KENNEBUNK — Those who tune in to Kennebunk’s Board of Selectmen meetings will soon be able to get better reception.

That is because selectmen on Oct,. 22 voted to replace the ailing cable broadcast management hardware software system.

The six-year-old system has been failing for several weeks and requires frequent stops and re-starts, Town Manager Michael Pardue explained.

He said IT Manager Rich Boucher has been working to correct the problem and keep it working, but parts are no longer available to repair the failing unit.

The fix is projected to cost about $17,000.

Selectmen voted to waive the purchasing policy, allowing the system to be purchased through a sole source provider, Connectivity Point, since the replacement requires wiring and connection changes that Pardue said the staff is not equipped to perform.

The work was not expected to be done so not included in the budget. Selectmen agreed the funding, not to exceed $17,000, will be sourced from the Board of Selectmen’s capital reserve fund.

“We need to do this, but six years doesn’t seem that long,” said selectman Shiloh Schulte.

“I’m getting tired of getting hammered by people who cannot watch it,” said selectman Ed Karytko.

“Apparently, we have good Nielsen ratings,” commented selectman Frank Paul.

Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells @mainelymediallc.com.