Ossipee selectboard backs $10,000 warrant for police body‑camera pilot after cost debate

The Ossipee Selectboard voted to place a $10,000 warrant article on the town meeting ballot to allow the police chief to research and, if appropriate, purchase a pilot body‑camera system for the department.

Discussion at length weighed a high‑end Axon proposal—described during the meeting as approximately $250,000 over five years (about $50,000 per year, largely for cloud storage and recurring service)—against lower‑cost, local-storage options. The police chief told the board he had vendors willing to provide $12,000 worth of cameras for free but emphasized that the recurring storage, AI services and cloud access account for most of the quoted multi‑year cost.

"They're willing to give us $12,000 worth of cameras for free," the chief said, while also noting the need to budget for storage and ongoing service. The chair cautioned that $250,000 represents a significant commitment for a town with a relatively small municipal budget and proposed a more modest initial appropriation.

Board members described the $10,000 warrant as a compromise that would let the chief test equipment and demonstrate value before asking voters for a larger, multi‑year contract. "If we don't find something, we don't expend it," the chair said of the proposed approach. Supporters argued that reliable body cameras could protect officers and help document incidents; opponents warned about recurring costs, vendor control of stored footage, and the possibility of buying an interim system that later needs replacement.

By voice vote the board approved placing the $10,000 warrant article on the ballot; if approved by voters, the appropriation would allow the department to acquire and pilot a system subject to procurement rules and subsequent review.

Next steps: the town administrator and police chief will refine cost estimates and scope for the potential pilot and include the $10,000 warrant on the town meeting warrant for voter consideration.