WEST MILFORD — Want to watch a council meeting from a couple weeks ago? Not a problem. How about a presentation given by the Health Department a few months back? Can do. Didn’t make it to the Christmas tree lighting? You can catch any of these events and many other West Milford happenings anytime on YouTube.
The township’s public access channel, WM77, now has a YouTube channel, making it easy for residents to keep up on what’s happening in town, whenever it’s convenient for them and on any device.
“All original programming will be on the YouTube channel,” said Bob Nicholson, chairman of the WM77 Cable TV Commission.
The township launched its cable television station in 2014 on Cablevision’s Optimum. However, residents who don’t subscribe to Optimum didn’t have access to the programming. YouTube will allow all residents with access to a smart phone, tablet or computer to view the local videos.
There are 22 videos currently available on the YouTube channel, including Wednesday night’s regular council meeting, a presentation on correct recycling, the 2017 budget sessions and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s bear program.
Nicholson said the YouTube channel will certainly aid in providing “maximum transparency” when it comes to local government.
And it’s a fast upload. The township council meeting from Wednesday night was already available on YouTube early Thursday morning.
“For the most part, people will be able to see it on YouTube before it even airs on WM77,” said Nicholson.
The WM77 schedule is on the township’s website, westmilford.org. It includes several plays of recorded meetings each week, among other programming. The benefit of the YouTube channel is that anyone may watch on demand, whenever it’s convenient for them. And, Nicholson pointed out, they can pause and come back to it whenever they want.
“It’s a convenience for those who want information,” he said.
How to find itGo to YouTube.com. In the search bar, type “West Milford television” and the list of programs comes up. Just click on a video and it will begin to play.
Eventually, Nicholson hopes to have a link to the YouTube channel directly on the township’s website.
Volunteers are always wantedNicholson said anyone interested in volunteering with the television commission should contact him at wm77tv@westmilford.org. The more volunteers, the more programming they will be able to produce, he added.