WLCT96 is a channel designed to provide the residents of Wolcott LIVE access to Town Meetings, Parades, Showcase our Young Students, Concerts and Sporting Events, but most importantly the Transparency of your Government at work.
History of WLCT96
In 1994, a Fiber Optic cable was installed at Wolcott Town Hall and residents for the first time were able to watch Council and Planning & Zoning meetings Live on then channel 21 of Tele-Media Cable. An Independent Video Producer provided cameras and necessary video equipment to feed the “fiber-optic cable”. Only subscribers to Cable were able to watch Live and Repeat replays of Wolcott meetings.
In 2008 a video grant from the State was applied for and with it, Wolcott obtained their own cameras and video mixing equipment. The equipment was installed in March of 2009 but was still only available on Cable.
In August 2009 the Mayor requested the Community Access Provider (SKYE Cable 13), to open a dialog asking for a Town Specific Programming Platform 24/7/365. If granted, that would have provided Wolcott with a channel with all Wolcott programming. Skye declined and till this day after many, many attempts, still declines.
On April 30, 2013, the Wolcott Grants Administrator applied to the State of Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) for a grant to cover: 2 additional cameras for Council Chambers, a new sound system with 10 microphones and an independent controller, an automated programming unit, and an Internet streaming computer.
During the summer of 2023, the Town of Wolcott approved an upgrade to the sound system. The previous system had only one master audio control so the signal you heard was "one size fits all" and those sitting back away from the microphone, you could not hear. And also, the ones with their mouth to close to the mic or had strong resinance would overwhelm your audio signal. The new audio system now gives the video director control over the 10 microphones individually.
NOW ALL RESIDENTS IN WOLCOTT, EVEN IF THEY HAVE THE DISH, AND FOR EVERYWHERE THERE IS A COMPUTER IN THE WORLD CAN SEE WOLCOTT’S GOVERNMENT CHANNEL!
WLCT96 Staff
- Michael Bruce - WLCT96 Coordinator
- John Curley, Jr. - Assistant Coordinator
- Cathe Sherman - WLCT96 On-Demand Technician/Videographer
WLCT96 Play-by-Play Football Commentators:
- Pat Miller
- Ron Gambino
- Mike Slebonic
- Aiden Kiely
- Tom Fernandes
Overseen by the Town of Wolcott Video Core Committee
- Mayor Thomas G. Dunn
- Michael Bruce
- John Curley, Jr.
- Gene Fercodini
- Mary Kelly
- Fran Masi
- Cathe Sherman