Littleton Select Board Votes to Shut Down Flock Cameras Pending Policy Review

LITTLETON -- May 11, 2026, Littleton Select Board votes unanimously to shut off Flock license plate reader cameras amid public backlash. The board, which reorganized Monday by re-electing Gary Wilson as Chair, Charles DeCoste as Vice Chair, and Mark Rambacher as Clerk, voted 5-0 to empower Wilson to request that the Littleton Electric Light Department de-energize and cover the cameras, which were installed in March and April 2026 without a prior board vote or public forum. Interim Police Chief Jeff Patterson confirmed the cameras were powered but that no department member had accessed the data; Town Counsel Emily Meehan said a non-appropriation clause in the contract may allow termination given Town Meeting's recent vote to cut the police expense line by $17,500, the cost of the Flock subscription, but flagged a hardware-alteration clause requiring further review. Ten residents spoke in opposition during public comment, citing cloud data security, risk of federal agency data sharing, and the absence of public process before installation. In other business, the board approved $406,164 to PJ Alvert, Inc. for road resurfacing and $102,437.50 to Sealcoating Inc. for crack sealing, adopted revised Transfer Station fees effective July 1 including increases in bag prices and senior sticker fees, and approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Westford for invasive aquatic vegetation control at Forge Pond.