A little encouragement for camera volunteers

I have noticed in my relatively short tenure here in Winsted that the community has a strong volunteer presence. The efforts of most of the town’s boards and commissions are the result of those volunteers. These groups include some of the more visible ones such as the Friends of Main Street, the Economic Development Commission, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Other groups, while perhaps not as well-known, are wonderfully effective, like the Soldiers Monument Commission and the Board of Recreation. Without volunteers, town government simply could not function.

Many of the boards and commissions, however, do have the need for a few more interested residents to have a full complement of members. For some grant opportunities, such as the Safe Routes to School, new committees or focus groups have to be created. If you are interested in serving the town in a limited, but important capacity, please contact someone at Town Hall.

A critical need, for which a call for volunteers has not been as successful, is someone to operate the video camera at Board of Selectmen’s meetings. In the past, this was a service provided by representatives from Charter Community Television. After that service ceased, some volunteers did step forward, but recently, even those volunteers have had other demands on their time.

Some communities do not offer broadcasts (neither live nor delayed) to their residents. This community has decided that the availability of Board of Selectmen meetings on television is a desired service. I will be one of the first to admit that watching local government meetings is not very high on the excitement meter, but the recording of meetings is an invaluable service.

First, it helps to educate residents about town government. With the election for the Board of Selectmen in approximately six weeks, residents can become familiar with the issues and the candidates. Informed voters make better voters.

Second, information can be easily provided to viewing residents. Dates for various events and programs are announced. Vacancies for boards and commissions are announced. Groups and individuals are recognized for their community efforts. Again, getting more (and accurate) information to residents is important (and good).

With no one available to operate the video camera, it is more difficult to get this information to area residents. This information is then sometimes lost or overlooked. We have to have informed residents to have better government.

Since reliance upon volunteers for this project has not worked, perhaps a resident or two would be interested in operating the video camera at the Board of Selectmen meetings for a small stipend. Limited funds are available through Board of Selectmen contingency funds to pay such a stipend. If two residents would be interested, the regular Board of Selectmen meetings would require a commitment of one night per month.

If you would be interested in such service (or any other volunteer service), please contact me at Town Hall. As I mentioned previously, the town election is rapidly approaching, and it would be a great service to televise the Board of Selectmen meetings leading to the election.

I always prefer residents to actually attend board meetings (you can’t ask questions through your television — yet), but I understand the demands on everyone’s time. Since most of you cannot attend, the next best thing is to have the meetings available through the alternative method of television. Please consider supporting this effort to better inform our town residents about local government. Thank you.

Dale Martin is the town manager in Winchester.