Although it may be something of a courtesy vote, the Joint School Committee made a unanimous decision on Monday night to allow meetings to be recorded for public access television effective for the 2014-15 school year.

The committee has discussed the topic on more than one occasion, but did not take a vote earlier this school year.

"When we started it in Marion, it was very well received," said Christine Winters. "I think the tax payers have had nothing but a positive response."

Co-chair Sharon Hartley was a "cautionary voice" on the subject.

"Democracy, to me, is a participatory event. It’s not an event to sit on the couch and watch. Not watching from beginning to end can make the matter worse," said Hartley.

The committee was urged by some Selectmen and residents to allow the meetings to be videoed, though according to Massachusetts General Law, it is already allowed in public meetings.

Chapter 30A, Sec. 20e states: "After notifying the chair of the public body, any person may make a video or audio recording of an open session of a meeting of a public body, or may transmit the meeting through any medium, subject to reasonable requirements of the chair as to the number, placement and operation of equipment used so as not to interfere with the conduct of the meeting."

The Old Rochester Regional school committee is now the only school committee in the tri-town that is not recorded; however, members are expected to discuss the topic at their next meeting.