Should Washington Township Televise Meetings?

Washington Township officials continued discussing the idea of getting a camera to broadcast their meetings during a council meeting Monday.

The council didn't take any action, as they're still waiting for more information on prices and the amount of technical skill required to operate the equipment. 

Several council members have supported the plan to install a camera, but the plan does not have unanimous support.

Councilman Rich Hrbek reiterated his concerns from previous discussions, saying the camera could dissuade some residents from speaking and become a strain on township resources.

"I just think it becomes a burden," Hrbek said. "We have reporters here, we have the minutes. We have recordings of the meetings. It just becomes one more thing we have to archive."

Council Vice President Fred Goetz said he was "all in favor of the cameras," adding that he believed they would allow seniors who can't get out easily, residents who get home late from work and those who are otherwise busy Monday nights to see the meetings. 

Goetz said he expected an easy-to-use, low-cost camera could be found.

"It doesn't have to be anything extraordinary," he said.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said she was still looking at prices and would make a decision from there.