Town Meeting approved Article 15, a $65,000 appropriation from free cash to purchase body-worn cameras and cloud storage for the Northborough Police Department.

Police Chief Brian Griffin told voters that body-worn cameras are now standard equipment in neighboring departments and that cameras “promote officer safety, transparency, evidence documentation, and training.” He said the department has 24 sworn officers and that the town has received a $48,000 state grant to help pay for the program.

The Financial Planning Committee and the Appropriations Committee recommended approval. Residents spoke in favor at the microphone; Jacob Jones described the cameras as a necessary protection for both officers and residents. Chief Griffin and other department representatives answered questions about numbers of cameras, assignment to officers, and how footage is used in court. Griffin said the program includes a five-year equipment plan with vendor replacement and that cloud storage costs — currently estimated at about $20,000 per year — would be incorporated into operating budgets after the initial five-year period.

After discussion the article passed by the simple majority required.