Board of Finance - Minutes - 03/18/2024

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Board of Finance
Budget Hearing Minutes
Present:
Absent:
Elected:
Staff:
1
2
PHONE: 860-442-0553
wow.waterfordctorg
Wednesday, March 18, 2024
Town Hall Auditorium - 7:00 pm
Chairman Glenn Patterson, John Sheehan, Michael Rocchetti*, Ronald Fedor, Joe Filippetti, David
Peabody and Robert Tuneski
*Michael Rocchetti arrived 7:08pm
First Selectman Robert Brule; Pat Fedor, Chair Board of Education, Paul Goldstein, RTM; Susan
Driscoll, RTM; Thomas Dembek, RTM
Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance; Marc Balestracci, Chief of Police; David Ferland, Police
Lieutenant; Jeff Robillard, IT Manager; Gary Schneider, Public Works Director; Sandra Kenniston,
Public Works Office Coordinator; Michael Howley, Director of Fire Services; Ryan McNamara,
Director of Recreation & Parks; James Bartelli, Utility Commission Director; Thomas Giard,
Superintendent of Schools; Joseph Mancini, Director of Operations Board of Education; Rebecca
Hall, Admin Assistant Finance Office/BOF Recording Secretary
Establishment of a quorum and call to order:
A quorum was established and the Budget Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at
7:00 pm on March 18, 2024.
A gs R
Public Comment: None i = $8
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An opening statement regarding the budget process was made by GI atteGonaS
Chairman, 3 a 3a
‘Standing Motion: A motion was made by Bill Sheehan and secondel oR
Ron Fedor to have a standing motion by Joseph Filippetti and seconde by RoBErt TUA@ski to
consider each budget as presented. a é6
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed -
Building Maintenance:
Gary Schneider, Director of Public Works, along with Sandra Kenniston, Office Coordinator Public
Works, opened the discussion with a brief overview of the department's accomplishments in the
past year. He feels that operations are going in the right direction and that the DPW team is
planning and executing their work more effectively. The team of employees no longer resorts to
“quick fixes” or doing things “the way they've always done them”. The department is planning
with details in mind and selecting vendors in the town’s regular bidding process as opposed to
contracting on an emergency basis. It is a large department with many projects in process but
they are currently able to run smoothly. Building Maintenance is refining what has been done in
past years and he is seeing the improvement.

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 18, 2024
Page 2
Bill Sheehan began questions from the Board of Finance by asking about the services provided by
this department, the process for work order requests by other departments, and if there is a
single point of contact from Building Maintenance located in each town building. Director
Schneider answered that his department manages most custodial services, utilities and
‘maintenance operations of all buildings. He stated there is a formal email system in place for
departments to submit work order requests in which they typically respond and complete within
24-48 hours. While there may not be a designated Building Maintenance representative at every
town building, the Department Heads and office coordinators communicate with his staff
regarding any issues. It was suggested by Mr. Sheehan that designating a Building Maintenance
representative in all buildings in the future could be beneficial to the town.
Chairman Glenn Patterson suggested renaming Building Maintenance to “Facilities Management’
He noted the marked improvement in this department in being proactive rather than reactive to
their work. Chairman Patterson discussed the Eugene O'Neill property to clarify what the town is
responsible for as some work is being done by Building Maintenance now. Director Schneider
said his department is handling sprinkler maintenance, a roofing job on the mansion, and some
‘maintenance responsibilities but the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is handling all else. Chairman
Patterson asked if Building Maintenance will acquire the maintenance responsibilities of the new
Fire House. 1" Selectman Rob Brule indicated that the new Fire Station would assume that
maintenance would come from the town who will own the new building.
Ron Fedor pointed out a $5,000 differential in delivery and supply of electricity to the town
buildings. Director Schneider said Eversource is the contractor and each building could be
categorized under different rate codes. This is something they can look into for cost savings in the
future.
David Peabody asked about a possible energy audit of the buildings in town. Director Schneider
shared that a UConn Conservation group conducted assessments in coordination with Jon Mullen,
town Planning Director, but the group has not been in contact with the department since the end
of 2023. Mr. Mullen is currently following up with the group to continue assessments and view
conclusions.
The board was thankful to Director Schneider for providing an accurate list of supplies for the
backup documentation and commended him on the functional improvement and organization of
the department.
Motion by Joseph Filippetti seconded by Robert Tuneski to tentatively approve the Budget for
Building Maintenance in the amount of $895,824,
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Budget Minutes - March 18, 2024
Page 3
4,
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Works:
Gary Schneider, Director of Public Works, and Sandra Kenniston, Office Coordinator Public Works
presented the FY25 projection for the department. Director Schneider said their theme is to be
“good stewards of the infrastructure” for the Town of Waterford. The department is working to
be sure they get the basic functions of Public works working well to help the community thrive.
Bill Sheehan asked where the Department of Public Works (DPW) engineering services come from
and if an engineer is needed for the town. Director Schneider stated that there are several on-call
engineering services used by the town. David Peabody asked for clarification of the
Clerical/Technical position as the totals were different on summary sheet and in backup.
Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance, clarified that the Board of Selectman approved the requested
amount of $143,000, not the $157,000 indicated in the backup.
The remainder of the discussion included topics such as professional fees, updated training for
the department, solid waste disposal costs, potential compost removal for residents, recycling,
transfer station deliveries and rates, additional tree maintenance costs, and a traffic control cost
increase for traffic markings,
Chairman Patterson asked that the costs of DPW vehicle repairs and standard maintenance be
Separated in the budget backup in the future. Director Schneider told the chairman he will sit
with the head mechanic to discuss how to document the work appropriately.
Motion by Joseph Filippetti seconded by Robert Tuneski to tentatively approve the Budget for
Public Works in the amount of $5,086,238.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Capital Improvements:
1" Selectman, Rob Brule, sat to answer any questions from the Board of Finance. As a few
questions were posed regarding derivation of the 5 Year Capital Plan and delay of projects,
Chairman Patterson suggested leaving these topics for the upcoming Board of Finance regular
‘meeting since the BOF does not approve the 5 Year Capital Plan. By deferring discussion the
Board could move on to address the budget requests on the agenda, Members agreed and moved
on with the discussion.
‘As questions arose about the proposed Fleet Plan, it was discovered that the BOF did not have the
current plan in hand. Updated hard copies will be supplied to the Board on Wednesday, March
20, 2024 by the Director of Finance, Kimberly Allen.
There were requests made by Glenn Peterson, Ron Fedor, and Bill Sheehan to the 1* Selectman
for additional information in the form of backup as well as spreadsheet modifications on the Fleet
Plan. Department heads and representatives (kimberly Allen, Director of Finance; Marc
Balestracci, Chief of Police; David Ferland, Police Lieutenant; Gary Schneider, Public Works
Director; Sandra Kenniston, Public Works Office Coordinator; Michael Howley, Director of Fire

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 18, 2024
Page 4
6.
Services; Ryan McNamara, Director of Recreation & Parks; James Bartelli, Utility Commission
Director; Joseph Mancini, Director of Operations Board of Education) fielded questions regarding
their FY25 proposed projects.
Motion by Joseph Filippetti seconded by Robert Tuneski to tentatively approve the Budget for
Capital Improvements in the amount of $1,312,527.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Motion by David Peabody and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to reorder the agenda moving Debt
Services Budget to Item #7 and moving Transfers to Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure Fund
to Item #6.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Transfers to Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure Fund:
Questions and comments to Michael Howley, Director of Fire Services regarding the Goshen Fire
Station roof replacement and breathing apparatus upgrades. It was noted that FY25 money was
Not requested for the breathing apparatus upgrades; the Finance Director noted that multi-year
requests must be revisited by the Departments heads every budget cycle to ensure requesting the
desired amount each fiscal year.
Questions and comments to Gary Schneider, Public Works Director and Jeff Robillard, IT Manager
regarding computer replacements, PD HVAC system upgrade, and PD roof replacement. The
Board noted that several of the CNR requests for FY25 projects are for funding engineering and/or
design-only effort to better estimate the full project cost.
Questions and comments to Ryan McNamara, Director of Recreation & Parks regarding Waterford
‘Town Beach walkway repair and bathroom installation, Stenger Park.
Questions and comments to James Bartelli, Utility Commission Director for Plastic Water Service
Replacement Program.
Questions and comments to Joseph Mancini, Director of Operations Board of Education for
Energy Efficiency program, HVAC evaluation, possible MUNIS upgrade.
Ron Fedor commented overall that FY26 and FY27 propose massive project costs.
Motion by Joseph Filippetti seconded by Robert Tuneski to tentatively approve the Budget for
Transfers to Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure Fund in the amount of $938,399.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 18, 2024
Page 5
7
Debt Services Budget:
Chairman Patterson requested to Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance, update the chart on page 2
labeled “Expenditure History” to show FY20-FY30 totals. Director Allen acknowledged the
request.
Motion by Joseph Filippetti seconded by Robert Tuneski to tentatively approve the Budget for
Debt Services in the amount of $8,109,746.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
8 Adjournment:
Motion by Joseph Filippetti and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to adjourn the Budget Meeting of
the Board of Finance at 9:21 pm.
Vote: 7-0-0 Motion: Passed
Respectively Submitted,
John Sheehan, Clerk Rebecca L. Hall, Secretary