Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 06/30/2022

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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PUBLIC HEALTH & RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE RTM a
Special Meeting =
Waterford Town Hall — Louise Appleby Room : 9
June 30, 2022 va
Public Health Recreation & Environment Committee Chair Michael Bono called the June 30, 2022 Special
Meeting to order at 4:04 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mike Bono, Mary Childs, Nick Gauthier, Ryan Healy (5:02 P.M.), Jennifer Bracciale.
ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: RTM Member Susan Driscoll, RTM Member Danielle Steward-Gelinas.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo; Police Chief Marc Balestracci, Town Attorney Nicholas
Kepple.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Waterford Resident Helen Kwasniewski, 227 Bloomingdale Rd, spoke in regard to the noise ordinance
and that it restricts the use of power equipment.
Waterford Resident Deborah Griffith, 63 North Rd, spoke in favor of a strong noise ordinance.
Waterford Resident Nancy Hennigan, 7 Reynolds Ln, spoke in favor of a strong noise ordinance.
Attorney Mark Kepple of Stonington on behalf of his clients spoke for the need of a strong, enforceable
ordinance that creates accountability.
ITEM 5 — February 22, 2022 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION by Gauthier, seconded by Bracciale, to approve the February 22, 2022 meeting minutes.
VOTING IN FAVOR: unanimous
CALL ITEM 5A — Review of Noise Ordinance, Noise Control — Chapter 9.06, RTC 10/04/21
Town Attorney Nicholas Kepple spoke at length about a future noise ordinance. He noted that keeping it
simple and enforceable is difficult. Any ordinance needs to be approved by DEEP and the town gets its’
power from “Home Rule”. Any ordinance should contain very clear definitions and the RTM may include
times when activities such as garbage pickup need to be completed. Most towns use police to enforce,
but there may be an opportunity to use a procedure that has a hearing officer with an ability to appeal.
Lengthy discussion ensued.
The committee discussed the difficulty of enforcement, and who would enforce, and the need to keep it
as simple as possible. Does State Statute (12-35) provide a vehicle to enforce? The Committee

developed the following list of goals to be addressed for the next meeting: have someone from Planning
and Zoning attend. Legal will poll surrounding town’s, along with Old Lyme, Glastonbury, and
Watertown on what’s working and not working, specifically about enforcement post pandemic and
Governor executive orders.
MOTION by Gauthier, seconded by Childs, to adjourn at 5:34 P.M..
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
Respectfully Submitted,
Mike Bono
Chair