Waterford Board Of Selectmen To Consider More Than $666K In Budget Transfers

WATERFORD, CT — The Waterford Board of Selectmen is scheduled to consider more than $666,000 in budget transfers and appropriations, including funding requests for animal control, fire services, employee-related expenses and municipal operations, when it meets Tuesday, July 7, at Town Hall.

Among the largest requests is a $261,744 fiscal year 2026 out-of-series transfer proposed by Finance Director Kim Allen. If approved by the Board of Selectmen, the request would be forwarded to the Board of Finance and would cover costs associated with training new employees, higher payroll processing fees, grants management software, contractual obligations for Government Grants Administration staff, increased telephone and fuel expenses, life insurance changes and overtime related to blizzard cleanup.

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The board will also consider a $66,062 fiscal year 2027 out-of-series transfer for automotive repairs and maintenance and a separate $56,000 fiscal year 2026 out-of-series transfer to cover increased staffing at the Quaker Hill Fire Station, higher FICA costs and overtime associated with winter storm cleanup. Both requests would also require Board of Finance approval if endorsed by the selectmen.

The Police Department is requesting a $50,000 fiscal year 2026 out-of-series transfer to address an ongoing deficit in the animal control budget. Police Chief David Ferland submitted the request, which would also be forwarded to the Board of Finance if approved.

The board is also expected to consider a request from Fire Services Director Chris Haley for an additional appropriation of $45,233.43 to cover an employee payout for accrued contractual leave. Haley is also seeking approval to award a $162,214.27 contract to US Digital Designs by Honeywell for the Oswegatchie Fire Alerting System through a cooperative purchasing agreement. Funding would come from the town's architectural and engineering fees account.

Additional financial items include a $25,900 in-series transfer requested by Human Services Administrator Dani Gorman after employee hours were incorrectly charged to a special revenue account, a $3,000 in-series transfer to cover costs associated with an employee complaint filed with the Connecticut Department of Labor, and a $25,000 in-series transfer for retiree benefits and reimbursements.

Under appointments, First Selectman Rob Brule has appointed John Bairos, a Democrat, as an alternate member of the Economic Development Commission to complete a term that expires Aug. 31, 2028.

The board is also scheduled to review fourth-quarter fiscal year 2026 financial reports, consider tax refunds, and approve the minutes from its June 2 and June 23 meetings before adjourning.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the auditorium at Waterford Town Hall.