NEW ULM — In an effort to prevent traveling on county roads in the wee hours of snow and ice events to check road conditions, Brown County commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of remote cameras for the county highway department Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Tony Berg to purchase five Barn Owl Tech Inc. solar-powered cameras for a total of $3,175. Camera monthly data charges are estimated at $200-$300.

“Currently, our maintenance foreman goes out at 3 a.m. during snow and ice events to determine if snowplows should be called out at 5:30 a.m. It involves at least two overtime hours and 100 miles driven from New Ulm to Sleepy Eye, Springfield, Comfrey and Hanska, which costs the county about $300,” said Brown County Highway Engineer Wayne Stevens.

He said cameras would allow the foreman to check cameras mounted on poles or trees instead of driving the roads himself.

There are more reasons for cameras.

“Brown County is large enough that winter road conditions often vary significantly from one end of the county to the other. By the time, he completes his route checking roads, conditions could have changed at the other end of the county,” Stevens added.

Cameras could be moved to other sites for things like monitoring flooded roads.

Stevens said the cameras have been purchased by other Minnesota counties, have infrared capability to operate in darkness, but they could not be accessed by the public.

“I think it’ll pay for itself. I’d like to see them shut off in summer,” said Commissioner Windschitl.

“It’s also a safety factor,” said Commissioner Dave Borchert.

Wireless CCTV LLC cameras that cost a total of $61,839.23 including data charges were also considered. The CCTV cameras would have to be hard wired for power.

The Brown County Highway Department recommended the Barn Owl cameras.

The St. Louis County Minnesota Public Works System purchased the Barn Owl camera system after research showed they were relatively low-cost, study and capable of capturing still images and short video clips.

Future St. Louis County camera applications being explored include monitoring remote facility security, according to a University of Minnesota Local Operational Research Assistance (OPERA) Program story. Visit mnltp.umn.edu/opera for more information.