[Adopted 11-1-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-11]
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.
The Board of Supervisors of Lower Salford Township shall cause a copy
of this article to be posted in a conspicuous location in the meeting room
of the Township Building.
The Chairman of any board or commission affected by this article may
direct anyone violating these rules and regulations to cease and desist such
violation. Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this article
who fails to cease and desist such violation upon the instruction of the Chairman
of any board or commission shall be subject to a criminal fine not to exceed
$1,000 per violation and imprisonment in the Montgomery County Correctional
Facility to the extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses.
Enforcement of any such violation shall be by action brought before a District
Justice in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses
under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.