Might Be Ready for Prime Time: Town Hall Measures Residents' Interest in Seeing Board Meetings Broadcast

MIDDLETOWN, RI -- Middletown residents can watch Town Council and School Committee meetings on-line and over cable television, but so far, those are the only local government meetings available.

Recently, the councilors have discussed the pros and cons of also recording Zoning Board, Planning and Conservation Commission meetings.

On Tuesday, Town Administrator Shawn Brown posted an online survey and asked residents to weigh in with comments.

The residents are specifically asked if they would watch these broadcasts.

The survey is the latest development from a discussion last September. Councilor Antone Viveiros said he believes the zoning, conservation and planning board meetings also should be taped and available on the Town's website. At a September Town Council meeting, he questioned estimates that put the production costs slightly under $10,000 and suggested Middletown could provide the service and save money by hiring a retired town employee to run the camera.