Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 03/19/2026

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD PHONE 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
March 19, 2026
Legislation & Administration Committee Meeting Minutes
Member's Present: Erica Casper, Mary Childs, Paul Goldstein, and Danielle Steward-Gelinas
>
Members Absent: Emmeline Franklin = ~ =
Also Present: Sue Driscoll, RTM moderator; Kristi Kelly, town attorney => x2
1. Confirmation of Quorum and Call to Order 1 Bo
Erica Casper called the meeting to order at 6:01pm. ~ 33
P20
orm
30
2. Public Comment
Helen Kwasniewski raised concerns a
environment, and attendance levels, and sugg'
concern about a reported unsafe driving incid
of a recent $17 picnic.
Bild
bout Senior Services department ie grank3
ested a review of the director. She also shared a
ent involving a senior van driver, as well as the cost
nutes of the February 9, 2026 Committee Meeting
3. Consideration and Action on Mir
Mary Childs to approve the minutes. Voice
Motion by Danielle Steward-Gelinas, seconded by
vote unanimous in favor.
Report Draft to report out to the RTM the following items:
sion to seven members (RTC 1 0/2/23)
ote Meetings Under FOI Act (RTC 2/6/23)
of YFSB/Senior Citizens ordinances (RTC 8/5/24)
urately reflected its recommendations but noted
d as a separate report with specific supporting
ndouts, and rationale. Casper will
of each item’s discussion history
4, Review Committee
a. Police Commission expan
b. Public Act 22-3, AAC Rem
c. Review
The committee agreed that the draft report acc’
that, per ordinance, each item must be submitte:
documentation, including referral letters, meeting records, har
vill include a summary
revise the report format to comply and w
to the extent feasible.
to the Committee
5. Review of Matters Currently Referred
Public Act 25-92 (RTC 10/6/25)
a. Review of Chptr. 3.08 to reflect
Town Attorney Kristi Kelly reviewed recommended revisions to Ordinance 3.08.030 from March
10, 2026, and suggested additional stylistic changes for consistency with the chapter. Stylistic
neluded removing the standalone section heading (“A”), renumbering subsections from
Additional discussion on style included replacing
dding the approval date to the citation. Kelly
changes i
«1» and “2” to “A” and “B” for consistency.
colons with semicolons in the citation, and a
4]

outlined the ordinance approval process, including committee vote, submission for public
hearing, required public notice, and distribution to relevant boards and departments.
Motion by Childs, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to approve the revised amendments dated
March 10, 2026. A friendly amendment was accepted to revise section formatting, update
citation punctuation, and include the approval date (as described). Voice vote unanimous in
favor.
b. Review of a “Public Comment Ordinance” (RTC 2/6/23)
The committee discussed concerns regarding public awareness of when and how to provide
comment, as well as consistency in how public comment is handled across meetings. While
noting that opportunities for comment may occur during designated public hearings, members
emphasized the importance of clear guidance and consistent practices. The committee agreed
that an ordinance change is not necessary at this time and voted to refer the matter to the
Education Committee to develop public comment guidelines and a process to inform elected and
appointed boards and commissions.
Motion by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Childs, to report the item out of committee with a
recommendation to refer Public Comment Guidelines to the Education Committee, with the
suggestion to develop a consistent approach for educating boards and commissions. Voice vote
unanimous in favor.
e. Review how RTM considers recommendations for committee assignments (RTC 6/6/22)
The committee began discussion on the difference between applicant pool for standing
committees (current RTM members) vs. boards and commissions (Town of Waterford residents)
and how the processes for each will differ by necessity. Members considered options to improve
the appointment process for boards and commissions, including maintaining accessibility,
broadening recruitment beyond party committees, establishing a vetting process, clarifying
expectations for applicants, and providing advance notice of openings. Discussion will continue
at a future meeting.
d. Review of Ethics Ordinance 2.50 (RTC 10/7/24)
No discussion or action on this item.
6. New Business
None.
7. Next Meeting Schedule
, March 30, 2026, immediately following the public hearing.
8. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:38pm.