Williams Township to plan solar-mounted surveillance cameras after reports of after-hours activity at Raubsville Park

The Williams Township Board of Supervisors voted June 10 to pursue a tailored surveillance-camera plan for Raubsville Park after receiving vendor quotes that included both purchased and leased cellular systems and a solar-mounted option.

Township Manager Melody Ernst told the Board she and Public Works Director Michael Strawn met with Higher Information Group to evaluate three system configurations and submitted the proposals for Board review. Ernst said the Township’s insurance renewal with Brown and Brown showed a $1,366 decrease but that the camera purchase would be considered separately.

Strawn reviewed the proposals and recommended a solar-powered camera because it can be relocated between parks and does not require a direct power connection. He outlined the costs: a powered camera purchased outright for $9,983.45 with a $225 monthly SIM charge or a three-year lease at $343.34 per month; a solar-mounted option priced at $10,477.93 with a $225 monthly SIM charge or a three-year lease at $363.58 per month that would include a license-plate reader.

The board did not vote to purchase equipment at the meeting but reached consensus “to meet with the company and put a plan together tailored to the Township to determine how many cameras we would need at each location,” Ernst said.

Why it matters: supervisors said they want a solution that balances public-safety monitoring with mobility and minimal infrastructure work, and a solar-mounted unit would reduce the need for trenching or new power runs.

Next steps: staff will continue discussions with the vendor and return with a recommended configuration and cost estimate for formal consideration.