White Oak resident urges cameras; council tables $2,750 Heritage Hill Park gate purchase
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Summary
Resident Dave Preece told borough council that previous manual gates at Heritage Hill Park repeatedly failed and urged camera installation; public works moved to table a $2,750 purchase from North American Fence for further study, citing alternative options and resident concerns.
A longtime White Oak resident urged council on Jan. 19 to reconsider installing a manually operated gate at the entrance to Heritage Hill Park and instead invest in cameras to deter vandalism and help police prosecution.
"We should have cameras. We all have cameras. Cameras are inexpensive. Cameras work," said Dave Preece of 142 Carmela Drive, who said he and his wife have lived at the park entrance for 33 years. Preece said previous attempts to secure the park with manual gates repeatedly failed, left the park inaccessible for deliveries and relied on someone to open and close the gate twice a day year-round.
Following that public comment, the council’s Public Works and Grounds report reviewed maintenance activity and a proposal to purchase a new gate from North American Fence for $2,750. Public Works moved to table the purchase to allow more study and consideration of alternatives, citing Mr. Preece’s comments and the need to evaluate non-manual options. The motion to table was seconded and approved.
The public-remark and tabling leave the gate question unresolved. Council members noted a recognized security issue at the park but asked for further information and options before authorizing the borough manager to sign any purchase agreement.
What happens next: With the purchase tabled, council directed further study and did not authorize spending or execution of a contract; no date was announced for returning the item to a future agenda.
