Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 02/06/2023

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
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MINUTES (*Amended) aN 2S
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING a U om
Regular Meeting R = =
February 6, 2023 = 2
Moderator Paul Goldstein called the February 6, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Representative Town
Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Members remained standing for a moment of silence to recognize the loss of Waterford Police Officer
Adam Lapkowski, Clark Lane Middle School Teacher Chris Wicklund, and Board of Selectmen Member
Jody Nazarchyk.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Greg Attanasio (7:05 P.M.), Michael Bono, Jennifer Bracciale, Mary Childs, Timothy Condon,
Thomas J. Dembek, Susan Driscoll, Timothy Fioravanti, Steven Garvin, Nick Gauthier, Kevin Girard, Paul
Goldstein, Kristin Gonzalez, Ryan Healy, Richard Holmes, Lindsay Khan, Jennifer Kohl, Cheryl Larder,
Richard Muckle, Theodore Olynciw, Dan Radin, Michael Rocchetti, Danielle Steward-Gelinas, David
Sugrue, David Welch.
ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair of the Board of Finance Glenn Patterson.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: First Selectman Robert J Brule, Chair of the Board of Education Pat Fedor
Selectman Elizabeth Sabilia.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Clerk David L. Campo; Town Treasurer Abbas Danesh; Town Attorney Nicholas
Kepple; Finance Director Kim Allen.
AGENDA ITEM C — December 5, 2022 Minutes
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Bono, to approve the December 5, 2022 Minutes with the
following corrections noted by Town Clerk Campo: RTM Member Childs only voted in favor of the
REDUCTION in CALL ITEM 14 and only voted against the ORIGINAL MOTION in CALL ITEM 14.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CORRESPONDENCE
Items received were letters of recommendation (BAA) from the Republican Town Committee, letters of
recommendation (Ethics) from the Republican Town Committee and Democratic Town Committee,
additional back up for items 7 & 8, updated budget schedule, letter from Moderator Goldstein to other
boards, American Rescue Plans Quarterly Report.
1 RTM MINUTES 02/06/2023
* The friendly Amendment in ITEM 6 was offered by Representative Larder. A copy of Chapter 2.88 of
the Waterford Code of Ordinances should have been attached to support ITEM 6.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Waterford Resident and Oswegatchie Firehouse Life Member Wayne Gilpin, 6 Aibacore Dr, spoke in
support of an immediate creation of an Oswegatchie Firehouse Building Committee in order to facilitate
replacement.
AGENDA ITEM F
Michael Bono; Chairman of the Public Health, Recreation & Environment
Standing Committee of the RTM; noted that his group has met and is expecting to present a
recommendation to the RTM at the April Meeting.
Timothy Condon, Chairman of the Public Protection & Safety Standing Committee of the RTM, notified
the body that a draft of the volunteer fire services proposed stipends was available online.
CALL ITEM 1 — Updating/Renovating Evidence Room and Armory
PRESENTATION: Chief of Police Marc Balestracci, Lieutenant David Ferland.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Bono, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $86,016 from Capital Undesignated Line #205-
31520 for updating/renovating the evidence room and armory at the Police Department.
RTM Member Driscoll requested a friendly amendment which was accepted to add in “to fund a new
project to update and renovate” in piace of “for updating/renovating’.
Discussion ensued.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 2 — Radio Communications
PRESENTATION: Chief of Police Marc Balestracci, Director of Fire Service Michael Howley, Director of
Emergency Management Steven Sinagra.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas seconded by Driscoll, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an appropriation in the amount of $239,729 from Capital and Non-recurring designated Line
#20522-57794 (i.e., Radio Communications).
Discussion ensued.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous:
CALL ITEM 3 ~ Sewer Interceptor Easement Access
PRESENTATION: Director of the Utility Commission James Bartelli, Assistant Director of the Utility
Commission Jill Stevens
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Muckle, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $250,000 to fund a new project titled
“Contract#1 Sewer Interceptor Easement Access”. Appropriated funds for this project will be made
available by transferring $250,000 from the Unassigned Balance of the General Fund to a project line to
be created within the Capital Improvement Project Fund.
Discussion ensued.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 4: Clark Lane Chiller Repiacements
PRESENTATION: Superintendent of Schools Thomas Giard, BOE Director of Finance Joe Mancini, BOE
Director of Buildings and Grounds James Miner.
2 RTM MINUTES 02/06/2023
* The friendly Amendment in ITEM 6 was offered by Representative Larder. A copy of Chapter 2.88 of
the Waterford Code of Ordinances should have been attached to support ITEM 6.

MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Dembek, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $802,000 to fund a new project titled “Clark
Lane Middle School Chiller Replacements”. Appropriated funds for this project will be made available
by transferring $802,000 from the Unassigned Balance of the General Fund to a project line to be
created within the Capital & Non-recurring Expenditure Fund.
Discussion ensued.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 5 — Auditorium Meeting Room Updates
PRESENTATION: Information Technology Manager Jeff Robillard
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Muckle, to approve a recommendation from the Board of
Finance for an additional appropriation in the amount of $272,000 to fund a new Capital project titled
“Auditorium Meeting Room Updates”. Appropriated funds for this project will be made available by
transferring $272,000 from the Unassigned Balance of the General Fund to a project line to be created
within the Capital improvements Project Fund.
Discussion ensued.
MOTION by Gauthier, seconded by Childs, to amend the motion by reducing the amount from $272,000
to $175,000.
Discussion ensued.
MOTION by Muckle, seconded by Sugrue, to close debate on the motion to amend.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Attanasio, Bono, Bracciale, Condon, Dembek, Garvin, Goldstein, Healy, Holmes,
Muckle, Radin, Rocchetti, Steward-Gelinas, Sugrue.
VOTING AGAINST: Childs, Driscoll, Fioravanti, Gauthier, Girard, Gonzalez, Khan, Kohl, Larder, Olynciw,
Welch.
MOTION TO CLOSE DEBATE FAILED: 14-11-0 (2/3rds needed to close)
Further discussion ensued.
VOTING IN FAVOR OF AMENDMENT: Childs, Driscoll, Gauthier, Olynciw.
VOTING AGAINST AMENDMENT: Attanasio, Bono, Bracciale, Condon, Dembek, Fioravanti, Garvin,
Girard, Goldstein, Gonzalez, Healy, Holmes, Khan, Kohl, Larder, Muckle, Radin, Rocchetti, Steward-
Gelinas, Sugrue, Welch.
MOTION TO AMEND FAILED: 4-21-0
MOTION by Driscall, seconded by Gauthier, to table until next meeting.
VOTING IN FAVOR TO TABLE: Attanasio, Childs, Driscoll, Fioravanti, Gauthier, Gonzalez, Khan, Kohl,
Larder, Olynciw.
VOTING AGAINST TO TABLE: Bono, Bracciale, Condon, Dembek, Garvin, Girard, Goldstein, Healy,
Hoimes, Muckle, Radin, Rocchetti, Steward-Gelinas, Sugrue, Welch.
MOTION TO TABLE FAILED: 10-15-0
VOTING iN FAVOR OF ORIGINAL MOTION: Bono, Condon, Dembek, Garvin, Girard, Goldstein, Healy,
Holmes, Muckle, Rocchetti, Steward-Gelinas, Sugrue, Welch.
VOTING AGAINST ORIGINAL MOTION: Attanasio, Bracciale, Childs, Driscoll, Fioravanti, Gauthier,
Gonzalez, Khan, Kohi, Larder, Olynciw, Radin.
ORIGINAL MOTION PASSED: 13-12-0
CALL ITEM 6 ~ Eire Station Building Committee
PRESENTATION: Ad Hoc Fire Services Review Special Committee Chairman Robert Tuneski, Director of
Fire Services Michael! Howley.
3. RTM MINUTES 02/06/2023
* The friendly Amendment in ITEM 6 was offered by Representative Larder. A copy of Chapter 2.88 of
the Waterford Code of Ordinances should have been attached to support ITEM 6.

MOTION by Steward-Gellinas, seconded by Bono, to approve a recommendation from the Ad Hoc Fire
Services Special Review Committee “that due to the extensively deteriorated condition of the
Oswegatchie Fire Station, that it be replaced with a new building; and recommend that the RTM
establish a building committee to oversee its design and construction” in accordance with Chapter 2.88
— Building Committees of the Waterford Code of Ordinances. (See Attachment)
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Muckie, to amend the motion by adding in “repaired and or”
prior to “replaced”.
Lengthy discussion ensued
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT by Larder was accepted to add in membership consisting of 2 RTM Members, 1
BOS Member, 1 BOF Member, 2 Elector Citizens, 3 Elector Fire Services.
MOTION by Muckle, seconded by Sugrue, to close debate on the motion to amend.
MOTION TO CLOSE DEBATE PASSED: 22-3-0 (Childs, Gauthier, and Larder voted against)
MOTION TO AMEND PASSED: Unanimous
ORIGINAL MOTION WITH AMENDMENTS PASSED: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 7 ~ Non-Union Administrative and Technical Craft Employees Wage Increase
PRESENTATION: Director of Human Resources Christine Walters.
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Bono, to approve the funds necessary for a wage increase of
2.25% for the Non-Union Administrative Support & Technical Craft employees effective 07/01/2022.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous (Condon was unavailable)
CALL ITEM 8 — Registrars of Voters Wage Increase
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Bono, to approve a recommendation from the Finance, Wage
& Personnel Standing Committee of the RTM for a one time increase of $2,420 per year and an increase
in the stipend for a primary or referendum from $700 to $1000 for the Registrars of Voters.
A brief discussion ensued in regard to whether the RTM could increase the amount. Attorney Keppie
advised that the RTM did not have that authority since the proposed increase was not noticed.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT requested by Driscoll was accepted to make the motion retroactive to January
1, 2023.
MOTION WITH FRIENDLY AMENDMENT PASSED: 24-0-1 (Larder abstained)
CALL ITEM 9 ~ Ethics Commission Appointments
NOMINATION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Rocchetti, to reappoint Adam Stone, 16 Windy Ridge Pl,
as a regular member of the Ethics Commission (Term 02/06/2023 — 02/03/2025)
NOMINATION by Driscoll, seconded by Attanasio, to appoint Elizabeth Ritter, 24 Old Mill Rd, as a regular
member of the Ethics Commission (Term 02/06/2023 — 02/03/2025)
VOTING IN FAVOR of both nominations: Unanimous
STONE and RITTER appointed to the Ethics Commission
CALL ITEM 10 - Ethics Commission Alternate Appointments
NOMINATION by Driscoll, seconded by Gauthier, to appoint Paul Helvig, 82 Old Colchester Rd, as an
alternate member of the Ethics Commission (Term 02/06/2023 — 02/03/2025)
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
HELVIG appointed to the Ethics Commission
4 RTM MINUTES 02/06/2023
* The friendly Amendment in ITEM 6 was offered by Representative Larder. A copy of Chapter 2.88 of
the Waterford Code of Ordinances should have been attached to support ITEM 6.

CALL ITEM 11 — Personnel Review Board Appointment
MOTION by Driscoll, seconded by Gauthier, to postpone the appointment to the April Meeting.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 12 ~ Retirement Commission Appointment
NOMINATION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Driscoll, to appoint Paul Goldstein to the Retirement
Commission.
VOTING IN FAVOR: Unanimous
CALL ITEM 13 — Board of Assessment Appeals Appointment
NOMINATION by Racchetti, seconded by Steward-Gelinas, to appoint Catherine Gonyo, 35 Pepperbox
Rd, to the Board of Assessment Appeals. {Term 12/05/2022 — 12/03/2023)
NOMINATION PASSED: 24-1-0
CALL ITEM 14 — RTM Budget Hearing Schedule
MOTION by Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Rocchetti, to approve the Budget Schedule as presented with
the following accepted friendly amendment by Driscoll: remove Senior Citizens Commission from
Wednesday, May 10. (See Attachment)
NEW BUSINESS:
MOTION by Radin, seconded by Olynciw, for the Legislation and Administration Standing Committee of
the RTM to study Public Act 22-3, AN ACT CONCERNING REMOTE MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION ACT, to assess and make recommendations to the RTM about the Town's pertinent
ordinances and regulations.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
MOTION by Gauthier, seconded by Larder, to have the Legislation and Administration Standing
Committee of the RTM review the creation of an ordinance to require PUBLIC COMMENT on all agendas.
MOTION PASSED: Unanimous
MOTION by Olynciw, seconded by Larder, that we add an American Rescue Fund update to the April
Meeting of the RTM.
MOTION by Condon, seconded by Gauthier, to adjourn at 10:20 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
5 RTM MINUTES 02/06/2023
* The friendly Amendment in ITEM 6 was offered by Representative Larder. A copy of Chapter 2.88 of
the Waterford Code of Ordinances should have been attached to support ITEM 6.

David L. Campo, CCTC
Town Clerk
6 RTM MINUTES 02/06/2023
* The friendly Amendment in ITEM 6 was offered by Representative Larder. A copy of Chapter 2.88 of
the Waterford Code of Ordinances should have been attached to support ITEM 6.

2.88.010
Chapter 2.88
BUILDING COMMITTEES
Sections:
2.88.010 Establishment required.
288.020 Majority representation on committee.
2.88.030 Duties.
2.88.010 Establishment required.
Any planning for new municipal buildings or structures or major alterations or additions to existing mu-
nicipal buildings or structures or other buildings or structures in the town for which the town is expected to ap-
propriate funds, shall require the establishment of a building committee by the representative town meeting. Any
board, commission or organizational entity of the town, including nonprofit organizations receiving town sup-
port, desiring to plan for the construction of a building or structure or plan for a major alteration or addition to an
existing building or structure shall request that a building committee be established. Such request shall be in
writing and shall be directed to the moderator of the representative town meeting and shall set forth the general
nature of the project to be planned. The moderator shall place such request on the call of the next regular or spe-
cial meeting of the representative town meeting. This chapter shall not apply to planning for projects for which
funds have already been appropriated, prior to the effective date of this chapter. This section shall not apply to
the board of education if the representative town meeting shall establish by ordinance a school building commit-
tee. Any building committee established under this chapter shall include representation from the agency submit-
ting the request. (Prior code § 2-150 (a)
2.88.020 Majority representation ou committee.
Any building committee established upon the request of an organizational entity with ownership of its
buildings shall include majority representation from the agency submitting the request. (Prior code § 2-150 (b))
2.88.030 Duties.
A. After receiving the charge for a project, the duties of the building committee shall be:
1. Interview and hire the architect for the project;
2. Review plans and take project for approval, if necessary, to such agencies as planning and zoning
comunission, conservation comunission, fire marshal, etc.;
3. Put the project out to bid;
4: Receive bids;
5. Monitor progress of the project, receive invoices and make necessary change orders if within the scope
of the project. Authorize payment of invoices;
6. Report at least bimonthly in person or in writing to the commission or elected body (board of select-
men, representative town meeting, board of finance) by whom the building committee members for the project
were appointed. Such reporting shall include, but not be limited to, the progress of the project and any change
order that the committee has made;
7. Provide auditors with any necessary information.
B. The building committee and the town finance director shall be responsible for maintaining the com-
plete financial records of the project. (R.T.M. 10-3-94 § 2)
76

REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING BUDGET HEARINGS
FY 2023-24
Town Hall Auditorium
7:00 P.M.
MONDAY MAY 1
Board of Education
WEDNESDAY MAY 3
Ethics Commission
Conservation of Health
Public Health Nursing
Social Services Grants/Review
Registrar of Voters
Tax Collector
Youth & Family Services Bureau
Senior Citizens Commission
Board of Assessment Appeals
Assessor
Contingency
Debt Service
Insurance
Town Clerk
Representative Town Meeting
MONDAY MAY 8&
Zoning Board of Appeals
Economic Development Commission
Conservation Commission
Planning and Zoning Commission
Flood and Erosion Control Board
Building Department
Building Maintenance
Recreation & Parks Commission
Board of Selectmen
Public Works
WEDNESDAY MAY 10
Retirement Commission
Waterford Public library
Finance Department
Human Resources Department
Board of Finance
Legal Department
Fire Services
Emergency Management
Board of Police Commissioners
Information Technology
Current Year Capital Improvements
Transfers to Capital & Nonrecurring Expenditt
FINAL ACTION