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

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
May 6, 8, 13 and 15, 2024
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REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING NS VU 32
Annual Budget Meeting & Special Meeting we Ww AD
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Moderator Paul Goldstein called the Annual Budget Meeting & Special Meeting of the Representative
Town Meeting to order on May 6, 2024, at 7:01 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, Mark Campo, Erica Casper, Mary
Childs, Thomas J. Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Tim Fioravanti, Nick Gauthier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kristin
Gonzalez, Ryan Healy, Christina Jessuck, Matthew Keatley, Lindsay Khan, Kate MacKenzie, Shawn
Monahan, Ursula Moreshead, Kayla Mullen, Kathleen Mullen Kohl, Ted Olynciw, Danielle Steward-
Gelinas, David Sugrue
ABSENT: Harry Colonis, Tim Condon
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J. Brule, Board of Education Chair Pat Fedor,
Board of Finance Chair Glenn Patterson, Selectman Richard Muckle.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Selectman Greg Attanasio.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Robert Avena, Town Clerk David L. Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen. .
AGENDA ITEM C— April 8, 2024 Minutes
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Driscoll, to accept the April 8, 2024 Minutes as presented.
MOTION PASSED: 22-0-2 (Gonzalez, Sugrue abstained)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Helen Kwasniewski, 227 Bloomingdale Rd, spoke against the Board of Education Budget, urging
members to vote “no”.
Laurie Wolfley resident and Board of Education member, 15 Anita Ave, spoke in support of the Board of
Education Budget.
Cheryl Larder, 26 Wiemes Ct, spoke in support of spending down some of the $21,000,000 the town has
in surplus.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
1 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Driscoll, to move ITEM 3 to the end of the meeting on
Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
The Annual Budget Meeting is, in fact, an ongoing meeting called to order on May 6, 2024, recessed,
then continued on May 8, May 13, and May 15, only to be adjourned after final action on May 15, 2024.
Consideration of the Budget by department/agency follows the posted schedule.
CALL ITEM 1 — Board of Education and General Fund Budget
Consideration and action upon the General Fund Budget, which includes both Board of Education and
General Government Budgets for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, as recommended
by the Board of Finance, and as may be modified by the determination of the Representative Town
Meeting.
STANDING MOTION by Majority Leader Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Minority Leader Driscoll, to offer
a standing motion to move each proposed budget for consideration in the order specified in the hearing
schedules, with approvals at the series subtotal and the department total levels, with the understanding
that all totals are considered tentatively approved until final action is taken at the end of our Budget
hearing.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
TAX COLLECTOR (10106) $232,331
PRESENTATION: Tax Collector Alan Wilensky
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
BOARD OF EDUCATION (10160) $57,611,181
PRESENTATION: Chairman of the Board of Education Pat Fedor, Superintendent of Schools Thomas
Giard, BOE Director of Finance Joseph Mancini presented the details of the budget and stood for
questions.
Lengthy discussion ensued
VOTING iN FAVOR: Augmon-Bossa, Bracciale, Casper, Dembek, Driscoll, Gauthier, Goldstein, Healy,
Jessuck, Khan, Moresehead, Mullen, Mullen Kohl, Olynciw, Steward-Gelinas, Sugrue
VOTING AGAINST: Campo, Keatley, MacKenzie, Monahan
ABSTAINED: Bono, Childs, Fioravanti, Gonzalez
MOTION PASSED: 16-4-4
Recess at 8:44 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER .
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting was resumed and called to order at
7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 by Moderator Goldstein.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Jennifer Bracciale, Mark Campo, Mary Childs, Thomas J. Dembek, Susan
Driscoll, Tim Fioravanti, Nick Gauthier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kristin Gonzalez, Ryan Healy, Christina Jessuck,
2 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

Matthew Keatley, Lindsay Khan, Kate MacKenzie, Shawn Monahan, Ursula Moreshead, Kayla Mullen,
Kathleen Mullen Kohli, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue
ABSENT: Michael Bono, Erica Casper, Harry Colonis, Tim Condon, Ted Olynciw
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J. Brule, Board of Finance Chair Glenn Patterson
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Board of Education Chair Pat Fedor, Selectman Greg Attanasio, and
Selectman Richard Muckle
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Nick Kepple, Town Clerk David L. Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen
PUBLIC COMMENT
Quaker Hill resident Helen Kwasniewski spoke about her Budget concerns with an emphasis on the
Senior Citizens Commission.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
ETHICS COMMISSION (10143) $900
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CONSERVATION OF HEALTH (10132) $148,407
PRESENTATION: Danielle Steward-Gelinas, Chairperson of Ledge Light Board of Directors
MOTION PASSED: 19-0-2 (Goldstein, Steward-Gelinas abstained)
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERV (10133) $26,297
PRESENTATION: VNA of Southeastern Connecticut Senior Manager of Clinical Services Karen Ort
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
SOCIAL SERVICES GRANTS/MISC (10120) $100,250
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (10122) $1,196,762
PRESENTATION: Director of Emergency Management Stephen Sinagra
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous.
YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES BUREAU (10119) $294,579
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Services Dani Gorman, Program Coordinator Joe Trelli, Human
Services Coordinator Heidi McSwain, Brandon Smith
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION (10135) $481,248
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Services Dani Gorman, Assistant Director Terry Wheeler, Office
Assistant Meaghan Rossi
MOTION PASSED: 19-0-2 (Bracciale, Gauthier abstained)
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS (10105) $1,742
PRESENTATION: Assessor Paige Walton
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
3 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

ASSESSOR (10104) $287,213
PRESENTATION: Assessor Paige Walton
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CONTINGENCY (10121) $265,000
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: 20-1-0 (Childs opposed)
DEBT SERVICE (10139) $8,109,746
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
INSURANCE (10112) $4,962,182
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
TOWN CLERK (10109) $264,849
PRESENTATION: Town Clerk David L. Campo, CCTC
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING (10117) $18,903
PRESENTATION: Town Clerk David L. Campo, CCTC
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS (10102) $96,525
PRESENTATION: Democratic Registrar of Voters Bigi Ebbin, Republican Registrar of Voters Patricia
Waters
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 3 - Salary of Registrars of Voters
PRESENTATION: Democratic Registrar of Voters Bigi Ebbin, Republican Registrar of Voters Patricia
Waters
MOTION by Mullen Kohl, seconded by Sugrue, to approve a recommendation, if any, of the Finance,
Wage & Personnel Standing Committee of the RTM, pending its meeting on May 1, 2024, as to the
compensation for the Registrars of Voters due to the implementation of Early Voting.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Gauthier, to amend the motion by replacing “if any” with “an
increase to the base stipend for the ROV for FY24 to $33,812.16 retroactive to Jan 1, 2024”.
MOTION TO AMEND PASSED: Unanimous
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
Recess at 8:31 P.M.
CALL TO GRDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting resumed at 7:00 P.M. on Monday,
May 13, 2024, with the call to order by Moderator Goldstein.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
4 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Jennifer Bracciale, Mark Campo, Erica Casper, Mary Childs, Thomas J.
Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Tim Fioravanti, Nick Gauthier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kristin Gonzalez (7:24 P.M.),
Lindsay Khan, Kate MacKenzie, Shawn Monahan, Ursula Moreshead, Kayla Mullen, Kathleen Mullen Kohl
Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue
ABSENT: Michael Bono, Harry Colonis, Tim Condon, Ryan Healy, Christina Jessuck, Matthew Keatley, Ted
Olynciw
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 Richard Muckle, and Selectman Greg Attanasio.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Robert Avena, Town Clerk David L. Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CORRESPONDENCE
Marketing information from CCM.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Gauthier, to move Public Works ahead of Recreation and
Parks.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (10115) $4,310
PRESENTATION: Director of Planning Jonathan Mullen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (10113) $25,267
PRESENTATION: Director of Planning Jonathan Mullen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CONSERVATION COMMISSION (10114) $18,250
PRESENTATION: Director of Planning Jonathan Mullen, Environmental! Planner Maureen Fitzgerald
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION (10110) $686,543
PRESENTATION: Director of Planning Jonathan Mullen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
FLOOD & EROSION CONTROL BOARD (10141) $1,109
PRESENTATION: Director of Planning Jonathan Mullen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
BUILDING DEPARTMENT (10118) $326,532
PRESENTATION: Director of Planning Jonathan Mullen, Building Official Steve Cardelle
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
5 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

BUILDING MAINTENANCE (10111) $895,824
PRESENTATION: Director of Public Works Gary Schneider, Office Coordinator Sandy Kenniston
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (10130) $5,086,238
PRESENTATION: Director of Public Works Gary Schneider, Office Coordinator Sandy Kenniston
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION (10137) $1,485,080
PRESENTATION: Director of Recreation and Parks Ryan McNamara, Program Coordinator Tim Ceiplik
MOTION PASSED: 18-0-1 (Childs abstained)
BOARD OF SELECTMEN (10101) $206,405
PRESENTATION: First Selectman Robert Brule
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
Recess at 8:42 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The Annual Budget Meeting of the Representative Town Meeting resumed at 7:01 P.M. on Wednesday,
May 15, 2024, with the call to order by Paul Goldstein.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Kyrah Augmon-Bossa, Jennifer Bracciale, Mark Campo, Erica Casper, Mary Childs, Tim Condon,
Thomas J. Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Tim Fioravanti (8:17 P.M.), Nick Gauthier, Paul S. Goldstein, Kristin
Gonzalez, Ryan Healy, Christina Jessuck, Matthew Keatley, Kate MacKenzie, Shawn Monahan (7:10
P.M.), Ursula Moreshead, Kathleen Mullen Kohl, Ted Olynciw, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David Sugrue
ABSENT: Michael Bono, Harry Colonis, Lindsay Khan, Kayla Mullen
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: First Selectman Robert J. Brule, Selectman Richard Muckle, Board of
Education Chair Pat Fedor, Board of Finance Chair Glenn Patterson
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Selectman Greg Attanasio.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Clerk David L. Campo, and Director of Finance Kim
Allen.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Laurie Wolfley, 15 Anita Ave, spoke in support of the Waterford Public Library Budget.
Stephane Browder, 12 Two Mile Hill Rd, spoke in support of the Waterford Public Library Budget.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
RETIREMENT COMMISSION (10116) $7,760,257
PRESENTATION: Retirement Commission Chair Susan Driscoll
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
6 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

RTM Member Monahan arrived.
WATERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY (10136) $1,006,837
PRESENTATION: Library Director Christine Johnson, President of The Waterford Public Library Board of
Trustees Aaron Rosenberg
MOTION PASSED: 19-2-0 (Gauthier and Moreshead opposed)
FINANCE DEPARTMENT (10107) $767,856
PRESENTATION: Director of Finance Kim Allen
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT (10145) $264,204
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Resources Christine Walters
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
BOARD OF FINANCE (10103) $80,713
PRESENTATION: Board of Finance Chair Glenn Patterson
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous.
RTM Member Fioravanti arrived.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT (10108) $295,000
PRESENTATION: Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
FIRE SERVICES (10123) $3,632,425
PRESENTATION: Director of Fire Services Michael Howley, Office Coordinator Linda Finnegan
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
POLICE COMMISSION (10129) $7,115,644
PRESENTATION: Chief of Police Marc Balestracci, Lieutenant David Ferland, Lieutenant Nicole
VanOverloop, Lieutenant Patrick Flanagan, Administrative Sargent Michael Fedor, Office Coordinator
Diane Driscoll
MOTION PASSED: 21-1-0 (Steward-Gelinas opposed)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (10147) $1,231,423
PRESENTATION: Information Technology Manager Jeff Robillard
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CURRENT YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (10138) $1,312,527
PRESENTATION: First Selectman Robert Brule
MOTION PASSED: 21-1-0 (Gauthier opposed)
TRANSFERS TO CAPITAL AND NON-RECURRING EXPENDITURE (10140) $938,399
PRESENTATION: First Selectman Robert Brule
MOTION PASSED: 20-2-0 (Childs and Gauthier opposed)
7 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

FINAL ACTION
GENERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS $39,267,105
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to approve the General Government Operations
Budget in the amount of $39,267,105.
MOTION PASSED: 21-1-0 (Gauthier opposed)
CURRENT YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (10138) $1,312,527
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Keatley, to approve the Current Year Capital Improvements
Budget in the amount of $1,312,527.
MOTION PASSED: 20-2-0 (Childs and Gauthier opposed)
TRANSFERS TO CAPITAL AND NON-RECURRING EXPENDITURE (10140) $938,399
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to approve the Transfers to Capital and Non-
Recurring Expenditure Fund Budget in the amount of $938,399
MOTION PASSED: 20-2-0 (Childs and Gauthier opposed)
DEBT SERVICE (10139) $8,109,746
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Mullen Kohl, to approve the Debt Service budget in the
amount of $8,109,746
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous.
BOARD OF EDUCATION: (10160) $57,611,181
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to approve the Board of Education Budget in the
amount of $57,611,181
MOTION PASSED: 17-2-3 (Campo, Keatley opposed)(Gonzalez, Fioravanti & Childs Abstained)
TOTAL BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2024 $107,238,958
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Keatley, to approve a Total Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 in the
amount of $107,238,958
MOTION PASSED: 20-2-0 (Campo and Gauthier opposed)
CALL ITEM 3 — Tax Payment Schedule.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Moresehead, to establish the schedule of tax payments for
real estate, personal property and motor vehicle tax bills for the next fiscal year.
Friendly amendment requested by Driscoll and accepted to refer to the letter from Tax Collector Alan
Wilensky and add “as presented” to the motion. (See Attachment)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to adjourn at 9:48 P.M.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
David L. Campo, CCTC
Waterford Town Clerk
8 RTM BUDGET HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 05/06/2024

PHONE: 860-442-0553
FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
www.waterfordct.org
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
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From: Alan Wilensky, CCMC
Tax Collector
Date: April 25, 2024
Subject: Tax Payment Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024 — 2025
For the RTM meeting agenda of May 15, 2024
[have the following recommendations for the schedule of tax payments for Fiscal Year
2024-2025:
e Retain the two-payment system for Real Estate tax bills, providing for collections
in July and January.
Real Estate tax bills over $100.00 would be collected in two equal installments,
due July 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025.
Real Estate tax bills of $100.00 or less would be due in full July 1, 2024.
Personal Property and Motor Vehicle tax bills would be due in full July 1, 2024.
Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax bills would be due in full January 1, 2025.
These bills are for vehicles registered after the assessment date of October 1,
2023.

This collection schedule is recommended in order to keep the Town in compliance with
Connecticut General Statutes 12-142, 12-144, and 12-144a.
Sec. 12-142. Installments; due date. The legislative body of each municipality, upon
approving any budget calling for the laying of a tax on property, shall determine whether
such tax shall be due and payable in a single installment or in two semiannual
installments or in four quarterly installments and shall, unless otherwise provided by law,
designate the date or dates on which such installment or installments shall be due and
payable, subject to the provisions of section 7-383, in any municipality in compliance
with requirements concerning the uniform fiscal year under chapter 110; provided the last
installment of any such tax shall be due and payable not later than forty-five days before
the end of the fiscal year in which the first installment thereof is due and payable, and
provided any special tax shall be due and payable in a single installment. In case of
failure of the legislative body to determine when such tax shall be due and payable or
whenever the date on which such tax shall be due and payable has been determined,
however, (1) the preparation and mailing of rate bills for such tax is delayed until after
the date such tax is due or (2) such tax is not applicable to certain property until after the
date such tax is due, such tax shall be due and payable, with respect to all property or
property which becomes subject to tax after the date such tax is due, whichever is
applicable, not later than thirty days following the date on which rate bills for such tax
are mailed or handed to persons liable therefor. Except as otherwise provided by law, the
several installments of a tax due in two or four installments shall be equal, but any
taxpayer may pay two or more of such installments when the first is due.
Sec. 12-144. Payment of taxes of not more than one hundred dollars. Any property
tax due in any municipality of this state in an amount not in excess of one hundred dollars
shall be due and payable in a single payment when so determined by the appropriating
body of such municipality.
Sec. 12-144a, Payment of tax on motor vehicles. Irrespective of the provisions of
sections 12-142 and 12-144, the appropriating body of each municipality, upon approving
any budget calling for the laying of a tax on property, shall determine whether such tax as
it applies to motor vehicles shall be due and payable in a single installment.