Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 06/22/2023

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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MINUTES
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
Waterford Town Hall — Auditorium
June 22, 2023
Moderator Paul Goldstein called the June 22, 2023 Special Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting
to order at 7:01 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL (Representative Town Meeting)
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Michael Bono, Mary Childs, Harry Colonis, Timothy Condon, Susan
Driscoll, Timothy Fioravanti, Steven Garvin, Nick Gauthier, Kevin Girard, Paul Goldstein, Ryan Healy,
Richard Holmes, Cheryl Larder, Theodore Olynciw, Dan Radin, Michael Rocchetti, Danielle Steward-
Gelinas, David Sugrue, David Welch (7:15 P.M.)
ABSENT: Jennifer Bracciale, Thomas Dembek, Kristin Gonzalez, Lindsay Khan, Jennifer Kohl
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule, Selectman Richard Muckle, and Chair of
the Board of Finance Glenn Patterson.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair of the Board of Education Pat Fedor, Selectman Greg Attanasio.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo; Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
CORRESPONDENCE
Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple provided a copy of the Deed for Item 1, additional information for Item
2 was provided, and a copy of a Powerpoint presentation from LEARN for Item 1.
ITEM 1 — Southwest School Property to LEARN
PRESENTATION — First Selectman Robert Brule, LEARN Associate Executive Director Ryan Donlon
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Condon, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Selectmen to approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement transferring a portion of the Southwest School
Property, approximately 15 acres, to LEARN, a non-profit regional educational center, pursuant to and in
accordance with Ordinance 2.112.040 and to authorize First Selectman Robert Brule to execute said
Agreement, subject to Town Attorney review as to form.
A friendly amendment by Steward-Gelinas was recommended and accepted to remove “Robert Brule”
from the motion.
Discussion ensued and Powerpoint reviewed (See Attachment)
MOTION PASSED: Unanimously
1 RTM MINUTES 06/22/2023

CALL ITEM 2 ~ Town Center Pond Dredging
PRESENTATION: Planning Director Jon Mullen, Waterford Town Center Development Committee Chair
Miriam Furey-Wagner
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Rocchetti, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $766,181 from the Unassigned Fund Balance
of the General Fund to Capital Improvement Project Line #31123-57857, Civic Upgrades/Dredging.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimously
CALL ITEM 3 — BOE Capital Approoriation
PRESENTATION: Superintendent of Schools Thomas Giard, BOE Finance Director Joe Mancini
MOTION by Sugrue, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $424,185 for two new Capital Non-Recurring
projects (account numbers to be determined) from the CNR Undesignated Fund Balance Line #205-
31520 to the new project numbers as follows: $243,335 — Eversource on-bill financing charge for
energy efficiency project equipment and $180,850 — Chromebook and iPad equipment
MOTION PASSED: Unanimously
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Bono, to adjourn the Representative Town Meeting at
8:24 P.M.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimously
Respectfully Submitted,
David L. Campo, CCTC
Waterford Town Clerk
2 RTM MINUTES 06/22/2023

June 22, 2023
“Magnet programs provide an innovative means to achieve racial integration and resolve educational
inequities while also providing options for historically marginalized and underserved students, families,
and communities of color.” Magnet Schools of America, 2021
LEARN
Southeastern Connecticut’s Regional Educational Service Center,
serving the educational commuuity for over 35 years
Our Vision:
To ensure that every child
has access to high-quality
public education and Our Mission:
OP! portuttes through * Pursue equitable and just systems of
equitable systems of education:
education, support, and
: * Build the skills and knowledge of the
service : .
educational community
* Design innovative, efficient, and
effective programs, services, and
solutions

June 22, 2023
~ Current LEARN Schools
» 4 magnet schools in southeastern Connecticut,
serving approximately |,400 students cach school year
“This is a multicultural
school where children can
learn about and be proud of Our Schools:
different cultures. The
celebrated diversity is very
important to our family. The ¢ The Friendship School
school community . :
emphasizes kindness and ¢ Pre-kindergarten & Kindergarten, Waterford
nurtures an environment of
open-minded, accepting
individuals.” Parent of a
student enrolled in a LEARN
magnet school.
* Regional Multicultural Magnet School
¢ Kindergarten-Grade 5, New London
* Marine Science Magnet High School
° Grades 9-12, Groton
¢ Three Rivers Middle College Magnet High School
* Grades 11 & 12, Norwich
Current Early Childhood Magne
The Friendship School, Rope Ferry Road, Waterford
Challenges
* Leased building [2025 expiration]
¢ Safety concerns on the school’s current campus due to traffic
* Unsustainable pre-kindergarten magnet school financial model
= Tuition based on parent/caregiver income and capped by the
State of Connecticut
* Changed educational landscape
=" A childcare desert [quality care for children under age 8]
= Pre-kindergarten now offered by area school districts
= An increased need for the region’s youngest special education
outplacement students

June 22, 2023
a.
The Re-imagined Early Childhood Magnet Schéol |
with a focus on museum studies as a vehicle for delivering an
International Baccalaureate educational model
Student Population
574 children, 8 weeks to 7 years
=48 infant/toddler-aged children
=200 preschool-aged children
=100 kindergarten students
"1005 first-grade students
"105 second-grade students
=16 special education outplacement students
The Re-imagined
Early Childhood Magnet Schoo
LEARN’s Commitment to the Town of Waterford
* Re-establish the site as a well-respected, integrated school
¢ Assume all financial responsibility for the demolition of and
environmental cleanup of the shuttered property
{estimated cost is currently $1.5M] ‘
¢ Invest in the neighborhood by designing outdoor learning spaces
and recreational activities with fully accessible playgrounds ig f
= Town residents may use the outdoor learning spaces, activities,
and playgrounds during non-school hours. :
= The facility will include indoor spaces for town residents to use
during non-school hours, as well.

“It's a full-day, inclusive educational
environment where my young child learned
to manage feelings and resolve conflicts,
while also studying literacy and numeracy.
Teachers created a sense of community
within the school and classrooms so my
child could thrive.” Parent of a child
enrolled in a LEARN magnet school.
LEARN thanks the Town of Waterford,
Waterford Public Schools, and the residents of
Waterford for partnering with us to offer
The Friendship School. We hope that
partnership can continue.
June 22, 2023