On the agenda: Springfield Joint Maintenance & Development/Public Safety Committee — Flock camera (Oct 14)

City Council

36 Court Street
Springfield, MA 01103
http://www.springfieldcityhall.com
Joint M&D/Public Safety
Meeting
Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce
(Chair)
~Final~
Councilor Gerry Martin (Chair)
October 14, 2026

5:00 PM

City Hall - Room 200

Call To Order
5:00 PM Meeting called to order on October 14, 2026, in Hybrid Room 200, 36 Court Street,
Springfield, MA 01103.

Roll Call
In Person:
Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce (Chair)
Councilor Gerry Martin (Chair)
State Rep. Orlando Ramos
Attorney Ken Shea
Srgt. Goodrow, SPD/Traffic
Officer Rosas, SPD/Traffic
Cindy Spoon, Constituent
Zoom:
Councilor Kateri Walsh
Councilor Zaida Govan
Councilor Victor Davila
Council President Tracye Whitfield
Press - WWLP
Attendee Name

Title

Status

Brian Santaniello

City Councilor At Large

Absent

Gerry Martin

City Councilor — Ward 7

Present

Maria Perez

City Councilor — Ward 1

Absent

Malo Brown

City Councilor — Ward 4

Absent

Zaida Govan

City Councilor — Ward 8

Zoom

Arrived

Kateri Walsh

City Councilor At Large

Zoom

Justin Hurst

City Councilor At Large

Excused

Victor Davila

City Councilor — Ward 6

Zoom

Michael Fenton

City Councilor — Ward 2

Absent

Jose Delgado

City Councilor At Large

Excused

Lavar Click-Bruce

City Councilor — Ward 5

Present

Melvin Edwards

City Councilor — Ward 3

Excused

Tracye Whitfield

City Councilor At Large

Zoom

Public Portion
1.

Discussion of the Resolution Supporting House Bill 4087, "An Act Relative to Traffic
Safety at Intersections."

On October 15, 2026, the Joint Maintenance & Development and Public Safety Committee,
chaired by Councilors Lavar Click-Bruce and Gerry Martin, met to review the Resolution
Supporting House Bill 4087, “An Act Relative to Traffic Safety at Intersections.” State
Representative Orlando Ramos presented the proposed legislation, which would allow
municipalities to voluntarily implement photographic cameras to identify red-light violations.
Unlike Flock cameras, the proposed system would capture photographs of vehicles and license
plates rather than continuously record video. Municipalities would decide whether to participate,
set fines up to $300, and post warning signs. The system would issue citations to registered
vehicle owners without insurance surcharges. The legislation would apply only to red-light
violations, not speeding.
The committee reviewed public safety concerns, implementation costs, potential grant funding,
and the Springfield Police Department's role in reviewing violations and issuing citations. The
Law Department recommended privacy safeguards limiting access, use, sharing, and retention of
images, including prompt deletion of images unrelated to violations. Discussion also addressed
the need for a local appeals process, including procedures for contesting citations, and the
distinction between existing City cameras and privately operated license plate readers.
Representative Ramos reported that the legislation had been referred for study and may be refiled
if it is not passed during the current legislative session. Additional review of privacy protections,
enforcement procedures, and appeals requirements was discussed, with further coordination
involving the Police Department and Law Department. No formal recommendation or vote was
recorded. The meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m.
[MIN_SIGNATURES]