The Town of Grottoes is taking steps to make local government more accessible and transparent by working toward video recordings and future livestreaming of Town Council meetings.
This initiative reflects the Town’s ongoing commitment to improving public access to decision-making and encouraging greater community involvement in local governance. Once implemented, residents will be able to follow meetings without needing to attend in person—a valuable option for those with scheduling conflicts or mobility challenges.
What to Expect
While the long-term goal is to livestream meetings in real time, that capability is still in development. The Town is currently in the process of:
- Installing and configuring new audio-visual equipment in the Council chambers
- Training staff on production tools and procedures
- Troubleshooting technical and logistical challenges
- Developing internal workflows for video management and archiving
Given these necessary steps, livestreaming is not expected to launch until late 2025. In the meantime, the Town plans to start by recording full, unedited meetings and making those videos available to the public on the Town’s website within 24–48 hours of each meeting. This first phase of the project is expected to begin toward the end of the year, once equipment installation and staff training are complete.
Why It Matters
Making Council meetings viewable online supports:
- Transparency: Residents can see and hear the decisions being made on their behalf.
- Accessibility: Those unable to attend in person can still stay informed.
- Public Engagement: An informed community is an empowered one.
The Town appreciates the public’s patience during this transition. While these upgrades take time, they are a meaningful investment in open government and community trust.
📰 Read more in this feature from the Daily News-Record:
🔗 Grottoes Will Livestream Town Meetings
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Article posted July 16, 2025