BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: Chief explores video technology for court system

By Jennifer Bradley, Packet Media Group
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — The Bordentown Township Committee approved a motion on Monday for Police Chief Frank Nucera to pursue purchasing a new video conferencing system for the Municipal Court.
   The chief said he has received three bids for the new system from Visual Sounds, Polycom and Impact.
   Since the current video conferencing and recording system is obsolete, he has been investigating companies to replace and update the equipment with newer technology.
   ”(The new system) allows us to do both court appearances over telephone lines and in the future, streaming,” said Mr. Nucera.
   Mayor Karl Feltes asked the chief for more background on Impact during the committee meeting, and Mr. Nucera said that Impact works closely with the person who does the current court recording documentation.
   ”(Impact) indicated if we approve (its) bid (it) would also provide a temporary camera to get this system functioning so the court could use it during the period of installation,” said Chief Nucera.
   Committeewoman Jill Popko then asked Mr. Nucera if Impact would be available for technology support on a regular basis.
   Mr. Nucera said that Impact would be available and that a service contract would also be included along with training.
   He said that they had no major problems with the current system until now because it has become obsolete, so he does not expect any major technological issues with a new system.
   Ms. Popko also asked if additional money would be needed for streaming.
   Mr. Nucera said that the township’s website does not support streaming, so until it is updated, the possibility of streaming will most likely not be entertained.
   ”The technology will be there to support us once this becomes practical,” he said.
   After the discussion, the court approved a motion for the police chief to continue with the acquisition of the new system, according to the Township Clerk Colleen Eckert. A resolution on the matter will then follow at the next meeting.