Windsor Town Council Meeting July 6, 2026: ALPR Reactivation Rejected; Mill Rate Set at 28.88
Windsor Town Council Meeting - July 6, 2026
The Windsor Town Council held its regular meeting at 7:30 PM on July 6, 2026, in Council Chambers at Windsor Town Hall. All nine councilors were present. The agenda included a proclamation, two rounds of public comment, reports from the Board of Education and Town Manager, several routine approvals, extended debate on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), and the FY 2027 mill rate. The motion to reactivate the ALPR cameras and renew the Flock Safety contract failed on a 4–5 vote.
Proclamation
- Mayor Nuchette Black-Burke proclaimed July 10, 2026 as Oliver Ellsworth Legacy Day, celebrated as part of Windsor's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. Representatives of the Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution, Betsy Ridgway and Janet Ellsworth, accepted the proclamation and thanked the town and Windsor Historical Society.
Consent Calendar
- Sidewalk easement, 425 Day Hill Road: The council accepted a sidewalk easement from Day Hill Road LLC for a public sidewalk built on private property as part of a 170,300-square-foot industrial flex building redevelopment. The Town will maintain and repair the walk; the property owner retains snow/ice removal responsibilities. Motion passed 9-0.
- Fire Administrator job description: Approved an updated job description adding responsibilities for volunteer firefighter recruitment and onboarding, public safety radio system and cell tower lease coordination, and modernized qualifications. The position remains Grade 7. Motion passed 9-0.
- UPSEU dispatchers collective bargaining agreement: Approved a three-year contract with the United Public Service Employees Union Local 424, Unit 10 covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Key changes include a 2% market adjustment plus 3.0% general wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2026, followed by 3.25% increases in FY28 and FY29; revised voluntary and ordered overtime rotation; structured leave-request tiers; vacation accrual alignment for post-July 1, 2015 hires (four weeks after 10 years instead of 15); increased employee health insurance contributions (17.5%, 18%, 18.5% over the contract term); prescription co-pay increases; and an optional vision plan. Fiscal impact is $64,437 over FY26 for FY27, $58,369 over FY27 projected cost, and $60,661 over FY28 projected cost, including benefits. Motion passed 9-0.
- Budgeting and capital planning software: Approved a $35,000 appropriation from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance for one-time implementation of Euna Solutions budgeting/CIP software. The adopted FY27 operating budget already includes the $31,500 annual license cost. Motion passed 9-0.
- Cybersecurity Infrastructure Grant: Authorized acceptance of a $38,480 State of Connecticut Cybersecurity Infrastructure Grant and expenditure of $48,100 from Special Revenue Account No. 1681. The grant reimburses 80% of the project cost; the Town's net share is $9,620. A three-year software license is included, and the $16,000 annual cost is planned for the FY30 General Fund budget. Motion passed 9-0.
- Reappointments: Reappointed Meghan Cote as Democratic Alternate to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (term to March 31, 2030); Alvin Bingham and Kathleen Woodward to the Wilson/Deerfield Advisory Committee (terms to April 30, 2029); and LeighAnn Tyson to the Library Advisory Board (term to April 30, 2029). Motion passed 8-0.
- Minutes: Approved the minutes of the June 15, 2026 Special and Regular Town Council meetings. Motion passed 8-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- First public comment period: Most public speakers addressed the proposed ALPR reactivation. Residents opposing reactivation, including James Weingart, Dan Piper, Momin Adim, Mark Cormier, Hillary Carpenter, Bradley Smolkin, Sullivan Cruz, Lindsay Graham, Ken Ehrman, Beth Caruso, Ryan Newanis, Kay McCulliff, Jeff Lanza, Lamont Andrews, Christopher Stinson, and Sarah Garry, cited privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, potential access by federal agencies, distrust of the vendor Flock Safety, AI misreads, lack of prior public discussion, and possible lawsuit costs. Kay McCulliff reported that petition organizers had gathered roughly 300 signatures to pursue a charter-based ordinance to cancel the Flock contract and require public approval for future surveillance technologies. Elise Coleman of the REACH Fund of Connecticut opposed the cameras over reproductive-health privacy concerns and described national reports of ALPR misuse. Residents speaking in support of reactivation, including Coralie Jones, Jeremy Halleck, Carrie Turk, Paul Panos, George Slate, and Chris Foot, said the cameras are effective tools for solving serious crimes, deterring criminals, and locating missing persons, and noted the new state law and contract safeguards. Separately, Corey Farron, George Varney, and Maggie Essex of Windsor Little League asked the council to continue supporting youth baseball and softball fields, noting the league had more than 300 registered players and would host a 12U state championship from July 21–26.
- Second public comment period: DJ Mobley (47 Ludlow Road) asked the Town for guidance about a door-to-door salesperson ignoring no-solicitation signs. Eric Weiner (150 Broad Street) urged the council to implement stronger oversight before adopting future AI-based or surveillance technology. George Slate and another resident thanked the council for the budget work and expressed ongoing concerns about the FY27 budget and mill rate.
Reports & Discussion Items
- Board of Education report: Secretary Zader reported on Windsor High School graduation, over $138,000 in community scholarships, summer meals and reading programs, the August 27 annual block party, and the new K-2 Early Learning Model launching in September 2026, which will replace screen-based instruction with teacher-led, play-based learning informed by leading international systems.
- Town Manager's report: Peter Souza highlighted Parks and Recreation Month, July 9 celebrations on the town green, early voting for the August 11 Democratic primary (August 3–9), the delayed mailing of property tax bills (by July 24, with interest-free payment through September 1), and the September 11 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony.
- ALPR discussion and vote: Assistant Town Manager Scott Colby and Police Chief Donald Melanson presented the amended Flock Master Services Agreement and revised ALPR policy, noting alignment with Public Act 26-14, signed May 4, 2026. They cited new requirements including a 21-day data retention limit, a 100-mile sharing radius limited to Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, prohibitions on immigration and reproductive-health use, annual independent security assessments, audit logs, multi-factor authentication, secure deletion, and mandatory council approval for system expansion. Chief Melanson described cases from the shutdown period, including armed suspects, two shooting incidents, and an armed robbery where vehicle leads could not be developed. Councilors including Deputy Mayor Klase, Councilors Armstrong, King, and Gluck Hoffman said they supported the police but opposed this vendor due to data stewardship concerns. Councilors Durant and Pelkey supported reactivation, citing public safety benefits, the new state law, and the amended contract. The motion to reactivate the cameras, renew the Flock contract, and approve the amended ALPR policy failed on a 4–5 vote; the cameras remain off.
- FY2027 mill rate: The council set the mill rate at 28.88 mills for real estate, personal property, and motor vehicles, reflecting the voter-approved General Fund budget of $156,572,340 and an estimated net taxable grand list of $4,616,372,252. Tax bills will be mailed by July 24, 2026, are due August 1, and must be paid in full by September 1, 2026, to avoid 1.5% monthly interest. Motion passed 8-0.
Key Outcomes
- ALPR reactivation, Flock contract renewal, and amended ALPR policy: motion failed (4-5-0); cameras remain off.
- FY2027 mill rate set at 28.88 mills: motion passed 8-0.
- Routine approvals (sidewalk easement, Fire Administrator job description, UPSEU contract, $35,000 software appropriation, cybersecurity grant, reappointments, and minutes) all passed by 8-0 or 9-0 votes.
- The meeting was extended to 11:15 PM to complete the agenda and adjourned after the second public comment period.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. And welcome to the July 6th, 2026 Council meeting. And this evening, all of our counselors are here, so that will stand for our roll call. Our next two items are on our agenda are the prayer and a reflection and the pledge of allegiance, and that will be led by Deputy Mayor Cleese. I'd like to offer a reflection. As we gather, just after celebrating our Independence Day, we are reminded that the strength of our nation has always begun begun in our communities. The freedoms we enjoy are sustained not only by those who came before us, but also by the everyday work of citizens willing to serve, participate, engage, and care for one another. Local government is where those ideals are lived out. Here we may not always agree, but we share a common responsibility to listen respectfully, consider thoughtfully, and make decisions that serve the long-term well-being of our community. This evening, may we approach our work with humility, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the people who have entrusted us with this responsibility. This evening we have a proclamation proclaiming July tenth, 2026 as Oliver Ellsworth Legacy Day. Whereas the town of Windsor proudly joins the nation in commemorating America's 250th anniversary and recognizing the people, places, and events that shaped the founding of the United States. Excuse me, a living connection to Windsor's role in the founding era. And whereas Windsor 250, the Ellsworth Homestead, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Windsor Historical Society continue to educate residents and visitors about the people and ideals that formed our nation. And at this time, I would invite Betsy Ridgway and Janet Ellsworth and any other members of the Daughters of the American Revolution to please step forward so we can present this proclamation to you. Thank you very much. This is an honor. Thank you. Would you like to say anything? Say folks. Excuse me, Smith. Would you like to see my questions in the teacher? I would just like to thank the town of Windsor. You want to stand right here so we can hear you, especially those online. Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I'd like to thank the town of Windsor and the Windsor Historical Society, particularly Patrick McMahon, who's done a lot of effort to organize our event on July 10th with the author, Michael Tulsa, constitutional scholar. So we're very excited and we want to thank everyone for their support. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. We do have some chance. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all your following. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your work. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Congratulations for your work. Thank you, Sandra. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Item number five on our agenda this evening is public communications and petitions. If anyone from the public would like to address the council, you will be given three minutes to speak.
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