Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - 1293 (06/01/2026)

PHONE: 860-442-0553
FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
www.waterfordct.org
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
AGENDA
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, June 1, 2026
7:00pm — Waterford Town Hall
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
To consider and act upon the minutes of the May 4, 6, 11 & 13, 2026 Annual
Budget & Special Meeting
Correspondence
Public Comment
Committee reports and referrals
. Appointee & Liaison updates
Transaction of Business on the Call:
1. Presentation: Waterford Utility Commission annual update
2. To consider and act upon a recommendation from the Finance, Wage and
Personnel Standing Committee to establish a predictable and legally
compliant schedule for 1.5% salary increases for elected officials serving
four-year terms.
3. To authorize the RTM Moderator to ask the First Selectman to notify the
Director of Human Resources that the 1.25% salary increases for all
elected officials currently scheduled for July 1, 2026, should not be
implemented as they would be in violation of Connecticut Constitution
Amendment Article XIX.
I. 
New Business
J. Adjournment
OUP
rammo
G2 
GE 
sau
90> 
VEINS 
AV 
S202
HEAT 
NMOL
cols
19 ‘ONO 
SYLVA
auod3y 
YO4 
G3A1303u
—

MODERATOR’S REPORT
Representative Town Meeting
June 1, 2026
Matters Currently in Standing Committees
LEGISLATION & ADMINISTRATION
Review how the RTM considers recommendations for committee assignments,
RTC 06/06/22
Review of a “Public Comment Ordinance” RTC 02/06/23
Review of Chapter 2.50 Ethics Commission of the Waterford Code of Ordinances,
RTC 10/07/24
EDUCATION
FINANCE, WAGE & PERSONNEL
Review of Ordinance 3.17 Fleet Management, RTC 08/04/25
CIP Approval Process Pilot Program, RTC 06/02/25
Salaries of Elected Officials, RTC 12/02/24
PUBLIC HEALTH, RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT
Review of Chapter 12.2, RTC 10/06/25
PUBLIC PROTECTION & SAFETY
Review of assigned duties to the Director of Fire Services, RTC 06/03/24
Street Takeovers and Enforcement Cameras, RTC 08/04/25
Review of Ordinance Chapter 9.08 — Mass Gatherings, RTC 02/02/26
First Responders’ Survivors Benefits, RTC 02/03/2025
PUBLIC WORKS, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Short Term Rentals, RTC 12/06/21
Fair Rent Commission, RTC 04/06/26
RTC: referred to committee

PHONE: 860-442-0553
FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
wwwavaterlordetorg
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
= 
.
i a 
#
= 
o
7 
we 
| Sern
= ae
” 
ee
3 
o gn
aN » 82
MINUTES 
ey 
Db PS
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING 
REN 
36 3a
Annual Budget Meeting & Special Meeting 
t 
Ss 
2
May 4, 6, 11 and 13, 2026
Moderator Susan Driscoll called the Annual Budget Meeting & Special Meeting of the Representative
Town Meeting to order on May 4, 2026, at 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Jim Bartelli, JoAnna Bennett, Steve Besade, Guy Calkins, Erica Casper,
Mary Childs, Timothy Condon, Susan Driscoll, Kathleen Elbaum, Tim Fioravaniti, Paul Goldstein, Kristin
Gonzalez, Narclss Greene, Lindsay Khan, Kate MacKenzie (Speaker phone), Ursula Moreshead, Kathy
Mullen Kohl, Ted Olynciw, Ocean Pellett, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue, Tim Sullivan, Julie
Watson Jones
ABSENT: Emmy Franklin, Kayla Mullen
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert) Brule, Selectman Richard Muckle, Board of
Finance Chair Glenn Patterson, Board of Education Chair Deborah Roselli Kelly
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Selectman Greg Attanasio
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo, Town Attorney Kristi Kelly, Director of Finance Kim Allen
AGENDA ITEM C ~ April 6, 2026 Minutes
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Mullen Kohi, to accept the April 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes as
presented.
MOTION PASSED: 22-0-4 (Sugrue abstained)
CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was received: A General Government Staffing Roster/Summary from
Director of Human Resources Christine Walters.
An email from resident Taylor Studer in support of the Waterford Public Library budget. (See
attachment)
RTM Member Augmon-Bossa arrived
PUBLIC COMMENT
Helen Kwasniewski, 227 Bloomingdale Rd, spoke in favor reducing the budget and voiced her concerns
in regard to operations of the town and the effect on senior citizens,
The following members of the public spoke fn favor of the Board of Education budget and the
4. 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

importance of smaller class sizes: Michelle Pillman, 34 Twin Lakes Dr; James Nicholas, 15A Shore Rd;
Monica Wiggins, 1 Farmstead Ln; Alix Meyenberg, 58 Scotch Cap Rd.
Joshua Steele Kelly, 6 Marlin Dr., spoke first as CEO of TVCCA as to what they do and in support of the
budget the town has designated to go to TVCCA. Also, as a resident he spoke in favor of the Board of
Education budget.
Jennifer Keatley, 54 Niantic River Rd, resident and Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy of
Southeastern Connecticut spoke in favor of the budget under Social Services Grants for the United
Cerebral Palsy of Southeastern Connecticut.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
The Annual Budget Meeting is, in fact, an ongoing meeting called to order on May 4, 2026, recessed,
then continued on May 6, May 11, and May 13, only to be adjourned after final action on May 13, 2026.
Consideration of the Budget by department/agency follows the posted schedule.
CALL ITEM 1 — Board of Education and General Fund Budget
Consideration and action upon the General Fund Budget, which includes both Board of Education and
General Government Budgets for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, as recommended
by the Board of Finance, and as may be modified by the determination of the Representative Town
Meeting.
STANDING MOTION by Majority Leader Childs, seconded by Minority Leader Steward-Gelinas, to offer a
standing motion to move each proposed budget for consideration in the order specified in the hearing
schedules, with approvals at the series subtotal and the department total levels, with the understanding
that all totals are considered tentatively approved until final action is taken at the end of our budget
hearing.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
SOCIAL SERVICES GRANTS/MISC (10120) $122,825
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERV (10133) $17,280
PRESENTATION: Yale New Haven Health-Health at Home-Southeast Director Karen DeSantis
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CONSERVATION OF HEALTH (10132) $160,368
PRESENTATION: Ledge Light Health District Director Jennifer Muggeo
MOTION PASSED: 25-0-1 (Goldstein abstained)
BOARD OF EDUCATION (10460) $62,640,629
PRESENTATION: Board of Education Chair Deb Roselli Kelly, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Giard,
BOE Director of Finance Joseph Mancini presented the details of the budget and stood for questions.
Lengthy discussion ensued.
MOTION PASSED; 23-0-3 (Childs, Gonzalez, and Fioravanti abstained}
Recess at 9:51 P.M.
2 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

CALL TO ORDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting was resumed and called to order at
7:00 P.M, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by Moderator Driscoll.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Jim Bartelli, JoAnna Bennett, Steve Besade, Guy Calkins, Erica Casper,
Mary Childs, Susan Driscoll, Kathleen Elbaum, Tim Fioravanti, Paul Goldstein, Kristin Gonzalez, Narciss
Greene, Lindsay Khan, Kate MacKenzie (Speaker phone), Ursula Moreshead, Kathy Mullen Kohl, Ted
Olynciw, Ocean Pellett, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue, Tim Sullivan, Julie Watson Jones
ABSENT: Timothy Condon, Emmy Franklin, Kayla Mullen
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule, Selectman Richard Muckle, Board of
Finance Chair Glenn Patterson, Board of Education Chair Deborah Roselli Kelly
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Selectman Greg Attanasio
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo, Town Attorney Kristi Kelly, Director of Finance Kim Allen
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
ETHICS COMMISSION (10143) $900
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS (10102) $126,410
PRESENTATION: Democratic Registrar of Voters Bigi Ebbin, Republican Registrar of Voters Patricia
Waters
MOTION PASSED: 20-0-4 (Watson Jones abstained)
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT (10145) $256,477
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Resources Christine Waiters
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
RTM Member Sugrue arrived
YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES BUREAU (10119) $292,078
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Services Dani Gorman, Human Services Coordinator Heidi McSwain,
Administrative and Intake Specialist Mindy Stone
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION (10135) $528,682
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Services Dani Gorman, Assistant Director Terry Wheeler, Human
Services Coordinator Heidi McSwain
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
3. 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS (10105) $5,693
PRESENTATION: Assessor Paige Walton
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
RTM Member Greene arrived
ASSESSOR (10104) $339,196
PRESENTATION: Assessor Paige Walton
MOTION PASSED: 21-0-2 (Childs, Khan abstained)
CONTINGENCY (10121) $285,000
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
DEBT SERVICE (10139) $7,922,996
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
RETIREMENT COMMISSION (10116) $6,112,414
PRESENTATION: Retirement Commission Chair Susan Driscoll
MOTION PASSED: 20-3-0 (Casper, Childs, and Driscoll voted against}
INSURANCE (10112) $5,863,439
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
TOWN CLERK (10109) $271,688
PRESENTATION: Town Clerk David L. Campo, CCTC
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING (10117} $47,802
PRESENTATION: RTM Moderator Susan Driscoll
MOTION PASSED: 20-3-0 (Bennett, Childs, and Driscoll voted against}
Recess at 9:11 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting resumed at 7:00 P.M. on Monday,
May 11, 2026, with the call to order by Moderator Driscoll.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Jim Bartelli, JoAnna Bennett, Steve Besade, Guy Calkins, Erica Casper, Mary Childs, Susan
Driscoll, Kathleen Elbaum, Tim Fioravantl, Emmy Franklin, Paul Goldstein, Narciss Greene, Lindsay Khan,
Kate MacKenzie (Speaker phone), Ursula Moreshead, Kathy Mullen Kohl, Ted Olynciw, Ocean Pellett,
Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue, Tim Sullivan, Julie Watson Jones
ABSENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Tim Condon, Kristin Gonzalez, Kayla Mullen
4 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule, Board of Finance Chair Glenn Patterson
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT; Selectman Greg Attanasio, Selectrnan Richard Muckle, Board of
Education Chair Deborah Roselli Kelly
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo, Town Attorney Kristi Kelly, Director of Finance Kim Allen
CORRESPONDENCE
-None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
MOTION by Childs, seconded by Olynciw, to suspend the rules and alter tonight's schedule so that Public
Works immediately follows Building Maintenance and move Recreation and Parks ahead of Building
Maintenance.!
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (101145) $4,310
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (10113) $25,407
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz
MOTION PASSED: 21-0-1 (Mullen Kohl abstained)
CONSERVATION COMMISSION (10114) $18,250
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz, Environmental Planner Maureen Fitzgerald
MOTION PASSED; Unanimous
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION (10110) $699,654
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz; Environmental Planner Maureen Fitzgerald
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
FLOOD & EROSION CONTROL BOARD (10141) $1,104
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz
MOTION PASSED; 21-0-1 (MacKenzie abstained)
BUILDING DEPARTMENT (10118) $355,537
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz, Building Official Steve Cardelle
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION (10137) $1,608,405
PRESENTATION: Director of Recreation and Parks Ryan McNamara, Assistant Director Tim Ceiplik
MOTION PASSED: 20-0-2 (Childs and Sugrue abstained)
BUILDING MAINTENANCE (10111) $1,217,876
PRESENTATION: Director of Public Works Gary Schneider, Office Coordinator Sandy Kenniston
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
5 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (10130) $5,312,218
PRESENTATION: Director of Public Works Gary Schneider, Office Coordinator Sandy Kenniston
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
BOARD OF SELECTMEN (10101) $207,470
PRESENTATION: First Selectman Robert Brule
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
Recess at 9:25 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting resumed at 7:03 P.M. on Wednesday,
May 13, 2026, with the call to order by Moderator Driscoll.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Jim Bartelli, JoAnna Bennett, Steve Besade, Guy Calkins, Erica Casper, Mary Childs, Timothy
Condon, Susan Driscoll, Kathleen Elbaum, Tim Fioravanti, Eramy Franklin, Paul Goldstein, Kristin
Gonzalez, Narciss Greene, Lindsay Khan, Kate MacKenzie (Speaker phone), Ursula Moreshead, Kathy
Mullen Kohl, Ted Glynciw, Ocean Pellett, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, Tira Sullivan, Julie Watson Jones
ABSENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Kayla Mullen, David Sugrue
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule, Board of Finance Chair Glenn Patterson,
Board of Education Chair Deborah Roselli Kelly
EX-OFFICJO MEMBERS ABSENT: Selectman Greg Attanasio, Selectman Richard Muckle
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Carnpo, Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Director of Finance Kim
Allen
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter from Waterford Professional Firefighters Local 4629 President Eric Pawlak in support of the Fire
Services budget. Two items from resident Joshua Steele Kelly in support of the Board of Education
budget, an increase to the elected officials’ salaries, and the need for a Charter Review Commission.
(See attachments)
TAX COLLECTOR (10106) $233,609
PRESENTATION: Tax Collector Alan Wilensky
MOTION PASSED: 21-0-1 (Fioravanti abstained)
WATERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY (10136) $1,045,991
PRESENTATION: Library Director Christine Johnson, Library Board of Trustees Presidént Miriam Furey-
Wagner
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
6 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

FINANCE DEPARTMENT (10107) $805,507
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
BOARD OF FINANCE (10103) $86,406
PRESENTATION: Board of Finance Chair Glenn Patterson
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT (10108) $295,000
PRESENTATION: Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple
MOTION PASSED: 21-0-1 (Fioravanti abstained)
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (10122) $1,270,180
PRESENTATION: Director of Emergency Management Stephen Sinagra
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous.
FIRE SERVICES (10123) $4,345,218
PRESENTATION: Director of Fire Services Christopher Haley
MOTION PASSED: 21-0-1 (Sullivan abstained)
POLICE COMMISSION (10129) $7,307,124
PRESENTATION: Chief of Police David Ferland, Lieutenant Andrew Farrior, Lieutenant Nicole
VanOverloop, Lieutenant Patrick Flanagan, Office Coordinator Diane Driscoll
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (10147) $1,380,069
PRESENTATION: information Technology Manager Jeff Robillard
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CURRENT YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (10138) $3,364,490
PRESENTATION; First Selectman Robert Brule
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
TRANSFERS TO CAPITAL AND NON-RECURRING EXPENDITURE (10140) $816,971
PRESENTATION: First Selectman Robert Brule
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
FINAL ACTION
GENERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS $40,619,584
MOTION by Childs, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, 10 approve the General Government Operations
Budget in the amount of $40,619,584,
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
RTM Member Greene arrived
7 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

TOTAL CAPITAL and DEBT SERVICE $12,104,457
MOTION by Childs, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to approve the Total Capital and Debt Service Budget
in the amount of $12,104,457.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
TOTAL TOWN BUDGET (Operating, Capital and Debt) $52,724,041
MOTION by Childs, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to approve the Total Town Budget in the amount of
$52,724,041
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous.
BOARD OF EDUCATION: (10160) $62,640,629
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Moreshead, to approve the Board of Education Budget in the
amount of $62,640,629
MOTION PASSED: 20-0-3 (Childs, Gonzalez, and Fioravanti abstained)
TOTAL BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2027 $115,364,670
MOTION by Childs, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to approve a Total Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 in the
amount of $115,364,670
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 2 ~ Tax Payment Schedule.
MOTION by Childs, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to establish the schedule of tax payments for real
estate, personal property and motor vehicle tax bills for the next fiscal year as presented: (See
Attachment)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
CALL ITEM 3 — Revaluation Services
PRESENTATION: Town Assessor Paige Walton
MOTION by Childs, secorided by Steward-Gelinas, to approve a request from the Board of Finance to
move $28,000 from designated budget Line #10140-57639 (Transfers to Cap & NRE Funds) to
appropriated Line # 20501-57639 (CNR Revaluation) for Phase 1 of the revaluation services (restricted
appraisal).
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
MOTION by Condon, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to adjourn at 8:45 P.M,
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
R 
ectfully submitted,
David L. Campo, ccT¢
Waterford Town Clerk
8 
RTM MINUTES 05/04/2026

David Campo
From: 
taylorsimoes@gmail.com
Sent: 
Sunday, May 3, 2026 8:29 py
To: 
David Campo
Subject; 
Library fy2027 budget
inated from outside of the organization,
Nn attachments unless you recognize the sender's amail address and know the content is safe.
Y Support for the library's 2027 budget. | would love to
see more programs for babies, Currently the fibrary offers a baby specific Story time once a month, | strongly believe
offering this or a similar program more frequently would benefit parents of Waterford by providing community. As a
stay at home parent to an infant t find our town to be lacking In Opportunity to create community with similar aged
children therefore | have enrolled in programs out of town to aide in that. [believe baby programs are an untapped
avenue in Waterford that is well wor
Sincerely,
Taylor Studer
4 Whaling Dr
Sent from my iPhone
th investing in,
282
fib
cH
ry
Nv
wf
Bea 
oF 
Be
BEN 
g “IQ
REY
ar,
* 
wg

To the Valued Members of the RTM,
I write on behalf of the officers and members of Waterford Professional Firefighters Local 4629
to respectfully request your support in approving the proposed FY2027 Fire Services budget
beitig presented this evening.
As you are aware, as of April 13th we began staffing a third Gre station (Station 4) 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, 365 days.a year. This was a necessary and positive step to expand coverage
across the town, improve response times, and maintain consistent service delivery for our
residents and visitoY's.
‘To facilitate this transition, personnel were redistributed, resultitig in a (emporaty reduction in
apparatus staffing—from two units staffed with three FF/EMTs each, to two units staffed with
two FE/EMTs and one unit with three FF/EMTs. This proposed budget includes the hiring of
three additional FF/EMTs, which will restore staffing levels to two units operating with three-
person crews.
The effectiveness of three-person crews is well documented. A landmark study by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology demonstrated that three-person crews complete critical
fire ground tasks significantly faster than two-person crews. These tasks include stretching initial
hose lines, conducting sintiiltaneous search and rescue operations, and perfotining coordinated
ventilation, Additionally, three-person staffing is the minimum recommended créw size to
effectively perform “Pit Crew CPR,” a method designed to maximize survival rates by assigning
specific, coordinated roles that ensure continuous, high-quality chest compressions with minimal
interruption during cardiac arrest events.
Also inchided in this budget is the creation of an Assistant Chief position. This tole is essential to
strengthening the department’s leadership capacity in both administrative and operational areas.
Establishing this position reflects the town’s commitment to meeting the increasing demands
placed upon the department, both now and in the future.
In summary, as the Town of Waterford continues to grow, so too must its fire service. This
“ineludes not only maintaining appropriate daily staffing Jevels but also ensuring sirong
leadership to meet evolving challenges. We believe this proposed budget is a fair and accurate
reflection of the department’s needs and out ongoing commitment to serving the community
with honor, pride, and professionalism. 
‘
: 
‘- 
. 
+ 
cg? 
. 
. 
: 
_ 
+
Thank you for your time and for your continued dedication to the residents of owt community.
Respectfully,
Erik 
D, Pawlak 
a 
2 Sm
President 
ago = as
Waterford Professional Firefighters Local 4629 
Sky S chee
2 
TM 
Be
gS > oF
DV = 88
ts 8
nN

Joshua Steele Kelly
6 Matlin Drive 
Resident 
E: joshuasteelekelly@gmail.com
Waterford, CT 06385 
Waterford, CT 
P: 860-912-7624
¥
May 13, 2026
t
Representative Town Meeling
Walerford Town Hall
15 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 06385
MaLee 
3}
&
may
SOs 
WIL 
Ave 
Vez
Lo 
CuO 
SUVA
GuO03Y 
YO4 
GSAIBT3y
To Whom ft May Coricern,
lam writing foday in response jo fhe fact that our elected officials, including our Tax
Collector, Treasurer, and Town Clerk, are receiving minimal increases in this year's
budget.
While we all want fo save money and have lower taxes, we also want to keep our very
qualified, distinguished, and high-qualily officials. in their seats, affract candidates
perennially to continue to run for such seats, and we want them to live comfortably -
nol in wild abundance, but comforlably. The current way thal our town granis
increases jo these individuals is not keeping up with the average inflation rate of 3.6%
since the pandemic hit in 2020, meaning our elected officials (receiving jus) 1.25% this
year) are effectively receiving a cul fo their salary each year.
Unforlunately, as a Representalive Town Meeting (RTM), your hands are largely tied by
actions taken before you were elected, the Connecticut Slate Constitution, id our
form of Government:
Before you were elected, in February 2022, ihe RTM voted fo. routinely increase the
salaries of elected officials by the lowest of the following crijeria:
e 
The percentage increase of the CPI-U from July of the preceding fiscal year;
« 
One-half 
(50%) 
of 
the 
percenlage 
increase 
approved 
for 
non-union
management or
¢ 
One point five percent {1.5%}
The Connecticut State Constitution (Article X!, Section 2) reads: “Except as provided in
this section, neither fhe state nor any political subdivision of the state shall pay or grant
fo any elected official of the state or any political subdivision of the slate, any
compensation greater than the amount of compensation set al the beginning of such
official's term of office for the office which such official holds or increase the. pay of
compensation of any public contractor above the amount specified in the contract.
The provisions of this section shall not apply io elected officials ih fowns in which the
ledislative body is the town meeting. The compensation of an elected official of a
polilical subdivision of the state whose ferm of office is four years or more may be
JOSHUASTEELEKELLY.COM | FACEBOCOK.COM/OSHUASTEELEKELLY 
| LINKEDIN.COMAN/JOSHUASTEELEKELLY,

increased once afier such official has completed two years of his term by the legislative
body of such political subdivision. The term “compensation” means, wilh respect to an
elected official, such official's salary, exclusive of reimbursement for necessary expenses
or any other benefit to which his office would enfitle him.”
Lastly, our form of government is one that embraces elected officials over appointed
officials. In other jown governments around the state, the posifions of Treasurer, Tax
Collector, Town Clerk, ancl CEO {First Selectman for us now, usually called a Town
Manager when hired} are all hired on a professional basis.
The current rate of increase, as established by the RIM in 2022, is explicilly and
specifically designed to ensure that the smallest increase possible is given to our
elecied officials. In fact, it is explicitly designed to NEVER exceed the rate of inflation
and more offen fhan not will be cin increase ihat falls below the inflation rate, meaning
the compensation is consiantly getting less and less competitive. This is not the way fo
ensure that the pay of the positions remains competitive and fair lo those that are
serving our communily in a sleadfast manner. Furlhermore, we continue an arcane and
outdated tradition of politically electing positions, including at the very least Treasurer,
Town Clerk, and Tax Collector, that are not administered on a political basis, and the
practice should be changed.
| ask that the Representative Town Meeting:
1. Amend fhe rafes of compensation io read that fhe highest of the above-listed
three criteria is adopted for elected official annual increases, which will ensure
that our elected officials are always receiving increases at least in line with the
consumer price index (CPI); and
2. Demand that the Board of Selectmen open the Charter for revision io ensure
that we are keeping up with modern practices and secuting non-partisan
appointmen practices for positions thal should be and are, in fact, non-partisan,
Regarding item #2 listed above, | have included an appendix of items thal | believe
require immediate attention from a Charter Revision Commission, all of which increase
the need for such a Commission to be convened.
Respectfully submitted,
KOA
Joshua Steele Kelly
FACEBOOOK.COMMOSHUASTEELEKELLY | TWITTER. COMOSHUA..S_KELLY | LINKEDIN.COM/N/JOSHUASTEELEKELLY

Appendix 
A: items for Possible Consideration by the 2026 Charler Revision Commission
2..1.5: The term "town office” is nebulous at best and should be clarified to say
“elected town office," ds other parts of fhe Charter seems fo allow vacancies for
some appointed positions to be filled by the Represeniative Town Meeting.
2.1.7: Runoff elections are expensive. Other towns use a coin flip to reduce cost.
It would be ideal fo fulure-proof this section to allow for ranked-choice voting to
allow for instant runoff calculations to occur.
3.1.4. We have dn overabundance of members on the Represeniative Tawn
Meeting currently, Devising a way to proportionately assign a set number of
officials between the set voting districls may be a way to ensure proportional
representalion based on population size while avoiding the never-ending growth
of the RTM.
3.1.5 - 3.1.6: To allow for greater continuity on the Town's legislature, it may be
wise to move the election of these individuals to staggered four-year terms.
3.1.7: Here and in all other sections where it may occur, “Elector" needs to be
clearly defined. Is it a registered voter? If so, that fact must be arliculated.
3.1.9a: The portion of this section regarding ballol access by pelition is contrary
to state law; state law only requires 1% of the number of people who voted for a
given position in the last election to have fo sign a petition to get a person on the
ballot for that petition. That number is generally less than 100. As such, this
requirement should be struck from the Charter.
3.1.9a: The senlence reading "no signature on a petition shall be valid or
counted if the signer thereof shall have signed other petitions on file with the
town clerk for more than the number of candidates which a political parly may
nominate under this charter for fhe district wherein such signer shall reside” is
both hard to track and is a limitation of fhe democratic process; there is no
direct benefit or rationale for this provision aside from making it harder for
residents to run for office. It should be eliminated.
3.1.9b: It is likely that this provision is already required by state law and shouid be
eliminated to avoid redundancy or conflicting language.
3.1,9c: This provision is already required by staie law and should be eliminated to
avoid redundancy or conflicting language.
3.1.9g: This provision allows people who may no! have the support of a majority
of voters to win elections; if would be advisable from a democratic perspective
to future-proof this clause to allow for ranked-choice voting.
3.1.10: This provision does not successfully account for individuals elected outside
of a recognized political parly and does not provide any checks and balances
between the legislative and executive branches. | would recommend this be-
amended jo state that the three nominations shall be made by the First
Selectman and thal the nominees must be from the same registered parly
affitiation (including unaffiliated) as ihe person who has vacated the seat.
FACEBOOOK.COMMOSHUASTEELEKELLY | TWITTER.COMMOSHUA_S_ 
KELLY 
| LINKEDIN. COM/ANAOSHUASTEELEKELLY

e 
3.1.11; All clauses in the Charter should be updated fo future-proof the
document from changes fo state law that would allow nofices to be placed
online and not strictly in ine newspaper.
* 
3.1.13; As a means of providing a greater check and balance on the legislature,
emergency legislation should only be able fo be enacied when a Declaration of
Emergency Is issued by the Governor or municipal CEO.
e 
3.1.14c: 5% of the number of elected volers in town is roughly 700 people; that is
too many signatures for anyone to reasonably obtain in such a short time. 
|
recommend this number be reduced fo either 3% or 500 people.
e 
3.2.1: 
| believe a three-person Board of Selecimen is simply too small io be
effective for anything ofher than rubber-stamping the will of the First Selectmen. |
Ttecommend that the Board of Selectmen be expanded to a seven-person body
with staggered elections.
e 
3.2.1: In the even} changes are made to the CEO position, the last sentence in
this section may be changed to include “Chair of the Board of Selectmen.”
e 
3.2.3: Conversion of the position of Chief Executive Officer from an elected role
jo a hired role (Town Manager), given that fhe growing needs of the town and
ihe jechnical skills required of a municipal Chief Executive conlinue to rise fo a
point of requiring a trained professional fo manage the role; the hiring of a Chief
Execulive also helps eliminate politics from the executive office, If this change is
made, such Executive Powers would generally lie with the Town Manager,
though the First Selectperson would conlinue to have powers of their own. In
order lo achieve continully, | believe the current First Selectperson would be best
suited to be aufomalically appointed as the first Town Manager with the first
Town Manager search commencing following that posifion becoming vacant.
3.2.4 ~ 3.2.5: If Ihe CEO position is amended, these items require refinement.
»® 
3.2.66: there is a typo here, the first instance of the word “Board” should be
removed,
* 
3.3.1 - 3.3.4: |recommend that the Board of Finance be eliminated and that ihe
responsibility of the Board of Finance be transferred to the expanded Board of
Selectmen, especially if some of the responsibilities of the First Selectperson are
transfetred to a Town Manager.
e 
3.3.5: This item is not one thai needs to be enumerated within a Town's Charter.
« 
3.4- 3.6: Conversion of the positions of Town Clerk, Tax Collector, and Treasurer
from elected roles to hired roles, given these posilions do nol execute their
responsibilities in a partisan manner. To ensure continuily with the roles, | believe
the current holder of this position would be best suited fo be automatically hired
fo this role with the first search commencing following that position becoming
vacanl,
e 
3.7, 3.9: Are these stipulations relevant given that state law articulates it well?
e 
3.10- 3,11: The Board of Assessmeni Appeals and the Zoning Board of Appeals
dre both best handled by qualified individuals; as such, if may be best to convert
these from an elected to an appointed position.
FACEBOOOK.COM/IOSHUASTEELEKELLY | TWITTER COMMOSHUA_S._ 
KELLY | LINKEDIN. COM/IN/JOSHUASTEELEKELLY

« 
Chapter 4: Would it be better fo convert some of these items to ordinance so
they are more easily amended as needed?
* 
5.3: 1 know from first-hand experience that the Inland Wetlands & Conservation
Commission rarely have time to talk about conservation because they spend so
much time talking about Inland Wetlands. | recommend that the Conservation
Commission and inland Wetlands Commission be separated, and ihal the
Conservation Commission then be combined with the Recreation & Parks
Commission.
« 
5.7 - 5.9: These items should be appointed at the discretion of the municipal CEO
and should not stricily be enumerated in ihe Charter.
e 
5.13: Can this Board be combined with the Zoning Board of Appeals or another
agency?
5.14; Should this provision be listed in the Town Charter?
5.19 - 5.20: These items should be appointed at the discretion of the municipal
CEO and should not sfricfly be enumerated in fhe Charter.
« 
Additional ftem: should the Charter revision process be enumerated in this
document, and should Charter revision process be required to occur no less than
every 10 years at minimum?
FACEBOOOK COM/OSHUASTEELEKELLY | TWITTER.COMMOSHUA_S_KELLY | LINKEDIN. COM/INDOSHUASTEELEKELLY

Joshua Steele Kelly
6 Marlin Drive 
Resident 
E: joshuasteélekelly@dgmail.com
Waterford, CT 06385 
Waterford, CT 
P: 860-912-7624
May 13, 2026
Representative Town Meeting
Waterford Town Hall
15 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 046385
To Whom It May Concern,
1am writing to reiterate my comments about public school funding that 
| shared
in-person at the RTM meeting on Monday, May 4, 2026.
1am not a parent, nor do | have any relatives or close connections thal currently attend
Waterford Public Schools. 
| do, howevet, want ta live in.a society where my neighbors,
coworkers, friends, and even passersby are educated and have robust opportunities
presented to them to lead an abundant life of their choosing. | wish for my tax dollars to
support the endeavor of public education as | have described il.
Furthermore, when | voted this past fall, 
| voted for candidates that purported to suppor!
education funding. So far, | am not feeling like some candidates elected this fall are
truly commilied fo education funding; | feel cheated by that promise.
| ask that the RTM nol only refrain from further cuts to the Board of Education's budget
this year, but io maintain that commitment in future years,
Respecifully submited,
KOA
Joshua Steele Kelly
STI 
NAOL
bos 
cicl 
WH 
WH
oe
13 
‘duCdesVA
QgO938 
YOs 
OSAISISY
ore
JOSHUASTEELEKELLY.COM } FACEBOCOK,.COMAOSHUASTEELEKELLY } LINKEDIN. COMANQOSFIUASTEELEKELLY

FIFTBEN ROPE FERRY ROAD 
PHONE: 860-442-0553
wow, waterfordclorg,
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Pz
~ 
S 
>
Tor 
Susan Driscoll, RTM Moderator 
a 
~ =m
David Campo, Town Clerk 
ae) a as
Ge 
ong 
WO
By 
OW am
From: 
Alan Wilensky, CCMC 
3 NOS 8
Waterford Tax Collector 
i N U s an
Date: 
April 23, 2026 
fo 
ow 
Ee
Subject: 
‘Tax Payment Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026 — 2027
For the RTM meeting agenda of May 13, 2026
Lhave the following recommendations for the schedule of tax payments for Fiscal Year
2026-2027;
Retain the two-payment system for Real Estate tax bills, providing for collections
in July and January.
Real Estate tax bills over $100.00 would be collected in two equal installments,
due July 1, 2026, and January 4, 2027.
less would be due in full July 1, 2026.
1, 2026.
Real Estate tax bills of $100.00 or
s Personal Property and Motor Vehicle tax bills would be due in full July
« Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax bills will once again be created {wice per fiscal
year. Vehicles registered between October 2, 2025 and March 31, 2026 will be
billed in July 2026. Vehicles registered between April 1, 2026 and September 30,
2026 will be billed in January 2027.

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 duc and payable of
whenever the date on which such tax shall be due and payable has been determined,
however, (1) the preparation and mailing of vate bills for such tax is delayed until after
the date such tax is due or (2) such tax is pot 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 fax 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 6ne hundred dollars
shall be. due and payable in a sitigle payment when so determined by the appropriating
body of such municipality.
Sec, 12-14da, 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 Collector

No Backup Provided

pao)
m
PHFON Taf) 442-0553
Wisiv.wgber{or detorg
w
FIPTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 
06385-2886
gQ 
= =
= 
2 of
2 
2S
2 
z
2 
P25
EN 
y 288
=
ce 
os
hey 
(ery 
Say
SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS (RTC 12/02/24)
COMMITTEE REPORT
FINANCE, WAGE & PERSONNEL STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE RTM
Requests for consideration of this issue and all documents referenced in deliberations can be found with
FWP agendas and minutes at www.waterfordct.org, ‘AgendaCenter/Representative-Town-Meeting-40
Jan. 27, 2025, Committee Meeting: Initial meeting on this issue, which was referred following a request
from the First Selectman to establish annual increases for the Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Treasurer and
Registrars using the percentage rate approved for non-union management personnel. Public comment
by RTM Moderator Goldstein preceded brief discussion. Unanimous vote to report the issue out of
committee with a recommendation that, effective July 1, 2025, all elected officials’ salaries be increased
annually by the percentage approved for non-union management.
Apr. 7, 2025, RTM Meeting: FWP Chair Colonis presented the Committee Report and recommendation
for RTM approval. Minority Leader Driscoll offered documents showing that previous and proposed
scheduling of elected officials’ raises were in conflict with Amendment XIX of the CT Constitution.
Discussion ensued; consideration of recommendation tabled until June.
June 2, 2025, RTM Meeting: Town Attorney Kepple expressed his concerns regarding the language of the
recommendation. FWP Chair Colonis withdrew the recommendation from consideration of the RTM so
the Committee could address those concerns through further review and revision before submission of a
new Report and recommendation.
Jan. 27, 2026, Committee Meeting: Initial meeting of new term. Public comment by Town Clerk Campo
on current salary structure for elected officials and how benefits such as insurance and retirement
contributions should be incorporated to reflect total compensation accurately. Chair offered a brief recap
of the three issues referred in previous term; consensus to address the oldest issue —elected officials’
salaries—first.

Feb. 17, 2026, Committee Meeting: Director Allen shared some legal insights from Town Attorney Kristi
Kelly regarding the RTM’s authority over elected officials' pay. The team talked through the
Constitutional rule that limits raises to once per term, and everyone agreed to gather some more
background data on past and current salary trends.
Mar. 24, 2026, Committee Meeting: Director Allen presented a breakdown of health insurance
premiums for participating elected officials. In discussing raise logistics, the team noted that applying the
constitutional two years and one day rule per term is tricky to schedule, given that start dates are
staggered by office and change from term to term. While same past raises were handled incorrectly, the
consensus was not to retroactively reclaim those funds.
Apr. 14, 2026, Committee Meeting: The Chair distributed a draft recommendation summarizing our
previous agreements. She explained that the first page covers the fundamentals—such as the one-raise-
per-term rule, timing differences by office, insurance opt-ins, and HR’s role-~while the second page
outlines the legal framework and a visual schedule for implementation. After noting two minor typos to
correct, she opened the floor for discussion.
The committee’s conversation covered:
« 
Areview of raises from the past decade (noting that the 1.5% figure is the average of those
raises).
« 
How current salaries stack up against the latest CCM survey.
e 
Elected officials’ pension eligibility after five years of service.
Additionally, Director Allen confirmed she has notified HR that the raises in the FY27 budget should not
be implemented.
Motion by Besade, second by Khan to approve the recommendation document with typos corrected.
Voice vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.
Motion by Moreshead, second by Besade, to report this issue out of committee with a recommendation
that the RTM approve the proposed salary increase schedule with insurance opt-in provisions to
establish a predictable and legally compliant compensation structure
Submitted by
JoAnna Bennett
Finance, Wage & Personnel Chair
Enclosed:
Revised Recommendations dated April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026
Recommendation: Salaries of Elected Officials Serving Four-Year Terms
I. Purpose and Statutory Authority
Pursuant to the Connecticut State Constitution and legal guidance provided by Town Attorney Kelly,
this proposal seeks to establish a predictable, fair, and legally compliant schedule for the
compensation of salaried elected officials serving four year terms.
Under state law, the RTM may only increase compensation for salaried elected officials serving
four-year terms once, after the official has completed two years of their current term. Furthermore,
such raises must only apply prospectively.
Hl. Proposed Salary Adjustment Structure
To balance the necessity of maintaining comparable compensation with the need for fiscal
responsibility to the taxpayers, the following adjustment schedule is proposed:
e 
Adjustment: A fixed 1.5% increase shall be applied once per four-year term.
e 
Effective Dates: To ensure clarity and administrative consistency, raises will be triggered as
follows:
o 
Board of Selectmen and Tax Collector: Officials beginning their term in November will
receive the adjustment on December 4st immediately following completion of two years
of service.
o 
Town Clerk and Treasurer: Officiais beginning their term in January will receive the
adjustment on February 1st immediately following completion of two years of service.
ill. Health Benefits and Cost-Sharing
To align salaried elected officials’ benefits with town labor standards and ensure equitable contribution,
the following policy continues to apply:
e 
Opt-in Requirement: Salaried elected officials who choose to participate in the Town’s
health insurance plan shall be required to pay the co-share premium at the rate approved for
the NUMPS (Non-Union Management Personnel) or equivalent bargaining unit.
WV. Administrative Oversight
e 
Tracking: The Department of Human Resources shall be responsible for maintaining a
master roster of term start dates and ensuring the 1.5% adjustment is implemented on Dec
1st or Feb 1st in the appropriate year.
e 
Future Review: This policy is intended to provide a long-term framework; however, the RTM
retains the authority to revisit, adjust, or sunset this structure through future legislative action
as economic conditions dictate.

April 15, 2026
Raise Implementation Schedule for Salaried Elected Officials
Amendments to the CT Constitution 
Article Xix 
Adopted Nov 24, 1982
Except as provided in this section, neither the state nor any political subdivision of the state shall pay
or grant to any elected official of the state or any political subdivision of the state, any compensation
greater than the amount of compensation set at the beginning of such official’s term of office for the
office which such official holds or increase the pay or compensation of any public contractor above the
amount specified in the contract. The provisions of this section shall not apply to elected officials in
towns in which the legislative body is the town meeting. The compensation of an elected official of a
political subdivision of the state whose term of office is four years or more may be increased once after
such official has completed two years of his term by the legislative body of such political subdivision.
The term “compensation” means, with respect to an elected official, such official’s salary, exclusive of
reimbursement for necessary expenses or any other benefit to which his office would entitle him.
hittps://www.cga.ct. gov/asp/Content/constitutions/Constitution_State_CT.pdf
Official 
Election Date 
Term Starts 
Eligible for Raise 
papement
ord of Selectmen 
Nov 2, 2027 
Nov 16, 2027 
Nov 17, 2029 
Dec 1, 2029
Tax Collector 
Nov 2, 2027 
Nov 16, 2027 
Nov 17, 2029 
Dec 1, 2029
Town Clerk 
Nov 2, 2027 
Jan 3, 2028 
Jan 4, 2030 
Feb 1, 2030
Treasurer 
Nov 2, 2027 
Jan 3, 2028 
Jan 4, 2030 
Feb 1, 2030
moans ot socom 
Nov 4, 2031 
Nov 18, 2031 
Nov 19, 2033 
Dec 1, 2033
Tax Collector 
Nov 4, 2031 
Nov 18, 2034 
Nov 19, 2033 
Dec 1, 2033
Town Clerk 
Nov 4, 2031 
Jan 5, 2032 
Jan 6, 2034 
Feb 1, 2034
Treasurer 
Nov 4, 2031 
Jan 5, 2032 
Jan 6, 2034 
Feb 1, 2034
ecedes tis acter) 
Nov 6, 2035 
Nov 20, 2035 
Nov 21, 2037 
Dec 1, 2037
Tax Collector 
Nov 6, 2035 
Nov 20, 2035 
Nov 21, 2037 
Dec 1, 2037
Town Clerk 
Nov 6, 2035 
Jan 7, 2036 
Jan 8, 2038 
Feb 1, 2038
Treasurer 
Nov 6, 2035 
Jan 7, 2036 
dan 8, 2038 
Feb 1, 2038
CT General Statutes Chapter 146 Sec. 9-189a https://Awww.cga,ct.qov/2025/pub/chap, 146, htm#sec_9-187a
* BoS/Tax Collector: term starts by 2nd Tuesday following election
* Town Clerk/Treasurer: term starts on first Monday of Jan following election
Note: Currently, these are the only salaried elected officials serving 4-year terms. The Registrars receive
compensation, but serve 2-year terms, so the timing restrictions cited do not apply to that office.

No Backup Provided