On the agenda: Cheshire, CT Town Council Special Meeting — Flock camera (Aug 4)

MINUTES OF THE TOWN OF CHESHIRE TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2026, CHESHIRE PUBLIC LIBRARY, 104 MAIN ST., CHESHIRE, CT 06410

Present:
Peter Talbot, Jim Jinks, Deb Manke, Lou Todisco, Fiona Pearson, David Veleber, Greg Wolff, Don Walsh, Tricia
Cramer
Staff/Guests: Sean Kimball, Town Manager; Andrew Martelli, Assistant Town Manager; Finance Director James
Jaskot, Town Attorney Jeffrey Donofrio; Deena Allard, Regional Water Authority RPB Cheshire Representative
Absent: N/A
1. Roll Call.
Peter Talbot called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Noelle Shepard called the roll, and a quorum was present.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge was recited.
3. Public Communications.
a. Annual presentation from Cheshire’s Regional Water Authority Representative Policy
Board member.
Deena Allard, Cheshire representative for the Regional Water Authority RPB, provided history on the RPB. She
reviewed the boards of the RWA. David Veleber arrived at 6:40 p.m.
She reviewed the Regional Water Authority’s acquisition of the Aquarian Water Authority. The RWA currently
has 227 acres within Cheshire. The most recent rate increase was 3.4 percent for 18-month period. She discussed
issues with lead and PFAS. She discussed Hazwaste Central and how Cheshire will be hosting an event in
October 2026. Jim Jinks arrived to the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
b. Public comment.
Liz Linehan, State representative, overviewed the difference between Flock cameras and traffic cameras. She
explained that she plans to propose a Connecticut-specific LPR system rather than a national vendor/database.
Mike Rapetski, 855 Ives Row, spoke in opposition to Flock cameras. He expressed his belief that the data is
stored insecurely.
Matt Kozloski, 395 Sir Walter Drive, expressed that he opposed the use of Flock cameras and supports their
immediate suspension in Cheshire.
M. Hourigan, 101 Lanyon Drive, expressed concern over the proposed capital project to install sidewalks on
Lanyon Drive. She suggested that the school buses are currently underutilized and could fit additional kids.
S. Yurkow, 33 Glenbrook Drive, echoed opposition to the Flock cameras.
Sonda Amann, 381 Westland Avenue, echoed the previous suggestion made for use of school buses.
Winston Hill, 267 Oak Avenue, expressed his belief that the collection of data of every person that passes the
license plate readers is not constitutional or morally justified.
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August 4, 2026 Town Council Special Meeting Minutes

Robin Tiso, 9 Summer Hill Court, expressed concern that the decision for the Flock cameras was made by the
Town Council rather than by vote.
Matthew Federico, 84 Glenwood Dr. Ext., mentioned that he feels the Town should cancel with Flock.
Evan Missakian, 348 Spring Street, expressed his concerns over the possibility of Flock data being accessed
despite the State laws.
Michael Gallo, 59 Pleasant Drive, expressed concern that this issue was not voted on and feels that the public
should be allowed to vote on Flock cameras.
Anthony Gorman, 832 Marion Rd., echoed the previous commenters’ opposition of Flock cameras. He read
information directly from Flock.
Peter Talbot encouraged residents to reach out to the Town Council and suggested the possibility of a public
information session.
4. Approval of Minutes.
Jim Jinks motioned to approve the meeting minutes of the Tuesday, June 9, 2026 regular meeting and public
hearing, and Fiona Pearson seconded. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
5. Consent Calendar.
Fiona Pearson motioned:

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Council approves Resolution #080426-1
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council approves the Consent Calendar for August 4, 2026, as
follows:
A. Acceptance and appropriation of a $70.00 donation from Jan Cowles to the Cheshire
Fuel Bank account.
B. Acceptance and appropriation of a $1,600 donation from Hope For Our Neighbors, Inc.
to the Human Services Gift Account to be used as rent support.
C. Acceptance and appropriation of a $100.00 donation from Christy Bernard to the Police
Department Cadet Program.
D. Acceptance and appropriation of a $286.50 donation from Double Good to the Police
Department Gift Account.
E. Acceptance and appropriation of a $700.00 donation from The Bowman Corporation,
R.W. Hine Hardware, to the Human Services Gift Account.
F. Acceptance and appropriation of a $2,740.00 donation from Hope For Our Neighbors,
Inc. to the Human Services Gift Account for securing housing for an unsheltered
individual.
G. Acceptance and appropriation of $3,147.12 in National Opioid Settlement Funds to the
special revenue account for the continuation of the approved opioid remediation plan.
H. Acceptance and appropriation of a $83.00 donation from the Big Y Community Bag
Program to the Human Services Gift Account.
I. Acceptance and appropriation of a $25.00 donation from Shari and Valentino Guarino to
the Police Cadet Program.

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J. Acceptance and appropriation of $20,415.62 National Opioid Settlement Funds to the
special revenue account for the continuation of the approved opioid remediation plan.
K. Acceptance and appropriation of $5,229.15 in National Opioid Settlement Funds to the
special revenue account for the continuation of the approved opioid remediation plan.
L. Acceptance and appropriation of $5,785.52 in National Opioid Settlement Funds to the
special revenue account for the continuation of the approved opioid remediation plan.
M. Acceptance and appropriation of $10,245.32 in National Opioid Settlement Funds to the
special revenue account for the continuation of the approved opioid remediation plan.
N. Approval of $25,607.20 in tax refunds.
O. Approval of $5,819.98 in tax refunds.
Don Walsh seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
6. Items Removed from Consent Calendar.
7. Old Business.
a. School Building Committee update.
Richard Gusenburg provided an update on the two new schools. The old Norton School has officially been
demolished, and the house by Barnum will be taken down shortly. He mentioned that Dr. Solan has arranged a
dedication of schools tentatively for September 18th. Both projects are on time and under budget. He showed
progress photos for each of the two schools. Don Walsh asked when the public will have the opportunity to see
the schools, and Rich Gusenburg stated that as of now the September 18th date will be the first possibility for the
public.
8. New Business.
a. Acceptance and appropriation of a $215,000 donation from Elim Park Baptist Home, Inc. $50,000 as revenue to the Town's General Fund, $165,000 to the Fire Department Gift
Account pursuant to the adopted FY 2026-2027 operating budget.
Fiona Pearson motioned:
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Council approves Resolution #080426-2
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council accepts a $215,000 donation from Elim Park Baptist Home,
Inc. to the Cheshire Fire Department, and appropriates said donation to the following as presented and
attached:
•
•

$165,000 to the Fire Department Gift Account
$50,000 to the Town’s General Fund as revenue in support of the Fire Department budget

The motion was seconded by Deb Manke. All in favor, motion passed 9-0.
b. Acceptance and appropriation of a $215,000 donation from Elim Park Baptist Home, Inc. $50,000 as revenue to the Town's General Fund, $165,000 to the Police Department Gift
Account pursuant to the adopted FY 2026-2027 operating budget.
Fiona Pearson motioned:

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August 4, 2026 Town Council Special Meeting Minutes

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Council approves Resolution #080426-3
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council accepts a $215,000 donation from Elim Park Baptist Home,
Inc. to the Cheshire Police Department, and appropriates said donation to the following as presented and
attached:
•
•

$165,000 to the Police Department Gift Account
$50,000 to the Town’s General Fund as revenue in support of the Police Department budget

The motion was seconded by David Veleber. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
c. Acceptance and appropriation of $233,879.42 from the sale of Town property located at 422
N. Brooksvale Road to the debt service reserve fund.
David Veleber motioned:
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Council approves Resolution #080426-4
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council hereby accepts and appropriates $233,879.42 from the sale of
Town property located at 422 North Brooksvale Road to the debt service reserve fund.
The motion was seconded by Don Walsh. Sean Kimball provided the history of the acquisition and sale of the
property at 422 North Brooksvale Road. He explained that it is the recommendation of Town staff to appropriate
this revenue to the debt service reserve fund. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
d. Call for public hearing on the proposed FY 2026-2027 Annual Capital Expenditure Budget
and Five-Year Capital Plan.
David Veleber motioned:
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Council approves Resolution #080426-5
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August
26, 2026 in Council Chambers, Town Hall, 84 South Main Street, Cheshire, Connecticut, to consider the
proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Five Year Capital Expenditure Plan and Annual Capital Expenditure
Budget, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Manager shall cause a notice of said public hearings to be
posted and published according to law, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the date, time, and place or any further postponements thereof shall
be determined by the Town Manager with the approval of the Chair of the Council.
The motion was seconded by Fiona Pearson. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
e. Appropriation of the FY 2025 Workers’ Compensation Audit Credit to FY 2026 Insurance
Proceeds Fund.
David Veleber motioned:
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Council approves Resolution #080426-6

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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council hereby appropriates a FY 2025 Workers’ Compensation audit
credit totaling $174,675 to the Insurance Proceeds Fund in FY 2026 as a reserve for additional insurance
coverage or insurance deductibles.
The motion was seconded by Don Walsh. Jim Jaskot explained that this year the Town received a significant
credit back and would want to use these funds towards the insurance proceeds reserve funds to offset premiums,
additional coverages, and deductibles. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
f.

8-24 Referral to the Planning and Zoning Commission re: the Adaptive Turf Field project
at Cheshire Park.
David Veleber motioned:
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Council approves Resolution #080426-7
BE IT RESOLVED, that BE IT RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General
Statutes, the Town Council hereby refers the Adaptive Turf Field project at Cheshire Park to the Planning
and Zoning Commission for their review and to issue a report.
The motion was seconded by Don Walsh. All in favor, the motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
9. Town Manager Report and Communications.
Sean Kimball reviewed the July/August edition of the newsletter. Don Walsh mentioned that the
Bartlem Beats have been successful this year so far and thanked the business community who supported the
events.
10. Reports of Committees of the Council.
a. Chairman’s Report
Lou Todisco explained that the Ordinance Review Committee met last night and advanced the Demolition Delay
Ordinance to the Town Council.
b. Liaison Reports.
Lou Todisco mentioned that he attended a Public Safety Commission meeting. Don Walsh updated that the
Cheshire Housing Authority is working on getting solar panels at Beachport and the Jacks Farms project is
moving along.
c. Miscellaneous.
11. Appointments.
None.
12. Town Attorney Report and Communications.
Town Attorney Donofrio reiterated the Regional Water Authority recreation program offerings.
13. Council Communications.
Jim Jinks read a comment received from Nick Robinette, who expressed concern over a lack of a Town noise
ordinance.
Don Walsh read a comment received from Toni Burke, who expressed concern over mixed messages about kids
who live within a mile should walk or take bus and sidewalks not reaching close enough to her street for this.

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August 4, 2026 Town Council Special Meeting Minutes

David Veleber read a comment from Pat McKinley, 100 Lanyon Drive, who expressed concern over the extension
of sidewalk at Lanyon Drive project and explained she was never presented with a petition.
Fiona Pearson read a comment received from Rob Stevens, 506 Cardinal Lane, regarding McNamara park and
concerns over how the project will result in traffic issues.
14. Items for Executive Session.
None.
15. Adjournment.
David Veleber motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Don Walsh seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion
passed unanimously, 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Attest:
_____________________________________
Noelle Shepard, Management Specialist

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August 4, 2026 Town Council Special Meeting Minutes