Representative Town Meeting Budget and Special Meeting - DAY 2 (linked)

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
PHONE: 860-442-0553
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
www.waterfordct.org
AGENDA
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
ANNUAL BUDGET HEARING & SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, May 1, 3, 8, 10, 2023
7:00pm — Waterford Town Hall
Auditorium 2
a 5 =m
A. Pledge of Allegiance a = ata
B. Roll Call 3 © on
C. Public Comment en p eo
D. Correspondence 3) 2 ate
E. Transaction of Business on the Call: wi B
1. LEARN presentation for Southwest School Property.(May 1, 2023)
2. To consider and act upon the General Fund Budget, which includes both
Board of Education and General Government budgets for fiscal year July
1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 in the amount of $102,609,670, as
recommended by the Board of Finance, and as may be modified by the
determination of the Representative Town Meeting.
3. To establish the schedule of tax payments for real estate, personal
property and motor vehicle tax bills for the next fiscal year.
F. Adjournment

ROPE FERRY ROAD PHONE: 960-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
FIFTEEN
Dp, CT 06385-2886
WATERFOR!
S1VM
April 17, 2023
oldstein, RTM Moderator
WY
04 O3ANZ93Y
DATE:
TO: Paul G
COPY: Dave Campo, Town Clerk
Rob Brule, First Selectman
Y31O NMOL
nSZ qd LI Bay eae
19"0Yaay ae
ayo
FROM:
RE: Southwest School Property
chool property has been a dormant property for several
ake on all the costs and responsibilities that come with the
al clean-up required for the building and property. In
rtunity to demonstrate our appreciation to the
the dedication of a recreational space on the
and benefit of the public. LEARN is
chase this property at an amount that takes
the demolition of the existing pbuilding and
aterford residents.
The Southwest Elementary 8
years. LEARN is prepared to t
demolition and the environment:
gnized the oppo
addition, LEARN reco
residents of the Town of Waterford through
property (€.+5 pickleball courts) for the use
interested in engaging in negotiations to pur
into consideration the costs associated with
investment in facilities directly benefiting W’
In order to pursue State funding for the building of anew regional birth to 24 rade
educational facility on this property LEARN must file an application with the State in
June. Given this timetable, | am recommending the RTM give 15 minutes of its time to
hear directly from LEARN Executive Director, Kate Ericson. She would like to present
Monday, May 1, 2023 at the RTM Budget meeting. Their original request is
their idea on
attached for your review as well.
that in the event the RTM were to consider the possible alternate use of this
e BOS tomorrow to refer this issue to the P&Z Commission
Please note
o ask th
property lam going t
for an 8-24 review.

Innovate + Collaborate * Serve
Dear First Selectman Brule,
My name is Kate Ericson, and | am the Executive Director of LEARN, a regional educational service center
located in Old Lyme, Connecticut. As you may know, LEARN is one of six regional educational service
centers (RESCs) established by the state legislature to collaborate with school districts and provide
programs and services supporting teachers and students in our region, from Guilford to North
Stonington. In addition, LEARN currently operates four magnet schools in the region, including The
Friendship School on Rope Ferry Road for the past 18 years. The Friendship School was built as a
cooperative agreement between Waterford Public Schools and New London Public Schools and has
been a great success. The school has served up to 520 pre-kindergarten three- and four-year-olds as
well as kindergarten students and engaged with their families and communities. During that time, the
school has transitioned into a full magnet school accepting students from across the region. LEARN has
been aided in these efforts by a great relationship with the Town of Waterford, your office, and the
Waterford Board of Education. As the school approaches the end of its lease term, due to the school’s
success a number of factors have emerged creating certain challenges and opportunities requiring
LEARN to make some strategic shifts in our regional programs that will benefit the students, families,
and districts in our region.
Challenges:
To meet the needs of future generations, we see two major challenges to be resolved. The first major
challenge involves the impact of dropping-off and picking-up students as it relates to the traffic patterns
on Rope Ferry Road, the community center, and the high school complex. While we have worked with
the town to minimize impact, the number of parents transporting their children to school has grown
rapidly in the last few years.
The other major challenge is the lack of early childhood programming in the region for infants and
toddlers. Southeastern Connecticut employment opportunities are exploding, and with that comes the
need for high-quality infant and toddler programs to support such economic growth and development.
Strategic Solutions:
While The Friendship School has a long history of serving young learners from Waterford and across
Southeastern Connecticut, regional challenges demand a new, innovative response. Consequently,
LEARN is looking for a permanent location that will support the next evolution of The Friendship School
into a regional early childhood center of excellence serving children from infants to grade two.
As a result, | am writing to share with you LEARN’s desire to grow in Waterford by purchasing the
Southwest Elementary School property located at 51 Daniels Avenue. We believe this location affords a
“win-win-win” opportunity for Waterford, LEARN and the regional community. A modern school facility
44 Hatchetts Hill Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371 ~¥\ (860) 434-4800 * FAX (860) 434-4837 —¥\ Katherine Ericson * Executive Director

at 51 Daniels Avenue will maintain LEARN’s presence in Waterford while continuing its rich tradition of
offering high quality multicultural programs to students from all over Southeastern Connecticut. Here,
our youngest learners can experience their first formal education, make friendships across social,
cultural and town lines, and have access to outdoor learning spaces to explore their world.
To help facilitate a transition to this new location, LEARN intends to apply for the Child Day Care
Contract (CDC) Infant and Toddler Expansion grant which will provide slots for sixteen families that are
at or below 75% of the state median income. Supporting families with high-quality programming from
birth to age 8 will increase success rates for students over the course of their educational career.
The Southwest Elementary School property has been a dormant property for several years. LEARN is
prepared to take on ail the costs and responsibilities that come with the demolition and the
environmental clean-up required for the building and property. In addition, LEARN recognizes the
opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation to the residents of the Town of Waterford through the
building of a recreational space on the property (e.g., pickleball courts) for the use and benefit of the
public. LEARN is interested in engaging in negotiations to purchase this property at an amount that
takes into consideration the costs associated with the demolition of the existing building and investment
in facilities directly benefiting Waterford residents.
The needs of early childhood learners have grown increasingly complex. Developing special education
services includes the need for highly specialized staff at substantial costs, which ties the hands of many
local school districts. The region has called upon LEARN to expand its successful model of regional
special education programming with the creation of a regional early childhood special education
program that is both high quality and cost-efficient.
LEARN has been grateful for the exceptional partnership with and service provided by the Town of
Waterford, and the police department, school district, and selectman’s office have all been supportive
and responsive to the needs of The Friendship School. Over the last 18 years, hundreds of Waterford
families have enrolled their children in The Friendship School — and we hope to continue serving
students in our magnet and special education programs for years to come.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. We look forward to continuing this conversation
with you as we develop our vision and plans for 51 Daniels Avenue.
Respectfully,
Katherine Ericson
Executive Director

REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING BUDGET HEARINGS
FY 2023-24
Town Hall Auditorium
7:00 P.M.
MONDAY MAY 1
Board of Education
WEDNESDAY MAY 3 '
Ethics Commission
Conservation of Health
Public Health Nursing
Social Services Grants/Review
Registrar of Voters
Retirement Commission
Youth & Family Services Bureau
Senior Citizens Commission
Board of Assessment Appeais
Assessor
Contingency
Debt Service
Insurance
Town Clerk
Representative Town Meeting
MONDAY MAY 8
Zoning Board of Appeals
Economic Development Commission
Conservation Commission
Pianning and Zoning Commission
Flood and Erosion Controi Board
Building Department
Building Maintenance
Recreation & Parks Commission
Board of Selectmen
Public Works
WEDNESDAY MAY 10
Tax Collector
Waterford Public library
Finance Department
Human Resources Department
Board of Finance
Legal Department
Fire Services
Emergency Management
Board of Police Commissioners
information Technology
Current Year Capital Improvements
Transfers to Capital & Nonrecurring Expenditure Fund
FINAL ACTION
MOL
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Updated 04/03/2023
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Lega
TOWN
OF
WATERFORD
GENERAL
FUND
EXPENDITURES
2023
-
2024
PROPOSED
BUDGET
BOARD
OF
SELECTMEN
226,703
207,608
0
104,715
207,605
207,605
207,605
0
0.00%
10102
REGISTRARS
OF
VOTERS
79,532
78,204
0
73,764
79,488
79,488
79,488
7,284
1.64%
10103
BOARD
OF
FINANCE
64,935
66,673
a
67,652
70,159
70,459
70,159
3,486
5.23%
40104 ASSESSOR 340,085 259,344 0 133,287 292,148 292,148 292,148 32,804 12.65%
10105
BD.
OF
ASSESSMENT
APPEALS
948
1,620
0
315
1,602
1,602
1,602
(23)
“1.11%
10106
TAX
COLLECTOR
209,277
210,139
0
108,562
217,865
217,865
217,865
7,726
3.68%
10107
FINANCE
DEPARTMENT.
666,807
703,709
0
355,489
747,724
747,724
T4724
44,012
6.25%
10108
LEGAL
DEPARTMENT
264,688
295,000
0
148,054
295,000
295,000
295,000
0
0.00%
10109
FTOWN
CLERK
272,165
275,739
0
163,297
252,225
252,225
252,225
(23514)
“8.53%
10110
PLANNING
&
ZONING
594,454
657,972
0
324,043
661,210
661,210
661,210
3,238
0.49%
0114
BUILDING
MAINTENANCE
781,999
842,389
46,392
334,672
899,770
899,770
899,770
57,381
6.81%
10112
INSURANCE
4,679,175
4,728,672
0
1,151,505,
5,105,857
5,105,857
5,105,857
377,185
7.38%
0113
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
COMM
7,103
27
ATL
0
8,167
27,847
27,847
{400}
27,447
(24)
-0.09%
10114
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
13,464
18,250
rr)
1173
18,250
18,250
18,250
0
0.00%
10115
ZONING
BOARD
OF
APPEALS
2,859
4,310
0
222
4,310
4,310
4,310
0
0.00%
10116
RETIREMENT
COMMISSION
5,458,739
6,333,067
0
3,684,449
7,049,737
7,049,737
7,049,737
716,670
11.32%)
10L17
REPRESENTATIVE
TOWN
MTG.
16,197
18,903
0
14,798
18,903
18,903
18,903
0
0.00%
10118
BUILDING
DEPARTMENT
322,439
316,64
G
119,072
297,609
297,609
297,609
(19,032)
~6.01%
10219
YOUTH
&
FAMILY
SERVICES
323,568
272,160
0
116,162
239,827
239,827
239,827
(32,333)
“11.88%
10120
SOC.
SVC.
GRANTS/MISC,
83,837
98,194
Q
41,707
92,316
92,316
92,316
4,122
4.67%
10421
CONTINGENCY
261,923
265,000
oO
327k
265,000
265,000
265,000
0
0.00%
40122
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT.
966,320
1,068,486
0
506,500
1,094,563
1,094,563
1,094,563
26,077
2.44%
10123
FIRE
SERVICES
3,241,182
3,408,420
a
1,828,647
3,531,618
3,531,618
3,531,618
123,198
3.61%
40129
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
6,111,181
6,488,214
0
3,345,271
6,830,602
6,830,602
6,830,602
342,388
5.28%
10130
PUBLIC
WORKS
DEPARTMENT
4,505,676
4,709,563
0
4,781,347
4,994,798
4,994,798
4,994,798
285,235
6.06%
10132
CONSERVATION
OF
HEALTH
142,282
148,126
0G
148,126
148,407
148,407
148,407
281
0.19%
10133
PUBLIC
HEALTH
NURSING
SERV.
18,225
26,000
0
16,125
25,911
25,914
25,914
{89}
70.34%
10135
SENIOR
CITIZENS
COMMISSION
469,708
494,493
{23,196}
224,315
484,631
484,634
484,631
(9,862)
~1.99%
10136
WATERFORD
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
972,227
999,475
0
503,092
998,837
1,006,837
1,006,837
7,362
0.74%
10137
RECREATION
&
PARKS
COMM.
1,514,498
1,452,431
(23,196)
922,193
71,438,373
1,438,373
(14,850)
1,423,523
(28,908)
-1.99%
10141
FLOOD
&
EROSION
CONTROL
BD
480
2,138
0
0
2,138
2,138
2,438
0
0.00%
10143
ETHICS
COMMISSION
156
850
0
0
900
300
900
50
5.88%
10145
HUMAN
RESOURCES
DEPT.
287,853
259,856
0
115,530
259,836
259,836
259,836
(20)
-0.01%
10147
___JINFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
935,070
2,160,391
0
580,831.
1,165,181
1,165,184
4,465,181
4,750
0.41%
10138
CURRENT
YEAR
CAPITAL
IMPR.
4,250,774
2,534,119
0
1,636,721
1,636,721
1,636,721
(897,398)
“35.41%
10140
FFRANS
TQ
CAP
&
NON-REC,
1,426,662
1,238,824
0
a
281,250
281,250
281,250
(957,574)
“77,30%
DEBT
SERVICE
7,934,633.
7,197,640
0
5,447,016
8,148,250
|
__
8,148,250
8,148,250
950,610
13.2196)

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
1 8 8
To: Paul Goldstein, RTM Moderator alt as 5
David Campo, Town Cler! Sh = an
From: Alan Wilensky, CCMC 2 av) 32
Tax Collector » YY AS
= ro)
: aw ©
Date: April 10, 2023
Subject: Tax Payment Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023 — 2024
For the RTM meeting agenda of May 10, 2023
I have the following recommendations for the schedule of tax payments for Fiscal Year
2023-2024:
¢ Retain the two-payment system for Real Estate tax bills, providing for collections
in July and January.
e Real Estate tax bills over $100.00 would be collected in two equal installments,
due July 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024.
e Real Estate tax bills of $100.00 or less would be due in full July 1, 2023.
Personal Property and Motor Vehicle tax bills would be due in full July 1, 2023.
¢ Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax bills would be due in full January 1, 2024.
These bills are for vehicles registered after the assessment date of October 1,
2022.

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 Wilensky, CCMC
Waterford Tax Collec