Board of Finance Regular Meeting Agenda (linked)

From: Helen Kwasniewski
We as town residents have to realize that in the past “Millstone” was footing the
town existence. Now that “Millstone” is on limited time and we as town residents
and all department heads/directors and all elected official have to re-invent the
wheel. The question we have to ask is “How can we keep our taxes/mill rate
down” so we won’t be like New London, Norwich with high mill rate AND keep
the service the same that we taxpayers want.
1“ - salaries are way too high.
2"4 — consolidate some to departments and/or job task. For example: do we need
someone who makes approximately $50,000 PLUS benefits to sit in the lobby area
to answer phone and greet people. Have that position done by a volunteer like at
the Senior Center — save of $50,000 Plus benefits. This saving can pay for the
“Body Cam” the police department wants for EACH officer.
Park and Rec have too many personal for same programs year after year. I feel that
they can do with less employees. I am sure there could be more that we can look
into.
3" _ | believe that Public Works can decrease employees on garbage days with one
garbage truck picking up regular trash and recyclables all at the same time as of
towns do. Savings are salaries with benefits and the wear and tear on the trucks.
4'"__ My taxes are extremely high and I do not get all the benefits. For example: the
school system — I have no children but yet my taxes go toward the schools.
5" —] do not like having my taxes go towards paying town employees who bully
senior citizen, who retires and comes back to work in the department that they
retire from, as well as pick and choose when they can work.
6" — With monies collected for sewer and water usage go to the Water/Sewer
Department so that that is there operating budget WITHOUT asking the town for
money. This is being done in other towns.
7" - With “Victoria Gardens” as well as Ahepa — they have put a burden on the use
of town vans. They should have their own vans or bill these facilities. This is an
increase to the Senior Service Budget.

8". There should be increase for the use of the event room at the Community
Center as well as for ALL out of towners that come and use this facility like area
Senior Centers do. I hear that we as Waterford residents we are losing our identity
by allow them in which Waterford taxpayers paid for.
9. Waterford Dental Group should be charge for using the “park” parking for
their clients who have to cross a busy highway.
10°. Keep taxes “FROZEN FOR ALL SENIORS” for all the time that they are
living in their homes — this is being done at the other end of our state who are
wealthier than Waterford.
With my final notes- The RTM is the last and final board to hear the budgets and I
pray that they guts to open there mouths to scrutinize each department budget
instead of giving a “blank check” like in the past.
I believe that all elected official should think about the residents who elected them
and not how to increase the budget to benefit there, friends, family and spouses
wallet at the expense of Waterford taxpayers especially the SENIORS.
All town employees should live in the town who by taxpayers pay their salary
period.