The Windsor Town Council held a regular hybrid meeting on February 17, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured extensive public comment on automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and police department matters, followed by council debate and a vote to discontinue the use of Flock ALPRs. The council also introduced and approved several bond ordinances for capital improvement projects, including HVAC upgrades and restroom renovations at L.P. Wilson Community Center, and approved a study for Poquonock School's boiler and HVAC systems.
Good evening. Good evening, and welcome to the town council meeting for February 17th, 2026. Councillor King will be joining us momentarily, but all of the counselors are here. And this evening, our prayer andor reflection, and the Pledge of Allegiance will be done by Deputy Mayor Claese. Say hey book, money potseo, which in South Korean means that I hope you receive lots of blessings in the new year. We are in the season of the lunar new year, a time that is all about thank you, renewal, fresh beginnings, and hope for what lies ahead. It's the year of the horse, the fire horse. It's a moment to reflect in the past year and what to think about and to think about how we want to move forward together. This year is also personally meaningful to me. It is the year of the firehouse firehouse horse, my sign. The fire horse represents energy, resilience, determination, and a strong spirit. Qualities that remind me very much of our Windsor community. A thriving town like a strong horse moves forward because of the steady efforts of many. Residents, volunteers, staff, and leaders, all working together with purpose and strength. And like fire, our community comes with comes from the spark of ideas, the warmth of neighbors helping neighbors, and the light we create when we choose collaboration over divert over division. The lunar new year year reminds us that every cycle brings an opportunity, an opportunity to recommit ourselves to service, to listen with open minds, and to build a future that reflects the best of who we are. As we begin tonight's work, may we carry that spirit with us a sense of renewal, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to move forward together for the good for all. Thank you. And now let's stand together for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. This evening we do not have any proclamations or awards. And so we'll move to item number five on our agenda, public communications and petitions. If anyone from the public would like to address the council, you'll be given three minutes to speak. Please state your name and address, and I will state and I will turn this over to our moderator, Scott Coby, assistant town manager. Thank you, Madam Mayor. If there's anyone from the public who is virtual this evening and would like to address the council, you may do so by raising your hand on your computer by selecting the participants icon in the zoom menu bar and then clicking raise hand or by dialing star nine on your phone. You'll be given three minutes to speak. Please state your name and address when you are called on. You'll be prompted that you are now unmuted. For those dialing in by phone, once prompted, you will then press star six to unmute for clear communication. We ask that you do not place the call on speakerphone. And at this time, Madam Mayor, we do have one uh individual with their hand raised. To our first caller, you are now unmuted. Good evening, members of the council. My name is Deacon Art Miller, and I've had the privilege of calling Windsor home for more than three decades. My wife and I built our lives here. We raised our children in this town. They went through our winter schools, graduated from our local programs, and learned what it means to belong to a caring community. In 2021, I was honored to be named Windsor's Citizen of the Year. A recognition that reminded me how deeply rooted my family and I are in the life of this town. Cameras, automated license plate readers have been operating in Windsor since 2022. They were installed without the knowledge or consent of most residents. And from what I understand, without approval from this council. Those cameras capture license plates and law movement, who drives past, when and where. But behind every plate is a human story, a line. What troubles me most is that data gathered here in Windsor has not stayed here. Freedom of Information Act findings show that information from these cameras has been accessed by entities and agencies well beyond Connecticut. That is not local safety. That is a distant surveillance. And this is incredibly bothering.