Billerica Select Board declines Shawsheen Tech vote, debates license plate cameras

BILLERICA — February 23, 2026 — Billerica Select Board punts Shawsheen Tech feasibility vote and opens license-plate-camera debate during a remote snow-night session. The board declined to act on a warrant article request from Shawsheen Valley Technical School Superintendent Tony McIntosh, who is seeking up to $554,002 from Billerica — part of a $1,498,587 district-wide total — to fund an MSBA feasibility study, with members citing unresolved audit questions involving roughly $986,000 in questioned funds and the absence of a finalized town budget. Secretary Darius O'Connor introduced a first-reading proposal to remove Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras from town roads, prompting Police Chief Roy Frost to defend the six-camera network, citing at least 54 documented cases resolved and data purged automatically after 30 days. A motion by Selectwoman Dina Favreau to retain a third-party investigator to examine O'Connor's conduct over a February 9 Planning Board appearance failed 2-3, with Chair Gillian Pavitas and Vice Chair John Burroughs voting no. The board unanimously authorized the town manager to pursue up to $18.7 million in FY27 state grants ahead of a March 20 deadline.