Fire Services Review Special Committee - Minutes - 09/13/2022

PISTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
wivw.waterfordct.org
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Fire Services Review Special Committee 6
Minutes—Special Meeting September 13, 2022 2 oy
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Members Present: Robert Tuneski (BoF), Richard Muckle (RTM), Greg Attanasio (RTM), Susan Driscoll (RTM/PP&S),
Rob Brule (BoS; left 6:20 p.m.), Michael Howley (Fire Services), Steven Sinagra (Emergency Management),
Mark Greczkowski (WAS), Todd Patton (Chief, Goshen FC), Tom Martin (Captain, WFS)
Members Absent: none
Also Present: Nick Kepple (Town Attorney), Chris Bonanno (COH), Rocco Bracciale (OSW)
1. Call to order: Chair Tuneski called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Public comment: None.
3. Approval of previous minutes: Motion by Muckle, second by Tuneski, to approve August 9, 2022, minutes as
presented. Motion passed by voice vote; Brule abstained.
4. Consideration of FSRSC’s charge from the RTM (6/7/21): Discussion focused on the following issues:
Deliverables from last meeting: Howley distributed housing data from the 2020 census and an analysis of
FY22 volunteer incentive payments (see attached). Greczkowsk and Attanasio agreed to a post-meeting consult
to discuss parameters of the incident response time data that Attanasio had requested in August. Director
Howley reported that the completion of the OSW firehouse structural engineering report was delayed again,
but expected it to be available at the next meeting.
Staffing recruitment/retention: Chair Tuneski started discussion by noting that a plan to increase the paid staff
would be costly, and the committee would need to justify the need with data and information on trends,
comparisons with similar towns’ situations, and our efforts to recruit both paid and volunteer staff. Comments
from several members centered on the challenges presented by a nationwide decline in volunteerism, huge
training commitments for fire and rescue services, limits on free time due to primary job constraints, and how
to recruit and groom younger volunteers into part- or full-time positions here, rather than train them and lose
them to other towns.
Howley noted that he has been actively recruiting in a variety of ways—including on social media, with flyers,
and at community events—but turnover remains an issue; he’s recruited 20 volunteers in his first year, but only
8 remain active and those who are military can’t put in more time. The new high school firefighter certification
course is promising, but we are waiting for the state get the forms and program set up. He also noted that the
first PP&S committee meeting on the volunteer incentive program was a good start and changes are being
drafted that will show the Town is behind the time volunteers put in on its behalf.
Greczkowski noted that WAS moved from volunteers to all paid staff a few years ago, but turnover is an issue
for rescue services as well and WAS had 22 new hires in the last year. Some discover the job is too physically
and mentally demanding, others use it as a steppingstone for other medical careers. He commended the
“fantastic job” being done by Kathy Peterson (Fire Services Community Safety Educator), and said he met with
more than 600 kids over the summer at her outreach events. Greczkowski also cautioned that we should be
aware that with Millstone, the shoreline, and other considerations, there is the potential for a big disaster in
this area and we don’t have the resources.
Howley also reported that he expects to hear whether we’ve been awarded a SAFER grant in the next few
weeks. The grant that would cover the base salary and benefits for three new hires for the first three years of
employment.
page 1 of 2

FSRSC Minutes Sept 13, 2022
OSW firehouse: Chair Tuneski noted that the committee needs to do its homework to provide a building
committee with justification that aligns current and future needs for staffing and design, and asked if we
could get cost and design ideas from other towns’ recent construction. Howley said he could do the research,
but it might take a coupie of months to gather.
Oswegatchie’s Deputy Chief informed the committee that there is already a signed MOU that would allow
the volunteer fire company to lease the new facility for $1 a year and that the Town wants the company
to sign a new service contract that “is ridiculous and only for one year and our attorney laughed at it.”
Town Attorney Kepple noted that the MOU signed by a previous administration may not still be applicable, and
he will check it out before the next meeting.
5. New business: None.
6. Next meeting: Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. confirmed as next meeting date—in WPD training room, pending
availability.
7. Adjournment: Motion by Muckle; second by Attanasio to adjourn at 7:05 p.m. Voice vote: Unanimous.
Submitted by
Susan Driscoll, FSRSC Secretary
encl; 9-13-22 committee update (housing/incentive data)
page 2 of 2

- gail
#3700:
Owner occupied 98%
Renter occupies 2%
aan Housing Units: 1271
#3600:
Owner occupied 86%
Renter occupies 14%
Total Housing Units: 1240
#3300:
Owner occupied 74%
Renter occupies 26%
Total Housing Units: 2612
#3400:
Owner occupied 71%
Renter occupies 29%
Total Housing Units: 2007
#3500:
I uner occupied 84%
Renter occupies 16%
Total Housing Units: 1454
Housing Units by Census Tracts

e
by Census
North End — North o'
Commercial Units
Tracts
f 1-95 --
Census tracts 3700/3600
Assembly:
Business:
““ story/Industry:
Educational:
Mercantile:
Misc.
Storage:
Total:
South End — South of 1-95 -
34
136
13
13
132
6
7
342
Census Tracts 3300/3400/3500
Assembly:
Business:
Factory/Industry:
Educational:
Mercantile:
Misc,
TAGE!
Total:
37
128
3
12
50

ng Units
Percent Renter and Owner Occupied Housi
Waterford Town Gounty
[___] Subdivision, New London
County, CT
a A RenTER OccurIED
| B owner Occupied
Low
Sources; US Census Burear ACS 5-year 2016-2020
Areas of bright teal have greater percent of owners whil
Purple areas are more even makeup of owners and renters.
ie area of bright pink have a greater percentage of renters.

Waterford Homes ,
O Many of our calls for service will occur in a home. By making residents safer in
their homes we can help ensure a higher quality of life.
8.584 8,634
Current Housing Units Housing Units in 2010
Waterford Town County Waterford Town County
Subdivision, New London _—s Subdivision, New London County,
County, CT | CT
How old are our homes?
Older homes can pose several challenges. They can lack structural integrity, have
unsafe wiring, and often don't comply with the most up-to-date building codes.
Older homes can also pose hazards to the health of residents.
Median Building Age
1967
Cc. Waterford Town County Subdivision, New London County, CT
1965
Connecticut
Housing Units by Year Built
20%
o WSSor W4Oto 950ta IEOto B7Ote IAD te I89OtD BOOOto Blots 204 or
Earlier 19463 1959. 1969 1973 1989 1995 2009 2015 Later
1G
&
5
g
Housing Units
DB Waterford Town County Gubdivigion, New Londen Geunzy, OT HEE cornestios
Sources: US. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2016-2020

Median Home Age
Waterford Town County
[___] Subdivision, New London Median Home Age
County, CT
[| Before 1960
[ | 1960 - 1970
; 1970 - 1980
C He] 1980 - 1990
Hm 1990 - 2000
WM After 2000
Sources: US Census Burear ACS 5-year 2016-2020

Analysis of Fiscal Year 22 Incentive Payments
* * & &
Qtr. 1 Qtr. 2 Qtr. 3 Qtr.4 FY22Total Sper $ Based Fire Total
Eligible Firefighter Points Points Points Points Points Point onPoints Offlcer Incentive
Bonanno, Christopher 46 53 38 22 159 §7{ $4,133} $450] - $4,263
Bracciale, Rocco 25 14 23 5 67 $7 $469 $469
Chapman, Donald 45 25 13 3 86 $7 $602 $602
Dembek, Thomas 106 67 81 81 335 $7| $2,345 $150] $2,495
Dow, David 34 1s 23 20 92 $7 $644] $150 $794
‘{Mariano, John 46 44) 54 34 178 $7| $1,246 $1,246
Miller, Jeffrey 82 Evi 76 68 233, $7] $1,981 $1,981
Pafias, Christopher 15 44 29 49 77 “$7 $539 $150 $689
Patton, Tadd 34 35 44 32; «145 $7| $1,045 $150] $1,165
Rheume, Austin 49 11 60 $7 $420 $420
Roque, Elijah 67 12 56 45 180 $7} $1,260 $1,260
Silvestri, Kevin 36 24 2 0 59 $7 $413 $413
Ukleja, Vinnie 81 7 20 30 138 $7 $966 $iso{ $1,116
Welch, David . 21 is 17 18 72 $7 $504 $504
Wiseman, Neil 27 18 32 35 442 $7 $784 $784
Zane, Jonathan 61 33 26 37 157 §7| $1,099 $1,099].
Zioikovskt, Kevin 61 48 54 30 193 $7) $1,354 $150] $1,501
Total Firefighter Incentive $17,801
Qtr Qtr. 2 Qtr. 3 Qtr.4 FY22Total Sper $ Based Fire Total
Eligible Fire Police Points Points Points Points Points Point onPoints Officer Incentive
Beals, Gordon 15 21 18 36 90 $7 $630 $630
Cortina, James 61 20 5 1 87 $7 $609 $609
- Margolis, Mitchell 29 14 43 26 82 $7 $574 $574
Parks, James 39 33 225 16 413 $7 $791 $791
Phinney, William 56 38 v7 18 129 $7 $903 $903
Wiseman, Deborah 14 14 1 32 a $7 $497 $497
Total Fire Police Incentive $4,004
[Total FY22 Incentive $21,805]
* No longer active volunteer

Analysts of Fiscal Year 22 Incentive - Those Not Eligible
Qte1 = Qi.2 3 Ot 4 FY22 Total
Not Eligibla Firefighter, Polnts Points Points Points Points
Finnigan, fason t)
Antoning, Jennifer Et 9 g| a 2
Bcordsen, Willan 4 i
Cabral, Jonathan 1 i
Carson, Nicholas 1 1
Hayes, Charles ri Fi
Pescateilo, lam 1 EY
Rafuse, Devan-Leigh - 4 i
Schenking, Adam 1 FI
Silvestri, Michael 1 i
Ukiela, Susan 1 i
Zelmat, James. 4 4
Bartelll, Vince 2i ) 0 CY 2
Carson, Wendy 2 2
[Clendannin, Morgan 2 2
Fink, Ryan, 4 4 Fi
Garvin Steven F i z
Gauthler, Jeffrey 2) 2
Hage, Jawat q i 2
Lazarus, Ben 2 El
Milukas, Matthew 2 2
Rowbothar, Charles 4 1 2
Szydlo, Alyssa 1 1 2
Brody, Isaac 3 3
Bow, Kaitlyn 1 2 F
Finnigan, Showa 2 4 i 3
Gilpin, Wayne qi al 3
Hancock Jr. James. 1 z 3
Stratton, Aidan 3) 3
Campbell, John J. 1 El a a 4
[colucct, Stephen i 4 2 4
Dow, Kathleen A A 2 4
Watdo, Edward 4 4
Dupier, Ashisy 5 5
Laster, Joseph 3 Fi 1 5
Moscol, Katherine. : 5 5
Rowbotham, Connor 4 1 Ej
Tomsett, Michael - 4| 1 3
Dow, Kristopher ai 1] 2 8
Harris, James. 5 Ei 6
[stino, Andrew Fl 3 Fi 6
Schanking, Mark y 1 5 7
Teeving, Anthony 3 9
Lilils, Joseph 4 A 2 10
Campbell, John A. ai 2 4 rel
Gallo, Amanda, 4] 8 12!
iCorrtveau, Andrew & 3 Fl 3 23.
Lanagan, Richard Er 2 13
Lazarus, Brian 10} i 2 13,
Hendrickson, Ryan 3 4 16} 14
Wilkens, Zachary 10 al 44
Cable, Richard 4 4 7 15
Martin, foshva i 3 5 4 is|
Bombrowsk), Jack 10) 4 2 16
Martinez, Luis te 16)
Hughes, Matt 2 3 a z 7
Vanderputten, Jonathan 8 3 1 5 7
Chafey, Taylor. E] 5 8 2 1a;
Gray, Christian al BEN 5 3) 22
Kant, Gregory 47) 7 2 4 27
Henault, Riley 42 § 14. 28
Grace, Willlam E} 4 22) 29
Potts, Cayley 8 if 13 30
Green, Ryan 13) 7 7 4 3)
Dickey, Jason 16 7 i 2 32
Donnelfan, Evan 1 3 23) 5 32)
Clapsedle, Mitchall F| i a2 34
Goodhind, Todd 8 a to 8 34
Chapman, Kyle 20 13 2 35
Reld, fames it 1s] -s 3 36.
Mella, Claudia 44) 16 5 5 40;
Magee, Adan FF 8 i7| 12 46]
Zito, Dylan 7 14 2 24] a7