Select Board weighs sharing $4,000 large‑format scanner with neighboring towns

Londonderry Select Board members on April 7 discussed whether to permit other towns to borrow the town's $4,000 large‑format scanner, which was purchased with restoration funds and used to digitize survey records.

Board members said the device is portable but delicate, and raised the risk of damage if it left town property. "It's a $4,000 scanner. It's not something we're just going to let roll out the door or it comes back in one piece," a Select Board member said, urging a formal agreement and insurance coverage before permitting outside use.

Staff described practical options including a fee schedule tied to maintenance costs, an insurance certification requirement, or a check‑in/check‑out contract modeled on other shared‑equipment arrangements. The board asked staff to investigate insurance language and potential fee models, and to return with a proposed agreement for future action.

Board members also noted operational choices: whether the scanner would be transported to other towns or used on site, and whether the town wants to prioritize access for real‑estate professionals and the public. No formal vote was taken; the board directed staff to gather options and examples for a subsequent meeting.