Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 02/01/2021

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
MINUTES YY
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
Regular Meeting
February 1, 2021 nN
Ge
RTM Moderator Thomas Dembek called the February 1, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Representative
Town Meeting to order at 7:02 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Greg Attanasio, Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, April Cairns, Timothy Condon, Thomas J.
Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Steven Elci, Timothy Fioravanti, Miriam Furey-Wagner, Nick Gauthier, Paul
Goldstein, Kathleen Kohl, David Lersch, Valerie Metivier, Richard Morgan, Richard Muckle, Liam O'Leary,
Theodore Olynciw, Sally Ritchie, Michael Rocchetti, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, Baird Welch-Collins.
ABSENT: Robert Swansen.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Selectwoman Jody Nazarchyk; Selectman Elizabeth Sabilia; Chair of the
Board of Finance Ronald R. Fedor; Chair of the Board of Education Craig Merriman.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo; Town Attorney Robert Avena.
AGENDA ITEM C — December 7, 2020 Minutes & January 4, 2021 Minutes
MODERATOR Dembek noted that the years were incorrect on the Agenda and it was determined to be a
typo. See corrected dates above.
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Welch-Collins, to accept the minutes with the following corrections to
the December 7, 2020 Minutes: Driscoll made the motion, seconded by Welch-Collins to nominate Cathy
Patterson to the Personnel Review Board under CALL ITEM 2.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter from Waterford Resident Michele Dibuono regarding safety concerns on Niantic River Road.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
A letter from members of the Niantic Community Church was accepted as public comment and church
member Paul Helvig spoke in reference to the letter. (See Attachment)
Waterford Resident Christopher Jones spoke in regard to transparency and the importance of diversity
on town board and committees.
Waterford Resident Michele Dibuono spoke regarding safety, ADA and a long term redesign of Niantic
River Road.
RTM Minute 02/01/2021 1

AGENDA ITEM F —None
AGENDA ITEM G— RTM Member Thomas Dembek updated the body on the progress of the Waterford
Municipal Complex.
CALL ITEM 1 — Volunteer Fire Services Stipend Program Presentation
PRESENTATION: Director of Fire Services Bruce Miller
A written and oral report was submitted concerning the stipend program. Discussion ensued
CALL ITEM 2 ~ Waterford Town Beach Fees
PRESENTATION: Chairman of the Public Health, Recreation & Environment Standing Committee of the
RTM Jennifer Bracciale
MOTION by Welch-Collins, seconded by Bono, to accept a recommendation from the Public Health,
Recreation & Environment Standing Committee and from the Parks and Recreation Commission,
pending its January 26, 2021 meeting, to approve proposed Waterford Town Beach parking fees.
MOTION by Bracciale, seconded by Driscoll to request a friendly amendment to clarify that the original
motion will accept the recommendation of the Public Health, Recreation & Environment Standing
Committee. (See Attachment)
Welch-Collins and Bono agreed
MOTION by Gauthier, seconded by Welch-Collins, to amend the motion to eliminate the fee for all
bikers and walkers,
Lengthy discussion ensued.
MOTION by Goldstein, seconded by Welch-Collins, to move the question.
VOTING IN FAVOR to move the question: Unanimous
MOTION PASSED
VOTING IN FAVOR to eliminate walker and biker fee: Furey-Wagner, Gauthier, Welch-Collins
VOTING AGAINST: Attanasio, Bono, Bracciale, Cairns, Condon, Dembek, Driscoll, Elci, Fioravanti,
Goldstein, Kohl, Lersch, Metivier, Morgan, Muckle, O’Leary, Olynciw, Ritchie, Rocchetti, Steward-Gelinas
MOTION FAILED: 20-3
ORIGINAL MOTION with the friendly amendment. (See Attachment)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous with one member against. (Gauthier)
CALL ITEM 3 ~ Budget Schedule
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Welch-Collins, to approve the budget schedule as presented.
{See Attachment)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 4: Ethics Commission Regular Member
MOTION by Goldstein, seconded by Muckle, to reappoint Steve Garvin as a regular member on the
Ethics Commission (Term 02/01/2021 ~ 02/06/2023)
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Welch-Collins, to reappoint Martin Zeldis as a regular member of the
Ethics Commission. (Term 02/01/2021 — 02/06/2023)
VOTING IN FAVOR OF BOTH NOMINEES: Unanimous
RTM Minute 02/01/2021 2

CALL ITEM 5 - Ethics Commission Alternate Member
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Gauthier, to reappoint Elizabeth Ritter as an alternate member to the
Ethics Commission. (Term 02/01/2021 — 02/06/2023)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Town Clerk David Campo informed the body that he was in receipt of a BOE Teachers Contract and that
a special meeting would need to be scheduled.
MOTION by Goldstein, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to schedule a Special Meeting on Monday
February 22, 2021 at 7:00 P.M.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
MOTION by Goldstein, seconded by Welch-Collins, to assign to the Finance, Wage, & Personnel Standing
Committee “Salaries of Elected Officials”.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
MOTION by Gauthier, seconded by Ritchie, to assign the “appraisal of a sidewalk ordinance and
associated safety issues”.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
MOTION by Welch-Collins, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to adjourn at 8:49 P.M,
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
Respectfully Submitted,
Dhol) Z Ginga —
David L. Campo, CCTC
Town Clerk
RTM Minute 02/01/2024 3

1/18/2021
We ask that the following be read into the public record:
To the Waterford RTM Education Standing Committee,
We are writing to thank you for the conversation held during your December 1, 2020 meeting. It
addressed some of the concerns we raised in the letter we sent to you in September (please see
attachment). During your meeting, we were pleased to hear Superintendent Giard clearly
describe the initial steps taken by the school district and the long-range goals it has adopted.
Additionally, First Selectman Brule shared what steps he is considering based on what
Superintendent Giard and the BOE develop. Those presentations and the conversation that
followed were important first steps in identifying actions the RTM can take to educate its
members and review town policies and practices.
Considering the requests made in September, we again ask that the Education Standing
Committee not only hear what other Waterford officials and agencies are doing, but also consider
what steps the entire RTM needs to take. We maintain that, as elected representatives of the
people of Waterford, it is the RTM’s responsibility to ensure that all boards, committees, and
employees are equitable and knowledgeable. As the town’s governing body, your actions can
have a far-reaching impact on increasing equitable practices, rewriting and developing policies
that support our increasingly diverse community, and preventing racially biased actions by town
employees and officials. We can do better in providing living, working and learning
opportunities for everyone in our town.
We ask the Education Standing Committee to assure that all town employees, elected officials
and members of town boards and commissions receive initial and updated training around
diversity, equity and inclusion. This training must not be a one-time event but an ongoing and
embedded part of the organizational culture that's grounded in the specific needs of our
community.
There is no question that discussions of justice and inclusivity are often as difficult as they are
important. However, we are expecting that our elected representatives will rise to this challenge
and create a space for our community to discuss these vital issues.
Waterford Members of Niantic Community Church,
Paul Helvig, contact person at plhelvig@sbeglobal.net or 860-447-9657, District 2
Linda Helvig, District 2
Jane Milardo, District 3
Mike Guarini, District 3
Jerry Holmberg, District 2 rm
Margaret Holmberg, District 2
Sue Smith, District 4
Mary Childs, District 2
Ocean Pellett, District 4
Juanita Durham, District 1

OO'T $ oot S$ 421g /JDIEM luapisay
OO'TT
$
OO'TT
$|99'0
$j
vEOT
S|
OOTT
iS
ooOT
S$
AepijoH/puayaan
Udi
JUSpISaY-UON
00's
$
00'8
$}8r0
$
|
792
$
|
00'8
$
oor
$
Aepyaay
21U3;g
Juapsay-UON
oose
§
=
6$|
60%
S|
Tez
$
|
0O'SE
$|
TET $
|
60°0E
$
|
00'7E
$
oo;0e
=$
AepijoH/puayxaan
Wspissy-UON
oo'sz
=
$:
|
6v'T $
|
TS'Ez
$
|
00°SZ
$|
Tet $
|
69'0z
$
|
0O°¢Z
S$
o00z
=$
AepyaeM
juapisay-UON
009
$
00°9
$|9€0
$|
79S
S|
009
S
oos
86S
AepyoH/puayaam
uapissy
see7 suiyieg Apieq
33u4 EERE UeIaIEA Paiqesid ployee
00°0T $ oo'oT $ S$2q JO41g/JOq1I2M JUEPISAY-UON
00°
S
ooz
6s
SSBq
JaxIG/JOxIEM
JUapIsay
oo'szt
«=$
|
92
S|
PSLIT
$
|
00°SZT
$|
69
$|
T9°00T
$
|
0O°ZOT
$
oo;00T
$
Juapisay-UON
ooIrT
$
OO'TT
$|99°0
$|
vEOT
S$
|
OO'TT
S$
oo'or
=
$
Jeuolppy
quapisay
00st
=
$:
|
GT
S$
|
TS'Ez
$
|
00°Sz
SITET
$
|
69°02
$
|
00°72
S
oo0z
=
$
3Sil4
JuUapIsay
XVL"DNI Dera saan onl) xvi | Jag. | XwLonianioN| | © aad
a3sOdOud|
lo
dO.NOLLUOd
|
‘aad
qasodoud
|
|
LNaNEND.
‘WOD
S\QUOUALWM
|
NOISSINWOD
|
||”
1z0z/92/T}
LN3INNOIANS
|_|
Nolssiwwo2
_—
oelse/e
“BNO ee
vauoay‘HLIV3H
:
pancuddy
A
saaf
panoiddn
N14
TZ0z/T0/z0
44M
Tz02/%0/Z0
JL
Aq
pajopdy
02/TZ/T NOISSINIWOD SxuVd 8 NOILVZHDIY CYOsNILVM

REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING BUDGET HEARINGS
FY 2021-22
Town Hall Auditorium
7:00 P.M.
MONDAY MAY 3
Board of Education
TUESDAY MAY 4
Ethics Commission
Conservation of Health
Public Health Nursing
Social Services Grants/Review
Registrar of Voters
Tax Collector
Youth & Family Services Bureau
Recreation & Parks Commission
Board of Assessment Appeals
Assessor
Contingency
Debt Service
Insurance
Town Clerk
Representative Town Meeting
WEDNESDAY MAY 5
Zoning Board of Appeals
Economic Development Commission
Conservation Commission
Planning and Zoning Commission
Flood and Erosion Control Board
Building Department
Building Maintenance
Community Use of Schools
Fire Services
Board of Selectmen
Public Works
THURSDAY MAY 6
Retirement Commission
Waterford Public library
Senior Citizens Commission
Finance Department
Human Resources Department
Board of Finance
Legal Department
Emergency Management
Board of Police Commissioners
Information Technology
Current Year Capital Improvements
Transfers to Capital & Nonrecurring Expenditure Fund
FINAL ACTION