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Mamakating board approves electronic door fobs for two park buildings after debate over costs
Summary
After a discussion about software costs and operational benefits, the Mamakating Town Board approved a PNN Alarm installation to add electronic door fobs to the kitchen and drama buildings at the park for $2,785. Members discussed larger-system estimates and operational controls before voting to proceed.
The Mamakating Town Board voted to install electronic door-fob access on the kitchen and drama buildings at the town park, approving a $2,785 contract with PNN Alarm to add fob-capable hardware.
Board members and staff spent substantial time weighing the proposal’s cost against operational benefits. A staff member noted the town already uses PNN Alarm software at Town Hall and said adopting the same platform avoids the large software expense that other municipalities reported. She said, “it keeps the accountability for me at the park; we can cut people off at certain times,” and described the ability to set a fob to stop working automatically at 1:00 a.m. as a benefit for enforcing rental end-times.
Several board members pushed back on price and scale. During the discussion one participant cited comparative figures for other municipalities — an example bid to outfit multiple doors was described as $49,000 and the separate software figure was cited as $38,000 — and another speaker said, without attributing the source, that a broader rollout had been discussed in the past with figures as high as $112,000. Members stressed those larger figures reflected more extensive, multi-building systems or replacement of existing software, not the limited installation the town approved.
Supporters argued the modest hardware purchase for four doors would reduce late-night calls to staff about lost keys, allow staff to disable individual fobs remotely, and let the town schedule automated openings for events such as elections and summer camp. Opponents said the initial expense was steep for just four doors and questioned return-on-investment, noting rental revenues may take several weeks to recoup the cost.
The board’s final motion approved PNN Alarm to install electric door fobs in the kitchen and drama building at the park for $2,785. The transcript records the motion, a second, and the vote recorded as an approval in the meeting minutes.
