Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 08/05/2024

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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RTM Moderator Paul Goldstein called the August 5, 2024 Annual Meeting of the Representative Town
Meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, Mark Campo, Erica Casper, Mary Childs, Harry Colonis,
Timothy Condon, Thomas J. Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Nicholas Gauthier, Paul Goldstein, Kristen
Gonzalez, Matthew Keatley, Lindsay Khan, Kate MacKenzie, Shawn Monahan, Ursula Moreshead, Kayla
Mullen, Kathleen Mullen Kohl, Theodore Olynciw, David Sugrue
ABSENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Timothy Fioravanti, Ryan Healy, Christina Jessuck, Danielle Steward-
Gelinas
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule; Selectman Richard Muckle
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Board of Education Chair Pat Fedor, Board of Finance Chair Glenn
Patterson, Selectman Greg Attanasio
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo; Town Attorney Robert Avena; Director of Finance Kim
Allen.
AGENDA ITEM C — June 3, 2024 Minutes
MOTION by Keatley, seconded by Dembek, to accept the June 3, 2024 Minutes as presented with the
following corrections offered by Driscoll: Olynciw’s report “to the Oswetgachie Fire Station Building
Committee” under CORRESPONDENCE should be changed “to the Representative Town Meeting”, add
the bio for Mr. Swansen as an attachment under NEW BUSINESS, and correct the spelling of
correspondence.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
CORRESPONDENCE
The following items were received as correspondence: A letter from RTM Member Mary Childs in regard
to the organizational makeup and related ordinances to Youth and Family Services and Senior Citizens,
along with letters from the Town attorneys in regard to the same subject. A letter from Robert Tuneski,
Chair of the Oswegatchie Fire Station Building Committee requesting to report to the body on the
progress in October.(See Attachments)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Quaker Hill resident Tina DuBosque, 45 Wintergreen Dr, spoke in regard to the need for quarterly by
district meetings of the RTM and her concerns over the disposal of Town police handguns. (See
Attachments)
1 RTM MINUTES 08/07/2024

Quaker Hill resident Bryan Sayles, 54 Wintergreen Dr, spoke in regard to the condition of a town sign on
the top of Old Norwich Rd and his concerns of how the Waterford Police dispose of retired handguns.
Waterford Police Chief Marc Balestracci, spoke in regard to the process the Waterford Police will use to
dispose of the retired handguns and noted that it passed through all of the required boards, noting the
transparency of the process.
AGENDA ITEM F
Chair of the Legislation & Admistration Committee, Susan Driscoll, and Chair of the Public Protection &
Safety Committee noted that they will have meeting in the near future.
AGENDA ITEM G
An appointee report from Ted Olynciw was submitted and accepted for the Oswegatchie Fire Station
Building Committee. Olynciw noted the void being left by Fire Director Howley’s retirement. (See
Attachment}
CALL ITEM 1 ~ Gardiner Family Foundation Check Deposit
PRESENTATION: Human Services Director Dani Gorman, Finance Director Kim Allen
MOTION by Dembek, seconded by Bracciale, to approve request from Finance Director Kim Allen to
deposit a check for $15,000 from the Gardiner Family Foundation to be used for Town of Waterford’s
Children Support Services.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL (TEM 2 ~ Harbor Management Mooring Rates
PRESENTATION: Chair of the Harbor Management Commission John Hughes
Motion by Keatley, seconded by Driscoll, to approve a request from the Harbor Management
Commission, effective January 1, 2024, to increase mooring rates as presented.
Friendly amendment was offered by Driscoll and accepted changing “effective” to “retroactive to”
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 3 — Acceptance of Caroline Court
PRESENTATION: Director of Public Works Gary Schneider; Utility Commission Director James Bartelli;
Pianning Director Jonathan Mullen, AICP; Town Attorney Robert Avena
RTM Moderator Goldstein noted the retirement of Utility Director James Bartelli and his 39 years of
service to the town.
MOTION by Dembek, seconded by Moreshead, to accept Caroline Court as a Town Road, pending final
review of documentation by the Town Attorney.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 4: SCBA Upgrades
PRESENTATION: Interim Fire Services Director Stephen Dubicki, Jr.
Motion by Childs, seconded by Dembek, to approve a recommendation from the Board of Finance to
transfer $50,000 from Capital and Non-Recurring Line #20523-57838 Pre Emption Light Repairs to
Capital and Non-Recurring Line #20523-57777 SCBA Upgrades.
Friendly amendment was offered by Goldstein and accepted to add “appropriate” to read as follows:
Motion by Childs, seconded by Dembek, to approve a recommendation from the Board of Finance to
transfer and appropriate $50,000 from Capital and Non-Recurring Line #20523-57838 Pre Emption
Light Repairs to Capital and Non-Recurring Line #20523-57777 SCBA Upgrades.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
2. RTM MINUTES 08/07/2024

CALL ITEM 5: Town Hall Basketball Court
PRESENTATION: Recreation & Parks Director Ryan McNamara
MOTION by Mullen, seconded by Childs, to approve a recommendation from the Board of Finance to
transfer $91,000 from Line #33720-55854 Leary Basketball Court Rebuild to Line #33720-55855 Town
Hall Basketball Court.
Lengthy discussion ensued. Some members were concerned as to the status of the Leary Park Basketball
Court. Director McNamara and First Selectman Brule acknowledged that a plan will be formulated in the
near future for Leary Park.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 6: Town Hall Basketball Court
PRESENTATION: Recreation & Parks Director Ryan McNamara
Motion by Mullen, seconded by Driscoll, to approve a recommendation from the Board of Finance to
transfer $117,808 from the Unassigned Fund Balance of the General Fund to Line #33720-55855 Town
Basketball Courts Repairs.
Friendly amendment was offered by Driscoll and accepted to change the name of the Line# to “Town
Hall Basketball Court”
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 7: School Building Committee Appointment
MOTION by Mullen, seconded by Driscoll, to consider an RTM appointment to the School Building
Committee.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
NOMINATION by Keatley, seconded by Dembek, to appoint David Sugrue to the School Building
Committee. (Term 07/01/2024 ~ 06/30/2029)
VOTING IN FAVOR: 20-0-1 (Sugrue Abstained)
SUGRUE appointed
CALL ITEM 8: Senior Citizen Commission Appointment
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Childs, to consider an appointment to the Senior Citizen Commission
due to the resignation of Kathleen McNamara.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
NOMINATION by Driscoll, seconded by Gauthier, to appoint Thomas Kennedy, 105 Boston Post Rd, to
the Senior Citizen Commission. (Term 04/04/2022 — 04/07/2025)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
KENNEDY appointed
CALL ITEM 9: Utility Commission Appointment
MOTION by Mullen, seconded by Childs, to consider an appointment to the Utility Commission due to
the resignation of Stephen Negri.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
NOMINATION by Driscoll, seconded by Gauthier, to appoint Jerry Porter, 19 East Neck Rd, to the Utility
Commission. (Term 04/01/2023- 03/31/2027)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
PORTER appointed
3. RTM MINUTES 08/07/2024

NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion in regard to the attached letters from RTM Member Mary Childs and Town Attorneys in
regard to the organizational structure of the Senior Services Commission and the Youth and Family
Services Bureau.
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Childs, to refer to the Legislation & Administration Standing
Committee of the RTM a review of ordinances included within Senior Services Commission and Youth
and Family Services Bureau.
MOTION by Olynciw, seconded by Sugrue, to move the question.
MOTION PASSED: 20-1-0 (Gauthier Opposed)
VOTING IN FAVOR OF ORIGINAL MOTION: Casper, Childs, Condon, Driscoll, Gauthier, Gonzalez, Khan,
Moreshead, Mullen, Mullen Kohl, Olynciw
VOTING AGAINST: Bono, Bracciale, Campo, Colonis, Dembek, Goldstein, Keatley, MacKenzie, Monahan,
Sugrue
MOTION PASSED: 11-10-0
MOTION by Sugrue, seconded by Gauthier, to adjourn at 8:37 P.M.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
Respectfully Submitted,
Del 7 Ginger
David L. Campo, CCTC
Waterford Town Clerk
4 RTM MINUTES 08/07/2024

August 1, 2024
To: Paul Goldstein, RTM Moderator
15 Rope Ferry Rd
Waterford, CT 06385
From: Mary Childs, RTM District 2
Re: Request for referral of issue to Legislation & Administration Committee
Mr. Moderator:
As you may recall, the RTM first learned of the reorganization of the Youth and Family Services Bureau
and the Senior Citizens Commission during our May 2022 budget hearings. It came as a surprise to many
of us that, several months previously, following the departure of the Senior Citizens Director, a decision
was made to have the YFSB Director oversee both agencies so that our senior services would not be left
to flounder. In the discussion that followed, we learned that this was not a temporary action, and that
details such as whether the two agencies would be combined, what staffing changes were planned, were
still being worked out.
We were assured that a full explanation of the new organization would be forthcoming later in 2022.
When that did not happen, I requested that the First Selectman schedule a presentation to the RTM, and
he graciously assured us that he would do so after the 2023 budget hearings.
As Waterford’s legislative body, the RTM is responsible for codifying any changes in the makeup of our
town government, which includes departments, agencies, boards and commissions. Ideally, the review,
revision, and public hearings on the applicable ordinances takes place before a reorganization is
implemented. Failing that, we still must take the appropriate action, even if it is after the fact.
| respectfully request that the issue of the YFSB and Senior Citizens Commission reorganization be
referred to the Legislation & Administration Committee for appropriate consideration and ultimate
recommendation to the full RTM. | expect this would involve a review of the following ordinances:
Chapter 2.96, Youth and Family Services Bureau; Chapter 2.72, Senior Citizens Commission; and Chapter
2.08, Town Officers. There may be other ordinances to check, depending on cross-references, but | trust
the committee and the Town Attorney will address them as needed.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
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Mary Childs, RTM District 2 | = ial
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Michael A: Blanchard
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Michael P. Garey
Richard 5. Cody
Joba A. Collins, UF
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Jeanette M, Dastle
Bileca C. Duggan
Rochelle ©, Dayan
Bryan P. Fienaa
Thgoilore W. Heiser
Jeftioy W. Vill
Eatolyn #. Kelly
Reis D. Kelly
Nicholas F, Kepple
Robert B, Keville
Jitian K, Milter
Samuel M, Masset
Laura A, Raymond
Kyle L. Zrenda
Tw Memiartain
Andrew J, and
James F. Brenan
James J! Caniney
1. Patrick Geay, (11
Michael V. Sage
‘Matthew Strafner
Mix M. Shapira
Charles J. Suisman
Thourss 8. Wilson.
Lonis C. Waal
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Jay BL Levin
Richard A. Sehatz,
July 29, 2022
Attorneys-At-Law
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RE: Staff Realignment x, om 44
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Dear Glenn: Q o
First Selectman Rob Brule has asked me to respond to your recent questions about the
realignment of staff responsibilities for Senior and Youth and Family Services. The shift in
staffing responsibilities was initiated by the First Selectman in response to two staff vacancies in
our Senior Services organization, Pursuant to his. authority under Sections 3.2.3 and 3.2.5: of the
Waterford Charter (see attached) which grants in Section 3.2.3 the chief executive the power to
“direct the administration of all departinents and officers” which authority is further stated im 3.2.5,
“All town agencies and officials. with. the exception of the board of education shall be under the
administrative supervision of and report to the First Selectman acting for the Board of Selectman.”
Please also note Section 6.5 of the Charter entitled “Controlling Authority” which states,
“Jn the event that any provisions of any special act or ordinance of the town shall be in conflict
with the provisions of this charter, the provisions. of the charter shali be controlling.”
The language in the Charter regarding the executive-authority of the First Selectman was
subsequent to the ordinances regarding Youth and Family Services and the Senior Citizens
Commission, therefore, Section 6.5 applies and the Charter language controls. Nevertheless due
to Rob’s efforts collaborating with these Commissions, Human Resources, Town and Labor
Counsel and the Persofinel Review Board 4 consensus was. achievéd where all. parties were in
agreement with the revised staff responsibilities (please see attached PRB meeting minutes).
In our opinion, therefore, as Town Counsel, there is no “tisk” to the Town arising from
the proper exercise of the First Selectman’s authority to administer Senior and Youth and Family
Services in a manner be and the two interested Commissions see as the most effective manner to
administer these services,
. Sincerely, . )
Nicholas F. Kepple //7"
Waterford Town Agidmey
NFK/pmn
Attachments
ec: Robert Brule, Baird Welch-Collins, Bill Sheehan, Elizabeth Sabilia, Jody Nazarchyk, Joe
Filippetti, Kevin Petchark, Kimberly Allen, Ronald Fedor, Robert Tuneski, Eileen
Duggan, Robert Avena
A Tradition of Innovative Solutions
Suisman, Shapiro, Wool, Brennan, Gray & Greenberg, P.C.
2 Union Plaza, Suite 200 » PO, Box 1591, New London, CT 06320
Phone 860-442-4416 * Fax 860-442-0495 * www.suismanshapiro,com

Robert Brule
From: Robert Avena <RAvena@sswbgg.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2022 11:47 AM
To: Robert Brule; Nicholas Kepple
Subject: FW: Creation of Human Services Position
Dear First Selectman Brule: The Town Attorney’s office took several steps in legally evaluating the proposed new
position of Human Services Administrator and the position relative to the existing town positions, involving the Senior
Citizens Commission and Youth and Family Services Bureau. With the assistance of your office, Human Resources, Labor
Counsel, and the existing administrators, we took a look at the Town Charter, specifically in regard to the powers of the
First Selectman regarding employees of the town , and any other specific language in the Charter regarding the Senior
Citizens Commission and Youth and Family Services Bureau, and the Personnel Review Board. We also involved labor
counsel to work with the union on any union contract implications for the new position and existing union employees.
We also reviewed all applicable Ordinances regarding the respective Senior Citizen Commission and Youth and Family
Services Bureau.
Our legal review concluded that the First Selectman is the chief executive officer of the town and “ shall direct the
administration of all departments and officers “ subject to any functional responsibilities or authority of any other town
agency or official under state statutes or other authorities. We therefore looked at the creation of the Senior Citizen
Commission under 4.4 of the Charter, and its requisite Ordinance, the Personne! Review Board under 4.5 and its
ordinance, and the Ordinance creating the Youth and Family Services Bureau. Given that both the Commission and
Bureau, upon consultation, had no issue with the reorganizing of the assigned town staff to them, we then looked to
the rules of the Personnel Board to propose, through HR, the role and position of Human Services Administrator, which
met its approval. With the assistance of labor counsel, the applicable town union also agreed to the reconfiguration of
the union town employees under the rules of the union contract. Once these steps were taken, the First Selectman,
working closely with the staff and members of the affected Commission and Bureau, and HR, made the final selection of
the requisite new position employee and reconfigured staff. Not all staff departments in town have specific ordinances
in place, so the decision to create an Ordinance regarding a proposed Human Services Department would rest with the
legislative initiative of the RTM.
Robert A. Avena, Esquire
Suisman Shapiro
20 South Anguilla Road
P.O. Box 1445
NW
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Pawcatuck, CT 06379 2 <3
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Direct Line: (860) 650-8008 =f S omrm
Main Line: (860) 442-4416 g a oa
Facsimile: (860) 599-3778 aN, Vv gx
E-mail: ravena@sswbgg.com i om
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July 5", 2024
Mr. Paul Goldstein WATERFORD CT
Moderator, Representative Town Meeting 02 JUL -B81A 10 1b
15 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 06385 ATTEST: P9 Me
TOWN CLERK
Moderator Goldstein,
| recently committed to provide status to the RTM at the August 5" meeting, on the progress of the
Oswegatchie Building Committee in designing the new Oswegatchie Fire Station.
By the time of that meeting, given that our architect (Silver Petrucelli + Associates) has only recently
been formally contracted, little design work will have progressed; And | believe that a status
presentation at that time will not have sufficient detail for the RTM to evaluate and appreciate.
In accordance with our preliminary design schedule, by the October 5*" RTM meeting, the Oswegatchie
Fire Station design activities will be sufficiently mature and there will be ample information to present
and discuss.
Consequently, | recommend that the Oswegatchie Building Committee status presentation be deferred
from the August 5" to the October 7" RTM meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Tuneski
Chairman, Oswegatchie Fire Station Building Committee
Cc Dave Campo, Town Clerk

August 5, 2025
To: Town of Waterford Representative Town Meeting Members
From: Tina DuBosque, Quaker Hill, CT
Re: Disposal of Town Police Handguns
Dear RTM Members,
I feel that the current method of disposal of Town Police handguns is an issue
worth debating and working to change.
This is not a Second Amendment issue.
It is an issue of responsibly retiring Town Police handguns.
The handguns being retired are not permanently destroyed, but temporarily
disabled. This means that they can be made whole again and put out on the
used gun market. The Town of Waterford benefits financially from this current
disposal program.
These retired handguns can, and do, fall into the hands of those who wish to
use them for criminal activities. There are other licensed, acceptable methods
currently in use to responsibly dispose of retired handguns, in ways that
permanently disable them, rendering them unsaleable, out of reach of the
criminally minded.
I advocate for a review of the current disposal program, and a change to a more
responsible disposable program, one that will help to keep these used
handguns permanently out of circulation.
Citizens' lives are at stake, nation-wide.
Let’s be part of the solution, not part of the problem!
As the current program to retire used Police handguns was discussed and
approved by Board of Police Commissioners, Board of Selectmen, Board of
Finance, and Representative Town Meeting some time ago, clearly there is an
established procedure for discussing, reviewing, updating and approving.
Town of Waterford, let's be proactive and known as a town that includes in its
efforts to fight crime a used Police handgun disposal program that shows a
responsible effort.
Again, this is not a Second Amendment issue.
Good change is good.
Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina DuBosque, Quaker Hill
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August 5, 2025
To: Town of Waterford Representative Town Meeting Members
From: Tina DuBosque, Quaker Hill, CT
Re: Representing your constituents
Dear RTM Members,
I respectfully request that you, elected RTM members, hold regular, at least
quarterly, district meetings so that you can hear directly from and have
discussions with your constituents, and make these meetings a key part of
your modus operandi.
I am not encouraged that you actually represent and vote as our
representatives, every other month, without hearing from us. All of us.
How can you represent your constituents without discussing issues with us in
advance?
Why wait for us to request meetings with you? Be pro-active, take the district
temperature, and establish quarterly district meeting schedules in accessible
venues.
Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina DuBosque, Quaker Hill
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Appointee Report - Oswegatchie Fire house Building Committee date 7-25-24
“1, TRANSFER OF THE OSWEGATCHIE FIRE HOUSEHOUSE PROPERTY TO THE TOWI
The original closing date of July1, 2024 was postponed due to the fact that the
Phase |] Environmental Report has not been received by the Town but is expectec
shortly. A closing will be scheduled soon after this report is received.
_2. The contract between the Town and the Project Manager (Downs Construction)
Is being reviewed by both parties and a contract signing is due shortly.
3. To date we have had 2 meetings with the Architectural firm. Below is a draft of the
_“schedule to design ahd build the complex.
a. Schematic DesignPhase
Building Committee to provide a program. Due by mid July -
SP&A to develop a floor plan and site plan to review. Mid-August
SP&A to review MEP Concept ideas. Mid August- Beptamber,
- SP&A to develop end of August
Review project costs and land usé approvals. End of August
Perform geo-technical borings once the footprint is established
7. Present Schematic Designs in Mid-End of September for approval
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE- 3 month (Oct.-Nov.-Dec)
‘Construction Documents Phase 3 months (Jan.-Feb.-March)
Funding — June
‘Construction Start —~ July 2025-12 month sven schedule. Completion July 2026
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