Wales council discusses vandalism, new cameras and park safety after backboard damage

Council members told the Wales Town Council July 7 that vandalism at the park — including a broken glass basketball backboard — underlines a need for improved security and monitoring.

One council member described how the backboard was shattered and recommended installing cameras to deter damage and help identify responsible parties. The meeting packet included a quote for five wireless cameras covering the fire station, library and town hall and backing up footage to a hard drive; the contractor figure in the packet was read aloud in the meeting transcript as "299840." Council members discussed using the town’s local IT support for installation and maintenance and said footage should be restricted and backed up locally to address privacy concerns.

Separately, members discussed adding public information about OHV and ATV licensing and safety to water bills and other town communications after repeated concerns about children riding near streets and town property.

The council expressed support for pursuing camera installation and for including safety reminders in outgoing communications; no final procurement decision or contract award was made at the meeting.