ORANGE — Orange is giving Flock Safety notice that it won’t renew the town’s license-plate-reader camera contract as it stands, while leaving the door open to talk about new terms, according to draft minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s Nov. 4 meeting that the town posted this week.
Selectmen spent about 70 minutes behind closed doors with Town Counsel Owen Weaver and Police Chief Robert Gagne discussing the Flock contract renewal. When they returned to public session at 8:40 p.m., they voted unanimously to authorize First Selectman James Zeoli “to issue a notice of non-renewal, with assistance from Town Attorney Owen Weaver and Chief of Police Bob Gagne to potential discuss further terms of contract,” the minutes say. Selectman John Carangelo made the motion and Selectman William Kraut seconded it.
Earlier in the meeting, during public participation, a resident shared his concerns about the use of Flock cameras in Orange. Milford Voice previewed the Flock discussion before the meeting.
The minutes do not say what terms the town wants changed or when the current contract ends.
A new drone for Orange police
The same night, selectmen unanimously approved Zeoli signing an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for the purchase of a Skydio X10 Patrol LED drone as a “first responder kit.” Carangelo made that motion and Selectman Judy Smith seconded it.
Gagne told the Board of Police Commissioners on Nov. 9 that the department had been approved for the Justice Assistance Grant this year and that the money will go toward a new drone, according to that board’s draft minutes.
Police budget heads to the finance board
At the Nov. 9 meeting, police commissioners unanimously accepted the department’s proposed 2027-28 budget and its short-term capital request, which was due to the Finance Department on Nov. 13. Gagne also said the department had again been approved for DUI and Click It or Ticket grants.
Next up, the Board of Finance meets Monday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 617 Orange Center Road. Its agenda includes a memo from Gagne requesting authorization to buy a new police vehicle.
October by the numbers
Assistant Chief Max Martins went over October’s statistics with the commissioners. According to the minutes, the month brought:
- 24 criminal arrests and 45 motor vehicle citations
- No residential or commercial burglaries
- 19 larcenies
- One stolen vehicle and one recovered vehicle
- 63 motor vehicle accidents
- 2,646 calls for service, which generated 414 written reports
Both sets of minutes are marked unapproved and can still be corrected when each board votes to approve them.
Thanksgiving week at Town Hall
Zeoli also ran through the holiday schedule at the Nov. 4 meeting:
- Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26: Town offices and the transfer station are closed. The Rotary Club of Orange Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. at High Plains Community Center.
- Friday, Nov. 27: Town offices are closed, but the transfer station is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Week of Nov. 24: Tuesday and Wednesday trash and recycling pickups stay the same. Thursday pickup moves to Friday, and Friday pickup moves to Saturday. Have bins out by 6 a.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 5: The 10th annual Lighted Tractor Parade and Tree Lighting runs from 3 to 6 p.m. The tractors leave Fred Wolfe Park around 4:30 p.m. and head to the fairgrounds.
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