The use of video and audio taping and recording devices or equipment at public meetings conducted by Lower Salford Township, including, without limitation, the meetings of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, Board of Auditors, and the Park and Recreation Board, shall be permitted, subject to the following restrictions:
A.
In order to ensure the safety of all members of the public attending public meetings, and to ensure the fair treatment of all members of the public, tripods shall not be permitted to be used for video recording devices. All video recording devices and equipment shall be handheld and attended to at all times.
B.
In order to permit all members of the public attending public meetings an unobstructed view of the proceedings and in order to minimize disruption during the meetings, video recording devices may be used only in the last two rows of chairs provided for use by the public and behind the last row of chairs if standing is desired.
C.
Audio recording devices may be used in any of the rows of chairs provided for use by the public; however, the owner or user of such devices shall keep the devices at the seat they occupy or an adjacent chair if sufficient space is available to accommodate all members of the public attending the meeting. Operators of audio recording devices and equipment must remain seated while operating their equipment.
D.
In no event shall the use of video or audio recording devices deprive any other member of the public from utilizing a chair provided for use by the public attending a public meeting.
E.
Microphones or other pickup devices shall be integrated into the recording device. No microphones or audio recording devices shall be permitted to be placed on a table utilized by any of the Boards or Commissions subject to this article.
F.
Supplemental lighting for video recording devices shall not be permitted. The lighting provided in the meeting room is sufficient to provide adequate ability to videotape any meetings. The use of supplemental lighting could interfere with the review of presentations.
G.
In order to prevent an overload of the electrical system in the Township Building and because the number of electrical outlets in the meeting room is limited and to ensure fair treatment of all members of the public, no individual using a recording device shall be permitted to use the electrical outlets in the Township Building.
H.
The use of stenographic equipment shall not be permitted, except as authorized by the Board of Supervisors for public hearings in which a stenographic record of the conduct of the hearing is required to be maintained.
I.
The Chairman of any agency, board or commission conducting a meeting may impose such other restrictions upon the use of video and audio recording devices and equipment as the Chairman shall deem necessary to maintain order and minimize disruption of the meeting.