Board of Finance - Minutes - 03/06/2024

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Board of Finance
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Budget Hearing Minutes *REVISED* Waterford Town Hall
Present:
Absent:
Elected:
Staff:
Chairman Glenn Patterson, Ronald R. Fedor, Robert Tuneski, David Peabody, Joseph
Filippetti dad Ss -
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Bill Sheehan, BOF Clerk; Michael Rocchetti tw 3
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Robert J. Brule, First Selectman 2 s
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Kimberly Allen, Finance Director; Jonathan Mullen, Town of Watertord lantitA® Director;
Mark Wujtewicz, Planner; Maureen Fitzgerald, Environmental Plattner; Gbve Gadelle,
Building Official; Rebecca Hall, Admin Assistant Finance Office/BOF Recording Secretary
Establishment of a quorum and call to order:
A quorum was established and a call to order was established at 7:00 pm,
March 6, 2024.
Public comment: none
‘An opening statement regarding the budget process was made by Glenn Patterson,
Chairman.
Standing Motion: A motion was made by Joseph Filippetti and seconded by
Robert Tuneski to have a standing motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor
to consider each budget as presented.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Economic Development Commission Budget:
Planning Director, Jon Mullen, along with Mark Wujtewicz, Planner, began discussion by
highlighting accomplishments of this commission to date. He was pleased to report that
the commission provided many grants to the community's small businesses over the past
year which has positively impacted all of them. This commission also provided funds for
the planning & future development of the Crystal Mall and are ready to act when the new
owners have determined its use. The focus for FY25 will be more of a beautification of
the town,

Board of Finance Budget Minutes - March 6, 2024
Page 2
Ron Fedor began questioning by inquiring what, if any, plans have been made for the
Crystal Mall site. The area is dark and becoming increasingly unsafe due to the unkempt
Property, Mr. Mullen stated that the three (3) new owners of the Crystal Mall are
communicating. The site is very complex as it is broken into seven (7) parcels. it requires
some patience with the new owners to determine its best use for the town. Mr. Fedor
also asked about the 1 Dayton Road buildings (former location for Eastern Mountain
Sports, etc.). Director Mullen said he has no updates at this time.
Chairman, Glenn Patterson, asked for clarification on the reduction in Professional Fees in
the budget as well as the Dues, Conferences, and Education line. Jon Mullen responded
stating the Professional Fees line item has been reduced so the money could be
redirected for better use. The Dues, Conferences and Education line reflects a course
that is required in order to keep his certification. Last year it was held in NY, this year, the
location has not been posted. Mr. Mullen will provide the information once it is available.
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor to tentatively approve the
Economic Development Commission budget request for FY24/25 in the total amount of
$25,267.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Conservation Commission Budget:
Jon Muilen and Maureen Fitzgerald, Environmental Planner, opened the floor for
questions for this commission.
Chairman Patterson questioned the water quality monitoring cost. Ms. Fitzgerald shared
that the cost of this monitoring has decreased because the town has purchased our own
sampling equipment. The commission would like to add additional testing stations due to
new construction and development in town. She added that Planning & Zoning has done
a great job in assisting in keeping nitrogen levels down.
Ron Fedor asked about the implication of currently unused grease traps at the Crystal
Mall. Tenants have moved out but what happens to their waste products left behind?
Ms. Fitzgerald said she would check with the Health Department and the new owners to
follow up. Mr. Fedor also asked if there is anything we should be looking at as a town
that could be impacting the water quality as a whole. Ms. Fitzgerald answered that there
is nothing that she can speak of at this time. Ron Fedor continued asking if there is a list
of closed businesses in town or businesses on the verge of closing. His concern lies with
the event of a business abandoning a building and leaving potentially hazardous waste.
Ms. Fitzgerald said there is no list available to them.

Board of Finance Budget Minutes — March 6, 2024
Page 3
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor to tentatively approve the
Conservation Commission budget request for FY24/25 in the total amount of $18,250.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Planning & Zoning Budget:
Jon Mullen and Mark Wujtewicz began discussion of the budget request by handing out
supplemental personnel spreadsheets for the budget books for Planning & Zoning and the
Building Department. Director Mullen noted budget highlights from FY24 and noted the
next project for completion is the Civic Triangle.
Robert Tuneski asked what the timeline is for full completion of the Civic Triangle Project.
Mr. Mullen stated he believes it will be late June or early July 2024, Mr. Tuneski asked if
there will be an opening ceremony. 1% Selectman Rob Brule interjected that Recreation
and Parks is planning an event. Mr. Tuneski asked what the biggest challenge is that
Planning & Zoning faces. Director Mullen said that the Crystal Mall property is their
biggest challenge. They are addressing issues in conversations with the new owners and
are ready to facilitate staff as soon as decisions are made for any development of the
Property. The second biggest challenge in town is the old airport property. It is zoned
industrial but over the years has become over grown with vegetation impacting potential
development of the site. They are being careful in deciding on the developer as to find
the perfect fit for the spot and prefer not to make it a residential site.
Glenn Patterson noted that in future budget requests, he would like to see a five (5) year
trend report of metrics related to department activity.
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor to tentatively approve the
Planning & Zoning budget request for FY24/25 in the total amount of $686,543.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Zoning Board of Appeals Budget:
Jon Mullen noted that there is a new Zoning Enforcement Officer this year.
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor to tentatively approve the Zoning
Board of Appeals budget request for FY24/25 in the total amount of $4,310.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 6, 2024
Page 4
Building Department Budget:
Jon Mullen, Planning Director and Steve Cardelle, Building Official fielded questions from
the Board of Finance. Director Mullen opened the discussion by noting there is anew
Assistant Building Official (ABO) in the department. He is currently taking classes to
prepare for the required test in July. He also stated that there is a need for a second ABO
in the department. Ron Fedor asked if part of the hiring agreement for the ABO in
training is to remain in the position for a predetermined time seeing the town is covering
costs for his preparation and testing, At this time, Mr. Mullen is unsure there was
verbiage in his contract about that but will look into paperwork to obtain the answer.
Chairman Patterson noted that a few part time positions will be combined for a full time
position and asked Finance Director, Kimberly Allen, if the additional benefit costs have
been budgeted. She replied “no” but there is never typically a problem covering the
insurance costs of a new employee under our current budget.
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor to tentatively approve the Building
Department budget request for FY24/25 in the total amount of $326,532.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Flood & Erosion Control Budget:
Jon Mullen began by stating that this board has had a lot of membership turnover and
has somewhat “lost its focus”. He and Maureen Fitzgerald met with new members
recently and the new members expect to refocus the efforts of this board. Planning &
Zoning has concerns with areas of the town that Flood & Erosion needs to focus on. The
next step for the board would be applying for grants in the near future.
Ron Fedor asked what this board actually does for the town. Mr. Mullen replied that the
Primary function is to monitor the erosion and sediment control for development
Projects, they add comments and input to plan review. Ms. Fitzgerald added that they act
as a liaison with the public and get a good broad picture of trouble spots. Ron Fedor
asked if Flood and Erosion covers streams and their overflow (in particular events like the
flooding of the playground field at Great Neck Elementary School). Ms. Fitzgerald said
that Planning & Zoning and the Conservation Commission would typically handle issues
like that as it is likely caused by groundwater as opposed to flooding of water holes.
Flood & Erosion would be more focused on surges and the erosion caused by large
storms. Ron Fedor concluded discussion by commending the Planning & Zoning
Department for all of their work over the past year.
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor to tentatively approve the Flood &
Erosion Control budget request for FY24/25 in the total amount of $1,109.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed

Board of Finance Budget Minutes — March 6, 2024
Page S
10.
Review of Projected Revenue for FY25 by Kimberly Allen, Finance Director
Director Allen pointed out to the Board of Finance that as it stands now, it is projected
that the town will be in a deficit of $4.1 million. Expenditures are growing faster than
revenues. Monies received for COVID and programs through grants due to COVID have
ceased and has had an impact on our finances. Staffing has increased and this is large
portion of the town’s annual budget. Chairman Patterson indicated there will be a more
in-depth discussion of this topic at the BOF regular meeting on Wednesday, March 13,
2024.
Adjournment:
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Ron Fedor to adjourn the Budget Meeting of
the Board of Finance at 8:11 p.m.
Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed
Respectfully submitted
he
John Sheehan, Clerk