Board of Finance - Minutes - 03/10/2025

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Board of Finance Monday, March 10, 202 B
Town Hall Auditorium 7:00pm
*REVISED* Budget Hearing Minutes
Chairman Glenn Patterson, Ronald R. Fedor, Bill Sheehan, Michael Rocchetti,
Present:
Robert Tuneski, Josh Kelly (arrived at 7:10pm, departed at 8:36pm), Joseph Filippetti
Elected: Rob Brule, First Selectman
Staff: Kimberly Allen, Finance Director; Jonathan Mullen, Planning Director; Mark Wujtewicz,
Planner; Rebecca Hall, Admin Assistant Finance Office/BOF Recording Secretary
Other: Guy Russo, Economic Development Commission; Michael Buscetto, Economic
Development Commission; Talivadis Maidelis, Secretary Conservation Commission
1 £stablishment of a quorum and call to order:
A quorum was established and a call to order was established at 7:00 pm, March 10, 2025.
2. Public comment:
a. Helen Kwasniewski, Quaker Hill resident spoke regarding the Planning and Zoning Department.
Ms. Kwasniewski urged the Board of Finance to disallow this budget. She would like all of the
staff fired and stated that a board member was given special treatment whereas an investigation
should be incited. She submitted a call to the department and has not been responded to in over
one (1) year and three (3) weeks at the time of the meeting. She also advised the Board of
Finance to stop voting yes to all department budgets as presented.
b. An opening statement regarding the budget process was made by Glenn Patterson, Chairman.
Standing Motion: was made by Joseph Filippetti and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to consider the
budget requests without individual motions for each series and department to expedite the meeting.
Bill Sheehan will make motion on all budgets and Ron Fedor will second the motion.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
3. Economic Development Commission Budget:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Economic Development Commission
budget request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $25,352 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Jon Mullen, Planning Director gave an opening statement regarding the past year for the Economic
Development Commission. He shared that the highlights of the current fiscal year was the Grand
Opening of Chipotle and small business events such as the informational open houses held in town.
These open houses included “Access to Capital - Finding Money for Your Business” and the upcoming,


Board of Finance Budget Minutes~ March 10, 2025
Page 2
Women’s Business Development Council meeting. Michael Buscetto added that the Commission's
outreach through these events have proven to be beneficial for collaboration, recruitment and retention
of small business owners in the area. Working with an outside organization such as seCTer
(Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region) has also been positive. Guy Russo talked about how the
commission is looking for small business entrepreneurs who may be working in their homes or other
small, private areas but are looking to expand their business and need more space. The Town has
several underutilized properties and the commission is hopeful to fill them as entrepreneurial work
spaces.
Bill Sheehan questioned the Commission about the status of hiring a proper consultant. Director Mullen
responded that the Commission will be discussing this position over the next few months to solicit a
qualified individual.
Board members Josh Kelly, Michael Rocchetti, and Ron Fedor all agreed that the Economic Development
Commission budget seems low and the group could use extra money for marketing themselves on a
larger scale. Glenn Patterson concluded that a written strategy would probably be in the best interest of
the group as the Commission grows and Director Mullen agreed.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
4. Conservation Commission Budget:
Jon Mullen, along with Mark Wujtewicz and Talivadis Maidelis, Secretary Conservation Commission
spoke on behalf of the Conservation Commission. There has been a 0% increase from the FY25 budget.
Glenn Patterson asked about the cost for testing as the Commission has not used the funds for this line
item over the past few years. Director Mullen responded that the near-drought conditions for have not
required numerous tests for the past two years so the group has not used the funds to the full extent as
budgeted. This year, due to much commercial and private development, testing will increase so they
intend to use the funds available.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Conservation Commission budget
request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $18,250 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
5. Planning and Zoning Budget:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Planning and Zoning budget request
for FY25/26 in the total amount of $695,026 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Jon Mullen indicated that the majority of the budget increase of just over 1% is due to salary increases in
the department. Director Mullen will provide overtime specifics to the Board as requested. Chairman
Patterson asked if the department could operate with a deeper reduction in Office Supplies based on
expenses from prior years. The director was certain he could work with that deduction in the budget
request. Personnel Worksheet submitted as supplemental back-up.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed


Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 10, 2025
Page 3
6. Zoning Board of Appeals Budget:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Zoning Board of Appeals budget
request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $4,310 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Jon Mullen and Mark Wujtewicz fielded questions regarding the requested budget with a 0% increase.
Director Mullen stated that the focus of this group is to acclimate the newer Board members to the role
of the Zoning Board of Appeals and processes/procedures for completing tasks for the Town.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
7 Building Department Budget:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Building Department budget request
for FY25/26 in the total amount of $321,515 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Jon Mullen and Mark Wujtewicz presented the budget for the Building Department. It was noted there
is a 1.41% decrease in their budget. A Personnel Worksheet was submitted as supplement back-up.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
8 Flood and Erosion Control Budget:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Flood and Erosion Control budget
request for FY2S/26 in the total amount of $1,109 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Josh Kelly Moved the Question, seconded by Michael Rocchetti.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
9. Finance Department Budget:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Finance Department budget request
for FY25/26 in the total amount of $784,326 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Finance Director, Kimberly Allen opened conversation regarding the Department’s budget by sharing the
Town is moving to an integrated payables system to make all vendor payments electronically. The
Department is in the beginning stages of this transition and will pilot the process using select vendors in
April 2025. Director Allen was asked about staffing and responded that her staff. continually takes on
new responsibilities and works incredibly well together to complete tasks for the Town.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
10. Review Projected Revenue
A short discussion took place amongst the Board members to reflect on various factors that will affect
the Town's revenue such as the upcoming Tax Relief Bill for Veterans. Bill Sheehan estimated the Mill
Rate will increase by approximately 1-2 mills based on data thus far.

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Page 4
11. Adjournment:
Motion by Joseph Filippetti and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to adjourn the Budget Meeting of the
Board of Finance at 8:37pm.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
Respectfully submitted yA OHA
Bill Sheehan, Clerk Rebecca L. Half, Secretary