SMITHFIELD – The Town Council has passed a proposal from Councilor Angelica Bovis to establish the new Technology, Energy, and Efficiency Commission in Smithfield.
Bovis explained on Tuesday that she’s been working on creating this committee for a while, and it would consist of volunteers in the town with expertise in technology field, plus the town’s IT director.
The committee would be tasked with identifying technologies that could positively impact the town to lower costs or bring new efficiencies, or to identify technology that could have an adverse effect so the town can be prepared.
Colleagues had no criticisms for the proposed committee, and ended up passing it unanimously.
Bovis said she worked with resident Tom Costantino on the proposal. Councilor Michael Iannotti thanked her for her extensive effort, as well as for the work of the town manager and IT director on it, saying it’s a great idea and thanking Bovis.
The councilor said she’s very excited about what the committee chan achieve, saying there’s no committee like this currently and in the age we’re in now, the work of this committee could be very beneficial to the town.
Councilor Rachel Toppi suggested having more clearly defined reporting to the council, an issue she said has been lacking with other boards and commissions. Bovis said she was trying to avoid mandating a certain volume of reporting, but agreed with Toppi’s suggestion to add a requirement for reporting at least once per year.
Resident Tom Hodgkins asked if the committee would handle such items as surveillance cameras and storage of data, and Bovis said her understanding is that no, that would fall under the purview of the Police Department. She said this would be made up of volunteers tasked mainly with identifying technology to be used in positive way or technology that could be used to hurt the town. Hodgkins said he thinks an ordinance on the use and management of the cameras would also be in order.
Hodgkins also asked about whether the could would be directing the committee on projects or if it would be tackling them on its own. He mentioned other boards not necessarily getting the help they need from staff when needed. Bovis said a staff person would be sitting on the committee, and she envisions that members would bring ideas for consideration. Hodgkins said he just hopes that when members of this committee ask town staff for something, they get an answer.
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