Ventnor City Hall.
VENTNOR – It’s going to cost taxpayers more than $100,000 for security upgrades at Ventnor City Hall.
The Board of Commissioners Aug. 22 approved a $105,798 contract for JCT Solutions to supply and install security equipment, including cameras, electronic door locks and cabling to ensure city employees have protection against intruders and the building is secured after work hours.
“This is the culmination of security needs this building has had for years,” Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Kriebel said.
The Police Department helped develop the security plan.
The company will provide added security features to the interior doors, with special attention being paid to the mayor’s office and city clerk’s office.
All interior doors will be equipped with key code locks and wristbands for police, along with software that will record goings on at all access points. A software dashboard will wirelessly control access using low-signal batteries that will “last for years,” Kriebel said.
The company’s bid was obtained through the Union County Cooperative Pricing Agreement which eliminates costs associated with the public bidding process.
All access to the building after regular business hours, except for evening meetings, will be directed to the Cambridge Avenue entrance, which will be monitored by a kiosk.
New interior doors will include a design in keeping with the building’s historical nature, Kriebel said.
The company, which was “very well vetted,” has provided security systems in the North Jersey and New York City areas, Kriebel said.
“They threw in some extra security cameras,” he said.
Resident Andy Starer questioned how the new security system would impact the public during business hours.
“The difference is that someone cannot just walk into (City Clerk) Lisa’s office,” Mayor Beth Holtzman said. “No one will be able to go behind the scenes.”
Kriebel said the only noticeable impact would be that after hours and on weekends, the rest rooms will not be open to the public.
