Welcome to the town of Ayer Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, June 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ayer Town Hall. This is a hybrid meeting. Um This meeting of the Finance Committee will be held in person at the location
provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and or participation via Zoom is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological
problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in a specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person versus virtual attendance accordingly. This meeting will be live on Zoom. The
public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom meeting ID 978-772-8220 or by calling 978-772-8220 or 508-560-9999. For additional information about remote participation, please contact Carly
Antonellis, Assistant Town Manager at atm@ayer.ma.us or 978-772-8220 extension 100 prior to the meeting. Okay, I'd like to call the meeting to order. Uh this The meeting this evening is a uh
pretty much a single-focus meeting. We're going to uh look at the funding and financial aspect of the town's security cameras. I would like to take a moment to read um
the from the town's website and from the Finance Committee's uh page um a little note on the purview of the Finance Committee. The responsibility of the Finance Committee is to act in the best interest
of the taxpayer. The finance committee is the representative and advisory committee for town meeting. The legislative body of government in the town of Ayer. The committee's primary responsibility is to present a balanced budget for the annual town meeting, which provides an
efficient use of available funds by maximizing revenue streams and ensuring expenses are quantified. The committee reviews and provides recommendations on all monetary municipal warrant article. The committee provides information on the town of Ayer's financial health,
execution of financial processes, and financial efficiency for voters to make educated decisions. Final decision-making responsibility rests with the elected officials and those who vote at town meeting at and general elections.
Okay. What we'd like to start with is we Chief Brian Gill is with us and is going to make a presentation on the Flock safety cameras funding and financial input and then we'll uh have some questions and discussion after
that. Thanks very much. >> Just let me get this all organized here. Mr. Chair. No further ado, we're just going to jump into my presentation. >> Yes, please do. >> Um all right, so um what we're going to talk about tonight is the Flock safety overview,
which was uh also gone over in uh uh a meeting two nights ago and um and lately talked upon in other previous meetings. Um we're going to talk about the grant fund uh the grant funded implementation of the program, the
contract execution, and the uh public information portal overview. Um which was also talked about at a previous meeting. Okay, so next slide, uh Flock Safety overview. Um so in a nutshell, Flock
Safety is an industry leader in the ALPR uh automatic license plate reader. >> Thank you. I was wondering >> public safety security camera technology. The system captures time-stamped vehicle data from strategically identified locations, giving investigators reliable
information that significantly speeds up their investigation. Flock technology has been successfully used locally and nationwide to solve homicides, missing person cases, motor vehicle and property crimes, assaults, and other high high-profile investigations.
Flock Technologies is in use in over 6,000 communities and 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. Flock Safety technology is used to solve over 2,000 crimes per day, which accounts for 10% of all crime in the nation per day.
Um so that's a pretty significant figure there that um that this technology is closing the gap by 10% in uh solve rate for uh all crimes. Uh So um grant funding implementation, there's a
couple of screenshots up there. I don't know if everybody can see them. Um these are uh also found on our website. Um that you can talk about afterwards. But um so so before uh this we applied for the
grant, um we had been looking at whether uh or not Flock Safety uh technology um was something that we could bring into town. And we started to look at the the technology and the uses in air. Um budgetary
uh uh uh, kind of uh forecasts uh, made us take a step back and um, not pursue looking at whether or not we could have this included in our town funding at that point. Um, so we kind of
shelved the shelved the project um, from moving forward. Um, there was a grant that became available for us to apply to and it's the uh, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Um, and it's really focused towards the local uh, police
departments um, and it's a grant that's maintained by the state. And what it does is it assists um, with uh, in this case technology. Um, so what we did was we applied for the um,
we applied for the uh, Flock Safety uh, grant. Um, and uh, our initial application we had a we had several more um, pieces of technology included in that. But when we were were uh, informed
that we won won the award um, the award was for uh, $25,000 which is a significant amount but less than what we were looking for. So we had to kind of take a step back and um, figure out uh, how we could make the
$25,000 work within the Flock Safety program. Um, so what we ended up uh, coming up uh, coming up with is the program that we have currently in front of us. Um, so it is a uh, five ALPRs and uh, three security cameras
um, that are uh, in town. Um, so what you see up here is the grant award that was for $25,000. Um, we were invoiced for $25,000. Uh, in the paperwork there is uh, also uh,
the indication that was this in the next slide? Uh, now so in the in the paperwork that's on on uh, line, there's some internal paperwork that shows that that money was indeed um, paid for. Um, there was a question at the the previous meeting
about the uh, uh, what the revenue source was or what not and we uh, it was I I don't know if we actually came up with an answer that night, but >> it it's been it's a reimbursable grant. Reimbursable. >> So, it's just a reimbursable line that
uh, where money So, um, so yeah, so the only uh, money is awarded to this was uh, for 25,000. I'm not sure if it's some of the grant. Um, then we moved on to the contract execution for that. So, the contract is
also uh, online. And the contract shows that uh, we uh, got the specific pieces of equipment, the technology associated with it, and the execution on the last page.
All indicating the $25,000. Um, okay, and then so now we're on to the public information portal. Um, so this went live on June 8th, um, where we uh, put uh, as as much information as
uh, we we could get out there um, to start off with was a open letter from myself. Um, we had a frequently asked questions that was about a three to four page document of questions that we had been repeatedly seeing um,
uh, being brought up in different kinds of uh, venues uh, or emails directly to me. Um, so uh, to to help answer those questions that were obviously circling around um, was to put those right out there and answer those questions the best we could.
Uh, Um, and uh, when we talked about this uh, um, last two days ago, we had actually updated the frequently asked questions page with some several other questions that we had been repeatedly seeing and some that we thought were just
important enough to you know, get it out there as well. Um, so there are also some there was some questions about what does search look like, what does an audit look like? So we put up some links up there
that that are on the left hand side is where all of them reading from. So it actually will will highlight all of those things and what the what the interface looks like. Um, and then what we did was we put up a frequently requested public document
section which we were we were getting several public records requests and they were all asking for the same information. So what we did was we put all that up there and that's where you'll find our policies, that's where you'll find all of these
contract information, all of the grant information, any correspondences, um, the any just the stuff that's been asked for. So we went live on like I said we went live on June 8th and we're going to update it
periodically. Um, to get to this you go to the town's website and you go to the air police department's page and on the left hand column there will be a section that says Flock Safety Portal or something to that effect. Um, it's pretty crystal clear that
that's what it is. If you want to write that down, uh, that's the address right there. Um, yeah, next page I think we're kind of at the end of this presentation. So
uh, the long and short of it is, uh, we applied for a grant and we use grant funding to to conduct the implementation of this program. And, uh, yeah, here we are. >> Okay.
Good. Thank you, Chief. And, um, thank you for the portal. I was I had your questions and I did go right there and I had most of my questions answered. Um, so, um, I think, uh, what I'd like to do is
that, um, Andrew, uh, sent, uh, a group of questions. I sent a few, uh, and emailed them to you and Robert. And I was wondering if we could, uh, uh, maybe just go through theirs. I um,
again, we're trying to keep the focus just again on the financial and funding, uh, aspects of this. Um, and, uh, so, Robert and Andrew, what uh, should we just you do you want to just go down the list or Robert, do you want
to just go down and >> Hm? >> However you want to do it. >> However you want to do it, Mr. Chair. >> Well, what I was thinking is it's, um, would you I think Robert, since you maybe have the questions, >> Okay. >> um, you again, these are just
essentially these are you could just say, you know, yes, the, um, as Chief Mount mentioned, our first question is what's the contract year cost? You know, >> It's 25,000. >> Okay, so, let me, Mr. Chair, through you, members of the FinCom, Chief, good
evening. Um, let me just as, uh, came up at Tuesday's meeting, um, at the select board. So, just so we're clear on a a few things. So, the first thing is this is a trial year. I'm not speaking
for the Chief, but we he has the grant. It's the 25,000 dollars. That is the cost um, for this year. There is no at this time because we haven't developed the FY28 budget, which will all be coming back to you. But,
there is no other appropriation at at this time. So, that it if and that is not just my decision, of course, but if we were to proceed, we would need to address the cost for
FY28. The cost would have to go through the budget process, which includes here. Would be in the most likely would be in the omnibus budget under the police department. If there was any new
capital, which I don't think we foresee. I mean, they the capital that was put in belongs to the company. If there was any new capital for FY28 that met the definition of capital, it would go through that capital process.
So, as the chief mentioned, we received the grant. Execute the contract. The invoice has been paid. And as came up on Tuesday, the funds have been reimbursed to the town.
Um So, in terms of one could say we're just speaking conceptually, but for FY27, there is no cost impact to the town as the whole thing is covered by the grant.
For FY28, and again, let's just say for the sake of argument that the cost impact would be $25,000 for the next for the next year.
In the contract, you'll see that there is language about our reoccurring subscription or that automatically renews and so forth. So, a couple things is one, all of the contracts are are subject to
appropriation, but even if if we decide, the town decides, um the chief uh that we're not going to continue or so forth, obviously, we would um conclude that contract. Um we wouldn't we wouldn't um
uh renew it. And if there was no appropriation, cuz right, this is always a a challenge with municipal government, if town meeting or what have you, if there wasn't an appropriation, just like for any contract, um that would pose an issue as well. Um
on the terms of the contract also, I think >> just to interject. So, and uh we had sort of noted on the I guess in the contract that it is a recurring There's language that it might it is a recurring subscription, but what you're saying is this is
not This is just this year and then it's up to the town to renew this for next year. >> Right, what we do every year with similar ones is as we get closer, usually, depending on the provision, but let's say by April or May, if we're not
going to continue, we contact them. >> Andrew. >> I'll say Pauline brought this one up this week that I wasn't able to attend the meeting, but >> Mhm. >> watched it this morning. >> Yeah. >> Um when did the contract go live?
Right? Because by what was Pauline's math, which made sense, was February. Now, if you're saying that we're appropriations is March or April, right? It will have automatically renewed for 3 years. Right? So, that it wouldn't actually have had a chance
to go through that. So, do you have a definitive start date of when the contract actually when they think they started the contract? And if not, can you get me that answer? >> Yeah, I can give you that answer. Um and that did come up the other night
and it was more of a statement, not a question at that time. So, we uh I had brought up that question that the system hasn't fully come online yet. >> Mhm. >> Um that we are still waiting for uh
equipment to be uh put online. So, I have talked to them and said that um where the where the system is not fully online, that's when the start date should be. >> Okay. Do we have that in writing?
Like in an email somewhere? >> Um it's a conversation I've had with our customer success representative. >> Can you get them to send you an email? >> Her? >> Yes. Call her. >> Uh >> Get them to send you an email.
>> Uh I could probably do that. >> That's all I have for >> Okay. Okay. All right. So, uh and again, so this is it's right. So, this is just for 1 year, right, at this point.
Correct. Okay. Okay. Um Okay. Um and then Robert, you want to So, it looks like you're pretty much going down our our list here that that addressing them. So, Okay. So, um why don't you go ahead and continue on that? I guess we can just interject as
we have need for the details and questions. Does that sound good? >> That was my only addition. >> Oh, okay. >> What? That was my only addition. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. >> Where did So, that you just >> spot. You're on a future annual cost may
increase. Third from the bottom. >> Oh, yeah. So, future annual costs um may increase. Um so, they would they would provide uh notices of those fee changes, and we
would have an opportunity to discuss them with them because obviously there may be fee increases, but when you're dealing with a municipality, we would have a set amount. Right? So, um that is not completely um
uh uh uncommon in that sense. Uh Oh, yeah. So, the non-renewal deadline, the agreement requires notice of non-renewal at least uh 30 days before the end of the then current term.
So, we would we would notify probably well before that based back on what we talked about on the appropriation piece. Um yeah, of course, missing that window could allow uh the contract to roll into a longer renewal period, but that's why
we we monitor these things. Um the non-appropriation clause. So, yeah, so public funded obligations are conditioned um on available appropriation. So, this is like with any
contract uh whether it's because you're dealing with a municipality, whether it would be this contract or say a personal service contract, ev- everything is subject to appropriation. If we don't have the appropriation, then we are.
Um So, I just I just want to interject real quick. So, I think what we're really just just uh again going finishing this thought on the renewal terms of 36 months. But again, this is a 1-year
contract and I think the the one takeaway I've had is that there is from what I understand, again, I have not a chance to read the contract, is there maybe language in there that if we uh
don't don't we have to make sure we stay on top of it and make sure Flock realizes that yes, it is for 1 year only. And any language in the contract to the uh would not apply because we're going to make sure we cancel it in time and and
uh >> Are we? >> Mhm? >> Are we? >> What? >> Canceling it? >> No, no, no. If as far as we've from what I understand, it's for 1 year. And then from what I understand, there is possibly language in the contract that says it could go out for a longer
period. >> Okay. Just was confused by your statement. >> Okay, yeah. So, um and that's uh And again, I think Robert, you're addressing that in that um the town is going to look at this on a
year-to-year basis and um uh therefore, we are not looking any further than that. >> Mhm. Okay. >> Okay. And then I think the next thing that came up on our questions again,
just I think some um hardware is owned by Flock, not the town. >> That's correct, right? >> Yeah. I got a follow-up on that. Um if someone throws a rock at a camera and it breaks, is there language I did not see language
that says they're going to replace it in a set amount of time or something to keep us up and running. >> Um >> They could They could just not replace it, right? >> Every camera is a subscription. So, if a camera isn't running, we're not
going to pay for it. >> Okay. >> So, I think it would be in their best interest to make sure it gets >> Well, haven't we already paid for it, though? >> We don't pay for the hardware. >> Yeah, yeah. >> No, but the city is already paying for the subscriptions. So, so someone has to stay on top of it and say that, you
know, part of this subscription is not being executed. That that the benefit is not being delivered because, you know, so I guess >> Well, I guess it's a good I guess it's a good question. >> Yeah, the the police department has to Someone has to coordinate and make sure that, you know,
you get what you pay for. >> Okay. And again, just uh underlying all this is that this the subscription is being paid by the grant. >> Uh-huh. >> So, so could I ask a question? >> You can. Yeah, sure.
>> Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you. >> No, no. >> So, I need to first apologize cuz I did not attend the Tuesday meeting, and I also did not watch the video. So, so I'm probably not I did read the FAQs. So, I
know the about the I understand what the system does and all the rest. My question is that um how many towns around us are using this technology? And also um do you have any rough idea about the crime statistics? Like
without this camera, and how many unsolved cases do we have in the months in the year? Any kind of time >> and answer the question I best. I mean, I was here to talk about the the funding you have. >> Yeah, yeah. The the statistics I apologize because I only kind of like I
wrote my email after it little while. So so I don't know. >> Yeah, so I can tell you that uh I think we're connected to uh right now um 54 networks in Massachusetts. >> Each network is a town?
>> Correct. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So out of the 200 some um towns in Massachusetts, about 50 50 something using that. >> 54 are connected to us. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Yeah, I don't I don't have this I don't know how many towns have the the system itself. >> I see. So so then by connected, so then you can share information with that municipality. >> Um Jen, I think we want to keep uh I
think we're going into the details of the Flock system operations and I think we want to keep the focus is on just the funding and and the cost of the Flock. >> Okay. Cuz I saw that that's sort of a good you need to understand what the
technology's for in order to decide if it's justified. Because if you don't see how it's benefiting you, then why would you have it? Not just financial. The financial in I think the financial impact is always
come with the actual, you know, big cuz if something is truly necessary, we will find a way to pay it. >> Correct. >> some sort of a marginal improvement, you know, it's sort of like you know, icing on the cake kind of case or if it's
really, you know, fundamental, that makes a big difference on how the same thing with everybody, you know, when you make a budget decision, it's always a how important that issue is for you. So that's why cuz I think we have pretty much addressed the financial issue. That
to me is already we know what the we're going to pay after this year. It's to me it's very clear. We're only going to discuss funding. We're pretty much done. This is a first year is already payback grant. The next time, you know, the three-year contract, whether we're going to renew
it or not, we'll keep on top of it. We're trying to before the town decides budget, the renewal date may be coming up, but we're going to inform the the the company that whatever the renewal date is not truly a renewal date until the town makes a decision. And if the town decides not to pay for it,
that's the end of it. It doesn't matter. That's the end. So, there's no more to talk about. But now what I want to understand is that do we really need it? How do other people feel about it? Or how is there any illustration of what the impact this has already had to other
people? So, because the chief already said that it kind of like a helped me increase like about 10% amount of cases solved. So, to the professionals, that's probably very significant. And I'm sure to everybody who is a victimized by a
crime, they would love this type of thing, you know, this type of help. So, by the same as a in the general scheme scheme of things, how many such cases we have in the year? So, you know, if 10% of 10 cases is one
case, you know, 10% of 100 cases is 10 cases. That would be more significant, you know. So, that's why I want to know how many such cases do we actually, you know, experience in the year? And, you know, whether we need it or
All right. Do you agree? >> I think that the system hasn't been installed yet, so we can't really answer that question. >> Yeah, but the thing is other towns have. So, that they should have some kind of experience from talking to other towns. >> It works for one prototype.
>> Well, I think that the network that they should have kind of like a have some Oh, is this a Oh, are we just going to do this as because right now there's no risk to the town. So, we're just going to do use this year as a a trial period and then answer the questions I have by
the end of this year. >> It It's my It's my hope that when we you know, when our officers are are trained um on this, that when we do have uh success um
uh stories and success uh rates, that that will also be part of some of the the information that we'll be able to put up on this portal. >> Yeah, yeah, so basically we're going to take a test and see approach. And then probably
we'll come back about, you know 10 months from now to answer this question, cuz that would be more relevant when we are up for renewal, when we actually on our own pocket. >> Yeah, it's absolutely my hope, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we'll I'll I'll have to be able to answer that question.
>> If by that point it turned out that year had been a wonderfully peaceful tranquil town and there were only like the two cases of something that this piece of equipment could have possibly helped and then it turned out it wasn't a big deal, then I think at that point it might be a
little more difficult to justify, you know >> Sure. >> an ongoing expense. >> one of the things I just caution on like kind of quantifying victims is if we help one victim, is that not enough?
>> Yeah, I understand. It's It's >> Or if we help one victim with a stolen car or versus one victim versus uh serious assault, is one one more important than the other? >> I agree. I agree. It's hard to make that kind of judgment. >> Yeah, no, no, that's why I just said,
you know, I caution against trying to make raw data cases out of this. It's It's important pieces of information, but uh I would just strongly caution against that. I mean, I would I would uh You you you know me. Like, I come in
with a lot of information when we when we make presentations. Um and you know, it's my hope that, you know, I'll be able to give information that uh will be in you know, informative to to this body to you know, to to possibly answer that question a little
bit more. I won't be able to probably get into detail about the cases, but I you know, I may be able to get into detail of the you know, um you know, the the different types of cases that we've been exposed to so far. >> Okay. Good.
Good observation, Jen. Okay. Um So, um you want to just uh So, Andrew, anything else you have you wanted to continue to look at on the list here
with Robert? >> I'm fine. I would just add the my questions to the minutes as well as anything. >> Okay. >> I sent Eric Eric a meeting. >> Okay. So, then um So, Robert, if you want to just continue down uh
the that list again. We were So, we've sort of looked at um >> Yeah, so the hardware we touched upon that is owned by Flock. Um ending it it ending the contract would mean uh the cameras are removed. Um
Yes, cuz they own they own them. And if we weren't going to proceed, uh they would be removed. Um Implementation fees uh appear discounted. Um some of them are listed as zero. I'm not
>> I I I I can speak to that. >> Yeah, Chief. If you want to add >> Um so, uh as we talked about earlier, we we came in with a uh you know, a different number for the number of of uh pieces of technology wanted to install. So, as we are working through that, um,
one of the things that became apparent is that, uh, if for this the the standard pricing that that we were operating off of originally, that the technology placement wouldn't
be enough for us to make a determination if this was actually going to benefit for the town. So, what they had done was, um, to to increase the the the number of cameras to make it somewhat useful,
um, was to, um, discount the implementation on those. Um, they also, uh, uh, discounted, uh, the traffic analytics, which we also get out of this. So, we we have, uh,
rather than have to put out our traffic counters in in various parts of town, um, we get that data, as well. And it's a little bit more finite data where we get to know passenger vehicles versus tractor trailers, um, uh,
things like that. So. Okay. Um, the issue of expansion, um, obviously, if there were to be additional cameras, like or anything, any type of expansion,
um, there would definitely be, um, a cost for that. I I don't Chief, if there's any plans to expand the system from what it currently exists. >> I mean, we Yeah, it's a hypothetical, I guess. It's it's, uh,
right now we have a system that hasn't been fully up placed in the fully operational status. We have no officers trained. So, I don't know if we need anything else at this point. So, it's a I don't know how to answer that question. Okay.
But I can tell you that it, you know, in expansion would be you know, it would be an increase in the you know, the the just like you saw in the uh in the contract pricing like for every camera has a has a price to it for maintaining its connection to the
network. >> Everything costs money. >> Yeah. >> It really costs money. >> Yeah. >> And I would I would assume that I mean as as we within the first year we if if we decide to uh do any expanding, which is then you would be coming back to the select board
to say >> My plan is not to do anything within the first year. >> So, you'll try to expand the first year? >> I I don't know what we, you know, we don't know what we don't know. >> Yeah. >> I think that's what I'm saying. >> you do when you do want to expand in the first year, you don't have grant money. You
have to ask town to pay. You know, the town already had the appropriated money. So, where is it? You have to do another cash transfer, you know. Someone has to justify that. >> Yeah, I think what I was just saying >> how many cameras do you have now? Are they I do you have enough cameras to
cover all the roads coming into town? Say the route two route one 11 110 111 >> To answer your question in a big broad umbrella, no. We we >> you don't have enough. So, there's a possibility that someone coming from the
road that this camera doesn't cover and still won't be covered. >> Our initial our initial grant application did. >> Oh. >> And the >> The amount that you were awarded wasn't enough. >> Correct. So, we had to make some strategic decisions on how could we best
get the, you know, so where we thought that we would be best the best served, right? So, where does that, you know, >> So, so >> traffic patterns, things like that. >> So, if you get some kind of a I mean, we shouldn't expect that, but some kind of clever criminal that knows which route
doesn't have a camera on and coming that route, then it will kind of this thing would happen. >> Well, we get enough people driving around town putting flyers on our cameras right now. So, they're they're not secret-looking cameras. They're uh they're uh >> Are they pretty big?
Are they already kind of like a monitor somewhere? Should we go out and take a look? >> Um they they are mounted and um I'm sure there photos on some sort of public forum somewhere where they're at. >> So, what what I'm hearing is that
right from from the get-go you said, "I've got We have 25,000 to spend and we are going to get what we can for 25,000." >> Correct. >> And so, and so, you you've right out the gate you've been looking at cost.
And I said and that's what really what we're looking at is you know, what what is the cap town going to spend on this service, what would be the cost to the town. So, for for what I'm hearing you're saying, "Well, I've got the grant is going to cover this, so this is what we're going
to spend for right now." >> Correct. And there was a lot of time spent trying to figure out where to best put the limited amount of cameras. >> Okay, yeah. So, that's what we just again sort of what started this this part of the conversation with, you know, would
expansion increase cost, but as you mentioned, you're not looking to expand and going back right to the beginning you were were saying you're saying strictly within the budget we have, just set by the grant. >> Okay. >> And then, Mr. Chairman, does the
oversight uh creates indirect costs? And this question came up on Tuesday. I think the chief answered it very well. I mean, first of all, I think it's important to note that there is no Obviously, there is no plan for year one, and if we were to move
forward, there is no plan for additional um personnel. I mean, if anything, as we talked about the budget process, we have to continue to contract in areas. So, it I'll let the chief uh you know, speak to it, but it does not require uh any additional personnel, cuz I know
that has come out out there that we're going to have to that there's going to be need for personnel and so forth um on that uh but do you touched upon it more eloquently than I did Tuesday. >> uh it's not going to require any additional personnel um to do everything
that we need to do with this, cuz you know, there is some auditing that needs to happen to happen to that, some oversight on the usage of it through the auditing. Um and you know, in any records request where, you know, we have those or you know, you can just download them now, you know.
Um but uh the the important part is that this is uh we're getting, you know, like another set of eyes out there, and we're not uh you know, and it's not the the personnel uh costs. So, you know, we're
uh you know, we're able to um I think, you know, I guess the term would be like force multiplying what we have. >> So, basically, unless you um you know, you are attacking if they need information, they can access that from the company's network, whatever, right?
If they don't need to access that, then for the police department itself, there's no ongoing administration maintenance and >> Right. And yeah, correct. So, the the the administration would be uh our auditing process, which is
>> the other thing I was wondering. You do have the auditing process, but then I think I read on the FAQ that the company actually only stored the data for like a 1 month or something. >> 30 days, correct. >> Yeah. So, then the auditing happens every month?
>> Uh so, the it's going to be on a schedule. Uh we're thinking a monthly schedule. >> Yeah, cuz you better audit when the data's still there, right? Cuz after a month they delete the data, >> So, so just to clarify, the data that's getting
deleted is the data of the the the of the vehicles. >> Uh-huh. >> So, that's what's getting deleted. The auditing is stays. >> Yeah, yeah. But, auditing will not have the actual data information, right? Now, I assume the auditing would only say that the
um information captured there is authentic, is consistent, all that kind of thing. I I assume the auditing itself does not have the granularity of the data. So, so yeah, auditing will stay, but auditing
is only going to produce a report that say that yes, the camera functioned as expected, all that kind of thing. >> No, the auditing is going to be for the usage of it. So, how how are members of the department using it? >> Oh,
but that kind of audit, okay. All right. >> Yes. >> Cuz I'm trying to think like a from what I do when we audit, it's more like, you know, to prove something, authenticity of something. >> Yeah, um I'm I'm glad we're clarifying that that because it you know, it what it means is it's we're making sure that
the system is being used, you know, appropriately by our policies. >> So, then if again I cannot think it, if there's a very peaceful period and there's no crime, and the the have no reason to access the data. Is is that ever occur?
>> always have crime. >> I see. Really. You know, this is something that I feel like I need to know better about the town. I I have no idea if what's the chance of having a crime occur here. Uh so it's more often than I thought. >> Um yeah, I mean well, you know, we we
talk about the our incident rates and I I try to Yeah, I try to pay this >> I have those numbers and all that. >> Yeah, they're I think we were kind of eking up to trend line a little bit, but Um you know, it's you know, again, you know, I I
caution against you know, what's an important crime >> Yes. >> what's not an important crime. >> yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Cuz now we're saying one victim is worth less than another victim. >> No, you can't say that. Yeah, yeah. But the thing is that So
you have no question that the data will be used every month. Like you're very certain that that the detectives will access the data every month. >> Uh I
>> See, the thing is that like a I my neighbor told me to put up a a camera, you know, uh the my my driveway. I did put up a camera and then I found that it was totally useless. So I after a few days I never bothered to check it again cuz I
felt like a you know it shows some kind of car coming up, but there's no way I could see the license plate or anything. So I said, "What's the point, you know?" But of course I got a very cheap camera. You You know, that's difference between your camera and mine. So so >> And that's what's the you know, the the
technology that's that's in play here. Darkness. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, you know, everything you you know, it's all it plays into it. >> but I was just saying that, you know, so So you're saying that there are enough instances that that warrant that the you're sure that that we will you know the detectives
will use the the thing. >> Well, that's you know the the the try our trial period is hopefully going to shed some light on that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Sounds good. >> Um just to sort of summarize here cuz this this is the one I think really the one question
I had um and I think it was sort of again answered looking through FAQ and then our discussion here is you we are not having to hire a personnel person who's going to be the flock person in the department. >> No. >> No. No.
>> So this and from and from the our discussion here is this is going to be another tool in your >> So I you know and I don't I don't know if this is on the FAQ but I know I've I've spoke to it and this has a you know kind of a financial implication. So if
generally if we have a you know a anything go on we spend hours upon hours going door to door see your camera can we do this can we uh you know we go to various businesses find their cameras can we look at that can we do this.
Um this will be a time saver. Uh you know for that we're not you know we won't be uh having to rely on on that you know uh that that we won't go door to door and spending that time
and trying to figure out how to get the you know the different types of images video off of those private cameras. You know this go in you can see if something you know match it matches what we're looking for
and uh you know we go from there. >> So yeah that's that's that's good. Yeah so it's just another it's another tool. >> Correct and it's um it in in reality it's you know it's
it takes these pieces of information gives us better quality information, and we don't have to go hunting for it. We don't want to go door-to-door uh asking, you know, residents, businesses for their video footage. >> So, again, there's still going to be
there's no extra cost above the ground, and that's >> I'm sorry. >> I said there's no extra cost above the ground. That's >> Correct. Where Where did everything that we've we've purchased through this is written, you know, on there. I don't have your permission.
>> Well, that was that that was really what um my my questions had been um already sort of >> Mr. Chair, just one other thing. >> We brought it up at the uh select board meeting at the night. We are going to be pursuing grants wherever possible to try and uh you know, offset
any costs if it's something that we do indeed to want to move forward with and continue to do so. We're going to We're going to try our best to, you know, minimize any type of impact to the town however we can. And we do that for everything that we do. But, um this is a hot topic, and you know, we want to make
sure that we're, you know, we're crystal clear with people that if it's something that we're going to, you know, endeavor to keep uh we're going to try and find offsetting costs wherever possible. >> So, yeah, that was that was that was sort of my other question was is if we decide to continue doing this,
um you know, we would have to look as a town, do we want to pay for it or you're already ahead of ahead of my question there is that we're going to be looking for grants to pay for this hopefully in the future. >> Correct.
Um and there are grants out there, um but I'm probably not going to look to them um coming out of the federal level. Um they require us to make some certain agreements that is not in compliance with uh the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Uh
Um, and uh we're we're So, we'd have to kind of look past those. So, we're going to look for you know, kind of state board grants. >> Okay. Wow. Very good. Very good. >> Any other questions? >> I'm good. >> I'm good. >> Well, we do want to see it, but I don't
know if we have any one any other public input. I don't see any. >> No, it's just Carli on there, I think. >> And then we have to schedule the next meeting. >> Uh yeah. So, Oh, yes. And we have to finish >> Finish this >> Come on, >> Oh. >> Yes. >> It
>> Um Uh there might be a delay. Hang on. >> Okay. >> But go ahead. >> Yeah, so um if anybody that's what you know, watching has a has a question or they just want to make a comment, um I get them all. >> Um
>> I may not be able to answer them cuz some of them are just comments and whatnot, but if there is something that >> Um >> you want to let me know, please do. My email is PDChief @earpolice.gov. >> Okay. >> Great. Chief, thank you very much for
taking the time uh to come and discuss this and give us more information. Really appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Put myself together here and I'll step away from the table. >> Okay. All right. Uh I think the next
meeting will be the second third Thursday in in July, which will be uh the 16th. >> What are we going to talk about? We'll figure it out later. >> Yeah, I would like to go ahead and have us uh uh >> Oh, I have Can we talk about that that
thing real quick, the um I actually watched this select board meeting all the way to the end. >> Okay. >> Uh and I saw uh select member select name >> Copeland or Livingston. >> Livingston.
>> Yes. >> Um >> Give me a presentation about battery whatever and I was really interested in that. So, I know it's probably too soon, I want to put it on the the future list.
>> So it's just real quick. So there is there is a initiative or a project coming out of Harvard. It's a private entity. It's called keep the lights on in Massachusetts is their initiative. And
it's about developing and I'm going to give you the real layman snapshot. But in essence what they're looking to do is create potentially a regional solar array that would that would then
the batteries it would take the solar energy in this whole battery system and over a period of time it would go back to the to the towns. There has been no commitments. There is a
which I can send to the FinCom. There is just a a non-binding memorandum of understanding that just looking into it. They're applying the company's applying for all kinds of
grants and funding. Harvard, Ayer, Shirley, and Bolton and there's some other towns that are interested have agreed to look into this. There's no solar >> So so this is a different from solar panel solar farm that that this is not cuz the individuals could go sign up
with some kind of solar farm and then buy electricity. >> Right. This would be a >> But this is actually a battery. This is not power generation it's power storage. >> So to Andrew's point Mr. Chair, when did you say the next meeting is the 16th?
Um Yeah, that would be good. we could do a couple things is I could The presentation that Andrew's talking about is in the board packet, select board packet from Tuesday night. Um, there's some other information. Um, let me see if the FinCom is interested to get uh
the company um and Selectman Livingston has sort of been the lead on this to get to get to come to your meeting to give just a brief overview of what they're looking at. That that That would be a good point at At this time, there's no
um commit financial commitment from the towns. And of course, if there had to be, we we would have to go through that whole process. >> But this isn't Is this a another distribution power? Right? It's something on the foot. Big battery that will store electricity. >> Yeah. >> It's not a solar
>> tied to a solar project that essentially part of it was like if power goes out, your microgrid is its own thing. >> Uh-huh. >> And then the most appealing part to me, if you read all the way to the end, >> Mhm. >> is um eventually you buy out the investors and the towns then own the assets. And then
it's a revenue generator cuz you're then selling power back to the grid. >> So so it's almost like a your little miniature version of the Littleton's electric, you know, where cuz in towns like Littleton, I think own their electricity generating equipment, all
all the transmission equipment, whatever. So this is probably a much smaller scale, won't be enough to cover the towns' needs, but it's a little bit of a sort of a towards that direction. Is that the idea? >> No. >> Okay, then say it again. >> It's like a mini utility. >> Yes. >> That's what I'm saying.
>> That >> But it's different than municipal power. >> Yeah. >> Municipal power is like the management company as opposed to a generator. >> No no no. Littleton is not just a management company. They actually own their own equipment. >> yeah. >> So
>> But we don't own our poles. We don't own our wires. >> Exactly exactly. But you said that if we adopt this idea and it worked out well and eventually we buy out the investors uh >> You own the >> share. Then we own this little piece of the >> You own the generator. >> Yeah, so we we own this little piece of
equipment that generates certain amount of a power. It may only satisfy 0.1% of the town's needs, but we can say that 0.1% of the town's energy needs is owned by the town. Right? That's the idea. >> Yeah, well you essentially just sell the power back to the power company. >> Yeah, but how you actually execute that
is different. But you can send it back to the power company, but then when the power company supply you with that part of power, they won't they're not going to charge you, right? Cuz that's the whole idea. >> is you're attaching to a solar array. >> Yeah. >> Now, why don't we read the packet and we'll >> Okay. Okay. I I I get a rough idea.
>> The greatest of pet project of mine, so if we can move to municipal power company, I would love that, but we can't afford to buy the power poles on the >> I know. I know. That's the problem now that we are ready too late. I heard like a West Boylston, Littleton, there are a bunch of others like a Massachusetts
maybe have I don't know a few dozens municipalities that actually >> Yeah. >> I don't have that. >> I was on municipal internet actually, but you you really got to start a power company. It makes it easier for us. >> Whatever. >> So Mr. Chair, we'll I can send everybody
the materials today as your homework as they say and let me check with the the company um could come and not for your whole meeting if you want, but do a brief, you know, presentation and answer any questions. >> Yeah, sure. >> Good. Thank you. Thank you, Robert. That
would be good. So our next meeting is uh scheduled for Thursday, July 16th. >> Okay. >> Do you want to make a motion? >> I move to adjourn the meeting. >> Second. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Thank you for the honor. >> Good. The meeting is adjourned as of
6:57. Thank you.