Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 09/14/2026

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Public Health, Recreation & Environment Committee 
Meeting Minutes—Sept. 14, 2026
Members Present: Steve Besade, Narciss Greene,
Also Present: Director of Recreation and Parks R
Ciplik, RTM Moderator Susan Driscoll
Richard Gonyo, Kayla Mullen, Ocean Pellett
yan McNamara, Assistant Director for Recreation and Parks Tim
1. Call to order: Chair Greene called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
2. Public comment: Helen Kwasniewski noted her opinion on an increase in beach fees for all and also requested
senior citizens get a free beach pass sticker rather than show ID for free entry. Kwasniewski also brought up the
potential for charging for summer beach concerts.
3. Previous Minutes: Motion by Mullen, second by Besade, to approve the Jul. 30, 2026, minutes as presented.
Voice vote: Unanimous 
— Motion passed.
4. Consideration of/possible action on items referred to committee:
¢ Review of Ordinance Chptr 12.12, Jordan Park House (RTC 10/6/25). Brief discussion and consensus on
clerical and clarification revisions: making minor changes to the Editor’s note; inserting approval date citation
placeholders; correcting Commission's name; and, with input from Director McNamara, codifying the division
of building and grounds maintenance responsibilities implemented after the 2020 amendment to the Public
Works ordinances. General consensus that with these changes [see attached Draft #2] they are ready to move
to public hearing. Chair will contact Town Attorney for next steps and scheduling/public notice timelines.
¢ Review of Beach Fees (RTC 6/1/26): Director McNamara presented a paper slide show on Rec & Parks’ new
beach fees recommendations [see attached], which included comparisons of fee schedules in previous years
as well as historical and projected data on beach fee revenue and costs of beach maintenance and staff. He
and Assistant Director Cieplik then fielded committee members’ suggestions and questions in various areas:
In 2025 ~$101K in costs were recouped by beach fees and ~$140K were recouped in 2026. While seniors can
get into the beach for free by showing their ID, many still choose to purchase a car sticker for a variety of
personal reasons. One key point made by the Director was that everyone—not just beachgoers—pays for the
beach via taxpayer dollars. Therefore, just passes alone will not fully fund the beach. As for concerts, 70-80%
of their costs are covered by business sponsors. No other towns in the area charge for their concerts, and our
sponsors would be less willing to donate if concerts were no longer free. Excess revenue from the beach, if
any, goes back into the general fund. Potential areas to cut costs: rotation of guards without sacrificing safety;
get an electronic gate at the gatehouse (upfront cost, but pays off overtime).
Motion by Mullen, second by Gonyo to report this issue out with a recommendation that the RTM approve
Rec & Parks proposed 2027 beach fee schedule as presented in order to help cover annual cost increases.
Voice vote: Unanimous. 
Motion passed.
5. Adjournment: 
Motion by Besade; seconded by Gonyo to adjourn at 6:00 p.m. Voice vote: Unanimous.
Submitted by
Narciss Greene, PHRE Chair
encl: 
Chptr 12.12 Revisions Draft #2
Rec & Parks 2027 Proposed Beach Fee Schedule 9/14/26

Chapter 12.12 Revisions 
Draft2 
Sept 14, 2026
TITLE 12 — STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES!4!
Footnote:
- (I~
Editor’s note — A revision #2020 amendment to Chapter 2.20 movedehanged the responsibility for the “servicing and
maintenance” of the Jordan Park House from Recreations & Parks Commission to the Public Works Department.
Chapter 12.12 - JORDAN PARK HOUSE
Sections:
12.12.010 - Building named.
The old Waterford library building, now located in Jordan park, shall be known as Jordan park house.
(Prior code § 13-46: RTM XX/XX/XX}}
12.12.020 - Service, maintenance responsibility.
All servicing and maintenance of Jordan park house and Jordan park shall be under the jurisdiction of the Public
Works department. Servicing of the grounds remains the responsibility of the recreation and parks commission. recreation
and parks- commission:
{Prior code § 13-47: RTM XX/XX/XX}
12.12.030 - Scheduling use.
A, 
The parksand recreation and parks commission is authorized and empowered to schedule the use of Jordan
park house in accordance with the following regulations:
1. 
Regular meetings of all qualified groups will be scheduled by the recreation and parks commission
according to the following priority:
a. 
Town agencies,
b. 
Community service organizations such as scouts and Red Cross,
c. 
Private organizations with exclusive Waterford membership, such as church groups, service clubs,
d. 
Private organizations with both Waterford and out-of-town membership;
2. 
Reservations for special single meetings shall be scheduled after the regular meetings provided for in
paragraph 1 of this subsection and in the same order of priority.
B. 
All requests for use of Jordan park house or Jordan park for fund raising activity will be granted only at the
discretion of the parks and recreation commission.
(Prior code § 13-48: RTM: XX/XX/XX}

Waterford Recreation & Parks * Beach Parking Pass Proposal
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Sept. 14, 2026

Beach Fee Schedule
Resident 
$30 
* Present the recommended 2027
Non-Resident: 
$225
Genior Paid 
SIE 
beach fee schedule
Resident ‘Additional Sticker. 
$15
SE Tee 
ne 
* Explain the financial realities of
lon-Resident Walker/Biker Wristband 
Si5
beach operations
IR
jon-Resident.
Senior:
Resident -Picnic
lon-Resident Picnic
¢ Show how incremental fee
increases support sustainability
fesldent 
ass Required 
* Demonstrate anticipated
Non-Resident, 
Pass: Required 
.
Senior: 
: 
Show1D 
revenue tm pa ct
Resident Picnic. 
$10.

The Town Beach Is Subsidized by Taxpayers
* Every single-family household contributes $4.36 per $100,000 of the
town budget
* Annual operating costs: $275,000-$350,000
* Costs continue year-round, not just during beach season
* Rising expenses: staffing, maintenance, utilities, safety, environmental
care — Minimum wages: 34.5% increase from 2013 ($13.00/hr) to
2026 ($17.48/hr)
Waterford Recreation B Parks + Beach Parking Pass Proposal

Why Fees Must Increase
* Operational costs have risen steadily
* Current fee structure does not cover annual expenses
* Goal: Improve cost recovery through seasonal use
* Proposed increases are incremental, reasonable, and aligned with
cost recovery

Fee Schedule Cc
2
$25
omparisons
Resident 
25. 
#$30
jon-Resident 
$175 
$175 
225
Senior Paid 
$i 
sit 
15
Resident Additional Sticker: 
14 
it 
S15
jon-Resident Additional Sticker 
$175 
| g175 
$225
Resident Walker/Biker Wristband 
2. 
2. 
$8
lon-Resident Walker/Biker Wristband 
‘$10 
40 
15
Resident
2 
$2 
5
lon-Resident- 
25. 
$25 
$30
Senior 
Show [D || Show ID 
“[=show iD
Resident Picnic 
‘$2 
$2 
$5
jon-Resident Picnic. 
$8 
8. 
15
ident Picri
Resident 
Pass Req’ | Pass Req | “Pass Req
Non-Resident 
Pass Req | Pass Req |. Pass Req
senior 
‘Show iD} 
Show 1D. 
‘Show ID
Resident Picnic 
$6 
$6 
$10
Waterford Recreation & Parks » Beach Parking Pass Proposal

Pass Sales Snapshot (2026)
Pass Type 
2026 
Paso
Resident 
$25 
1488
Resident Sticker Replacement 
$5 
22
Non-Resident 
$175 
443
NR Sticker Replace 
10 
6
Senior Paid 
$ii 
622
Resident Additional Sticker 
$11 
712
Non-Resident Additional Sticker 
$175 
0
Resident Walker/Biker Wristband 
$2 
234
Non-Resident Walker/Biker Wristband 
$10 
yD
Non-Resident - FT Employee Town/BOE 
$25 
30
NR BOE/Town employee Additional 
a4 
2

Revenue Impact of Proposed Increases
Resident
Resident Sticker Replace 
3
Non-Resident 
175) 
175) 
225]
INR Sticker Replace 
ey 
6]
Senior Paid 
41 
Bat 
15) 
62]
Resident Additional Sticker: 
24 
A 
15} 
Fail
Non-Resident Additional Sticker 
475) 
175] 
225]
Resident Watker/Biker Wristband 
2 
2 
5]
Non-Resident Walker/Biker Wristband 
10) 
40) 
as)
Non-Resident - F7-Employee Town/BOE
Resident. 
2] 
2 
S|
Non-Resident 
25) 
25 
30) 
a

Where the Revenue Comes From
* Non-resident annual passes: $22,150
* Resident annual passes: $7,440
* Resident day passes: $2,488
* Non-resident day passes: $2,848
* Senior passes: $1,755
* Other categories: $6,779 combined

What This Revenue Supports
* Year-round maintenance
* Lifeguard staffing
* Safety and emergency equipment
* Environmental protection
* Facility upkeep and repairs
* Utilities and contracted services

Summary
* The beach is a valuable community asset
* Rising costs require incremental fee adjustments
* Proposed schedule adds $43,460 in revenue to help recover seasonal
use costs
* Maintains quality, safety, and accessibility

Reccomend
* Approve the 2027 Beach Fee Schedule