Groton Town Council - 10/6/26

The Groton Town Council meeting of October 6, 2026, included a public hearing on proposed commercial aquaculture regulations and several spending and funding items. The council unanimously approved additional funding for the Spicer rowing barn roof replacement, authorizing $150,000 from the CIP fund balance (reduced from an earlier $200,000 figure), and approved a resolution for design and construction of remaining roof work at the Groton Public Library and the B-wing gymnasium at the community center; no dollar amount for the latter was stated in the transcript. The council also unanimously ratified submission of a state and local cybersecurity grant application and acceptance of $27,319.60 for antivirus software upgrades. The town manager reported a $156,240 Connecticut recreational trails grant for accessibility improvements at Cop Family Park and noted that solar trash compactors were being installed, with most units already placed.

The aquaculture hearing drew comments both supporting and opposing the proposed regulations, including concerns about environmental impacts, fees, enforcement, and operating requirements; no council vote on the regulations appears in the transcript. Residents also urged the council to pause or remove Flock automated license plate reader cameras, citing privacy, data security, oversight, and cost concerns. A council member called for information to be gathered and reviewed by the Public Safety Committee, and the town manager said requested camera-related documents were expected soon; no spending or contracting decision on the cameras was recorded. The council unanimously approved establishing a Tree Commission, with a related ordinance amendment to follow.