Board of Finance - Minutes - 03/05/2025

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WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886 wwwiwaterfordctorg
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Board of Finance Wednesday, Match 5.2025 <3
Budget Hearing Minutes Town Hall Auditbrium'?:00pm
Present: Chairman Glenn Patterson, Ronald R. Fedor, Bill Sheehan, Michael Rocchetti,
Elected:
Staff:
Other:
Robert Tuneski, Josh Kelly (arrived 7:18pm), Joseph Filippetti
Rob Brule, First Selectman
Kimberly Allen, Finance Director; ; Dani Gorman, Human Services Administrator Youth &
Family Services & Senior Services; Terry Wheeler, Assistant Director Senior Services; Heidi
McSwain Human Services Coordinator Youth & Family Services & Senior Services;
Meaghan Lineburgh, Senior Services Assistant; Joseph Trelli, Program Coordinator Youth
Services; Brendan Smith, Youth & Family Services; Ryan T. McNamara, Director
Recreation & Parks, Timothy Cieplik, Program Coordinator Recreation & Parks; Rebecca
Hall, Admin Assistant Finance Office/BOF Recording Secretary
Jennifer Muggeo, Director of Health, Ledge Light Health District; Michael Buscetto,
Chairman of Youth Service Bureau Advisory Council
1 Establishment of a quorum and call to order:
A quorum was established and a call to order was established at 7:00pm, March 5, 2025.
2. Public comment:
a, Helen Kwasniewski, Waterford resident discussing her concerns with budgets regarding the
following budget hearings:
{4) Public Health & Nursing: will money still be sent to VNA by the town?
(2) VFW - this social service is underfunded
(3) Rec & Parks & Senior Services ~ she believes these departments should be combined
as they offer programs that overlap. She emphasized concerns with the management of
Senior Services and lack of efficiency.
(4) TVCCA — Meals on Wheels is insufficient and the meals are unacceptable.
{5) Police Dept ~ She doesn’t believe that police officers should be working as wait staff
for fundraisers as they are paid with tax payer dollars.
b. Robert Kyne, Jr. Ph.D., Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning
swim program offered at Waterford High School. Letter attached,
¢. Grace Kyne, Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning swim
Program offered at Waterford High School. Mrs. Kyne indicated that there are several mutually
beneficial options for the Town and residents in keeping the morning swim open.

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 5, 2025
Page 2
d. Kristine Drew, Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning swim
program offered at Waterford High School. Cosigner of letter submitted by Robert Kyne, Jr. Ph.D.
Email to the Board of Finance attached. Ms. Drew stated the morning swim/pool is a tremendous
resource being lost by our community.
e, Peter Colonis, Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning swim
Program offered at Waterford High School. As a long-time morning swim participant, he is open
to offer suggestions to Rec & Parks on how to keep the pool open in the morning.
f. Frank Burchell, Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning swim
program offered at Waterford High School. Cosigner of letter submitted by Robert Kyne, Jr.
Ph.D. He is in support to keep the morning swim open to residents.
8. Bob Almeida, Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning swim
program offered at Waterford High School. Mr. Almeida feels the morning swim is beneficial to
those undergoing rehabilitation for physical ailments, surgeries, etc.
h, Dave Dickerson, Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning swim
program offered at Waterford High School. Mr. Dickerson advised the Board that the swimming
pool helps residents survive on a daily basis.
i. Jayne Darras, Waterford resident, current Waterford lifeguard, speaking against the
cancellation of the morning swim program offered at Waterford High School. Letter attached.
j, Tori Zane, Waterford resident, Waterford lifeguard, speaking against the cancellation of the
morning swim program offered at Waterford High School. Offered several ideas of innovations
such as reduction of days offered, reduce/cut night swim, run more night lessons/classes,
restructure lessons to make them profitable using New London’s program as a model, utilize
grant funding,
k, Sara Darras, Waterford resident speaking against the cancellation of the morning swim
program offered at Waterford High School. Mrs. Darras stated how the morning swim is a
valuable resource to residents in Waterford. It offers a great rehabilitation and exercise outlet for
limited mobility residents. Lifeguard commitment could be an issue at the beach if the pool time
is cut.
|. Elizabeth Olmstead, Waterford resident, Waterford High School student, lifeguard, speaking
against the cancellation of the morning swim program offered at Waterford High School. Miss
Olmstead spoke about her concerns in limiting the opportunities for new lifeguards at the poo!
and potentially at the beach. She is a newly certified lifeguard who would like to work in
Waterford.
m, Jake Darras, Waterford resident, Waterford Beach senior lifeguard, shared with the Board
that the senior lifeguards at Waterford Beach, are not compensated well for their responsibilities
and their experience. He expressed concerns for staffing too many young, inexperienced
lifeguards to decrease staffing costs at the beach. No overtime is offered to senior lifeguards at
this time.
‘An opening statement regarding the budget process was made by Glenn Patterson, Chairman.
Standing Motion: was made by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to tentatively
approve the budget requests for FY25/26. Bill Sheehan will make motion on all budgets and Ron
Fedor will second the motion.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March S, 2025
Page 3
Due to the volume of public attendees, Chairman Patterson suggested to the Board of Finance to
reorder the Agenda.
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Josh Kelly to reorder the March 5, 2025 Budget
Hearing agenda to move the Recreation and Parks Budget Hearing to #3.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Recreation & Parks Budget:
The Director of Recreation and Parks (Rec & Parks), Ryan McNamara made opening comments
regarding the proposed budget. He indicated that Rec & Parks exists to enhance the quality of
life for citizens of Waterford. Director McNamara pointed out to the Board that 83% of his.
budget is personnel costs and 84% of his employees are Waterford residents.
Several board members inquired about the aquatics programs offered by the department in
hopes to conjure a solution to ending a very popular program: Morning Swim. Board members
questioned the use of Special Revenue money to allow program attendees to pay a fee for their
program to assist in subsidizing the cost of staff. The director shared that as of March 21% there
are no available bunds in the regular budget to fund aquatics as it is currently running. Currently,
two (2) lifeguards are on duty for one (1) hour of morning swim time at 5:30am daily. The
lifeguards are paid for three (3) hours of work to incentivize the employees. The Director stated
that staff retention and substituting for call outs for the early morning hour is very difficult.
Suggestions by board members included certifying current swimmers as lifeguards, modeling
other town pool procedures to make program profitable, utilize Special Revenue money to
balance the costs.
The board questioned the Director about the unfilled Assistant Director position that was placed
in the FY25 budget. Mr. McNamara responded that the job description is being finalized soon.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Recreation & Parks budget
request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $1,535,328 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Ethics Commission Budget:
Josh Kelly Moved the Question.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Ethics Commission budget
request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $900.00 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 5, 2025,
Page 4
5.
A
Conservation of Health Budget:
Motion by and seconded by to approve the Conservation of Health budget request for FY25/26
in the total amount of $155,063 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Jennifer Muggeo, Director of Health from Ledge Light Health District presented the FY26 budget
request to the Board. Increases to the budget include a population adjustment. The FY24 Audit
will be sent to the Board once received from the auditors.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Public Health and Nursing Budget:
Due to the lack of representation, the BOF discussed approving the budget or rescheduling the
hearing for another evening. The Board requested the Finance Director, Kimberly Allen, to
determine the availability of a Public Health and Nursing representative on the suggested
rescheduling date.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Josh Kelly to postpone the FY25/26 Budget Hearing for
Public Health and Nursing to the Budget Hearing date of Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 9:00pm
pending the availability of a representative.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Miscellaneous Social Grants Budget:
Prior to discussion of grant funding, Board of Finance member Josh Kelly recused himself of the
meeting until voting was complete.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Miscellaneous Social Grants
budget request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $103,510 designated by the Series Subtotals
above.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
Youth and Family Services Budget:
The Human Services Administrator, Dani Gorman, gave an opening statement regarding the
Youth and Family Services Budget. Mrs. Gorman pointed out that the budget is data driven and
such data is provided in the budget documents. Following a few general departmental questions,
Bill Sheehan advised the Administrator and the Board of Finance that he will be voting “no” on
both the Youth and Family Services and Senior Services Budgets. His vote reflects his belief that
the change made to head the two departments with one director was not made in accordance to.
an ordinance or the Town's charter. Rob Brule added that all decisions made were with legal
counsel and with many meetings with the two (2) separate departments and commissions before
implementation.

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 5, 2025
Page S
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Youth and Family Services
budget request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $307,435 designated by the Series Subtotals
above.
Vote: 6-1-0 No: Sheehan Motion: Passed
Senior Services Budget:
‘The Human Services Administrator, Dani Gorman provided a supplemental piece of data for the
backup materials to the budget request (attached).
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to approve the Senior Services budget
request for FY25/26 in the total amount of $523,586 designated by the Series Subtotals above.
Vote: 6-1-0 No: Sheehan Motion: Passed
Adjournment:
Motion by Joseph Filippetti and seconded Josh Kelly by to adjourn the Budget Meeting of the
Board of Finance at 9:19pm.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Respectfully submitted
PP: VLA
Bill Shean, Gérk Rebecca L. Hall, Secretary 7

Memorandum
From: Robert €. kyne, Jr., Ph.D.
18 Dimmock Road, Waterford, CT 06385
(860) 460-0513 | rekyne@gmail.com
To: Board of Finance | Town of Waterford | March 5, 2025
Re: Elimination of morning lap swim from FY26 Recreation & Parks budget
Chairman Patterson, First Selectman Brule, and Members of the Board of Finance,
The Recreations & Parks Department budget under review tonight represents a 3.38%
overall increase over FY25, thus | was disappointed to note a $54k/65% reduction in funding for
open/lap swim in FY26, including a full discontinuation of morning lap swim during the week. |
have come to understand that the AM lap swim offering will in fact be discontinued in 10 days,
despite being fully funded within the FY25 budget cycle, running through the end of June 2025.
For the reasons detailed below, | am urging the Board of Finance to consider rejecting the Parks
budget as proposed to allow for reinstatement of the approximately $27,600 (based on FY25
request) in funding for FY26 to allow for uninterrupted service to the admittedly small but
dedicated group of Waterford residents who utilize this offering, while developing a plan to
support all pool-based programming in an accessible and fiscally-responsible manner. As an
Addendum to this Memorandum, | have provided five starting points for discussions on funding
mechanisms, which based on my reading of the minutes from Parks Department meetings, have
yet to be considered in full, if at all. | would like to be part of a solution for the Town and the pool
patrons.
As a lifelong user of the WHS pool, including morning lap swim dating back to the late
90's, | feel passionately about this programming. | learned to swim in that pool as a young child;
used it twice daily when the local YMCA ran their swim team out of the facility; and was a state
champion high school swimmer for the Town, spending many mornings at the pool to get a
second workout in for the day. | appreciate that the Parks Department is maintaining some of
their evening hours in their FY26 budget request, but as a parent of a young child, 7:45 PM lap
swim is not workable.
Director McNamara & Chairman Murphy note in their budget proposal that they will
involve the community in the decision-making process and gather input on the programming
consolidation plan underway. Aside from the incredibly dedicated morning lifeguards, Molly,
Jayne, and Alex, | have seen no Recreation & Parks Department representation or signage at the

pool to flag or discuss the significant changes ahead for the pool. Alternative morning options in
the area have become quite limited. New London bulldozed their pool during their recent school
renovation, East Lyme cut back on their morning hours—there are few, if any, pools remaining in
the region where a working-age adult with a family can get a morning pool workout in.
Elimination of this service will eliminate an opportunity, which is incongruous with the Director's
stated goal in his budget proposal of “expanding and improving services to the community.” He
notes that the Department is “seeking out innovative funding opportunities.” Hopefully some of
that innovative energy can be applied here.
| love Waterford, | always have, and | believe we have a leg up over our neighboring
communities in that we have dedicated patrons, a beautiful facility that is paid off, and a reliable
staff of lifeguards who show up 5 days a week from 5:15-6:30 AM to provide this service for their
neighbors. All that is needed to keep morning lap swim going is the cost of staffing. On Monday,
members of this Board asked a great many questions about who was using the Waterford Public
Library, and it was clear that the Town’s priority is to fund programs and services primarily used
byour residents. | am happy to report that all AM pool users are from Waterford, ast is presently
requirement, ensuring that our tax money is being used to directly and exclusively enrich the
lives of our residents. As noted in the Parks Department capital improvement budget, it will cost
$200,000-$250,000 per court for resurfacing the tennis/pickleball and basketball courts in Quaker
Hill. | wonder if these rather expensive amenities are exclusively used by Waterford residents?
As a realist with an appreciation for the contracting fiscal environment we all face, both
locally and nationally, | come before you not to ask that that funds be reallocated away from
important town needs, of which there are many. Rather, | am urging the Board to use the time
we have left in the fully-funded fiscal year to ensure we have explored all avenues for alternative
funding for the maximum benefit of our community. The attached Addendum provides an
overview of potential solutions that | believe are yet to be explored. | encourage the BoF to
consider giving the AM lap swim program a one-year reprieve from termination to allow for the
development of a master plan that maintains what some of us consider a vital service to the
community, while identifying a fiscally responsible path forward for the town. With a successful
track record in writing grant applications, it would be a privilege to partner with the Town in this
endeavor. If anyone from the Town wants to speak with me, you can find me at the pool most
days for the next week and a half from 5:15-6:15 AM. Otherwise, reach me by phone or email as
noted above, | look forward to hearing from you.
Let’s Go Waterford!
BD

ADDENDUM
PROPOSED OPPORTUNITIES TO IDENTIFY FUNDING TO RESTORE/MAINTAIN AM LAP SWIM
FY25 Funding for AM, evening, and weekend open/lap swim: $82,262
—>FY25 Funding for only AM Lap Swim: $27,600
FY26 Funding for PM lap/open swim only (no morning or weekend offerings listed within the
budget): $28,766-a 65% reduction in services to the community
‘Scenario 1: A realistic budget based on the conditions on the ground
1) The FY25 budget allocates $27,600 to cover 49 weeks x 3h/session x5 days a week for one
lifeguard and one supervisor (2 total staff budgeted, 735 total hours).
a. Notably, there are currently three Parks Dept staff at AM lap swim almost daily,
‘one supervisor and two lifeguards—this may account for cost overruns.
2) AM lap swim is only 1h, not the 3h budgeted. Recommend reducing staffing and hours:
a. 1 Supervisor & 1 Lifeguard 49 weeks x1h/session xS days/week to bring that
budget amount down to approximately $9200/year.
i. Rounding up to 1.5h/session to account for any time spent by staff before
or after the session brings in a budget line of $13,800
3) Note, for additional context, that East Lyme’s morning lap swim is covered by a single life
guard—given the typical headcount of Waterford’s AM lap swim, a single lifeguard could
be employed for a budget line of about ~$7,000/year
Scenario 2: The town of East Lyme charges all users of their pool a fee, with an increased fee
for out of town residents—given East Lyme’s recently reduced hours, the town of Waterford
may realize a revenue stream for a sustainable future from AM swimming expats—Waterford
maintains our facility beautifully, let users chip in, similar to other Rec & Park programming, to
defray costs.
—>A survey of lap swimmers indicated a willingness to pay. | am willing to provide $3,600/yr
in funding for ~0.5 lifeguard FTE.
1) Open and Lap swim are some of the few athletic offerings run by Rec & Park to not charge
a fee. A fee plan, easily run via the existing Rec Desk platform, as demonstrated by the
‘Town of East Lyme, could take several forms.
a. Charge a one time annual fee to town residents who wish to use the pool.
b. Set up a monthly fee structure.

i. Asa benchmark, East Lyme charges residents $40/mo for use of the pool.
Out-of-town users are charged $40/mo plus an additional $125 Annually.
Scenario 3: Split lap swim sessions between AM and PM, rather than all or nothing:
1) A3/2 split Monday through Friday between morning and evening offerings would ensure
that all members of the Waterford community, based on their work & life schedules, have
at least some access to our outstanding aquatic facility.
Scenario 4: The ‘Special Revenue’ line in the Parks budget is listed ‘to offset program expenses
only’, which has a current balance of $70,000.
1) Assuming a budget requirement for $13,800 as described in Scenario 1 above to reinstate
morning Lap Swim, use $6900 from the Special Revenue fund in combination with a fee
of $20/family/year who wish to use the pool to close the gap.
Scenario 5: In anticipation of these budget cuts, what external grant funding was considered
and applied for?
1) The Director noted in his budget request that the alcohol nip reimbursement fee to the
town has been instrumental to parks funding—can we mobilize some of this funding to
the pool for a single AM lifeguard?
2) Did Dominion Energy, Pfizer, inc,, and Electric Boat decline our applications for community
grant support of the pool/programming?
There is a solution here that does not involve wholesale cuts to programming—let’s sort it out
together.

WATERFORD RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION FISCAL ¥
HIGH LOPE!
‘Moming Lap Swim
49 weeks x 3hrs/session x § days/wk = 73Shrs
—
Supervisor
2024: 368hrs x $19.50/hr x 1 supervisor
2025: 368hrs x $19.50/hr x 1 supervisor
tifequard —<—
2024: 368hrs x $18.00/hr x 1 Lifeguard
2025: 36Bhrs x $18.00/hr x 1 lifeguard
——
Evening Lap Swim (Open and Lap Swim)
49 weeks x 12hrs/wk = S88hrs
Lifeguards
2024: 294hrs x $18.00/hr x 2 guards
2028: 294hrs x $18.00/hr x 2 guards
Pool Attendont
2024: 294hrs x $16.00/hr
2025: 294hrs x $16.00/hr
Supervisor
2024: 294hrs x $19.50/hr
2025: 294hrs x $19.50/hr
PT9/s2
PT8/S2
PT8/s2
PTa/Si
Pr9/s2
wy rare (una Pua
$7,176 ye “Lh
$6,624 .
Sub-Total $27,600
$10,584
$10,584
$4,704
$4,704
$5,733
$5,733
Sub-Total $42,042
CERES myprymua

r‘ WATERFORD RECREATION ANO PARKS COMMISSION FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET
n/ class
[025 - 5/2025 : 21 weeks x 2.Shrs/session = 52.5 hrs.
Supervisor Pr9/sz
S2.Shrs x $19.50/br $1,024
Pool Attendant Pra/st
52.5hrs x $16.00/hr $840
Ufeguords PTB/S2
52.5hrs x $18.00/hr x 2 guards $1,890
Sub Total $3,754
wir
11/2024 - §/2025 : 31 weeks x 4hrs/session = 124hrs
Supervisor PT9/S2
2024: 36hrs x $19.50/hr $702
2025: 88hrs x $19.50/hr $1,716
Poo! Attendant pT1/si
C 2024: 36hrs x $16.00/hr $576
2025: 88hrs x $16.00/hr $1,408
Lifeguards PT8/s2
2024: 36hrs x $18.00/hr x 2 guards
2025: 8Bhrs x $18.00/hr x 2 guards
Sub Total
Swim Lessons: Summer
2025: 26 days x Shrs/day = 130 hrs
‘Supervisor/Coordinator (+10hrs for certs, hiting, etc.) PTI0/S1
2025: 130hrs x $21.50 $2,795,
Water Safety instructors - Mandated by Rec Cross PT8/S2
2025: 130hrs x 4WS! x $18.00 $9,360
Assistant Swim Instructors Pri /st
2025: 130hrs x 13 staff x $16.00 $27,040
Sub Total $39,195
19

Important Announcement: Discontinuation of AM Lap Swim at WHS Pool
Dear Valued WHS Pool Users,
We regret to inform you that we must discontinue the AM lap swim offering due
to constraints on availability and hours of use requirements outlined by the Chief
of Police and the Board of Education Superintendent this past year, in accordance
with Connecticut General Statutes 10-239. The last official day of AM Lap Swim
will be Friday, March 21, 2025.
This has been a very difficult decision, as we understand the importance and
history of the AM lap swim to our community. Alongside the restrictions, the
budget for the offering has already been met, largely due to the costs required to
continue providing the program at alternative times.
We will make every effort to find alternative programming and any available
hours throughout the week and weekends to provide additional programming
once our new budget is approved for FY’26, starting July 1, 2025.
We understand there may be upset users, and | am happy to offer my time fora
meeting or phone call to hear any ideas for programming or ways in which we can
help discuss potential solutions. My business cards are available with this notice.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and patience during this transition.
Thank you for your continued support of the WHS pool.
Sincerely,
Recreation and Parks Staff
Ryan McNamara, Director of Recreation and Parks

From: Francis Burchell frankandjoan@sbcglobal.net
Subject: AM lap swim
Date: Mar 5, 2025 at 10:31:26 AM
To: rekyne@gmail.com
I would like to be a cosignatory in support of maintaining AM lap swim. I have been part of the
swim for the past 35 years and found that this is a strong factor that keeps me in good physical
condition. I am now 89 years old and have sung the praises of our rec department to many others
who surround our community. In your remarks you state that the AM swim is stopping 21March
and yet it is funded until June 30,2025. This is a conflict that makes no sense to me. The pool
should be open to the date it has been funded. (6/30/25) A disappointed swimmer of our town,
Rev. Dr.-Francis Burchell

From: Kristine drew kristinedrew1958@gmail.com
Subject: A.M. Lap swim
Date: Mar 5, 2025 at 6:49:05 AM
To: rekyne@gmail.com
Good morning Bob. As an a.m.lap swimmer I'd like to be a consignatory on the letter
in support of maintaining the program.
Kris Drew

Rebecca Hall
———————
From: Kristine Drew <kristinebdrew@gmail.com>
Sent:
To: Rebecca Hall
Subject: Recreation and Parks budget concern
f CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. 1
1 Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender's email address and know the
I content is safe.
a i a a]
Dear members of the Board of Finance,
Good morning- This morning I, along with my fellow morning lap swimmers, was made
aware that our program has been eliminated from the budget. I want to register a most
strenuous objection to this. The WHS pool is a tremendous community resource. It
should be utilized to its fullest. The pool needs to be maintained whether in full use or
not, so it makes sense to use it as much as possible. (Of note, New London’s pool was
condemned after years of deferred maintenance)
In 2023 we were told that the morning hours for lap swim (6-7:30) and senior swim/aquasize (7:30-?)posed a
security concem for the high school. This was eventually resolved by changing the lap swim hours to 5:30-6:30
and eliminating the later morning programming, (Interestingly, East Lyme runs community aquatic programs
during the schoo! day. )
Morning lap swim is a well loved and well attended program. The swimmers are a mixed group of citizens-
folks who swim before work or school as well as retirees. I have been a regular for over 20 years.
Evening swim is not a viable option for many people with young children, people who work in the evening,or
for older people who are not comfortable driving at night,
Often there are 3 lifeguards on duty- only 2 are needed so some savings could be found there. And I, for one
would be willing to pay a user fee.
Please do what you can to save this program!
Sincerely,
Kristine Drew
12 Colonial Dr.
860-287-4631

SAB ae!
Hi my name is Jayne. Thank you for letting me speak. I am here to discuss the morning
lap swim cut. I have worked for this town as a lifeguard for over 9 years at this point and I am
one of the morning guards that is affected by the budget cut.
This moming this letter was released to the public by the town. I’Il summarize the letter
for you. First it says that the board of Ed and chief of police were forcing us to get rid of the
morning hours Because of CT General Statutes 10- 239. Clearly since we are NOT at a board of
Ed meeting it was not that reason. We had that problem a year ago. Everyone that swims does
not want to lose this program, the hours got moved earlier and we followed the rules to a T.
The letter also says that they will make “every” effort to find alternate programs and available
hours. I would like to point out that unless this budget is amended- there is no programs in the
budget currently that would be able to replace morning swim.
We had a meeting with our boss last week where he told us in no uncertain terms that the
morning hours were getting cut because it is a “glaring” area where the town is “hemorrhaging”
money from this one program.
I talked to another director in the area and asked him questions on how his program is
comparable to ours and what he is doing differently that is making his program successful:
1. Lasked the ratio for AM versus PM lap swim. He said that morning swim is way more
popular- people are requesting hours earlier than what is currently offered (like what we
have)
a. This is comparable to our town because the attendance of AM vs PM is drastic.
Lets use yesterday as an example, In the morning was had 13 people (I would
know I was there), last night there was only 2 people for lap swim
2. This program charges people for an aquatic membership. They charge $350 per person,
which is less than $30 a month. When this was suggested to our bosses at the rec
department we were brushed off. “if costs 47 thousand, do you really think that the 10
people you have in the morning would be willing to pay 47 hundred a year?” Based on
‘our patrons that I have talked to and other people in town, they would be MORE than
willing to pay $350 a year to swim.
3. If our town is not willing to put the budget on hold and make amendments, I will be
bringing a proposal to that pool for early morning swim- they have availability NOT
lifeguards. and he told me that it will be put into action because there is so much interest.
There needs to be more outreach from the rec department about programing to our
citizens and to the people in our county. It makes complete sense to me personally as a
citizen and a worker for the town that these programs are failing. People don’t know that
they are happening- us as lifeguards cannot do anything to change it but our bosses most
certainly can. If our town is not willing put programs into place or are VERY willing to
make cuts to the programs in place without first trying to make changes, other
organizations and towns will be gaining Waterford citizens as there members.

sities
First, I’d like to thank the board for allowing me an opportunity to
speak. | would like to take this time to share the valuable resource
that the morning swim hours provide to the community from an
injury rehab standpoint. For many members of the community, the
poolis the only location to return to activity after surgery. Many
studies have been conducted that conclude the best time to
exercise and do rehab are in the morning after a surgically repaired
site has had several hours of rest while sleeping. Every local pool
will be able to confirm that their requests for morning swim hours
are in higher demand than any evening swim hours.
| would also like to express concern that aquatic programs have
been cut without any public investigation on how to increase
revenue prior to slashing programs. Without this critical thought
process, no ROI can be determined. Morning swim has been cut in
the FY26 budget without any exploration for increased revenue. It
would be interesting to know how much revenue could be gained
from opening up the beach to non-residents. Speaking of the
beach, the beach is already understaffed, which becomes a safety
concern. When word gets out that the Town of Waterford doesn’t
respect their long time loyal lifeguards, the lifeguard shortage will
become more severe. The lifeguarding community is small, and I
would hope that our town would be loyal to our guards. If we lose
our lifeguards, there will not be any senior guards to train the high
school aged guards on the waterfront safety protocols. | choose to
believe that the Town of Waterford wants to be a trend setter in
finding ways to not only maintain, but enhance, programs offered to
residents. | am sure that by exploring revenue generation,
nourishing and enhancing existing programs and allocating funds
differently that the aquatics programs can flourish. Please take into
account the lives of individuals and the community at large that is
impacted by these unplanned reductions in programming. Thank
you.

Human Services Data and Trends
Human Services: FY23 vs FY24 with % Change (Excluding Food Bank)
600} mm x25
Number of indviduats/ouseholss
ID eh
pmo % Change - 1.30
% change FY23 to.
HUMAN SERVICES Fy23 Fy24 Fy24
[Energy Assistance (Per Household) 204 195 6%
Renters Rebate (Per Household) 175 165 4%
lEmergency Funds (Per Household) 29 35 421%
lFarmers Market (Per individual) 98 1 +13%
[Food Bank (Per Individual) 2,287 2,605 +14%
ISocial Service Contacts (Per individual) 476 601 426%
Food Bank Usage with Estimated Growth for FY25 and FY26
= Food Bank Usage
3200]
3000]
32
8 2200)
3
3
€
2 2000
2400]
We Fa Enmated) FFE estore)
Fiscal Year
The line graph illustrates Food Bank usage trends, highlighting both actual and estimated values. The actual data shows 2,287 indi-
viduals served in FY23 and 2,605 in FY24. Based on a consistent growth rate observed between these years, the estimated usage Is
projected to reach 2,923 individuals in FY2S and 3,241 in FY26. This projection assumes continued steady growth in demand for
Food Bank services.
16