Board of Finance - Minutes - 06/12/2024

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Board of Finance
PHONE: 860-442-0553,
wwwwaterfordct.org
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Regular Meeting Minutes ‘Town Hall BOE Conference Room — 7:00 p.m.
Present: Glenn Patterson, Ronald Fedor, Robert Tuneski, Bill Sheehan, Michael Rocchetti
Absent: David Peabody, Joseph Filippetti
Elected: Rob Brule, First Selectman; Paul Goldstein, RTM Moderator, Patricia Fedor, BOE Chair
Staff: Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance; Tim Cieplik, Program Coordinator Recreation & Parks;
Mark Wujtewicz, Planner Planning & Zoning; Tom Giard, Superintendent Waterford Public
Schools; Joseph Mancini, Director of Finance/Operations Waterfard Public Schodls; Rebecca
Hall, Administrative Assistant Finance Office/BOF Recording Secretary :
Establishment of a quorum and call to order ie
A quorum was established and the Regular Meeting of the Board of Financé wi
called to order at 7:00 p.m. June 12, 2024,
Public Comment: yes.
a, Paul Goldstein, RTM Moderator: In regards to the unelapsed fund account policy, Mr. Goldstein
made suggestions to the Board of Finance to help mitigate the unplanned Board of Education
expenditures. His point is to minimize the tax burden on Waterford’s families. Mr. Goldstein
suggested to eliminate the Memorandum of Agreement with the BOE as there is a policy
currently in place and the materials are redundant. The Moderator also suggested to allow the
BOE to expand the scope of what they could use the funds for, The BOF would retain the vote
on the BOE requests so there would continue to be a check and balance in place.
b. Thomas E. Schacht, Psy.D., ABP, Professor Emeritus, James H. Quillen College of Medicine: Mr.
Schacht, whose family has been residing in Waterford and managing Miller’s Pond, came to the
BOF to present information that he has compiled over several years regarding the New London
Water Authority and possible kickback scheme he and his family have uncovered. His
Presentation to the board is in follow up to a presentation he gave to the Waterford Utility
Commission on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, Mr. Schact stated that an illegal fundraising commi
is being conducted in the City of New London. He continued to say that after speaking with the
director of Waterford Utility Commission (WUC), Jim Bartelli, the Town of Waterford has no
formula in verifying how their water rates are calculated by the New London Water Authority,
Mr. Schact will be providing the WUC with much more information in the near future as a follow
up to his presentation. He stated there is no action that he is looking for, it is simply to make
the town aware of his findings.

Board of Finance Minutes, 6/12/2024
Page 2
3. Approval and acceptance of the Regular meeting minutes from May 22, 2024 as posted on May 29,
2024 and amended on May 30, 2024 with an additional amendment to Item #6 as follows:
6. Establish the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025.
Please see attached statement from John Sheehan regarding the FY2S mill rate.
‘Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to take $2 million from the
Unassigned Fund Balance to reduce the mill rate to 22.08 for an increase of 4.14%
Friendly Amendment by Michael Rocchetti and seconded by Bill Sheehan to reduce
the $2 million to $1 million from the unassigned fund balance to reduce the mill rate
‘to 22.30 for an increase of 5.19%
Vote: 5-1-0 {No ~ Ronald Fedor) Motion: Passed
Vote on the original Motion as amended to set the FY2025 mill rate to 22.30,
Vote: 4-20 (No~Robert Tuneski, Glenn Patterson) Motion: Passed
Regular Meeting on April 10, 2024
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2024
Regular Meeting with amendments.
Vote: 5-0-0 Abstain: Motion: Passed
4. Discussion to consider and act on a request by Ryan McNamara, Director of Recreation and Parks to
consolidate capital improvement projects #33720-55854 Leary Basketball Court Rebuild ($91,000)
and #33720-55855 Town Hall Basketball Court Repairs ($41,000) then to close line item #33720-
55855.
Tim Cieplik, Program Coordinator for Recreation and Parks advised the board that the quotes received
for the improvements necessary at both the Town Hall and Leary basketball courts were much higher
than the approved repair costs. Due to the high cost, Recreation and Parks cannot complete both
projects at one time. The department has prioritized the Town Hall basketball courts to complete and
will work on the Leary basketball courts in the future. Ron Fedor requested a copy of the revised
project schedule for the basketball courts. Mr. Cieplik will provide the past work done on all of the
basketball courts by Recreation and Parks to Kimberly Allen, Finance Director, to distribute to the
Board of Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to transfer $91,000 from line #33720-55854
Leary Basketball Court Rebuild to line #33720-55855 Town Hall Basketball Courts (bringing the total
in that line to $132,000) and to close line #33720-55854 Leary Basketball Court. Finally, rename line
#33720-55855 to Town Basketball Courts Repairs, and forward to the RTM as required.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Minutes, 6/12/2024
Page
5. To consider and act on a request by Ryan McNamara, Director of Recreation and Parks for an
additional appropriation of $117,808 to the consolidated account #33720-55854 Leary Basketball
Court Rebuild to ensure the project can be completed to the desired standard, and forward to the
RTM if required.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to transfer $117,808 from Unassigned Fund
Balance of the General Fund to line #33720-5S855 Town Basketball Courts Repairs, and forward to
the RTM as required.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Christine Walters, Director of Human
Resources, in the amount of $1,523 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance,
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to transfer $1,523 from line #10145-52030
Professional Fees to lines #10145-51110 Administration ($382) and #10145-51920 FICA ($1,144).
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Jonathan Mullen, Planning Director, in the
amount of $2,100 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to transfer $2,100 from line #10110-52040
Service Cont & Repair to line #10110-51120 Inspection.
8. To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Michael Howley, Director of Fire Services,
in the amount of $7,047.99 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance.
TOWN OF WATERFORD
TRANSFER REQUEST FORM
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Board of Finance Minutes, 6/12/2024
Page 4
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to transfer $7044 as outlined in a revised
transfer form below:
Une | Ore | Object ‘Cbject Deserption ‘APPROVED | CURRENT | ACCOUNT | ACCOUNT REVISED
No. | code | Code Budget | Available | incaeast | orcrease | Available
Amount_| Budget Budget
T_| 10173 | $3070 _| Apparatus Repaies 120,000.00, a 7oaa00. 7084.00
2 [10123 [7520207 | Postage. 250.00 3.00 (92.00) 100
3__| 10123 {52050 | Dues, Conferences & Education 36,800 527034 {2,000.00) | 3.270.34,
‘4 | 10123 [$2060 | Printing 100.00 3155, (51.00) 055
‘S| 10123 |”52070| Reimbursable Expenses 7,500.00 36.17 (56.00) 017
6 | 10123 [52376 | Hydraulic Testing 2,000.00 7470 (74.00) 0.70
7_| 20123 [52392 | Generator Maint. & Rprs 9,500.00 431592 115.00) 0.92
8 {30123 [52377 [Breathing Apparatus 9,500.00 1856.78 (656.00) | 1,200.78
TOTAL 7084.00 7088.00
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
9. To consider and act on a request by Michael Howley, Director of Fire Services, to close Capital and
Non-Recurring line #20523-57838 Pre Emption light repairs and reallocate funds for Capital and Non-
Recurring line #20523-57777 SCBA upgrades, and forward to the RTM as required.
Director Howley stated the Pre Emption Light work would likely be added to the next year’s Capital
Improvement Project budget. The current cost skyrocketed so it is necessary to obtain new quotes.
The state assists in the initial work to be done but ultimately, the upkeep and maintenance costs are
the responsibility of the town. Ron Fedor suggested looking for grants that nearby towns have
applied for and received to cover such costs.
Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance, advised the board that it is not necessary to close the line #20523-
57838 Pre Emption light repairs per policy procedures. The line can remain open at a zero balance
and money can be allocated there in the future when work is ready to be done.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ronald Fedor to transfer $50,000 from Capital and Non-
Recurring line #20523-57838 Pre Emption light repairs to Capital and Non-Recurring line #20523-
57777 SCBA upgrades, and forward to the RTM as required,
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Motion by Ron Fedor and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to reorder the agenda moving item #11 Review
BOE non-lapsing BOF Policy and Memorandum before item #10 Year-End Capital Review.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Minutes, 6/12/2024
Page S
10. Discussion to review BOE non-lapsing BOF policy and memorandum
It was discussed to remove the Memorandum of Agreement with the BOE as the policy represents all
that is necessary for the relationship. Several items were then discussed to modify the existing Board
of Education Non-lapsing Account Policy.
Discussion and thoughts regarding the policy included:
Chairman Patterson questioned why the BOF manages the BOE account in Waterford.
Ron Fedor expressed concern for removing BOF from the financial approval process due to past major
unexpected purchases by BOE that impacted the town.
Michael Rocchetti echoed that he feels itis important to continue with the BOF managing the BOE
account as a checks and balances plan.
Bill Sheehan concurred that more review is necessary for further discussion.
While tinkering of the policy took place, it was suggested by Chairman Patterson, to review the policy
more closely in the next few weeks to take action on the modification and approval of the policy at
the next occurring BOF Regular meeting taking place Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance, will have a modified draft of the policy reflecting the discussed
modifications for action for the BOF for the July meeting.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to postpone approval of the non-lapsing policy to
the July Board of Finance Regular Meeting.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
11. Discussion of Year-End Capital Review
Discussion of Year-End Capital utilizing the Capital Project Status Report (CIP, CNR, & ARPA), F24
Quarterly Report (July 1-Sept 30), Five Year Capital Plan FY2025-2029 (Snapshot), and the Capital
Projects Review FY24 Summary took place. After much review of the reports there were many
questions not presented in the reports. Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance, advised that the
Quarterly Reports best provide the information that the board is seeking. Chairman Patterson
commented that there are some astounding numbers in the future based on the Snapshot. Bill
Sheehan noted Fleet projection costs are also tremendous in the future. Mr. Sheehan suggested that
potentially increasing money toward Capital Improvements could help cover the cost of ~$2 million of
future projects. Ron Fedor mentioned potentially bonding fire trucks in the future. Mrs. Allen
remarked that Abba Danesh, Town Treasurer, still recommends paying cash for such expenses based
‘on the town’s rating. Michael Rocchetti suggested the town look to minimize or cut expenditures as
opposed to continue to subsidize them. Mr. Rocchetti continued this thought by adding how East
Lyme residents, who on a whole, make more money per household than Waterford residents and are
taxed less. He mentioned various town positions and would like to compare East Lyme’s town budget
to Waterford’s. Ron Fedor stated that all lines must be reviewed, not simply picking various
departments as how the two towns vary significantly. Kimberly Allen will produce a document this
summer for the board comparing the budgets of the two (2) towns line by line.
Chairman Patterson postponed any action within the Capital Review until the BOF Regular Meeting in
July when the more informative reports will be complete.
First Selectman, Rob Brule, added that he takes heed at these board meetings and works hard with
the department heads to provide necessary information for the town to project financial needs in the

Board of Finance Minutes, 6/12/2024
Pages
five (5) to ten (10) year plan. He believes that the quarterly capital meetings with department heads
has benefited the town in understanding the needs of the departments and prioritization of projects.
12. Old Business: none
13. New Business: none
14, Liaison Reports:
a. Robert Tuneski: Attended the Utility Commission meeting Tuesday, June 11, 2024 where
Thomas Schacht presented his findings regarding the New London Water Authority. He
indicated that Jim Bartelli, Director of Utilities, will be researching items brought up in the
presentation. Mr. Tuneski informed the board that Jim Bartelli will be retiring in August
2024.
b. Robert Tuneski: Oswegatchie Fire House Building Committee is progressing with the
Oswegatchie Fire Station plan utilizing the services from Silver Petrucelli & Associates. The
new project manager, Steve Smith, is a Waterford resident. The commission has been
focused on the building plan of a very similar station that cost another municipality roughly
$8 million.
15. Correspondence:
a. Virginia Bielucki, Town Accountant, Status of Contingency FY24 dated May 30, 2024.
b. April 2024 Special Revenue Reports
¢. Paul Goldstein, RTM Moderator, Review of Unelapsed Fund Account Policy
16. Adjournment
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ronald Fedor to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board
of Finance at 8:56pm.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Respectfully submitted,
Sheehan, ‘ebecca L. Hall,
Clerk of the Board of Finance Recording Secretary