Camden Select Board tables charter review, Axon camera deal, sets special town meeting

The Camden Select Board tabled its charter revision discussion and a proposed Axon contract for police body cameras, tasers and training, pending more information. The board approved a special town meeting for October 20 at 6 p.m. to vote on grant-related warrant language, adopted a state-required EMS transport plan, and discussed the fiscal year 2028 budget timeline.

Key points

• The board voted 5-0 to table the charter revision process after a memo from Bill did not make it into the packet; resident Karen Grove, a former charter commission member, described the two-year process behind the current charter.
• The board voted 5-0 to table a proposed Axon contract for body cameras, car cameras, tasers and training after members raised data privacy and security questions; the town will seek the company's SOC 2 Type 2 report and privacy policy.
• The board approved a special town meeting for October 20 at 6 p.m. to vote on warrant language required for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application, with a deadline of October 30.
• The board voted 5-0 to adopt the Municipal Emergency Medical Services Transport Plan, which identifies Northeast Mobile Health as the town's ambulance transport provider under the state's Model B.
• The board approved a liquor license renewal for Snow Dogs and personal property tax abatements, and approved September 22 minutes; a consent agenda of victualer license renewals was held for address corrections.
• Budget committee member Sarah Scrivenich outlined a proposed budget timeline, including a December mid-year check-in and earlier February meetings, and said the select board is welcome to participate more actively in budget discussions.

Next steps

• Town staff will correct addresses on the victualer license renewal sheet and board members will sign it in the office this week.
• Axon representative David will send the town the SOC 2 Type 2 report, privacy policy and related audits; Select Board Chair Chris will review them before the board reconsiders the contract.
• The board will hold a special town meeting October 20 at 6 p.m. before its regular meeting to vote on the grant warrant language.
• Budget committee and town staff will set a December mid-year budget check-in date and plan goal-setting, school budget and bond discussions.
• The historical preservation committee will present a proposed ordinance at the November 10 meeting, with the goal of placing it on the June ballot.

Read the full transcript