Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 06/05/2023

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING =2
Regular Meeting 49
June 5, 2023 2
Moderator Paul Goldstein called the June 5, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting
to order at 7:03 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon Bossa, Mary Childs, Harry Colonis, Timothy Condon, Thomas J. Dembek, Susan
Driscoll, Timothy Fioravanti (7:25), Steve Garvin, Nick Gauthier, Kevin Girard, Paul Goldstein, Kristin
Gonzalez, Ryan Healy, Richard Holmes, Lindsay Khan (7:12), Cheryl Larder, Theodore Olynciw, Michael
Rocchetti, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue
ABSENT: Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, Jennifer Kohl, Dan Radin, David Welch
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule, Selectman Richard Muckle
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair of the Board of Education Pat Fedor, Chair of the Board of Finance
Glenn Patterson
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo, Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple, and Finance Director Kim
Allen.
AGENDA ITEM C — April 3, 2023 Regular and May 1, 2023 Budget and Special Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Steward, seconded by Condon, to approve the April 3, 2023 and the May 1, 2023 Minutes
with the following corrections noted by Town Clerk Campo from Representative Larder to the May 1,
2023 Minutes: Town Attorney Robert Avena attended the first three nights of the May 1 Budget
Hearings and Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple attended the final night. BOF Member Sheehan attended
day 3 and 4 of the budget hearings. Glenn Patterson was not in attendance for day 3 and 4 of the budget
hearings. Town Planner Mark Wujtewicz was a presenter at the Planning and Zoning Budget Hearing.
Public Works Office Coordinator Sandy Kenniston was a presenter for the Public Works Budget Hearing.
Representative Larder voted no on Debt Service during the final action of the budget hearing. Also, the
following corrections noted by Representative Driscoll: David Welch should have been noted as only
being absent on Day 1 of the budget hearings. Allegiance was misspelled in the May 1 Budget Hearing
minutes.
MOTION PASSED: 17-0-1 (Girard Abstained)
AGENDA ITEM D - CORRESPONDENCE:
The following items were received for correspondence: An email from Representative Olynciw in regard
1 RTM MINUTES 06/05/2023

to town owned vacant lots. (See attachment) A Capital Project Status Report, American Rescue Funds
Quarterly Report. An email from Representative Larder forwarding an email from Representative
Rocchetti in regard to meeting decorum. A report from the Representative Girard on behalf of the
Energy Task Force. (See attachment) A letter from Superintendent Giard in regard to an upcoming Board
of Education appropriation request. A copy of the Waterford Public School 2022-2023 Budget from
Board of Education Director of Finance Joe Mancini.
AGENDA ITEM F — COMMITTEE REPORTS AND REFERRALS
Energy Task Force Chairman Girard summarized his report to the body. (See Attached} Representative
Driscoil noted the need for an official report from some of the committees.
Representative Khan arrived.
CALL ITEM 1 — Fire Services PSAS/Foam
PRESENTATION: Director of Fire Services Michael Howley
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $30,000 to fund the removal and cleaning of
apparatus that carry PFAS/Foam. Appropriated funds for this project will be made available by
transferring $30,000 from the Unassigned Fund Balance of the General Fund to Line #10123-52040,
Service Contracts and Repairs ($24,000) and Line #10123-53112, Firefighter Supplies ($6,000).
It was noted by Dembek that a State Grant had been passed earlier that day which will reimburse towns
some or most of the amount appropriated at a later time.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 2 — Mago Point Overflow Parking Lot
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Jonathan Mullen
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Condon, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an appropriation in the amount of $25,500 to fund the restoration and repair of the Mago
Point Overflow Parking Lot. Appropriated funds for this project will be made available by transferring
the approved $25,500 from Capital and Non-recurring Designated Line #20511-57870, Mago Point
improvements.
A friendly amendment by Driscoll was recommended and accepted to rephrase the motion, along with a
friendly amendment by Steward-Gelinas to add “plan” to the motion to read as follows: MOTION by
Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Condon, to approve a recommendation from the Board of Finance for an
appropriation in the amount of $25,500 from Capital and Non-recurring Designated Line #20511-57870,
Mago Point Improvements to fund a plan for the restoration and repair of the Mago Point Overflow
Parking Lot.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
Representative Fioravanti arrived.
2 RTM MINUTES 06/05/2023

CALL ITEM 3 — Old Norwich Road Wastewater Pump Station
PRESENTATION: Director of the Waterford Utility Commision James Bartelli.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Condon, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $544,000 for an upgrade to the Old Norwich
Road Wastewater Pump Station. Appropriated funds for this project will be made available by
transferring the approved $544,000 from Capital and Non-recurring Designated Line #20531-57816,
Old Norwich Pump Station.
A friendly amendment by Driscoll was recommended and accepted to rephrase the motion to read as
follows: MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Condon, to approve a recommendation from the
Board of Finance additional appropriation in the amount of $544,000 from Capital and Non-recurring
Designated Line #20531-57816, Old Norwich Pump Station for an upgrade the Old Norwich Road
Wastewater Pump Station.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 4 — Southwest School Property
Passed Over
NEW BUSINESS:
Representative Olynciw noted the subject of his letter in regard to town owned vacant properties. He
requested that the emailed response to his letter from Board of Finance Chairman Glenn Patterson be
provided to the members. (See Attachment)
MOTION by Olynciw, seconded by Gauthier, to send the issue of town owned vacant properties to the
Public Works, Planning and Development Standing Committee of the RTM in order to bring relevant
departments together to come up with a plan.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Augmon-Bossa, Childs, Driscoll, Fioravanti, Gauthier, Gonzalez, Khan, Larder, Olynciw
VOTING AGAINST: Colonis, Condon, Dembek, Garvin, Girard, Goldstein, Healy, Holmes, Rocchetti,
Steward-Gelinas
MOTION FAILED: 9-10-0
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Gauthier, to fill the vacancy on the Long Range Fiscal Planning
Committee created by the resignation of Greg Attanasio from the RTM, with Lindsay Khan.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Larder, to fill the vacancy on the Fire Services Review Special
Committee created by the resignation of Greg Attanasio from the RTM, with Nick Gauthier.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
MODERATOR Goldstein noted that there may be a need for a special meeting later in June to address
the Southwest School property and any of issues that are out there.
3 RTM MINUTES 06/05/2023

Representative Khan spoke in regard to the budget meetings and that you could “cut the tension with a
knife “, making it quite intimidating to ask questions, especially as a new member.
MODERATOR Goldstein reminded the body that the meetings are guided by Roberts Rules of Order.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to adjourn passed unanimously at 8:23 P.M.
yay) Submitted,
David L. Campo, CCTC
Town Clerk
4 RTM MINUTES 06/05/2023

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Campo _
 Glenn Patterson <gpatters512@gmail.com>
 Tuesday, May 30, 2023 9:09 PM
Ted Olynciw
Paul Goldstein; Robert Brule; steward-gelinas@sbcglobal.net; Susan Driscoll; Greg Attanasio; Davidicampos Richa Muckle
: Re: Fw: vacant town properties request B hi
en ee
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. el 23
attachments unless you recognize the sender's email address and know the content is-s ny U pe
—rr—er——oovroreerorr—O——_o_ = AS
otally unaware that the town owned this much vacant property. I noted with interest that the Town of Groton is setting up
the same topic. Maybe that's in Waterford's future; but what follows is one man's opinion as a member of the LRFPC on
here;
e to place examining these properties with the LRFPC. While these are town assets, there's no historical impact on town
ese parcels for the LRFPC to consider for financial planning purposes. Your email alludes to this fact: leave
tc. Other areas the LRFP has looked into have years of fiscal/financial history for the LRFP to "start from" i.e. Capital
nce, IT, and Fleet.
plan, but I think the starting point should be from a land-use perspective. I would propose that the appropriate RTM
Department to review the parcels from that land use perspective; perhaps as a consideration for the updated Plan of
ent that's currently in process? Establishing a plan based on land use considerations could then lead to a fiscal strategy
corporation into a Long-Term Financial Plan or perhaps lead to forming a separate Advisory committee similar to
plan.
for a while. I believe to keep this concern front and center for the taxpayer this effort should be tracked as a task to the
he RTM.

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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Dear RTM, { a 8
The Energy Task Force has been very busy over the last 6 months, having 7 meetings and
hearing from 6 different town department heads. We have made some progress on our stated
charge, which is:
1.) Review energy audits of consumption
2.) Identify any data needs based on those audits
3.) Address the energy policy of the town
At our earliest meetings, we elected a chair and secretary, and developed a set of goals for the
team. Those are:
1. Identify State guidance and laws that impact our town.
Identify next capital projects and ongoing projects considering the energy use options.
Obtain any audits done, review these as a group.
Invite department heads and experts to our meetings.
Review current policy — if not available, encourage development of one by 12/4/2023.
Create a section on the website to reflect our ETF agendas, minutes, and backup
materiais.
Oak on
The committee has struggled with membership issues. Nearly half our membership has
changed during the past 6 months. This has slowed our progress, but has not stopped us from
doing this important work.
At our May 30, 2023 special meeting, the committee voted to report our progress to the RTM
and provide a number of recommendations which our initial research has shown could have a
significant impact on the town’s energy footprint. Our list of recommendations, truncated slightly
for brevity, follows:
1.) Perform energy usage benchmarking on all town buildings. This effort determines
not only the largest energy users in town, but also compares them to a number of
“standards” to determine the severity of energy waste for any high usage buildings (e.g.
by caiculating a “usage per square foot" and comparing that to average values). This
can be done at no cost to the town through a UCONN consuitant paid by Eversource.

2.) Perform an energy audit of all town buildings by an independent consultant. Prior
audit data was collected in concert with a company who would stand to gain from any
work performed to increase efficiency. Eversource provides, at no cost to the town,
access to an engineering firm who can perform this audit independently.
3.) Evaluate town-wide solar options, including the possibility for no-cost installation and
a future Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the town. Prioritize rooftop solar
(biggest wins likely to be the high school, middle school, TFS, and community center),
but aiso evaluate overhead solar installations over large parking areas (e.g. the high
school). This can be conducted independently or via any number of companies who
perform this work, and would not cost the town for the evaluation. Work perfarmed
based on the recommendations would be subsidized and financially incentivized (i.e. low
interest loans and rebates) by a number of programs administered by Eversource and
State of CT. The work could be performed by any contractor the town chooses.
4.) Install electric vehicle charging stations. State and federal incentive plans can
subsidize these to achieve near no-cost to the town. Installation costs can be paid for by
usage charges, which can also subsidize future investment and installations. Prioritize
areas where users park for extended periods (schools, library, community center, town
hall, public works, and possibly private locations such as grocery and retail stores).
Waterford uniquely has several areas which intersect major state roads, and prioritizing
locations “just off the hignway” also makes sense and could draw additional business to
town while users charge their vehicles.
5.) Ensure that any new capital projects adequately address energy consumption and
efficiency. Create an expectation that project plans (from town officials and new
developments) include a section addressing energy use and properly consider and
present alternatives with adequate backup, such as quotations for geothermal, solar,
electric heat pumps, low-impact development, and LEED certification.
6.) Ensure proper funding for the PUC’s I&1 program. Infiltration of fugitive water into
the wastewater is a significant savings by avoiding pumping and treating stormwater as
wastewater. Properly funding this effort avoids energy waste. In addition, PUC and
Public Works MUST work together cooperatively on construction projects, for example,
by repairing underground sewer and piping when roads are being repaved rather than
immediately after.
7.) Explore the possibility of creating an independent Electric Utility for the town.
Several surrounding towns operate their own electric utility, and it may be possible in
cooperation with Millstone fo meet Waterford’s electric needs at reduced cost to
residents while providing carbon-free power to the town.
8.) Actively provide “grass-roots” efforts for energy savings for town residents. As
an example, utilize the Energy Task Force webpage to provide links to energy saving
programs, tips and advice regarding recycling and proper waste management, and other
opportunities for residents. Drive traffic to this site with occasional links from the main
Waterford page or pushes from the First Selectman’s office/social media.
9.) Remove barriers for energy conservation by town residents. The overall energy
footprint of the town is a sum of the town government and its consumption AND the
energy footprint of the residents (arguably much larger). During the ETF work, several

residents reached out about ways the town could help them make better energy choices.
Examples include ensuring that town reguiations/ordinances/zoning regulations don’t
excessively prevent residents from alternative energy sources such as ground based
solar for properties with enough land. Town coordination of projects (such as natural
gas instailation) that help residents also make smart energy choices is critical to
reducing the overall energy footprint of the town.
10.) Ensure near-term high energy use renovations properly evaluate
conservation and carbon-free energy. These projects include an HVAC system at
Clark Lane MS, Library renovations, and Emergency Management building HVAC
systems. Energy reduction measures and lower reliance on fossii fuels for these
buildings MUST be part of the plans and have adequate backup provided so they can be
evaluated and discussed by town officials and bodies properly.
There are aiso a number of other excellent suggestions which are captured in our minutes. For
brevity's sake, these will not be elaborated here. The members of the Task Force stand ready
to work tagether with Town Officials and departments to initiate and complete the suggestions
above to save energy and financially benefit the town’s taxpayers.
As can be seen from the recommendations above, significant progress has been made on many
of the goals our team agreed to last September. In the coming months, we look forward to
execution on the above recommendations, as well as continued work on the goals above,
particularly goal #5. Coordination with all department heads, but especially the Planning
Department and its new director will be key to succeeding in reducing the energy footprint of the
town.
Very Respectfully,
Kevin Girard
Energy Task Force Chair
On behalf of Committee Members:
Mary Childs (ETF Secretary, RTM)
Greg Attanasio (BOS)
David Peabody (BOF)
Ursuia Moreshead (Elector)
Ivan Kuvalanka (Elector)