Board of Finance - Minutes - 05/22/2024

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Board of Finance
Regular Meeting Minutes
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
**REVISED** Town Hall Auditorium ~ 7:00 p.m.
Present: Glenn Patterson, Joseph Filippetti, Ronald Fedor, Robert Tuneski, Bill Sheehan, Michael
Rocchetti
Absent: David Peabody
Elected: Rob Brule, First Selectman; Alan Wilensky, Tax Collector; Abbas Danesh, Treasurer; Nick
Staff:
Gauthier, RTM; Paul Goldstein, RTM Moderator
kimberly Allen, Director of Finance; Gary Schneider, Director of Public Works; Dani Gorman,
Human Services Administrator; Jeff Robillard, IT Manager; Lt. David Ferland, Police
Department; Christine Johnson, Director, Waterford Public Library; Maryellen McConnell
Recording Secretary
Establishment of a quorum and call to order
A quorum was established and the Regular Meeting of the Board of Finance was
called to order at 7:00 p.m. May 22, 2024.
Public Comment: yes.
{ oo
Nick Gauthier, RTM Member: According to Board of Finance policy the town will maintain an
unassigned fund balance each year of 13-15% of the subsequent fiscal years budgeted General Fund
revenue. This year we have over $23 million and | believe that this is irresponsible. We are asking
people to pay upwards of $300 in additional taxes this year. ! am not asking to use all the surplus,
but to use $2-$3 million to help alleviate the tax burden on the residents, As a town from a state
level a grant indicates that we have more money they we actually have. Please consider this
request.
Cheryl Larder — 26 Wiemes Ct: {tis amazing to me the amount of power and authority the Board of
Finance has amassed over the years. A surplus of over $20 million dollars, and what are we doing
with this. Why are we paying money for debt services and operations services? This is the time to
give back to the tax payers! Sitting on all this money is unfair as it sits in the bank.
Paul Goldstein, RTM Moderator: Boggles my mind that we do not have an unlapsed fund account.
The amount of money the Board of Education is returning is being taxed twice. Interest can
compound year to year. Please work with the Finance Director and the Board of Education to help
make this work,
**Revision to correct Item #10

Board of Finance Minutes, 5/22/2024
Page 2
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Approval and acceptance of minutes:
Regular Meeting on April 10, 2024
Motion by Mike Rocchetti and seconded by Bill Sheehan to approve the minutes of the April 10,
2024 Regular Meeting.
Vote: 6-0-0 Abstained: Motion: Passed
To consider and act on a request from Alan Wilensky, Tax Collector, to review a list of tax accounts
to approve for transfer to suspense for the current fiscal year.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to transfer the list of presented tax
accounts to suspense for the current fiscal year.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
Review List of projected FY24/25 Revenues and Estimated Tax Rate based upon the RTM
2025 approved budget.
Motion by Joseph Filippetti and seconded by Bill Sheehan to approve FY24/25 Revenues and
Estimated Tax Rate based upon the RTM 2025 approved budget
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
Establish the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025.
Please see attached statement from John Sheehan regarding the FY25 mill rate.
Motion by Joseph Filippetti and seconded by Bill Sheehan to establish the FY25 mill rate at 22.52.
Amendment 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%
Vote: 5-1-0 (No-Ronald Fedor) Motion: Passed
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: 4-2-0 (No-Ronald Fedor, Glenn Patterson) © Amendment: Passed
Vote on the original Motion as amended to set the FY2025 mill rate to 22.30
Vote: 4-2-0 (No-Ronald Fedor, Glenn Patterson) Amendment: Passed
**Revision to correct Item #10

Board of Finance Minutes, $/22/2024
Page 3
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10.
To consider and act on a request by Gary Schneider, Director of Public Works, for an additional
appropriation of $55,000 to line item 20511-57879 Town Hall Bathroom Refurbishment to fund to
Change Orders 1 through 3 and including contingency for anticipated additional work
(including asbestos abatement) based on experience gained earlier in the project, and forward to
the RTM if required.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to approve the request for an additional
appropriation of $55,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to item 20511-57879 Town Hall
Bathroom Refurbishment and forward onto the RTM.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Gary Schneider, Director of Public Works,
in the amount of $20,000 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to transfer $20,000 from line item 10130-
51510 (Equipment) to line items 10130-53030 ($2,003, Operational Supplies), 10130-53070
($4,335, Auto Repair), 10130-53100 ($5,000, Tires).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Gary Schneider, Director of Public Works,
in the amount of $36,400 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ronald Fedor to transfer $36,400 from line item 10130-
51520 ($6,000, Highway Maintenance), 10130-51530 ($30,400, Refuse Collection & Disposal) to
line items 10130-52050 ($6,000, Dues, Conferences & Education), 10130-52030 ($2,000,
Professional Fees), 10130-52040 ($15,000, Service Contracts & Repairs) and 10130 ($13,400,
Rental of Equipment).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on a request by Dani Gorman Human Services, Administrator of Waterford
Youth & Family Services, for an additional appropriation of $21,708 to fund negotiated
compensation increases.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joe Filippetti to approve the transfer of $21,708 from
Contingency line 10121-59010 to lines as follows: $14,552 for line item 10119-51110
(Administrative); $5,613 for line item 10119-51210 (Clerical); and $1,543 for line item 10119-
51920 (FICA).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
**Revision to correct Item #10

Board of Finance Minutes, $/22/2024
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To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Jeff Robillard, IT Manager, in the amount
of $7,000 to cover year end needs expectations due to raise and step increases.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to transfer $7,000 from line item 10147-
52043 (Service Contracts Info) to line item 10147-51210 (Clerical and Technical).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Marc Balestracci, Chief of Police, in the
amount of $25,000 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to transfer $25,000 from line item 10129-
51420 ($25,000, Patrol) to line items 10129-52030 ($6,500, Professional Fees), 10129-52370
($10,000, Uniform Allowance), 10129-53070 ($3,000, Auto Repairs), 10129-53080 ($3,000, Auto
Maintenance), and 10129-53100 ($2,500, Tires).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Rob Brule, First Selectman, representing
the Board of Selectman in the amount of $800 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of
Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Fillipetti to transfer $800 from line item 10101-
54010 ($800, Furniture) to line items 10101-53090 ($400, Fuels & Lubricants) and 10101-53020
($400, Other Supplies).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on a request by Christine Johnson, Director of Waterford Public Library, for an
additional appropriation of $42,818 to fund negotiated compensation increases,
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to approve an additional appropriation of
$42,818 as follows:
Transfer $10,379 from Contingency as follows: $2,166 to line item 10136-51110 (Administration)
$3,572 for line 10136-51220 (Custodial); and $526 for line item 10136-51920 (FICA), $4,115 to line
item 10136-51910 (Fringe Benefits)
Transfer $32,439 from the Unassigned Fund Balance of the General Fund; to line item 10136-51210
(Clerical/Technical); and forward onto the RTM.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
**Revision to correct Item #10

Board of Finance Minutes, 5/22/2024
Pages
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To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Paige Walton, Assessor, in the amount of
$800 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Mike Rochetti to transfer $800 from line item 10104-
53200 ($800, Pricing Books) to line items 10104-52040 ($800, Service Contracts and Rep).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance, in
the amount of $3,075 per Transfer Request Form presented to the Board of Finance.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ronald Fedor to transfer $3,075 from line item 10107-
52050 (Dues, Conferences & Educ) to line items 10107-52010 ($1,942, Advertising), 10107-52030
($403 Professional Fees) and 10107-54060 ($730, Office Equipment).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on an out of series transfer request by Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance, on
behalf of the Board of Finance, in the amount of $14,169 for higher than budgeted audit costs.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Tuneski to transfer $14,169 from line item 10112-52200
(Workers’ Comp Insurance) to line item 10103-52030 (Professional Fees).
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
Old Business: none
New Business: Packets were handed out to the Board of Finance regarding the BOF Policy regarding
the Non Lapsing Account for the Board of Education from Glenn Patterson, Chairman, Board of
Finance. Mr. Patterson asked if the board members would please go over these for discussion at
the June Meeting.
Liaison Reports:
Robert Tuneski — the building committee signed a contract with an architect, the committee is
moving along and they should be coming back within 6-8 months for funding of the building.
Gary Schneider, Director Public Works ~ we are working with the Utility Department to complete
the first phase of the water line replacement project for Shore and New Shore Roads. The Utility
Department must complete their review in order for DPW to reclaim and repave the roads;
therefore, they will not be resurfaced this year as anticipated. To retain the contractor committed
to this job, the nearby roads of Goshen Rd, Quarry Rd, and Leary Rd and will move “up the list” with
work to start in the next few months.
**Revision to correct Item #10

Board of Finance Minutes, $/22/2024
Page 6
24, Correspondence
2. Virginia Bielucki, Town Accountant, Periodic Financial Statements FY24 dated April 10, 2024.
b. Virginia Bielucki, Town Accountant, Status of General Fund Unassigned Balance dated April
10, 2024,
Virginia Bielucki, Town Accountant, Status of Contingency FY24 dated April 12, 2024.
Virginia Bielucki, Town Accountant, Periodic Financial Statements FY24 dated May 8, 2024,
© Virginia Blelucki, Town Accountant, Status of General Fund Unassigned Balance dated May
10, 2024,
f, March 2024 Special Revenue Reports
& Quarterly Treasurer's Report March 31, 2024 ~ Abbas Danesh, Treasurer
h. Paving Road Adjustments ~ Gary Schnelder, Director of Public Works
22. Adjournment
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ronald Fedor to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board
of Finance at 9:03 pm,
Vote 6-0-0 Motion: Passed.
Respectfully submitted,
John (Bill) W. Sheehan, Maryellen
Clerk of the Board of Finance Recording Secretary
“*Revision to correct Item #10