Board of Police Commissioners - Minutes - 07/14/2025

MINUTES
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
July 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioner C. Gamble, Commissioner M. Gelinas, Commissioner J.
Dimmock, Commissioner R. Brule, Commissioner Sheridan arrived at
5:13 pam.
DEPARTMENT: Chief M. Balestracci, LT N. VanOverloop, LT D. Ferland,
LT P. Flanagan, Traffic Officer M. Devine, Sgt. M. Firmin, Officer A.
Reed, Officer I. Donovan
CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM:
Commissioner Gelinas called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium. A
Quorum was established.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC INPUT:
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Gamble and seconded by Commissioner Dimmock to
accept the June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting minutes. Motion passed.
Chief Balestracci presented Life Saving Achievement Awards to Officer Andrew Reed and EMT
Sylvia Briggs.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence was reviewed.

TRAFFIC COMMISSION REVIEW:
Traffic Officer Devine presented a request from a resident with a child who is legally blind for
two “Blind Person Area” signs to be posted on Miner Lane. One sign would be placed
approximately 430 feet north of the residence, and the other would be approximately 500 feet
south of the residence.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Dimmock and seconded by Commissioner Gamble to
approve the request for “Blind Person Area” signs to be installed on Miner Lane. Motion passed
unanimously,
Chief Balestracci presented a request from the BOE to add a speed bump, a “Stop Ahead” sign,
and a “Stop” sign in an effort to decrease speeds as people exit the Waterford High School upper
parking lot. The speed bump would be located halfway down the hill, followed by the “Stop
Ahead” sign and the “Stop” sign.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Dimmock and seconded by Commissioner Gelinas to
approve the request for adding the speed bump and the two signs as presented. Motion passed
unanimously.
CHIEF’S REPORT:
a. K9 Reports for June
June report was received.
b. Youth Reports for June
June report was received.
c. Investigative Services for June
June report was received.
d. Training Report for June
June report was received.
e. Support Services Report for June
June report was received.
f. Patrol Report for June
June report was received.
g. Animal Control Report for June
June report was received.
h. Community Engagement Report for June
June report was received.

OLD BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Town Ordinance Discussion regarding ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Street Takeovers, and Camera
Enforcement - The State recently passed street takeover laws which allow towns to
create ordinances for street takeovers and camera enforcement. The ordinance process is
the first step and can take years to complete. Chief Balestracci explained that it’s
important to start the process now so an ordinance will be in place if cameras are
necessary in the future. Chief stated he has no intention of pursuing camera enforcement
at this time. If cameras were to be installed in the future, it would still have to go before
the BOPC/Local Traffic Authority, as well as the Board of Selectman and Board of
Finance for approval before going to the RTM. Discussion ensued. The Commission
agreed that the ordinance request process should be started.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Sheridan and seconded by Commissioner Dimmock to
proceed with bringing the ordinance request to the RTM under the condition that they are not
endorsing camera enforcement at this time. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Balestracci requested the following two items be added to New Business for discussion.
b. Chief requested a Special Meeting for candidate interviews on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at
5 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Police Department Training Room.
c. Chief Balestracci received a request from a resident for a decrease in the speed limit on
Route 213. The resident would like the speed limit reduced from 45 to 35 miles per hour.
The town does not have the option of reducing the speed limit, as Route 213 is a state
road. Discussion ensued. The Commission decided to start with an increase in traffic
enforcement in the area.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Sheridan and seconded by Commissioner Dimmock to
adjourn the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by:
Sonne. & Dpioalll
Diane E. Driscoll
Recording Secretary