Board of Selectmen - Minutes - 02/22/2023

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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MINUTES
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
BOARD of SELECTMEN
Special Joint Meeting
Waterford Town Hall — Auditorium
February 22, 2023
Moderator Paul Goldstein called the February 22, 2023 Special Meeting of the Representative Town
Meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
First Selectman Robert J. Brule called the February 22, 2023 Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
to order at 6:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL (Representative Town Meeting)
PRESENT: Greg Attanasio, Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, Mary Childs, Harry Colonis, Timothy
Condon, Thomas J. Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Timothy Fioravanti, Steven Garvin, Nick Gauthier, Kevin
Girard, Paul Goldstein, Kristin Gonzalez, Ryan Healy, Richard Holmes, Lindsay Khan, Jennifer Kohl, Cheryl
Larder, Dan Radin, Michael Rocchetti, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue (Speaker Phone), David
Welch.
ABSENT: Theodore Olynciw.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule, Selectwomen Elizabeth Sabilia;
Selectman Richard Muckle.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair of the Board of Education Pat Fedor; Chair of the Board of Finance
Glenn Patterson.
ROLL CALL (Board of Selectmen)
PRESENT: Robert J. Brule, Richard Muckle, Elizabeth Sabilia.
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo; Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Moderator Goldstein noted the following items received for correspondence: A letter from Town
Attorney Kepple in regard to the RTM’s role in the Data Center process. Letter from RTM Member Dan
Radin in regard to his support and concerns for the host municipality fee agreement for two
datacenters. Email from Waterford Resident Carl Shaffer in regard to his concerns for the proposed
datacenter project. Written Comments from State Representative Kathleen M. McCarty supporting the
proposal between NE Edge, LLC and the Town of Waterford. Email from Waterford Resident Kathleen
Coss in regard to her concerns for the proposed data center project.
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Moderator Goldstein made a statement of how he would like to see the meeting proceed between the
two bodies. The meeting will begin with Item 1 from the RTM Agenda, Public Comment, items 4 and 5
from the BOS Agenda, followed by Items 2 and 3 from the RTM Agenda, then adjournment.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Rocchetti, to move Public Comment after Item 1 of the RTM
Agenda.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
MOTION by Sabilia, seconded by Muckle, to move Public Comment after Item 1 of the RTM Agenda.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ITEM 1 (RTM AGENDA) — NE Edge, LLC Proposed Host Municipality Fee Agreement Informational
Meeting
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to approve a request from the Board of Selectmen
to conduct a joint informational meeting for the Board of Selectmen, the Representative Town Meeting
and the residents of Waterford regarding the NE Edge, LLC’s proposed Host Municipality Fee
Agreement. The proposed Agreement was submitted to the Board of Selectmen requesting the Town
become a Host Municipality under Connecticut Public Act No. 21-1 in order for NE Edge, LLC to pursue
the construction of two Qualified Data Centers (subject to all relevant locai, state and federal reviews
and approvals) on property off Rope Ferry Road owned by Dominion Energy, LLC. Pursuant to State law
and the Town Charter, the Board of Selectmen would be acting on the proposed Agreement and the
Representative Town Meeting would be asked by the Board of Selectmen to concur with its decision on
the Host Municipality Fee Agreement.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
First Selectman Robert Brule gave an opening statement and introduced the following presenters: NE
Edge, LLC Managing Member George A. McLaughlin ill, NE Edge, LLC Attorney William E. McCoy, and
Dominion Energy — Millstone Power Station Vice President Michael J. O’Connor.
Town Attorney Kepple summarized State Legislation in regard to data centers. He encouraged the public
and the members to stick to the issue of whether the Town of Waterford wants to be a host town.
Presentation commenced and issues discussed ranged from the presenter’s background, compensation
of the agreement, potential employment, noise abatement, possible timeline of project, and Millstone’s
future at the site.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Waterford Resident Joe Toner, 11 Old Mill Rd, spoke in support of the project and the use of the local
unions.
Waterford Resident Anthony Sabilia, 217 Boston Post Rd, spoke in support of the project.
Keith Brothers, President of the State Building Trades, that he strongly supports the project and the use
of union workers with a preference in hiring from within Waterford.
Waterford Resident Dennis Alfera, 5 High Ridge Dr, had concerns in regard to traffic, noise and the
location of the project.
Waterford Resident Brian Bowen, 22 Race Rock Rd, had concerns with noise, how the noise study would
be conducted, lighting.
Noank Resident Kevin Blacker, encouraged the Town of Waterford to look for hidden costs ranging from
Millstone’s future to fire protection.
Waterford Resident Chris Bachant, 15 Spithead Rd, supports the project as a representative of the
Carpenters’ Union.
Waterford Resident Jim Dunning, 11 Old Mill Rd, and member of Local Iron Workers’ Union supports the
project and is a great opportunity for Waterford.
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Waterford Resident Ingrid Naar, Great Neck Rd, spoke in opposition of the project in regard to noise and
the history of similar projects around the country.
Waterford Resident Mike Buscetto, 207 Great Neck Rd, spoke in support of the project.
Mystic Resident Jim Ferlong felt that the issue was not given enough notice to the public.
The presenters were invited to sit for questions from the RTM and BOS members.
Lengthy discussion ensued. Subjects ranged from statements of support, future of Millstone In
Waterford, support for union work, the RTM’s roll, the town’s need to be proactive to possible issues,
time frames, experience of the developers, current power output of Millstone.
ITEM 4 (BOS AGENDA) ~ Host Municipality Fee Agreement with NE Edge, LLC
MOTION by Sabilia, seconded by Muckle, to approve the proposed Host Municipality Fee Agreement
between the Town of Waterford and NE Edge, LLC pursuant to Public Act No. 21-1, for construction of
two Qualified Data Centers on Dominion Energy, LLC property on Rope Ferry Road.
Discussion ensued
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ITEM 5 (BOS Agenda) ~ Request that the Representative Town Meeting Concur with the Board of
Selectmen on the NE Edge, LLC Host Municipality Fee Agreement
MOTION by Sabilia, seconded by Muckle, that the Board of Selectmen request that the Representative
Town Meeting concur with the Board’s decision to approve the Host Municipality Fee Agreement with
NE Edge, LLC pursuant to Connecticut Public Act No. 21-1, for construction of two Qualified Data Centers
on Dominion Energy, LLC property on Rope Ferry Road.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Rocchetti, to move ITEM 3 of the Agenda ahead of ITEM 2.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ITEM 3 (RTM Agenda) - Concur with the Board of Selectmen on the NE Edge, LLC Host Municipality Fee
Agreement
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to approve a request from the Board of Selectmen
for the Representative Town Meeting to concur with the Board’s decision to enter into the proposed
Host Municipality Fee Agreement with NE Edge, LLC, pursuant to Connecticut Public Act 21-1, for
construction of two Qualified Data Centers on Dominion Energy, LLC property on Rope Ferry Road.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ITEM 2 (RTM AGENDA)- RTM’s Role in Connecticut Public Act No. 21-1
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to accept the RTM’s role in Connecticut Public Act
No. 21-1 in determining whether the Host Municipality Fee Agreement should be terminated in the
future if ever there were a default, or in the alternative, to delegate the role of potentially terminating
the Agreement to the Board of Selectmen.
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Condon, to amend the motion to read as follows: MOTION by
Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to accept the RTM’s role in Connecticut Public Act No. 21-1 in
determining whether the Host Municipality Fee Agreement shouid be terminated in the future if ever
there were a default.
MOTION TO AMEND PASSED: Unanimous
MAIN MOTION WITH AMENDMENT PASSED: Unanimous
3. RTM/BOS MEETING 02/22/2023

MOTION by Steward-Gelias, seconded by Condon, to adjourn the Representative Town Meeting at
8:17 P.M.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
MOTION by Sabilia, seconded by Muckle, to adjourn the Board of Selectmen at 8:17 P.M.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
Respectfully Submitted,
David L. Campo, CCTC
Waterford Town Clerk
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