Puslinch Township is moving ahead with a plan to record council meetings.
On July 19, councillors agreed to proceed with steps for video recording council meetings.
Mayor Dennis Lever said the video portion proposed was a low-cost option of roughly $500.
Lever said the Puslinch process will mirror the way the Town of Minto began recording its meetings and uploading them to YouTube.
Council John Sepulis said, “I agree with this 100 per cent” and added council should also budget to replace the current microphones at the council table.
Councillor Ken Roth added “as much as I hate being on camera, I think it is something which is necessary.”
He further proposed the approach be taken for all committees of council.
Lever suggested starting off with council meetings first. He noted the deputy clerk does not audit all the committees, therefore additional training would be needed for someone else to be involved.
Roth noted he felt it was equally important for residents to see how the committees operated.
Councillor Susan Fielding suggested there are some members of the community “who would enjoy members of council being on camera.”
Lever asked if council wanted to upgrade the sound system now, or wait.
An upgrade of the sound system would be about $7,000.
Fielding agreed with the idea of taking the inexpensive approach to recording the meetings, but “would like it to look professional.”
Council agreed to upgrade the sound system at the same time.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said, “How we look is less important than the business we are conducting.”
Deputy clerk Nina Lecic offered an additional option if council looked at the issue as a whole.
Director of finance/treasurer Mary Hasan explained Wellington County offers accessibility grants of up to $10,000 per year.
Lecic said a professional system based on quotes received by the township would be roughly $11,000.
Sepulis said it sounds like a good deal if the county grant would cover $10,000 of the cost.
Bulmer said it should be stressed the moves will improve the accessibility of council meetings to the public – “for those who can and those who cannot attend.”
