Nelson Select Board weighs exterior cameras for Safety Building; police to offer 'Copsicle' at Old Home Day

Police Chief J. Filipi presented a plan to install exterior security cameras around Nelson’s Safety Building during the Select Board meeting on July 23, 2025. The board agreed to ask one of the equipment bidders to act as a consultant on camera selection, viewing and data storage options, and to advise on whether the project should be phased.

"Chief Filipi said the police will offer a 'Copsicle' stand for Old Home Day, serving frozen treats to young and old," according to the meeting minutes. Selectman Michael Blaudschun offered to assist with running wiring and mounting cameras, and board members discussed starting parts of the project this year and completing remaining work next year if funding falls short.

The discussion centered on practical and fiscal matters: what types of cameras and storage solutions to use, who would install and maintain wiring, and whether the town should pay upfront or phase work across budget years. The board did not vote to authorize procurement or appropriate funds on July 23; instead members agreed to request consultant input from a bidder and to return to the question after cost estimates and recommendations are available.

The proposal will proceed to the next step of gathering vendor recommendations and cost estimates. No formal procurement motion or appropriation was recorded at the July 23 meeting.