On the agenda: Bristol, CT Board of Police Commissioners — FLOCK camera (Jul 21)

BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 21, 2026, AT 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT:
Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, Chairperson
Commissioner Dean Kilbourne
Commissioner Paul Lemieux
Commissioner Terry Lewis
Commissioner Gloria Sapp-Smith
Council Member Sue Tyler

ABSENT:
Rory Ghio
Board of Finance Liaison, Jon Mace

1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Zoppo-Sassu called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
2. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Dispatcher Garcia received the Medical Life Saving Award and Dispatcher of the Month for June 2026.
Dispatchers Michaelangelo Mancini, Robert Krawiec, Amanda Chomicz, and Lead Dispatcher Betsy
Rosa received the Letter of Commendation.
Officer Conor Hogan received the Silver Star.
Officer Teague Soucy-Field received the Letter of Commendation and Officer of the Month for June
2026.
Officers Ashley Kosikowski and Timothy Mazzerole received the Life Saving Award and Officer of the
Month for May 2026.
Officer Jason DaCosta, Jake Pollock and Jean Rivera-Santiago received a Letter of Commendation and
the Stork Pin.
Officers Zachary Levine, Todd Bazarewsky, John Duncan, Jamie Genovese and Mary Jo Fisher received
a Letter of Commendation.
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mary Ann Sirois, 362 Shrub Road, expressed that she is against speed cameras.
Gabby Carrano, 70 Seneca Road, expressed that she is against red light cameras. She would like the
ordinance referred back to City Council with the recommendation to remove speed cameras.
Daniel Corcoran, 24 Runge Avenue, expressed that he is against speed cameras and would like the
language on speed cameras removed from the ordinance.
Sarah Payeno, 52 Ivy Street, expressed that she is against the red light cameras and FLOCK cameras.
Dave Tomsley, 82 Chestnut Street, asked that the language on speed cameras be removed from the
ordinance.
Robert Cochran, 32 Ridge Road, is against red light and speed cameras and would like the ordinance
sent back and have other cameras removed.

Seth Anderson, 245 Country Lane, expressed that he is against speed cameras and red light cameras.
Commissioner Kilbourne made a motion TO MOVE TO ITEM 8. B.I. ON THE AGENDA, Seconded
by Commissioner Lemieux.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
Mayor Zoppo-Sassu responded to the concerns from public participation. The main points from public
participation centered on the financial aspect, the definitions of speed that appear in the ordinance, the
appeal process, and concerns about data collection and privacy. Regarding the definitions, we used
language promulgated by the State of Connecticut as best-practice language. Mayor Zoppo-Sassu read
the definition section. This section defines, by law, everything that could appear in this ordinance. The
reference to speed cameras appears in the definition of an ordinance that was adopted. When you read
the actual ordinance, you will see that we are only now doing red light cameras. As for appeals, there is
an appeal process reviewed by employees of the Bristol Police Department. And regarding the financial
aspect, if you don’t violate the ordinance, then you don’t pay, and then the City doesn’t receive any
money. The overall goal is not the money; it is the actual compliance. Mayor Zoppo-Sassu also
reviewed the Request for Proposal process, which includes public input on the vendors.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Sapp-Smith moved to APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 16, 2026,
REGULAR POLICE BOARD MEETING, Seconded by Council Member Tyler.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
5. APPROVAL OF VARIOUS MONTHLY REPORTS
Commissioner Lewis moved to APPROVE MONTHLY REPORTS AND PLACE ON FILE, Seconded
by Commissioner Kilbourne.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
6. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Citizens Academy
Commissioner Lemieux moved to PLACE ON FILE THE THANK-YOU LETTER ABOUT THE
CITIZENS ACADEMY, Second by Commissioner Kilbourne.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
7. COMMITTEE MINUTES
a. Traffic Sub-Committee
Council Member Tyler informed the Board that we just had the quarterly meeting for the Traffic SubCommittee and discussed a few topics.

8. OLD BUSINESS
8. a Chief Morello
i. Vape Shop Ordinance Update
Chief Morello responded to last month's request to quantify the cost associated with vetting out licenses.
Captain Duval was assigned to this task. He had a difficult time quantifying the cost due to various
factors. Mayor Zoppo-Sassu responded that this is one piece of the issue; we have larger issues with
two public acts adopted at the end of the legislative session. We have some contradictory language and
some duplication based on what the ordinance says. Corporation Counsel will prepare a memo for City
Council to go back and examine our role, the role of the State, and some of the challenges that the
Attorney General is setting out. We are also asking the Zoning Commission to consider a moratorium
on new Vape shops.
8.b Police Commissioners
i. Status Update on Red Light Traffic Cameras RFP
Council Member Tyler spoke about the speed camera definition in the ordinance and how the public
feels about it. Council Member Tyler asked if we could send it back to the ordinance committee. A
discussion was held. It was suggested that we send it to Corporation Counsel to provide a legal opinion
on whether speed cameras are included in the ordinance.
Council Member Tyler made a motion to HAVE CORPORATION COUNSEL WEIGH IN ON
WHETHER OR NOT SPEED CAMERAS COULD EASILY BE ADDED TO THE CURRENT
ORDINANCE OR IF THE NEW ORDINANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED, Seconded by
Commissioner Lemieux.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
9. NEW BUSINESS
9. a Chief Morello
i. Chief’s Report
Chief Morello reviewed and discussed the monthly Chief’s report.
ii. Alarm Appeal Request
Commissioner Kilbourne moved to APPROVE THE ALARM APPEAL REQUEST FOR ADVANCED
AUTO PARTS, Seconded by Commissioner Lewis.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
Commissioner Kilbourne made a MOTION TO BRING A BOARD OF FINANCE REQUEST ON THE
AGENDA, Seconded by Commissioner Lewis.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED

Commissioner Kilbourne moved to APPROVE THE BOARD OF FINANCE APPROPRIATION
REQUEST FOR THE FY25 BULLETPROOF VEST GRANT, Seconded by Commissioner SappSmith.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED

9.b Police Commissioners
None
10. To convene into Executive Session to interview one lateral candidate for the position of
police officer and to take any action as necessary.
Commissioner Sapp-Smith made a motion TO CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO
INTERVIEW ONE CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER, Seconded by Council
Member Tyler.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
Commissioner Lemieux moved to RECONVENE INTO PUBLIC SESSION, Seconded by
Commissioner Sapp-Smith.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
Commissioner Kilbourne made a motion to OFFER CONDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT TO TYLER
BOI, Seconded by Council Member Tyler.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
11. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Lewis moved to ADJOURN, Seconded by Commissioner Sapp-Smith.
VOTE: UNANIMOUSLY PASSED
The regular meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners called for the 21st day of July, 2026, was
HEREBY ADJOURNED AT 7:52 p.m.

Lisa Ziogas
Recording Secretary