Waterford RTM To Consider Utility Transfers, Youth Services Donation

WATERFORD, CT — The Representative Town Meeting is scheduled to consider three funding requests totaling more than $160,000, accept a $15,000 donation for Youth & Family Services and decide whether to take no action on a proposed public comment ordinance when members meet Monday, Aug. 3.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Waterford Town Hall. Representatives are also expected to consider approval of the minutes from the June 1 regular meeting, receive correspondence, hear public comment, review committee reports and referrals, and receive appointed and liaison updates.

The first business item calls for action on a request from Finance Director Kimberly Allen to accept a $15,000 donation from the Gardiner Family Foundation. According to supporting materials, the donation would be deposited into the town's Contributed Gifts Fund and made available to the Youth & Family Services Department for department needs, subject to the Human Services director's approval. Town ordinance requires RTM approval for contributed gifts exceeding $10,000.

Representatives are also scheduled to vote on two Board of Finance recommendations involving Utility Commission capital projects. One recommendation would transfer $100,000 from designated Line No. 20531-57894 for the Cross Country Sewer Main Access project to the corresponding appropriated line, allowing the Utility Commission to begin the second phase of restoring and creating access routes to cross-country sewer mains. Supporting documents state the work will improve access to sewer infrastructure in heavily wooded easement areas for inspection, maintenance and emergency repairs.

A second recommendation would transfer $45,671 from designated Line No. 20531-57026 for Water Tank Management to the appropriated project account. According to the Utility Commission, the funding would support scheduled annual maintenance of the Fargo Road water storage tank as part of a long-term asset management program intended to preserve the town's water storage infrastructure.

The RTM is also scheduled to consider a recommendation from its Legislation and Administration Committee to take no action on a proposed public comment ordinance. Instead, the committee recommends referring the matter to the Education Committee to develop public comment guidelines and a process to inform elected and appointed board and commission chairs, as well as the public, about those guidelines. Committee materials state members concluded that requiring public comment by ordinance is not warranted at this time but support public participation as a best practice and recommend educational resources and guidance for town boards and commissions.

The meeting will conclude with any new business before adjournment.