Selectmen discuss low-cost camera pilot, privacy rules and winter reliability

IT Director Steve Jelly joined via Zoom to summarize camera placement, retention, storage, and access workflow for proposed exterior cameras. He said the camera base unit stores video locally; video retrieval typically occurs via a phone app and the system can retain footage for "two to four weeks" depending on settings. "Video logs must be stored and encrypted. They are stored on the base unit," he said, and added that staff would need a written policy governing retention and public-record access.

Board members raised practical concerns about the solar units' winter performance (angle and sunlight availability), line-of-sight range limits (wireless range cited at roughly 1,500 feet in open areas), and the trade-off between a trial of inexpensive solar units (the town previously purchased low-cost units for about $250 each set) and a higher-end hardwired DVR system that has been estimated in discussion at around $13,000. Selectmen agreed to pilot or repurpose the low-cost solar units for the town building and highway uses and to seek NHMA (New Hampshire Municipal Association) review of the proposed policy before committing to larger purchases.