Lifeguards are in short supply. Dartmouth plans to use underwater eye scanners to help out.
DARTMOUTH — Preserving the past and keeping an eye on the future were themes of the special and annual Town Meetings held earlier this month.
Earlier this year, the Community Preservation Committee voted 6-0 to hire a professional to work with the town clerk toward preserving records dating back to 1718.
Town Meeting voters agreed to follow suit and spend the $25,000 on the project.
Records in need of repair will be restored to the best possible condition and preserved in protective sleeves, storage containers or shelving. These records include marriage, death, and annual town reports, according to a statement from the town’s CPC.
One voter asked if the records would be digitized and available online. Town clerk officials say that it will not be digitized any time soon but members of the public can stop by the office to review these documents.
While that project gives a nod to the town’s past, some matters were for the future.
For instance, the town will spend $24,000 on underwater eye scanners. Park and Recreation Director Timothy Lancaster said that due to budget cuts, there are fewer lifeguards patrolling town waterways.
He said these devices will allow officials to spot people or things within a 150-foot radius.
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The town also agreed to purchase a 1.06-acre parcel, 245 Russells Mills Road.
Officials said that the area might be used for future police station parking or other public parking, recreational facilities.
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Some voters questioned why the town has no firm plans yet for the land. Town officials said that it would be used for municipal purposes but do not yet know how they want to use the property.
The town will spend $290,000 from American Rescue Act funds.
Funds for Dartmouth's drinking water
Many voters also questioned the $721,000 to the water enterprise fund. Due to the temporary shutdowns this past year of Violetta and Panelli wells, the town had to purchase more New Bedford water than usual. Contamination and other issues led to the shut down of the wells.
Some questioned the expense and others asked for long-term solutions, such as using a reservoir or other well area in the aquifer to bypass the expense.
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DPW Interim Director Timothy Barber said the town is focused on finding a new well location in town.
Voters approved the purchase.
Voters approved a budget of around $96.8 million for fiscal 2023. The budget does not raise taxes beyond the 2.5 percent threshold and will still provide needed services.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Beaches in Dartmouth will be getting underwater eye scanners
