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Wolcott council votes against automated traffic-enforcement cameras after resident outcry
Summary
The Wolcott Town Council voted 8-0 July 21 to reject installation of automated traffic-enforcement devices after officials noted dozens of resident emails opposing the plan and a brief council discussion.
The Wolcott Town Council voted 8-0 on July 21 not to approve automated traffic-enforcement safety devices after receiving dozens of resident emails opposing the program.
The motion “to not approve the Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices” was offered by Vice-Chairman Joseph Skerritt and seconded by Councilman Anthony Guerrera; the council took a roll-call vote after a short discussion and the motion passed unanimously. Councilors noted a large volume of correspondence filed in advance opposing the cameras, and one resident who spoke during taxpayer’s time said she was disappointed with the council’s earlier decisions.
Why it mattered: the council’s decision ends consideration of the specific traffic-camera proposal on the meeting’s agenda and follows a concentrated public pushback: the clerk’s packet included more than 40 separate emails from residents opposing automated enforcement and a single emailed comment filed in favor. Several correspondents cited privacy and enforcement concerns in their submissions, according to meeting materials.
What the council did: the vote was a formal rejection of the plan as presented; council members did not adopt an alternate enforcement mechanism during the meeting. The action was recorded in a roll-call vote requested by Councilor Rachel Wisler.
What comes next: the council did not direct staff to pursue another automated-enforcement plan at this meeting. Council minutes record that the correspondence will remain on file and that the council may revisit road-safety topics in a future agenda at the members’ discretion.
Context: the cameras were one item among several public-safety and public-works procurements taken up July 21. Councilors approved a package of capital and roadwork contracts and a municipal vehicle lease at the same meeting. The automated-enforcement vote reflected public concern raised in the days before the meeting and a clear majority of the council.
Votes at a glance - Motion: “To not approve the Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices.” Mover: Joseph Skerritt; Second: Anthony Guerrera. Vote: 8-yes, 0-no (roll call).
