Windsor Town Council Meeting – January 5, 2026: Flock Camera Policy Debate, Proclamations, and Appointments
Windsor Town Council Meeting – January 5, 2026
The Windsor Town Council met on January 5, 2026, at 12:30 PM. The meeting began with a prayer, pledge of allegiance, and a proclamation honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The majority of public comments and discussion centered on the use of Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, with many residents urging a pause or removal. The council approved a policy governing the fixed ALPR data usage and security, introduced a stormwater bond ordinance, and tabled a resolution regarding the Highlands Conservation Act. Sixteen appointments to various boards and commissions were confirmed.
Proclamation
- Mayor and Council presented a proclamation recognizing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 2026). Carrie Taylor of the Windsor Historical Society accepted and highlighted local commemorative events throughout 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Reverend Dr. Davita Foy Crabtree (First Church in Windsor): Expressed pastoral concern over Flock cameras, stating they create a chilling effect on immigrant families and undermine civil liberties. Urged a pause and public hearing.
- Sarah Gary (Windsor Station Apartments): Raised concerns about a rumored data center (energy burden, few jobs) and requested better snow removal of public parking spots, especially for handicapped spaces.
- Laddie Krupa (142 West Street): Shared a personal story as a Korean War veteran, emphasizing remembrance.
- Eric Weiner (150 Broad Street): Noted cameras had been operating for three and a half years without public input. Urged use of the contract renewal deadline (June 9, 2026) to pause and seek citizen input.
- Hilary Carpenter (45 Bradford Drive): Criticized lack of public voice, cited ACLU investigation, and asked for cameras to be turned off.
- Jeff Lance (Windsor Avenue): Expressed concern over private company data sharing, urged the council to pause and educate the public.
- James Shep (20 Tiffany Drive): Analogized Flock to a lifeguard with a telephoto lens; raised security concerns and asked for independent audit.
- Liz DuPont Deal (Windsor resident for 26 years): Requested immediate cessation of cameras due to risks of misuse (e.g., immigration enforcement, reproductive health surveillance).
- Gus Marks Hamilton (ACLU of Connecticut, Farmington resident): Urged a statewide moratorium, noting that Flock’s vendor contract lacks restrictions on data access and sharing. Cited evidence of ALPR use for immigration enforcement.
- John Foy (109 Turnbury Lane): Advised council to either shut down cameras, pass the policy, or do nothing—warning that doing nothing was the worst option.
Discussion Items
- Flock ALPR Data Usage and Security Policy (Item 12A): Chief Melanson explained that restrictions were already in place (only Connecticut law enforcement access, monthly audits, 30-day data retention). The policy prohibits facial recognition and limits data sharing. A friendly amendment was adopted to specify “fixed ALPR” to distinguish from cruiser-based readers. The policy was approved 9-0-0. Council members emphasized that this vote was on the policy, not on continued use of Flock, and that further public engagement would occur.
- Stormwater Management Bond Ordinance (Item 12B/C): Town Engineer Suzanne Chope presented a request for $400,000 to fund stormwater repairs (e.g., Hamilton Road, E Street bridge erosion). The council voted 8-0-0 to introduce the ordinance and set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, at 7:20 PM.
- Highlands Conservation Act Resolution (Item 12D): Resolution to support Windsor’s inclusion in the federal Highlands boundary for grant eligibility. After debate about potential future costs, the council voted 6-3-0 to table the item to the January 20 meeting.
- Appointments (Item 13): Sixteen appointments and reappointments to various boards and commissions were approved 9-0-0.
- Minutes: Minutes of December 15, 2025, public hearing and regular meeting were approved 9-0-0.
Key Outcomes
- ALPR Policy Approved: The council voted 9-0-0 to approve the Fixed ALPR Data Usage and Security Policy, which includes restrictions on data sharing, a ban on facial recognition, and monthly audits.
- Stormwater Bond Ordinance Introduced: The council voted 8-0-0 to introduce a $400,000 bond ordinance and set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, at 7:20 PM.
- Highlands Resolution Tabled: By a vote of 6-3-0, the resolution to support inclusion in the Highlands Conservation Act was tabled to the January 20, 2026, meeting.
- Appointments Confirmed: All 16 appointments and reappointments were approved unanimously.
- Executive Session: The council voted 9-0-0 to enter executive session to discuss real estate selection or purchase.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Good evening and welcome to the town council meeting of January 5th, 2026. The councillors are here. I know that Councillor King will be joining us shortly. And items number two and three on our agenda is the prayer and or reflection and the pledge of allegiance, and that will be led by Councillor Elbow. Thank you, Madam Mayor. As last year comes to a close, God admonishes and wants us to pause and see how far we have come. You may not have noticed it, but God has been strengthening you and shaping you and carrying you through every high and low. As the Bible says in Isaiah, forget the former things, do not dwell upon the past. You do not need to drag old burdens into a new season. Release what hurt you, release what disappointed you, make room for what God is about to do. They are preparing new opportunities, new peace, new joy for you. What is ahead is greater than what is behind. Walk into this next season with confidence, knowing that God is going to going with you. God for the new year, please provide us with your divine guidance for us and our state and federal leaders, praying for peace amongst amidst global conflicts, justice, wisdom for decision making, unity, freedom, and the well-being being of nations, with calls for us and our leaders to act with humility and for citizens to engage constructively for bet for a better future, emphasizing themes of hope, strength, and purpose. Amen. Thank you, Councillor Ellibeld, for that prayer and reflection and the Pledge of Allegiance. This evening we do have a proclamation that we would like to present. It's a proclamation honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States. So, Deputy Mayor, do you want to join me? Sure. And the proclamation reads, honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States of America. Whereas the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence will occur on July 4th, 2026. And whereas Windsor, Connecticut, founded in 1633, has contributed proudly and significantly to the history of our nation and our state for more than 393 years. And whereas in 2016, the United States Congress established by joint resolution, the America 250 Commission to encourage observance of the 250 years of our nation's existence. And I practice this word, semi quincentennial commission with executive order 22-02, and the commission has determined its mission and purpose is to develop, encourage, and execute an inclusive celebration, commemoration, and observance of the 250th anniversary of the declaration of independence through civic cultural and historical education events and programming. And whereas the commission will help to enhance tourism, economic development, history, and civic education, historic preservation, and outdoor recreation within the state. And whereas preserving, studying, and enjoying the state history strengthens communities, builds pride, forges bonds between Connecticut residents as we work toward the goal of equality and recognition of the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And whereas it is appropriate that the town of Windsor engages fully with its past and looks toward a shared future. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and the Windsor Town Council that Windsor residents are encouraged to engage in commemorative activities leading up to July 4th, 2026, and through the end of 2026, and take advantage of the resources available from the America 250 Commission, the Connecticut semi-quincentennial commission, and the Windsor CT 250 Committee to observe the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States of America. Windsor will do its best to uplift support and generate commemorative opportunities during this time. Signed Nishette Lack Burke, Mayor of Windsor, January 5th, 2026. And at this time, I'm going to ask Carrie Taylor from the Windsor Historical Society, along with members of the 250 committee, to please join the Deputy Mayor and I appear. We want to present this to you. And can we give them a round of applause as they come? And I don't know, Carrie, do you want to say anything? Do you want to say anything? Oh, we'll give this to you first, and then we'll hold it while you talk about the network. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Um thank you so much, Mayor, and uh members of town council. Um 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and we appreciate the council's support and the town support in this year. It's wonderful that um here in the town of Windsor that here locally that we're going to be part of this um commemoration of this national anniversary with different events here. Um part of uh not only uh the town's history, but the state history here in Connecticut is very rich and varied, um, with lots of uh local history and local cultural um uh cultural events that uh really is what makes up our nation's history, and I think throughout this year you'll be seeing um some of our cherished um events, cultural events and traditions here in Windsor are going to be part of this um great anniversary, and I think we encourage everyone to check out the events that we'll be offering throughout town throughout 2026. So thank you very much for um this recognition and encouraging everyone in town to be part of this national event here in Windsor. Thank you. You're gonna have great things. All right, we can just go. Thank you so much.
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