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Winchester weighs vendor-run traffic cameras; town manager seeks data before decision
Summary
At the Jan. 21 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Paul Marino described a SiteStream proposal to install traffic cameras at no upfront cost and share ticket revenue. The town will collect short-term sample data and return to the board in March before deciding whether to accept a camera program.
WINCHESTER, Conn. — Town Manager Paul Marino told the Board of Selectmen on Jan. 21 that SiteStream is offering to install traffic cameras in Winchester with no upfront cost and a profit‑sharing arrangement rather than a traditional vendor fee. Marino said SiteStream proposed supplying cameras at no cost and splitting citation revenue with the town.
Marino said SiteStream’s model would pay the vendor roughly $35 of a $50 citation, with the town getting the remainder; with a $15 processing fee the town would receive about $30 per ticket. "SiteStream requires no upfront cost, whether it's the first camera or any amount of cameras that we wish to put into town," Marino said. "They work completely on a profit sharing basis."
The town manager said the company agreed to provide sample counts for up to three proposed camera locations over the next 45–50 days so Winchester can see estimated violation volumes before committing to installation. "They are going to, over the next 45 to 50 days, get the actual data that if a camera was installed in this particular location, this is how many violations that it could potentially tick up," Marino said.
Marino said any camera deployment would still require Connecticut Department of Transportation approval and that the chief of police would work with SiteStream to identify candidate locations. Selectwoman Andy Perez, who accompanied Marino on related transit negotiations, and other board members emphasized the need for local data before deciding; Marino said the board would likely not take a final step before March. "Let the data drive the conversation," Marino said.
Board members also discussed public reaction in nearby jurisdictions: Marino noted that nearby towns have taken different approaches and that public informational sessions (for example, in Middletown) are under way. Marino recommended returning to the board after the data collection period; the board did not take a vote on any contract or commitment at the meeting.
Ending: Marino said he would bring the collected data and any SiteStream timing details back to the board when available. The board requested that any future proposal include projected revenue splits, sample data from the vendor’s pilot runs, and DOT permitting requirements.
