Saratoga Town Hall to Purchase Cloud-Enabled Security Camera

JUNE 25, 2025 |

Photo – Security Camera – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Saratoga, the governing body has agreed to buy a new cloud-enabled security camera for the town hall.

During the June 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore asked for authorization to pay Pine Cove Consulting, a reginal cybersecurity company, $2,021.98. Chief Moore explained that the invoice will cover the purchase of a new security camera for the town hall that records directly to the cloud, enabling the police chief to view footage from any internet connected device. Chief Moore added that the current camera is designed to record to a physical location, which it no longer does.

Breaking down the invoice, Chief Moore said the camera costs $911.24, with an additional $683.24 for a 10-year license to store the footage, $21.25 for shipping and handling, and $406.25 for installation by a Pine Cove representative, bringing the total to $2,021.98

After taking office in 2023, Mayor Chuck Davis said his top priority was replacing the town hall camera. Mayor Davis added that the cost should be split evenly between the police department and town hall budgets, since town hall staff will also benefit from the added security.

Chief Moore said both the police department and town hall have sufficient funds in their budgets to cover the camera upgrade.

Referring to the 10-year licensing fee, Councilman Bub Barkhurst asked if the camera is expected to last a decade. Chief Moore said yes, noting that he has used the same type of camera in other parts of town, including the Hobo Hot Pools, for years and has not encountered any technical issues.

Chief Moore said the town hall camera is the last town-owned camera not wired to the cloud-based recording service used on the system.

In the future, the police chief said he would like to upgrade the camera at the Hobo Hot Pool with a four-sensor unit, similar to one used at Shively Field.

At that point, Chief Moore said he would like to take the existing hot springs camera and place it in a position to observe the cooler, small pool.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to pay Pine Cove Consulting $2,021.98 to purchase and install a new cloud-based security camera in the town hall.