An anonymous donor’s gift will allow board of aldermen meetingsto continue being televised, Mayor Bob Massengill said Tuesdaynight.

During a public hearing on the city budget, Massengill said ananonymous person had agreed to donate a new camcorder to the city.The mayor said the equipment will be the city’s property and couldbe used for other city activities if needed.

The mayor’s announcement followed a Monday night board vote toreject Cable One’s request to purchase a camcorder, estimated tocost about $300. A Cable One spokesperson said the company’s camerawas broken and a personal camcorder was being used to broadcast themeetings.

Citizen John Perkins on Tuesday night committed to raise themoney needed for a camcorder if the city was unable to buy one. Hesaid the televised board meetings are popular and the serviceshould not be discontinued.

“I think that would be a big mistake,” Perkins said.

Citing other means of recording and reporting meetingactivities, aldermen voted 4-2 Monday not to purchase a camcorder.Aldermen Terry Bates and Mrs. Jerry L. Wilson, both of whom werenot present Tuesday night, voted against the motion.