Board of Finance - Minutes - 01/14/2026

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Board of Finance
Regular Meeting Minutes
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www. waterfordct.org
Wednesday, January 14, 2025
Town Hall Auditorium 7:00 p.m.
Present: Glenn Patterson, Robert Tuneski, Michael Rocchetti Bill Sheehan, Jerry Fischer, Ann Peabody
Elected: Rob Brule, First Selectman; Abbas Danesh, Treasurer
Staffs
1.
3.
4,
kim Allen, Director of Finance; Chris Haley, Director of Fire Services; Gary Schneider, Director of
Public Works; Jeff Robillard, information Technology Manager; Rebecca Hall, Admi
Assistant Finance Office/BOF Recording Secretary
Establishment of a quorum and call to order
A quorum was established and the Re;‘ular Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at
7:00p.m., January 14, 2026.
Public Comment: none
Approval and acceptance of December 10, 2025 Regular Meeting minutes:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by” Michael Rocchetti to approve the minutes of the December 10,
2025 Regular Meeting as presented.
Vote: 5-0~1 (Jerry Porter) .
To consider and act upon a request from the Director of Public Works, Gary Schneider, for an additional
FY26 appropriation in the amount of $10,027 to line #10130-51520 (Highway Maintenance), for an
Y include forwarding the request to the Representative Town Meeting
(RTM) for approval.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded byy Ann Peabody to transfer $10,027 from Contingency line
#10121-59010 to line #10130-51520 (Hilighway Maintenance) for an employee payout.
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Board of Finance Minutes, 1/14/2026
Page2
5.
6.
To consider and act upon a request from the Director of Public Works, Gary Schneider, for an additional
FY26 appropriation in the amount of $14,220 to line #10130-51530 (Refuse Collection) for an employee
payout. Action may include forwarding the request to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for
approval.
Motion made by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to transfer $14,220 from Contingency
line #10121-59010 to line #10130-51530 (Refuse Collection) for an employee payout.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act upon a request from the Director of Public Works, Gary Schneider, to appropriate
$25,000 currently designated on budget line #20511-57871 (Police Department Building HVAC). If
approved, the request shall be forwarded to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for final
authorization,
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to move $25,000 from designated budget
line #20511-57871 (Police Department Building HVAC) to appropriated line #20511-57871 (Police
Department Building HVAC), and forward to the RTM as required.
Chairman Patterson questioned Director Schneider about what was included in this HVAC work. The
Director answered that this money would go toward work on the chillers, valves, blowers, air volume
boxes, etc. There is another $85,000 earmarked for roof repairs in the near future to the police
department. He added that his department will be meeting with the Chief of Police to discuss how
current operations impact the use of the building and what the needs of the building will be for the
Police Department in the future. This meeting will assist in forecasting the next changes to the building.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motior : Passed
To consider and act upon a request from the Director of Public Works, Gary Schneider, for an FY26
additional appropriation in the amount of $50,000 for a new capital project (Vauxhall Street Multi-
Phased Project). Action may include forwarding the request to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM)
for approval.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to appropriate $50,000 for a new capital
project (Vauxhall Street Multi-Phased Project) from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the Capital
Nonrecurring Expenditure Fund (CNR) line 1205-31520, and forward to the ATM as required.
Bill Sheehan opened discussion by asking Director Schneider about the project scope and if any
additional money will be needed moving forward. The director said no. The director added that the
project encompasses widening the road, adding a shoulder and providing better drainage. Mr. Sheehan
asked if the director had spoken with the Town of Montville regarding modifications to the V-shaped
intersection at the town border. Director Schneider answered that he has not spoken to them about the
intersection.
Chairman Patterson asked the First Selectman, Rob Brule, how the town will be paying or this as this
portion of roadway was not included in the Resurfacing Program presented to the RTM in December.
The First Selectman responded to the chair by informing him of conversations he has had with Electric
Boat as well as with the Emergency Management department. There is a high likelihood of grants and

Board of Finance Minutes, 1/14/26
Page
other entities in the State of Connecticut that can provide funding as this the section of road in the
project is designated as an emergency evacuation route for the Town of Waterford.
Mr. Sheehan asked Director Schneider if the FY27 budget proposal from his department would reflect
the revaluation of Waterford roads as it has not been done since 2020 to which the director replied yes.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act upon a request from the Director of Fire Services, Chris Haley, for a FY26 Out-of-
Series Transfer in the amount of $4,019 within the Fire Services budget as indicated on the following
extract from the Transfer Request Form:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to transfer $4,019 as follows:
TOWN OF WATERFORD
TRANSFER REQUEST FORM
Out of Serles Transfer Request
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Robert Tuneski asked Director Haley if the cost of disposal is included with the tire replacements. The
director answered yes. Ann Peabody asked the director how long the new tires will last. Director Haley
advised the Board that the life of the tires are dependent upon several factors so there is no definitive
answer to that question. Fire Services works hard to make sure each vehicle uses its tires to the full
extent of their lives.
Vote: 6-0-0
9. To consider and act upon a request from the Director of Fire Services, Chris Haley, for a FY26 Out-of-
Series Transfer in the amount of $6,000 within the Fire Services budget as indicated on the following
extract from the Transfer Request Form:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Michael Rocchetti to transfer $6,000 as follows:

Board of Finance Minutes, 1/14/26
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TOWN OF WATERFORD
TRANSFER REQUEST FORM
Out of Series Transfer Request
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Line No. O¥p: Code Onjact Code ‘Objset Ossciption ‘Amount “Godget * 4
1 20:29 |_s23e7 [pump Testing 
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2 aorza | s2y72 [insurance {2,200.00}
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Insurance costs have been reduced by updating coverages.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
10, To consider and act upon a request from the Information Technology Manager, Jeff Robillard, to
11.
appropriate $28,168 currently designated on budget line #20547-57882 (Computer Replacements) to
purchase and replace Dell computers. If approved, the request shall be forwarded to the Representative
‘Town Meeting (RTM) for final authorization.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to move $28,168 from designated budget line
#20547-57882 (Computer Replacements) to appropriated line #20547-57882 (Computer
Replacements), and forward to the RTM as required.
Jeff Robillard, Information Technology Manager, informed the Board that Dell contacted him on January
9, 2026 to let him know the quoted cost from December 2025 for the computer replacements increased
to $34,000 and is set to increase again in the month of February, Due to the change in cost and the
process to appropriate money for projects, the delay in the trio of board approvals may cost the town
(and his department) much more money than anticipated. The initial quote was valid until December
19, 2025. Due to the volatility in the market for technology, each Dell quote is good for roughly 9 days.
Jerry Porter asked Mr. Robillard if there was a reason he is not asking for the full $34,000 at this
‘meeting. The Board retorted that the new cost would need to be presented to the Board of Selectman
before moving, again, through the Board of Finance and then to the RTM for approval. Ann Peabody
added that she believes all of the money designated should be appropriated at once. Chairman
Patterson echoed the same sentiment but added that it would only apply to specific projects/situations
and it is something that should be brought up to the RTM.
Mr. Robillard said that if the Board approves his request tonight, he can purchase most of his equipment
but he will need to come back to request more money to fully complete computer replacements.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
To consider and act upon a request by Steve Sinagra, Director of Emergency Management to reschedule
the budget hearing for Emergency Management from March 2, 2026 to any later Budget Hearing date.
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Robert Tuneski to move the Emergency Management Budget
Hearing from March 2, 2026 to Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Vote: 6-0-0

Board of Finance Minutes, 1/14/26
Pages
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Old Business: none
New Business: none
Liaison Reports:
@. Bill Sheehan: Board Police Commissioners met and discussed several items including the retirement
of the current Chief of Police, Marc Balestracci. They are in search for his replacement.
b, Robert Tuneski: Oswegatchie Fire House Building Committee the bid was sent out for the new fire
station and is due February 10, 2026. The Building Committee is scheduled to meet February 12, 2026 to
evaluate the bids. When a winning bid is selected, any contracts to be signed must be approved by the
Board of Selectman.
¢. Ann Peabody: Retirement Commission met and voted on upcoming budget. They voted to leave the
OPEB contribution as recommended.
d. Jerry Porter: Social Services Grant Committee - the committee held their annual meeting to approve
Brant money for various social service organizations. Mr. Porter stated that all grant requests were
approved with the exception of one organization. The group had requested $10,000, but was awarded
$1,500.
Correspondence: No comments
Adjournment
Motion by Robert Tuneski and seconded by Bill Sheehan to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of
Finance at 7:55pm.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motior
Passed
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca t. Hall,
Clerk of the Board of Finance Recording Secretary