Board of Finance - Minutes - 01/15/2025

PHONE: 860-442-0553
FIFTEEN ROPEFERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886 swaterfordchorg,
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Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Board of Finance
‘Town Hall Auditorium 7:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting Minutes
Present: Glenn Patterson, Robert Tuneski, Joseph Filippetti, Bill Sheehan, Ron Fedor, Josh Kelly, Michael
Rocchetti
Elected: Rob Brule, First Selectman; Abbas Danesh, Treasurer
Staff: kimberly Allen, Director of Finance; Gary Schneider, Director of Public Works; Marc Balestracci, Chief
of Police; Jill Stevens, Director of Utilities; Jonathan Mullen, Director of Planning; Tom Dembek, RTM;
Nick Kepple, Suisman Shapiro, Town Attorney; Rebecca Hall, Administrative Assistant Finance
Office/BOF Recording Secretary
1. 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. January 15, 2025.
2. Public Comment: Letter Submitted and read to the Board of Finance regarding the Fire Services in
Waterford by Bryan Sayles, 54 Wintergreen Drive, Quaker Hill, CT
3. Approval and acceptance of minutes:
Regular Meeting on December 11, 2024
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Josh Kelly to approve the minutes of the December 11,
2024 Regular Meeting as presented.
Vote: 6-0-1 (Abstain: Rocchetti) Motion: Passed
4. Election of Board of Finance member to Ad Hoc Energy Task Force replacing David Peabody for a
Life Term.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and Seconded by Joseph Filippetti to nominate Josh Kelly.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Minutes, 1/15/2025
Page 2
5.
To consider and act on a request for a FY25 additional appropriation from the Chief of Police, Marc
Balestracci, in the amount of $62,757 for an employee payout, to line #10129-51420 (Patrol) and
forward to the RTM if required.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to transfer $62,757 from Contingency to Patro!
line #10129-51420.
Vote:
0-0
To consider and act on a request for a FY25 appropriation from the Board of Education Director of
Finance, Joseph Mancini, in the amount of $243,335 for the second installment of the on bill
financing for all five schools, from Capital and Non-recurring designated line #20560-57891 (Energy
Efficiency Program) and forward to the RTM if required.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to appropriate $243,335 from the
Capital and Non-recurring designated line #20560-57891 (Energy Efficiency Program) to
accomplish the next phase of the program for all five schools, and forward to the RTM as required.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act on a request for a FY25 additional appropriation from the Director of Public
Works, Gary Schneider, in the amount of $6,583 for the repointing of the chimney at the Jordan
Park House from line #31124-55913 (Jordan Park House Repairs) and forward to the RTM if.
required.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to transfer $6,583 from Contingency for
the repointing of the chimney at the Jordan Park House to line #31124-55913 (Jordan Park House
Repairs).
Ron Fedor asked Director Schneider why there was a 10% contingency needed for the chimney
repair. Director Schneider responded stating the department wanted to be sure there was enough
money to cover the potential cost of any additional brick needed for the project once started.
Vote: 7-0-0
To consider and act on a request for a FY25 appropriation from the Director of Utilities, Jill Stevens,
in the amount of $19,800 for an engineering study from Capital and Non-recurring designated line
#20531-57890 (Wiemes and Marilyn Ejector Replacements) and forward to the RTM if required
Motion by Ron Fedor and seconded by Bill Sheehan to appropriate $19,800 from the Capital and
Non-recurring designated line #20531-57890 (Wiemes and Marilyn Ejector Replacements) for an
engineering study, and forward to the RTM as required.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Minutes, 1/15/2025
Page3
10.
11.
To consider and act on a request for a FY25 appropriation from the Director of Planning, Jonathan
Mullen, in the amount of $12,500 for the stabilization of Alewife Cove Study from Capital and Non-
recurring designated line #20541-57328 (Alewife Cove) and forward to the RTM if required.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Josh Kelly to appropriate $12,500 from the Capital and
Non-recurring designated line 20541-57328 (Alewife Cove) for the stabilization of Alewife Cove
Study, and forward to the RTM as required.
Discussion opened by Glenn Patterson regarding Correspondence Item #13a. Nevins Cottage Project
Update Report. The Chairman requested an update from Director Mullen regarding the Cottage
Project. Director Mullen stated that the windows on the cottage have been removed and are being
refurbished. The colors of the window casings and building are being selected. The house will soon
be “lifted” to pour concrete for the base structure. This must be done when the temperature is
above freezing for proper setting of the concrete.
Ron Fedor asked why there was a 10% tax on the Labor portion. Director Mullen and Director of
Finance, Kimberly Allen, responded clarifying that the 10% tax is on Labor which includes benefits.
Mr. Fedor asked if the Friends of Nevins Cottage is fully insured in the event of a major catastrophe
at the site (Le. the building being damaged during the lift) to which Director Mullen replied yes.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Old Business: None
New Business:
a, Director of Finance Report on proposed resolution
Director Allen opened the discussion by informing the BOF that several RTM members have
approached her in the past three (3) years regarding the current approval process used by the Town
of Waterford regarding funding and timely start for Capital Projects. She proposed to the BOF a
pilot program where funding for capital projects is appropriated when the RTM approves the
Project (subsequent to BOF approval) the first time the project comes through the town Boards.
She noted that the department heads will be required to have all information regarding their Capital
Projects up front to present to the boards or risk denial of funding. Legal will be submitting a
proposal to start the pilot program during the FY26 budget season.
Bill Sheehan spoke to indicate his opposition to this proposal. He stated that the current CNR
process allows Department heads to give their best guess of a project's cost and add the project to
the Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure Fund (CNR). When fully prepared, they come back to
the Boards for appropriation of their money.
Josh Kelly stated that he agrees with Director Allen’s proposal and would like to see this happen in.
the Town of Waterford as he has seen that approval process work in other towns. He added that he
likes the idea of the CIP and the CNR being combined. He believes the Town of Waterford is capable
of managing this and that Rob Brule is doing a good job in keeping communication lines open
between the departments and the Boards.

Board of Finance Minutes, 1/15/2025
Page 4
Ron Fedor stated he would not like to change the current approval process for Capital Projects. He
doesn’t think that Department heads will be able to gather the information needed to be properly
funded. He is happy with how the process works now.
Glenn Patterson stated he would like to see the proposal in writing to further understand the newly
‘suggested process and then vote on it in the future. Director Allen said that only the RTM would
have the vote in whether or not to adopt the new process according to the Town’s Attorney.
Mr. Sheehan added that changing the CNR project approval process would require changing an
ordinance. Director Allen responded that she would follow up with the board but she understands
that it would be a policy change and not require any modifications to the ordinance.
The Town’s Attorney, Nick Kepple, recommended to the Board to query the department heads and
get their feedback on the pilot program as this could be valuable information. He indicated that
concerns have been expressed by department heads and he will confer with his associate, Rob
Avena, and get back to the Board for further discussion.
Chairman Patterson added that he did not think that department heads would be prepared to
initiate this pilot program in FY26 and thinks it best to wait until FY27 to roll it out.
b. To consider and act on a request for a FY25 additional appropriation from the Oswegatchie
Building Committee to line item# 20523-57792 to fund a revised architectural fee schedule for
services from Silver Petrucelli & Associates, Inc. for the Oswegatchie Fire Station.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to transfer $286,000 from the Undesignated
Fund Balance of the Capital Nonrecurring Expenditure Fund (line item #205-31520) to the line
20523-57792 Oswegatchie Building and appropriating the funds for architectural and design
services from Silver Petrucelli & Associated, Inc. for the Oswegatchie Fire Station, and forward to
the RTM as required,
Robert Tuneski opened discussion of this request by explaining the backup documents provided to
the Board. Mr. Tuneski explained that the committee would like to move payment to the architect
earlier to keep the schedule of design coincident with the Town committee/board meeting
schedules (i.e. Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, RTM) as to avoid any delays in completing the
project design and receiving construction cost estimates. The committee asked the architect to
modify a 2-Phase contract to a 3-Phase contract to fit the Town’s funding approval schedule. The
project fee remains the same. Mr. Kepple added that the contract change was approved by the
Board of Selectmen.
Ron Fedor commended Robert Tuneski for looking ahead and planning as best as possible.
Josh Kelly spoke up to indicate his abstention from this vote as he does not feel he has done his due
diligence in researching the project and would not like to hinder the schedule by his vote. He will be
gathering more information and visiting the site before upcoming meetings to best form his
opinions on the project.
Vote: 6-0-1 (Abstain: Kelly) Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Minutes, 1/15/2025
Page S
12. Liaison Reports: None
13. Correspondence: No discussion
14, Adjournment
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the
Board of Finance at 7:58pm.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Respectfully submitted,
With. y HL
Johi/[Bill) WF Sheehan, Rebecca L. Hall,
Clerk of the Board of Finance Recording Secretary

January 15, 2025
Board of Finance
15 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 06385
Dear Board of Finance,
Today, | ask you all to be vigilant against funding requests associated with a replacement of the Oswegatchie
Fire House. If you were solely dependent upon the information coming out of two committees you would not
be property informed to make favorable decisions for any funding requests.
Four. ifnotall firehouses are perilously understaffed by professional firefighters. Given an official Facebook
page depicting beautiful equipment parked in front of the Quaker Hill firehouse, you'd never know itis
currently understaffed or altogether void of professional, on-site firefighters. It sits empty a majority of the
time.
‘Since 2024, the Waterford Ambulance Service (WAS) moved out of each firehouse and into the old Carlin
Construction building on route 1. You would never know it given the WAS website which gives the illusion
that they still have a presence inside Waterford firehouses.
Failure of the Long-Range Financial Planning Committee these last three years. Minutes from the 2022 meeting
were finally voted on last night yet, the town website is populated with bogus Agendas for meetings that never
took place. There still s no mission statement for the group.
The Fire Services Review Special Committee was created by the RTM at a June 7, 2021, Meeting with the
following charge: Review issues including performance, policies, and staffing and present their
findings/recommendations of any changes needed to enhance public safety, creating a steering document and
strategic plan. It failed to produce a report on findings or recommendations to enhance public safety. Residents
are still largely left in the dark as to the seriousness of the staffing problems
The obvious neglect of the existing Oswegatchie Firehouse though, it remains in serviceable condition and
should simply be fixed.
Itis safe to assume that existing full-time firefighters are placed in unsafe conditions due to understaffing.
We remain out of compliance with standards set by OSHA and the National Fire protection association. Not
even close.
In summary, through the failure of two (2) Committees and complete lack of follow up, it is not appropriate
hor a priority to spend a minimum of eight million dollars ($8,000,000) building a new Oswegatchie
Firehouse, while failing to providing sufficient staffing throughout all five (5) Waterford Firehouses. To do so
would be irresponsible and extremely dangerous.
Wintergreen Drive
uaker Hill, CT 06375