Walden Village Board discusses video recording their meetings

By Connor Linskey
Posted 2/12/20

During the Walden Village Board meeting last Tuesday, the board discussed video recording their meetings.

The board was divided regarding their thoughts on the matter.

“I’ve …

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Walden Village Board discusses video recording their meetings

Posted

During the Walden Village Board meeting last Tuesday, the board discussed video recording their meetings.

The board was divided regarding their thoughts on the matter.

“I’ve actually enjoyed watching some of those engagements,” Trustee Dan Svarczkopf said regarding the video recordings of the Town of Montgomery meetings. “I can never listen to them without video.”

He also noted that the equipment necessary for recording each meeting would only cost the board several hundred dollars.

Trustee Lynn Thompson added that many residents have told her that they would find video recordings of the meetings to be beneficial.

“They can’t necessarily be here on our meeting nights. It’s a little dry reading the minutes and they feel like if we had a video, it would be a little easier for them to get a feel of what’s going on, hearing what people are saying, seeing how the meeting is run,” she said. “[They feel it is] more interactive if they could watch a clip.”

Contrary to Svarczkopf and Thompson, Mayor Sue Rumboldt did not feel that video recording the meetings was a necessity, as the board already audio records each meeting and posts the minutes online.

Village Manager John Revella noted that if the board chooses to videotape their meetings, then each board member would need to be wary of their mannerisms and expressions while on camera. Rumboldt agreed that each board member would need to maintain a professional appearance.

“Liability issues are probably much higher when you videotape, than they are normally,” she said.

Mayor Rumboldt told everyone to think about whether or not they want to videotape the meetings. She added that they would discuss the matter during their next budget meeting.