WATERFORD, CT — The Waterford Board of Finance approved a series of appropriations and budget transfers involving fire services, sewer infrastructure, animal control and other town accounts during its July 15 meeting.
The board met at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, with Chairman Glenn Patterson and members Robert Tuneski, Bill Sheehan, Ann Peabody, Joseph Filippetti and Jerry Fischer present. Michael Rocchetti was absent. Finance Director Kimberly Allen and Utility Commission Director Jill Stevens were among the town staff attending. The board recorded no public comment.
Among the actions, the board unanimously approved transferring $45,234 from the town's contingency account to a Fire Services clerical and technical account for an employee payout. The request came from Fire Services Director Chris Haley.
The board also unanimously approved moving $100,000 designated for the Cross Country Sewer Main Access project into an appropriated account for the same project. The request came from Stevens and was to be forwarded to the Representative Town Meeting as required.
Another $50,000 transfer approved by the board involved the Police Department. Police Chief David Ferland requested moving $50,000 from the patrol budget into an animal control transfer account.
According to the transfer form included with the minutes, savings in the fiscal 2026 police budget resulted from staff vacancies and other efficiencies. The money was transferred to the animal control budget to offset a continuing deficit in that fund. The board approved the transfer 6-0.
Board members also unanimously approved a $56,000 fiscal 2026 transfer among several town accounts.
The transfer added $50,000 to firefighting, $1,000 to a FICA account and $5,000 to overtime, while reducing pension contributions by $56,000. The accompanying explanation said shifts at the Quaker Hill Fire Station had increased, FICA taxes followed increases in salary and payroll, and additional overtime was needed to clean up after winter storms. Pension costs were lower because of vacancies across town departments.
A separate fiscal 2026 transfer totaling $261,744 was also approved unanimously. The transfer form shows funding distributed among numerous accounts, including clerical and technical expenses, professional fees, service contracts, telephone costs, fuel oil, natural gas, electricity, sewer expenses, life insurance, overtime and other expenses. The transfer was offset by a $261,744 reduction in a healthcare account.
The board also approved a $66,062 fiscal 2027 transfer involving vehicle-related accounts. According to the minutes, the changes included reductions in several auto repair, automotive maintenance and vehicle maintenance accounts and increases of $22,562 for auto repairs and $43,500 for automotive maintenance in another department. The vote was 6-0.
In new business, Patterson said the board would conduct its capital projects review at its August meeting, using the capital project status report through June 30 and meeting with the appropriate department heads.
The July 15 meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
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