Orange board OKs RFP to study and plan automated traffic enforcement program

The Orange Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to issue a request for proposals aimed at selecting a vendor to design, study and (if approved by state authorities) implement an automated traffic enforcement safety device system.

Town Attorney Weaver presented a draft RFP that calls for the vendor to deliver a comprehensive traffic‑safety study, recommend camera locations and, if the study and state approvals are obtained, help implement the program. Weaver told the board the RFP is intended to solicit proposals that cover "nuts to bolts, start to finish," including data‑security protocols and an evaluation method for proposals.

“We solicited every aspect of the contract that we’re looking the vendor to provide,” Weaver said, and proposed an evaluation committee selected by the board to score proposals and present finalists.

Selectmen raised questions about who would produce the study (Weaver said the vendor could do that, working with the police department) and about data governance. A member of the public pointed the board to House Bill 5449 in Hartford, which would restrict use of automatic license plate reader data; Attorney Weaver said he had read the bill and would ensure the RFP aligns with any applicable state law.

Nut graf: The RFP advances the town one formal step closer to an automated enforcement program—the board approved solicitation of vendors for a multi‑phase approach (study, state approvals, implementation) while flagging privacy and procurement oversight as priorities.

The board approved the motion without amendment and with no recorded opposition. Weaver said subsequent steps will include forming an evaluation committee, receiving proposals, and returning finalists to the board for contract approval and possible interviews. The chief of police is expected to coordinate with the eventual winning vendor on locating devices.