Waterford RTM Approves Utility Funding, Youth Services Donation And Public Comment Referral

WATERFORD, CT — The Representative Town Meeting unanimously approved funding for two utility infrastructure projects, accepted a $15,000 donation for Youth & Family Services and voted to refer proposed public comment guidelines to the Education Committee during its Aug. 3 regular meeting.

Moderator Susan Driscoll called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. at Town Hall. Representatives unanimously approved the minutes of the June 1 meeting. The meeting agenda also included correspondence regarding vacancies on the Board of Assessment Appeals, a report from the Board of Police Commissioners stating there had been no Immigration and Customs Enforcement interactions, and several financial reports for fiscal year 2026. No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

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During committee and liaison reports, Oswegatchie Fire Station Building Committee member Ursula Moreshead reported that the committee had voted to establish a subcommittee authorized to address change orders valued at less than $50,000.

The RTM unanimously approved a request from Finance Director Kim Allen to accept a $15,000 donation from the Gardiner Family Foundation. The contribution will be deposited into the town's Contributed Gifts Fund and used by the Youth & Family Services Bureau for departmental needs.

Representatives also unanimously approved a Board of Finance recommendation transferring $100,000 from a designated reserve account to an appropriated account for the Cross Country Sewer Main Access project. Utility Commission Director Jill Stevens said the funding will allow the Utility Commission to begin the second phase of restoring and creating access routes to the town's cross-country sewer mains.

In a second utility-related action, the RTM unanimously approved transferring $45,671 from a designated reserve account to support the Water Tank Management program. Stevens said the funding will allow the Utility Commission to perform scheduled annual maintenance on the Fargo Road water storage tank.

The only non-unanimous vote came on a recommendation from the Legislation and Administration Committee concerning a proposed Public Comment Ordinance. Representatives voted 23-0-1 to take no action on the ordinance and instead direct the Education Committee to develop public comment guidelines and a process for informing elected and appointed board and commission chairs, as well as the public, about those guidelines. Julie Watson Jones abstained.

No additional business was brought before the RTM. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. following a unanimous motion.