Whether or not Brockton will broadcast their Council meetings will now be a budgetary matter; this after Council discovered just how expensive a venture this will be.
Mayor Chris Peabody says it will cost close to 40 thousand dollars for the first year, followed by 21 thousand dollars in annual operating and software fees.
This high price has split Council, and rather than vote on the matter now, Council decided to defer it to budget deliberations.
Councillor James Lang had campaigned on having Brockton's Council meetings broadcast.
He calls it a great tool to keep councillors accountable to the public, just like anything Lang says there will be a cost, but he believes that it is cost worth paying.
Like Lang, Councillor Steve Adams also looked forward to broadcasting the Council meetings, however he is now having second thoughts on the matter.
Adams says Council must weigh the pros and cons to ensure that residents are getting good value for their tax dollars.
Deputy Mayor Dan Gieruszak and Councillor Kym Hutcheon also expressed concern about the high price tag.
Gieruszak says it would be helpful to gain a better sense of just how many residents would tune into the broadcast.
He suspects that seniors would be the largest demographic interested in watching the broadcast, however because this would be an online broadcast he is concerned this may prove to be a barrier for some.
Councillor Dean Leifso is in favour of broadcasting the meetings and believes it will be of great benefit.
Mayor Chris Peabody also believes broadcasting the meetings would be very beneficial, saying it would enhance the democratic process in Brockton.
The matter will now be debated during the upcoming budget talks.