East Lyme to take over boardwalk webcams

East Lyme -The Board of Selectmen Wednesday voted to assume maintenance of five video cameras at the boardwalk that were installed by East Lyme Public Trust Foundation between 2007 and 2009.

Four cameras are stationary security cameras at fixed locations along the boardwalk that hugs Niantic Bay. The other camera, which pans the entire walkway, is patched into the town's emergency center and also broadcasts images of the boardwalk onto the foundation's website.

According to Robert De Santo, the foundation president, the cameras are valued at $56, 315. He said the web camera is delicate and would require regular inspections.

De Santo said people from across the country have logged on to watch web broadcasts of the boardwalk and bay.

Since the boardwalk project began in 1999, the foundation has been the waterfront walkway's main booster, helping to raise money for its design and maintenance.

— Stephen Chupaska