Irwin residents may soon be able to watch livestreams of borough council meetings.
Borough officials agreed to consider a motion at the Wednesday meeting to obtain prices for setting up a computer, with a microphone, camera and the necessary cables to livestream the meetings. Council meetings are held in the public works building on First Street.
Councilman Tyler Baum proposed that council consider livestreaming the meetings so residents unable to attend can watch what local government officials are doing. When Baum proposed the same idea a few months ago it did not get support from fellow council members.
Councilwoman Leslie Savage questioned whether council members were ready to be on camera after what she said were problems during the covid pandemic, when “we were mocked” as a result of the online meetings.
“We’re scrutinized,” Savage said, prompting Baum to reply that council should be scrutinized as public officials.
Shari Martino, borough manager, said she has not received many calls from residents asking that the council meetings be livestreamed. Martino said she is not aware of the smaller boroughs in the region, such as Youngwood or Manor, livestreaming their meetings.
While some residents would be very interested to watch council meetings because they can’t attend the event, others would not care to watch it, council President Rick Burdelski said.
If the borough does livestream the meetings, Councilman Frank Rossi said he would not want people to be able to make online comments during the meetings.
Another issue raised about livestreaming the meetings was the necessity of having a person monitor the equipment to make sure there are no problems.
North Huntingdon livestreams its meetings, but a communications person sits near the laptop and camera at the rear of the meeting room. The Norwin School Board also has its meetings livestreamed and there are district personnel involved in that operation.
Councilman Shawn Stitely said he would not be in favor of hiring someone to livestream the meetings.
