The Camden Select Board has several action items before it when it meets Tuesday evening, including a five-year $137,174 proposal to equip officers with body cameras and TASER 10s, add video to three cruisers, and keep professional training in Camden.

The Board will also consider special town meeting asking voters to authorize the Parks and Recreation Director to apply, on behalf of the town, for federal financing assistance to construct Phase 1 of the 2023 Outdoor Sports Institute Master Trail Plan at the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area, alongside contingent parking infrastructure improvements.

And they will discuss the revision process for the municipal charter, as well as set a timeline to meet with the Budget Committee for workshops, in advance of the winter budget season.

The Police Department investment, as outlined in the Select Board premeeting packet, is to address facts early on with law enforcement claims and complaints. It includes outfitting police officers with body cameras.

"....Video lets us settle it in days on the facts, not months on competing stories," the PD said, in its proposal. "Complaints and claims often come down to one person's word against another's, and take months to sort out."

The rationale for tasers is to establish safer outcomes for residents and officers, and provide, "a reliable less-lethal option." Additionally, "better training lower the odds anyone gets hurt, and injuries drive the town's costs," the PD said.

The spending package also includes in-car video capabilities, providing, "an independent record of every stop, crash, and transport, covering the town's highest-exposure activity."

The goal is to contract with the Scottsdale, Arizona-based Axon Enterprise, Inc., and the intention is to not eliminate any part of the package, which is 35 percent below list price, the proposal said.

One fixed annual payment [$27,435, approximately] covers equipment, warranties, a 2029 camera refresh, video storage and training, the PD said.

The tasers are anticipated to cost $64,998; body cameras, $35,748; and in-car video, $30,028.

Snow Bowl

Camden Snow Bowl Manager and Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Nathan is proposing to hold a special town meeting to consider a grant funding package.

He summarized in his premeeting memo to the Select Board that the town needs to reapply for a grant from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands that presents language provided by the state agency, so: "that it can be submitted to BPL prior to their October 30, 2026, deadline. Should the Town approve the warrant article, the grant application process will proceed as intended," wrote Nathan.

He specified that: "no new appropriation of Camden taxpayer dollars shall be spent on this project. The Town of Camden will use this funding to construct Phase 1 of the Outdoor Sports Institute Master Trail Plan at the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area, alongside contingent parking infrastructure improvements. 

"The Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application is an amount up to $360,000. The Town is required to fund up to $250,000 for a local match requirement, which the Town shall obtain through a grant from the Maine Trails Program. If the Maine Trails Program does not provide all of the required matching funds, the Town will not accept the grant from Land and Water Conservation Fund. During the construction process the Town must provide Town employee staff time for oversight and trail work in the equivalent value of $90,307.59."

The Select Board's full agenda follows:

1.Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

2.Approval of Board Minutes –September 22, 2026. (5 minutes ETC)

3.Consent Agenda: (5 minutes ETC)

a)Approval of renewal victualer licenses: Camden House of Pizza, Grand Harbor Inn, SeaDog Brewpub and Snow Dogs

4.Public Hearing for Liquor Licenses: (Public hearing for new owners required for the first five years) (5 minutes ETC)

a)Application of Snow Dogs at 20 Barnestown Road for renewal of on-premises beer and wine license & Special Amusement Permit

5.Town Manager Report (15 Minutes ETC)

6.Discussion Items: (20 Minutes ETC)

a)Charter Revision Process

b)Fiscal Year 2028 Budget Process Discussion (Timeline of Meetings and Workshops Between Select Board and Budget Committee)

7.Action Items:

Approval of personal property tax abatements

Set Meeting Date & Time for Special Town Meeting and Approval of Warrant Articles

Approval to Adopt the Town of Camden Municipal Emergency Medical Services Transport Plan

d)Approval of Contract for Purchase of Body Cameras, Car Videos, TASERs and Training Package from AXON

e)Set Select Board Priorities to Work on October 2026 through June 2027

8.Select Board Members' Reports