Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 05/03/2021

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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MINUTES *Amended
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
ZOOM REMOTE ONLY ACCESS
Annual Budget Meeting E
May 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2021 er
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Moderator Thomas J. Dembek called the Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting
to order on May 3, 2021, at 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Greg Attanasio, Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, April Cairns, Tim Condon, Thomas J.
Dembek, Steve Elci, Tim Fioravanti, Miriam Furey-Wagner, Nick Gauthier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kathleen
Kohl, David Lersch, Valerie Metivier, Richard Morgan, Richard F. Muckle, Liam O’Leary, Ted Olynciw,
Sally Ritchie, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, Baird Welch-Collins.
ABSENT: Susan Driscoll, Michael Rocchetti, Robert Swansen.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J. Brule, Chair of the Board of Finance Ronald R.
Fedor, Board of Education Chair Craig Merriman, Selectwoman Jody Nazarchyk.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Selectman Elizabeth Sabilia.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Robert Avena, Town Clerk David Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Moderator Dembek acknowledged the receipt of four items for comment from the following: All
comments are available for view at www.waterfordct.org or upon request of the Town Clerk. The Town
Clerk read public comment from Dave Peabody. Copies of the letters can be found at
WWW.Waterfordct.org under the corresponding agenda or by contacting the Town Clerk.
Waterford resident Nancy Parent spoke in support of the Waterford Board of Education budget.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
The Annual Budget Meeting is, in fact, an open meeting called to order on May 3, 2021, to be recessed
on May 3, and again on May 4, and May 5, and only to be adjourned after final action on May 6, 2021.
Consideration of the budget by department/agency follows the posted schedule.
STANDING MOTION by Majority Leader Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Minority Leader Welch-Collins, to
offer a standing motion to move each proposed budget for consideration in the order specified in the
hearing schedules, with approvals at the series subtotal and the department total levels, with the
understanding that all totals are considered tentatively approved until final action is taken at the end of
our budget hearing.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
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CALL ITEM 1 ~ Board of Education and General Fund Budgets.
Consideration and action upon the General Fund Budget, which includes both Board of Education and
General Government budgets for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, as recommended
by the Board of Finance, and as may be modified by the determination of the Representative Town
Meeting.
BOARD OF EDUCATION (10160) $51,043,047
PRESENTATION: Chairman of the Board of Education Craig Merriman, Superintendent of Schools Thomas
Giard, BOE Director of Finance Joseph Mancini presented the details of the budget and stood for
questions.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Welch-Collins, to reduce the BOE budget per the request of
the Superintendent of Schools and Chair of the BOE by $397,576 due to ESSER Ii funding bringing the
FY22 budget to a .54% increase ($273,155) making the total! budget for FY22 $50,645,471.
Discussion ensued.
MOTION by Olynciw, seconded by Welch-Collins to cail the question.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
VOTING IN FAVOR of the MOTION by Steward-Gelinas: Unanimous with three member's abstaining.
Bono, Cairns, Metivier
Recess at 8:13 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting was resumed and called to order at
7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 by Moderator Dembek.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Greg Attanasio, Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, April Cairns, Thomas J. Dembek, Steve Elci,
Tim Fioravanti, Mirjam Furey-Wagner, Nick Gauthier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kathleen Kohl, David Lersch,
Valerie Metivier, Richard Morgan, Richard F. Muckle, Liam O’Leary, Ted Olynciw, Sally Ritchie, Danielle
Steward-Gelinas, Baird Welch-Collins.
ABSENT: Tim Condon, Susan Driscoll, Michael Rocchetti, Robert Swansen
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J. Brule, Selectman Elizabeth Sabilia,
Selectwoman Jody Nazarchyk, Chair of the Board of Finance Ronald R. Fedor.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Board of Education Chair Craig Merriman
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Robert Avena, Town Clerk David Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
CORRESPONDENCE: A letter was received from the Tax Collector Alan Wilensky requesting to be moved
up to the first position for the night’s budget hearing.
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MOTION by Muckle, seconded by Welch-Collins, to move Tax Collector to the first position on the
budget hearing schedule.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
TAX COLLECTOR (10106) $211,907
PRESENTATION: Tax Collector Alan Wilensky
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
ETHICS COMMISSION (10143) $850
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
CONSERVATION OF HEALTH (10132) $142,282
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous with one member abstaining. (Steward-Gelinas)
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERV (10133) $27,820
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
SOCIAL SERVICES GRANTS/MISC (10120) $84,366
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS (10102) $74,508
PRESENTATION: Democratic Registrar of Voters Julie Watson Jones, Republican Registrar of Voters
Patricia Waters.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES BUREAU (10119) $232,634
PRESENTATION: Director of Waterford Youth and Family Services Dani Gorman.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION (10137) $1,450,159
PRESENTATION: Director of Recreation and Parks Brian Flaherty, Assistant Director Ryan McNamara,
Program Coordinator Kerry Sullivan
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS (10105) $1,620
PRESENTATION: Assessor Paige Walton
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
ASSESSOR (10104) $291,847
PRESENTATION: Assessor Paige Walton
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
CONTINGENCY (10121) $265,000
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
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DEBT SERVICE (10139) $7,934,633
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
INSURANCE (10112) $4,717,903
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Resources Joyce Sauchuk
VOTING iN FAVOR: Unanimous.
TOWN CLERK (10109) $269,750
PRESENTATION: Town Clerk David L. Campo, CCTC
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING (10117) $18,903
PRESENTATION: Town Clerk David L. Campo, CCTC
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
Recess at 7:53 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting resumed at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday,
May 5, 2021, with the call to order by Moderator Dembek.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Greg Attanasio, Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, April Cairns, Tim Condon, Thomas J.
Dembek, Steve Elci, Tim Fioravanti, Miriam Furey-Wagner, Nick Gathier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kathleen
Kohi, David Lersch, Valerie Metivier, Richard F. Muckle, Liam O’Leary, Ted Olynciw, Sally Ritchie, Danielle
Steward-Gelinas, Robert Swansen, Baird Welch-Collins.
ABSENT: Susan Driscoll, Richard Morgan, Michael Rocchetti
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J. Brule, Selectman Elizabeth Sabilia,
Selectwoman Jody Nazarchyk, Chair of the Board of Finance Ronald R. Fedor, Board of Education Chair
Craig Merriman.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Robert Avena, Town Clerk David Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen
PUBLIC COMMENT: Quaker Hill Fire Chief Vincent Ukleja spoke in favor of the Fire Services Budget and
noted specific needs in Quaker Hill.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (10115) $4,310
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VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (10113) $10,076
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
CONSERVATION COMMISSION (10114) $18,250
AVAILABLE for questions: Director of Planning Abby Piersall, Environmental Planner Maureen Fitzgerald
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous with two members abstaining. (Lersch, Muckle}
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION (10110) $634,914
AVAILABLE for questions: Director of Planning Abby Piersall
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
FLOOD & EROSION CONTROL BOARD (10141) $2,138
AVAILABLE for questions: Director of Planning Abby Piersall
VOTING iN FAVOR: Unanimous with one member abstaining. (Welch-Collins)
BUILDING DEPARTMENT (10118) $293,008
AVAILABLE for questions: Director of Planning Abby Piersail
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
BUILDING MAINTENANCE (10111) $778,870
AVAILABLE for questions: Director of Planning Abby Piersall
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOLS (10146) $0
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
FIRE SERVICES (10123) $3,326,034
PRESENTATION: Interim Director of Fire Services Jeff Lathrop
VOTING IN FAVOR: Bono, Bracciale, Cairns, Condon, Elci, Fioravanti, Goldstein, Lersch, Metivier, Muckle,
O'Leary, Steward-Gelinas.
VOTING AGAINST: Attanasio, Furey-Wagner, Gauthier, Kohi, Olynciw, Ritchie, Welch-Collins.
ABSTAINING: Dembek, Swansen.
MOTION PASSES: 12-7-2
BOARD OF SELECTMEN (10101) $205,313
PRESENTATION: First Selectman Robert Brule
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (10130) $4,709,654
PRESENTATION: Director of Public Works Gary Schneider
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
CALL ITEM 2A: Executive Session
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Welch-Collins, to discuss strategy and/or negotiations with
respect to collective bargaining units in executive session, said action to be taken without prejudice to
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the Representative Town Meeting’s right to discuss said matters in a private meeting pursuant to
Connecticut Statute § 1-200 at 7:51 P.M. and to invite the Human Resource Director Joyce Sauchuk,
Labor Attorney Eileen Duggan, and First Selectman Robert Brule
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
MOTION by Bono, seconded by Gauthier, to come out of executive session with no votes taken at 8:13
P.M.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
CALL ITEM 28: Waterford General Government Administrators’ Contract
MOTION by Weilch-Collins, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to approve the funds necessary to implement
the Tentative Agreement between the Town of Waterford and Local 818 of Council 4 AESCME AFL-CIO
(Waterford General Government Administrators Unit), covering the period July 1 2020 —June 30, 2023.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
Recess at 8:15 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting resumed at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday,
May 6, 2021, with the call to order by Moderator Dembek.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Greg Attanasio, Michael Bono, Jenifer Bracciale, Thomas J. Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Steve Elci,
Tim Fioravanti, Miriam Furey-Wagner, Nick Gauthier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kathleen Kohl, David Lersch,
Valerie Metivier, Richard Morgan, Richard F. Muckle, Liam O’Leary, Ted Olynciw, Sally Ritchie, Michael E.
Rocchetti, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, Robert Swansen, Baird Welch-Collins.
ABSENT: April Cairns, Tim Condon, Susan Driscoll, Michael Rocchetti, Robert Swansen.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J. Brule Jr, Selectman Elizabeth Sabilia,
Selectwoman Jody Nazarchyk, Chair of the Board of Finance Ronald R. Fedor, Board of Education Chair
Craig Merriman.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Robert Avena, Town Clerk David Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Resident and Town Clerk David Campo spoke in support of funding for the Nevin’s Cottage.
Resident and First Selectman Robert Brule spoke in support of funding for the Nevin’s Cottage.
It was also noted that seven letters were received from the following residents in regard to the Nevin’s
Cottage: Cathy Barnard, Karen Menzies, George White, Kathryn Patterson, Joyce Viaun, Pam Benjamin,
Cynthia Hotsky. Copies of the letters can be found at WWW.Waterfordct.org under the corresponding
agenda or by contacting the Town Clerk.
RETIREMENT COMMISSION (10116) $5,682,906
PRESENTATION: Finance Director Kim Allen
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
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WATERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY (10136) $999,475
PRESENTATION: Library Director Christine Johnson
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous with one member abstaining. (Furey-Wagner)
SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION (10135) $491,489
PRESENTATION: Assistant Director of Senior Services Kathleen Pierce
VOTING iN FAVOR: Unanimous.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT (10107) $653,894
Director of Finance Kim Allen
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT (10145) $265,664
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Resources Joyce Sauchuk
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
BOARD OF FINANCE (10103) $65,547
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT (10108) $298,000
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (10122) $1,062,665
PRESENTATION: Director of Emergency Management Stephen Sinagra
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
POLICE COMMISSION (10129) $6,421,688
PRESENTATION: Chief of Police Brett Mahoney
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous with one members abstaining. (Steward-Gelinas)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (10147) $846,642
PRESENTATION: Chief of Police Brett Mahoney
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous with three members abstaining. (Bono, Attanasio, Fioravanti)
CURRENT YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (10138} $2,964,754
VOTING iN FAVOR: Unanimous.
TRANSFERS TO CAPITAL AND NON-RECURRING EXPENDITURE (10140) $900,600
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
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FINAL ACTION
GENERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS $34,560,086
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Goldstein, to approve the General Government Operations
Budget in the amount of $34,560,086.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
BOARD OF EDUCATION: 10160 $50,645,471
MOTION by Muckle, seconded by Welch-Collins, to approve the Board of Education Budget in the
amount of $50,645,471
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous with two members abstaining. (Bono, Metivier)
CURRENT YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (10138) $2,964,754
MOTION by Goldstein, seconded by Welch-Collins, to approve the Current Year Capital Improvements
Budget in the amount of $2,964,754.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
TRANSFERS TO CAPITAL AND NON-RECURRING EXPENDITURE (10140) $900,600
MOTION by Welch-Collins, seconded by Goldstein, to approve the Transfer to Capital and Non-Recurring
Expenditure Fund Budget in the amount of $900,600
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
DEBT SERVICE (10139) $7,934,633
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Goldstein, to approve the Debt Service budget in the amount
of $7,934,633
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
TOTAL BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2022 (Amended Total) $97,005,544
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Welch-Collins to approve a Total Budget for Fiscal Year 2022
in the amount of $97,005,544
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
CALL ITEM 3 — Tax Payment Schedule. (See Attachment)
MOTION by Welch-Collins, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to approve the tax payment schedule for Fiscal
Year 2021 ~ 2022, as recommended by the Tax Collector Alan Wilensky.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
MOTION by Welch-Collins, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to adjourn at 8:21 P.M.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
ammy a
David tL. Campo, CCTC
Waterford Town Clerk
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FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
To: Thomas J. Dembek, RTM Moderator 3
David Campo, Town Clerk a
From: Alan Wilensky, CCMC
Tax Collector cd
Date: May 3, 2021
Subject: Tax Payment Schedule for Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022
I have the following recommendations for the schedule of tax payments for Fiscal Year
2021-2022: ;
Retain the two-payment system for Real Estate tax bills, providing for collections
in July and January.
Real Estate tax bills over $100.00 would be collected in two equal installments,
due July 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022.
Real Estate tax bills of $100.00 or less would be due in full July 1, 2021.
Personal Property and Motor Vehicle tax bills would be due in full July 1, 2021.
Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax bills would be due in full January 1, 2022.
These bills are for vehicles registered after the assessment date of October 1,
2020, but before August 1, 2021.
3

This collection schedule is recommended in order to keep the Town in compliance with
Connecticut General Statutes 12-142, 12-144, and 12-144a.
Sec. 12-142. Installments; due date. The legislative body of each municipality, upon
approving any budget calling for the laying of a tax on property, shall determine whether
such tax shall be due and payable in a single installment or in two semiannual
installments or in four quarterly installments and shall, unless otherwise provided by law,
designate the date or dates on which such installment or installments shall be due and
payable, subject to the provisions of section 7-383, in any municipality in compliance
with requirements concerning the uniform fiscal year under chapter 110; provided the last
installment of any such tax shall be due and payable not later than forty-five days before
the end of the fiscal year in which the first installment thereof is due and payable, and
provided any special tax shall be due and payable in a single installment. In case of
failure of the legislative body to determine when such tax shall be due and payable or
whenever the date on which such tax shall be due and payable has been determined,
however, (1) the preparation and mailing of rate bills for such tax is delayed until after
the date such tax is due or (2) such tax is not applicable to certain property until after the
date such tax is due, such tax shall be due and payable, with respect to all property or
property which becomes subject to tax after the date such tax is due, whichever is
applicable, not later than thirty days following the date on which rate bills for such tax
are mailed or handed to persons liable therefor. Except as otherwise provided by law, the
several installments of a tax due in two or four installments shall be equal, but any
taxpayer may pay two or more of such installments when the first is due.
Sec. 12-144. Payment of taxes of not more than one hundred dollars. Any property
tax due in any municipality of this state in an amount not in excess of one hundred dollars
shall be due and payable in a single payment when so determined by the appropriating
body of such municipality.
Sec. 12-144a. Payment of tax on motor vehicles. Irrespective of the provisions of
sections 12-142 and 12-144, the appropriating body of each municipality, upon approving
any budget calling for the laying of a tax on property, shall determine whether such tax as
it applies to motor vehicles shall be due and payable in a single installment.
Alan When come oF es
Waterford Tax Collector, a