Board of Selectmen - Minutes - 09/06/2022

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Board/CommissionBoard of Selectmen
Meeting DateSeptember 06, 2022
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(Procedural Action: Check re
Members Present: First Selectm
and Selectwoman Jody Nazarchyk
Police Department:
MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING
September 6, 2022
5:00 P.M.
Waterford Town Hall (Appleby Room)
an Robert Brule, Selectwoman Elizabeth Sabilia
gister to be signed by Board of Selectmen in
accordance with CGS 7-83) 
3
rey
. 
“U
1. 
Call to Order & Roll Call- First Selectman Brule called the meeting t
order at 5:00pm. 
2
2. 
Pledge of Allegiance 
=
3.
Public Comment:
3a. Selectwoman Sabilia requested appoint of privilege to acknowledge the
passing of Gerard “Rod” J Gaynor Jr. on August 29, 2022. Rod served the
City of New London as a 
Poli 
i
as a member of the RTM for several years,
3b. First Selectman, Robert Brule a.sked for a Moment of Silence in
remembrance of Rod Gaynor.
Disposition of Town Property (Ordinance, Chapter 2.112.020):
4a. To Consider and act on a recommendation from Rawle Dummett,
Purchasing Agent, on behalf of Fire Services, Police Department and the IT
Department to dispose of the assets below:
Fire Services:
© 
Holmatro tools & Associated Acce:ssories (list attached)
© 
(5) Scott Eagle Cameras-items will be auctioned (list attached)
* 
Sea Doo GTX Jet Ski-item will be auctioned
© 
Karavan Trailer- item will be auctioned
© 
(2) Traffic Solutions Instalert Rapid Message Trailers- item will
be auctioned

Information Technology Department:
e 
Attached List of IT assets which are broken and have no value
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Finance Department Bid Rejection- Old Norwich and Crossroads Pump
Station Upgrades- #22-128: To consider and act on a recommendation from
Rawle Dummett, Purchasing Agent on behalf of the Utility Commission to
reject the lowest bidder Tucker Mechanical due to being significantly over
budget.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING 
IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Finance Department Cooperative Purchasing-Ventrae Tractor KN 4520Z
Kubota WG972-GL: To consider and act on a recommendation from Rawle
Dummett, Purchasing Agent on behalf of the Recreation & Parks Department
to award the contract to Turf Products LLC, in the amount of $58,818.81.
Funds would be available in line item 24207-54020 Equipment Replacement.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Finance Department Cooperative Purchasing- Installation of Guardrails:
To consider and act on a recommendation from Rawle Dummett, Purchasing
Agent on behalf of the Public Works Department to award the contract to
Atlas Companies LLC, in the amount of $35,248.75. Funds would be
available in line item 20530-57877 Resurface Roads, Lake Ponds.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Finance Department Cooperative Purchasing- 2000 tons of Road Salt: To
consider and act on a recommendation from Rawle Dummett, Purchasing
Agent on behalf of the Public Works Department to award the contract to
Morton Salt, in the amount of $191,160.00 Funds would be available in line
item 10130-55010 Town Aid Roads Improved.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0

10.
11.
12.
13.
Recreation & Parks: To consider and act on a request from Brian Flaherty,
Recreation & Parks Director, for an additional appropriation in the amount of
$12,250 to line item 10137-53080 Maintenance of Vehicles, to cover the cost
of unbudgeted repairs to the 2015 Chevrolét Silverado Dump Truck, and
forward to the Board of Finance.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Recreation & Parks: To consider and act on a request from Brian Flaherty,
Recreation & Parks Director, a new Capital project request for an additional
appropriation in the amount of $22,766, due to pathway permanent repairs
needed at Pleasure Beach, to address the wash-out issues, as well making the
beach ADA accessible, and forward to the Board of Finance.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Public Works: To consider and act on a recommendation from Gary Schneider,
Public Works Director to reopen line #20530-57743 Jordan Cove Bridge
Replacement that was closed in 2019, and forward to the Board of Finance.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Public Works: To consider and act on a recommendation on a request from Gary
Schneider, Public Works Director, for an additional appropriation in the amount of
$11,775.56 for the demand payment to the State of Connecticut DOT, for the
replacement of the bridge over Jordan Cover. Funds would be placed in line
#20530-57743 Jordan Cove Bridge Replacement, and forward to the Board of
Finance.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
Finance Department Bid Award- ADA Entrance Improvements-Police
Station- #22-130: To consider and act on a recommendation from Rawle
Dummett, Purchasing Agent on behalf of Public Works to award the contract
to Mattern Construction Inc, in the amount of $70,250. Funds would be
available in line item 31120-55851 ADA Improvements YSB/PD.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0

14. 
Finance Department Bid Award- Jordan Millpond Dam Fishway Repair #23-
102: To consider and act on a recommendation from Rawle Dummett,
Purchasing Agent on behalf of Planning Department to award the contract to
Schumack Engineered Construction, in the amount of $72,488 Funds would be
available in line item 31123-55903 Fish Ladder Repair and Grant line item TBD.
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
15. 
Appointments and Resignations:
15a. To consider and act on the appointment of Brandon Smith to the Youth
& Family Services Advisory Committee for the term of 6/1/22 to 5/31/2025
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
15b. To consider and act on the appointment of Warren Mackenzie as an
alternate to the Historic Properties commission to fill the term of 11/1/19 to
10/3 1/2024
MOTION by Nazarchyk, and seconded by Sabilia, VOTING IN FAVOR:
unanimous VOTE:3-0
16. 
New Business: N/A
17. 
Correspondence:
17a. 9/11 Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park at 5:30p on
Friday night
17b. 2023 BOS Meeting Schedule Draft for Review
17c. Email from James Auwood
18. 
Consent Agenda
18a. Tax refund-N/A
18b. June 29, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes-APPROVED
18c. July 5, 2022 Meeting Minutes-APPROVED
18d. July 19, 2022 Meeting Minutes-APPROVED
18e. August 8, 2022 Meeting Minutes-APPROVED
18f. August 16, 2022 Meeting Minutes-APPROVED

19. Adjournment- was made by Ms. Nazarchyk and seconded by Ms. Sabilia to
adjourn at 5:50pm. VOTING IN FAVOR; unanimous, VOTE:3-0
Y) 
Submitted,
; 
4
Cindy Dupointe
Recording Secretary

Cindy Dupointe
From: 
James Auwood <jwauwood@snet.net>
Sent: 
Friday, August 26, 2022 3:28 PM
To: 
First Selectman
Cc: 
Gail Boehm; william.turnier@snet.net; Brian Flaherty; Ryan McNamara
Subject: 
Rec&Parks Dept 2023-24 CIP proposal for tennis court improvements
Attachments: 
PB Presentation.pdf
Categories: 
First Selectman
_. 
‘CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. 
: 
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t Do not click links or 
r open attachments unless you recognize the sender's s email address and know the. I
content is safe. 
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Mr. Brule:
My name is Jim Auwood and I reside at 19 Peninsular Avenue in Ridgewood Park. Gail Boehm, Bill Tumier
and myself would like to request an opportunity to meet with you to discuss further the proposal for tennis court
improvements at Leary Park, Waterford Beach Park and Quaker Hill Elementary School. It is my
understanding that the proposal was tabled by the Board of Selectmen during the deliberations for the 2022-23
CIP plan but will be resubmitted during this next budget review cycle.
Gail Boehm and I attended this past Tuesday’s Recreation Commission meeting and addressed its members in
support of the aforementioned CIP proposal with a few modifications. Attached hereto please find my prepared
statement that was read in part to the Commission along with questions and answers that they had for Gail and
I. The Commission ultimately asked us supportively “what would you be looking for from us” and it was
suggested by the Commission and Brian that we reach out to you and ask to meet with you.
So here I am, and as I told the Commission - I will talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime that is willing to listen to
my pickleball story and its benefits, both personal and to our community. I was happy to receive your email
today citing Waterford as the 46th Hottest Housing Market in the U.S., according to Realtor.com. Ironically,
- 
pickleball is listed often as a favorable and desirable amenity in housing developments in certain regions around
America.
We recognize that your schedule is a busy one and the demands for your time are never-ending, but we will
make every effort to fit our time into your calendar. Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from
you. PLEASE NOTE that I contacted your office to see if the Selectwomen had official Town emails to copy
them, but I did not hear back in time to get this email out before week’s end.
Jim Auwood

Good afternoon Commission members, Chairman Hall, Director Flaherty,
Asst Director McNamara and Program Coordinator Damon. My name is
Jim Auwood and | live at 19 Peninsular Avenue here in Waterford. 
| sent a
letter dated August 15th which should be included in your meeting packet
along with a letter written by Rich Walton, but written on behalf of 127
Waterford residents and non-residents supporting the Department’s
2023-24 CIP proposal for tennis court improvements.
\'m here for two reasons: #1) Along with Gail Boehm and Bill Turnier, | was
asked by WBP picklers to speak to Brian and Ryan about adding lines to
the 2nd tennis court there to double playing capacity from 2 to 4 courts;
and #2) back in August 2021 after finishing pickleball play with a large
group of picklers, | was witness to a Town official state “PB IS JUST A
FAD” Who said this is far less important than the sentiment expressed.
So let’s set the record straight when it comes to PB: First, it is NOT a fad;
and second, the game is not limited to us older folks, us seniors. To dispel
those two notions, | offer the following:
1) PB is NOT a fad - instead it is the fastest growing sport in America
for the past 3 years and counting, According to USA Pickleball, the
governing body for PB in America, participation has also grown a
whopping 650% in the past 7 years. It’s popularity is expected to
continue to grow exponentially over the next 10-15 years, similar to the
tennis explosion of the 70s and 80s when Arthur Ashe, Connors, Evert,
McEnroe were household names. It’s no coincidence that Towns and
cities, racquet clubs and country clubs around the country were building
tennis courts to meet that growing demand.
2) PB is NOT limited primarily to senior citizens. Statistics from the
SPORTS & FITNESS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 2022 report show that the
average age of today’s pickleball player is 38.1 years old, and continues to
fall. The demographics are probably shocking to most of you - Seniors
(that is age 65+) comprise 17% of the players here in the US, while those
under 25 make up 33% of the total PB playing population. So it’s no
wonder that the target demographic which has seen greatest increases are
those under 50 years old.
So what does that mean? The sport is not going away and it makes sense
for towns to have the foresight to address those changes now rather than

later. Private enterprise is already doing it - we see it at Racquet Clubs,
Fitness Centers even hotel chains replacing tennis courts with PB courts
or at least retrofitting tennis courts to accommodate PB. Housing
developments list PB courts as one of their amenities. There are specialty
venues where you can book travel to places like Italy that includes PB
clinics and playing with the pros. Some Royal Caribbean Cruise ships have
PB courts on their top deck. There is a national restaurant chain, Chicken
& Pickles that advertises PB fun for the family along with dinner.
The private sector’s response has recently been matched with public
funding of PB courts. Traditionally, municipalities have funded public golf
courses, skating rinks, biking and hiking trails, but now you see
PicklePlexes popping up around the country. Just one example - Two
years ago the City of Holly Hill, FL in the Daytona Beach area built a facility
with approximately 24 PB courts along with locker rooms and a small
restaurant. That successful project led them to commit an additional $1.5
million for an expansion that will include more courts and a stadium court
that will seat thousands of tournament spectators. Now this example may
be the outlier and while | know Brian and Ryan are up to the task, that’s
not where we’re headed.
But Waterford would not be the first Connecticut municipality to make a
commitment to build dedicated PB courts. There currently are 34 CT
towns with 160 dedicated courts for PB. In New London County there is
one town, Colchester. There is one town in Windham County which tore
down the existing, run down, little used tennis courts at one site and
replaced it with 6 PB courts, new fencing and lights - that would be
Windham fondly known as Romantic Willimantic. Our closest neighbor
with dedicated PB courts is Old Saybrook. Back in 2018 or 2019 they built
3 PB courts with lights, and I’m told that they already are looking to add 3
more courts due to demand. The Old Saybrook issue highlights the
macro-problem with tennis and pickleball courts - in the US there are 4.5
times more tennis players than PB players; however there are 25 times
more tennis courts in the US than there are PB courts. So the micro-
solution to this imbalance and inequity, which continues to grow each year
as the numbers of PB players grows, has been to put PB lines on the
tennis courts - it’s expedient and inexpensive, The only expenses are
paint, tape, rollers, labor and a couple more portable PB nets. 
| know,
because | bought the paint for the WBP lines, and despite Brian’s best
efforts to have his overworked and understaffed crew provide the labor,

the Town had to pay a private contractor to paint the lines. So | wanted to
publicly thank Brian and Ryan for their commitment to PB for Waterford.
And | wanted to also point out the reciprocal commitment of Waterford
pickleballers, a group of approximately 140 players between Leary Park
and Waterford Beach Park, who generously donated monies to purchase 4
new PB nets and the paint totaling $700 just in the past 2 months. These
groups also clean off the wet courts year-round after inclement weather in
order to play - a hidden benefit that has and will extend the court surface’s
useful life in the future.
Which brings me to the current court surfaces. 
| trust that we can all agree
that the tennis courts are in poor shape and that the repairs and patching
done have left them both inadequate and potentially dangerous. So
assuming going forward, that the CIP proposal is not a matter of IF the
courts need to be resurfaced, but rather WHEN they are resurfaced, what
will the tennis/PB configuration look like. This is where the PB community
may differ with the current proposal for four dedicated pickleball courts at
Leary. There are 14 tennis courts available in Town and until 4 weeks ago,
there were only 6 PB courts co-existing on 3 of those tennis courts. From
strictly a utilization analysis, the current 8 PB courts usage dwarfs the
tennis play on those 8 tennis courts at Leary Park, WBP and Quaker Hill
Elementary combined. On the first day of four courts at Waterford Beach
on July 24th, there were 19 of our PB crew and while playing we were
joined by a family of 10, with their three generations of players enjoying
PB. 29 PB players just that first morning - how long would it take to get
29 tennis players utilizing those courts? We now average 16-20 PB
players most days at WBP. Except this past Friday, when we only had 13
at WBP ~ but then | discovered that some of our regulars played that day
at Leary, where their 4 PB courts had a morning total of 25 PB players,
and later that day 8 more players there. That’s a total of 46 players in one
day on those 4 tennis courts (8 PB courts). 
| respectfully suggest that |
have not seen 46 tennis players in total in the past 30 days at those 2
venues. Having said that, this should not be a tennis vs. PB conversation
to begin with. But from a purely utilization point of view, the Waterford
pian should merit AT LEAST 6 dedicated PB courts. PB players deserve
the same playing experience afforded tennis players that they get on
dedicated courts with permanent nets. Having a choice between playing
on a dedicated PB court and one with portable nets, the player will almost
always choose the former. And that should be a consideration when
moving forward with this plan - whatever the final number that is

determined, please be mindful that when you build it they will come. Until
other neighboring towns do the same, even more players will migrate to
the best courts around. East Lyme, Montville, Norwich, Groton and
Stonington are all in the discussion stages but do not appear to be as far
along as Waterford. The fact that the proposal includes the demolition of
the footprints at Leary and WBP, there should at least be consideration
formore than 4 PB courts. This is the time to get it right for the next 25-30
years. The existing Leary footprint is sufficient to replace the 2 northern
tennis courts with 6 PB courts. The bottom line for the PB folks who have
indicated their support for the CIP proposal - we are simply asking that
going forward from today, that the Commission consider further
discussions be held to consider modifications to Brian’s proposals. Rich
Walton, Bill Turnier, Gail Boehm, myself and other PB folks have
consistently offered support, will continue to do so and do anything
needed to move this project forward to fruition.
PB is a fast-growing sport that will continue to grow in our community.
This sport is multi-generational and fits squarely with your Mission
Statement. 
| was introduced to the game by my 77 year old sister, have
played the game with my 81 year old brother, while competing with my
thirty-something year old children and a 5 year old grandson. One thing |
learned when | started this homework project that | was completely
unaware of - Waterford high schoolers and middle schoolers have had PB
as part of the PE curriculum since 1991 - 31 years - which means that
those students now between ages 12 and 49 have been introduced to the
game, but never really had access to PB lined courts outside of the school
gym until recently, so it’s no wonder the fastest growing demographic isn’t
me and my fellow retirees.
| would like to conclude with a post | read over the weekend:
Pickleball is here to stay. It is truly different than all other
sports and definitely more than just a game. It transcends
needing a racket sport background or athletic background
at all, disregards age or gender, and allows both social/relaxed
play as well as competitive/high-intensity play. 
It builds
friendships and teaches strategic thinking that can be applied to
anything. It’s cheap to play, easy to learn and hard to master.
It helps us develop patience, but also decide the right time to

strike. It’s inspired a realm of online communities trying to
help each other grow, learn the game and enjoy it to the
fullest. It keeps people healthy and occupied, regardless
of their stage of life. And this is only a portion of why
pickleball is so great.
Thank you for your time. 
| am available to talk anytime to anyone that you
think needs to hear about the PB story. 
| look forward to continuing to
harass Brian and Ryan and | would like to invite any of you to come play
and learn what the addiction to PB is all about.
August 23, 2022 Recreation Commission meeting

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
David Campo
Waterford Town Clerk
15 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 06365
Mr. David Campo;
In ordinance with the Connecticut General Statue 1-21, please be advised of the following 2023 schedule
dates for the Board of Selectman.
January 10, 2023 
April 4, 2023 
July 11, 2023 
October 3, 2023
January 24, 2023 
April 18, 2023 
July 25, 2023 
October 24, 2023
February 7, 2023 
May 2, 2023 
August 1, 2023 
November 7 or 14,
2023
February 21, 2023 
May 16, 2023 
August 15, 2023 
November 21, 2023
March 7, 2023 
June 6, 2023 
September 12, 2023 
December 5, 2023
March 21, 2023 
June 20, 2023 
September 26, 2023 
December 19, 2023
The Board of Selectman meet the first and second Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise indicated.
All regular meetings will begin at 5:00pm at the Waterford Town Hall.
The Board of Selectmen will meet the following dates for Budget Meetings in 2023 at 5pm at the
Waterford Town Hall:
February 1, 2023 
February 2, 2023
February 8, 2023 
February 9, 2023
Respectfully,
Rob Brule
First Selectman
Waterford Town Hall
15 Rope Ferry Toad
Waterford CT 06365
rbrule@waterfordct.org