board was told funding for that purchase can come from wastewater budget lines and potential savings from replacing contract services with town staff.
Ending: the board asked staff to identify funding options and inventory needs for the camera system and for wastewater equipment, and staff will return with recommended funding sources; no procurement action was taken at this meeting.
