Residents will soon be able to download and listen to audio files from the Southwick Board of Selectmen meetings. The digital audio files will be posted on the town website. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Town Clerk Michelle Hill’s request to post audio minutes of Board of Selectmen meetings on the town website was met with unanimous approval this week.
Hill sent a letter to the board requesting the audio files be posted after several complaints about minutes were made from the public as well as Selectwoman Tracy Cesan.
Selectmen Assistant Sondra Pendleton digitally records each meeting. Cesan also records meetings and is working to have the meetings videotaped and aired on the town’s cable access channel.
Hill said after receiving approval from the board Tuesday she immediately began coordinating the effort to get the files online.
“It’s a simple download,” said Hill. “However, there will be some sort of limitation due to space available on the site.”
Hill’s preliminary thought on the topic is that each set of audio minutes will be on the site for three months. Hill would retain a copy of the file in her office that the public could access. She said the public can already obtain CDs from the Town Clerk’s office for a $5 fee.
Hill said she was “concerned with the perception” of who said what during meetings.
“It’s an open meeting but everyone has a different opinion of what was said and how it was said,” said Hill.
Having the audio available to the public for free through the website would allow people easy access to the exact content of each meeting. She said it is just another way to provide information to the public, in addition to meeting minutes.
Hill said she will be away at a conference this week but planned to have the audio file of the Feb. 4 meeting online next week.
“Once this is implemented I think it will only take a day or two to get the audio on the site,” said Hill.
The board was in agreement that it was a good option.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Chairman Arthur Pinell.
Selectman Russell Fox and Cesan agreed.
“I think it’s worth a try,” said Fox.
