Spaniard’s Bay councillors looking to attend meetings ‘remotely’

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay council is looking at upgrading the technology it uses for meetings.

Some members of the new council are rotational workers who travel out of the province and sometimes must attend meetings remotely. Upgrading the equipment might make doing so easier and the meetings more accessible.

Presently, when a Spaniard’s Bay councillor has to attend a meeting remotely, someone calls them via telephone and places the receiver by a microphone in the middle of the room.

“It’s not easy to pick up a call and try to take part when you’re not present in the chambers,” said Mayor Tammy Oliver. “So, there’s been a discussion that it’s time to help anybody who cannot attend a meeting.”
Oliver said better technology would benefit not just councillors who work out of town on rotational shifts, but also council members who have to miss a meeting due to illness or other reasons.

Oliver said the Town has a screen and speaker system it might be able to use but may need some additional equipment such as a laptop.

Councillor Terry Sheppard and Deputy Mayor Gerald Sheppard suggested the Town should get some advice on the most suitable equipment for its needs, such as the best laptop for their purposes.

Councillor Debbie Newman noted the Town of Carbonear has a good technological system for holding and streaming its meetings. She suggested Spaniard’s Bay could contact Carbonear or Bay Roberts to see what systems they use. Newman said Spaniard’s Bay has a laptop, speaker, and a big screen that can be used if needed.

Sheppard added that staff should also find out which providers those towns use as well.

Councillor Ann Marie Singleton moved that council get some figures for new equipment. Sheppard seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.