Waterford Board of Selectmen approve multiple FY26 budget transfers and award $222,810 parking‑lot contract

The Waterford Board of Selectmen approved a package of budget transfers and an award of a public‑works contract at its regular meeting April 21 at Waterford Town Hall.

First Selectman Robert Brule, Selectman Rich Muckle and Selectman Greg Attanasio voted 3-0 on each item. Most motions were made by Selectman Muckle and seconded by Selectman Attanasio.

Why it matters: The votes moved town operating funds to cover immediate costs in several departments — from telephone and vehicle maintenance to personnel payouts and overtime tied to recent storms — and advanced larger out‑of‑series requests to the Board of Finance for final approval. The Public Works contract will use line‑item funds for repairs to a town parking lot.

Key approvals

- Emergency Management: The board approved a $6,500 FY26 in‑series transfer requested by Director of Emergency Management Steven Sinagra to cover telephone service costs for the remainder of the fiscal year.

- Senior Services: Human Services Administrator Dani Gorman received approval for a $1,100 in‑series transfer to replace tires on both senior vans. The board also approved a $1,000 FY26 out‑of‑series transfer to cover required DMV inspections and minor repairs and will forward that request to the Board of Finance.

- Police Department: Chief of Police David Ferland presented several funding requests. The board approved an additional appropriation of $106,632 to line item 10129‑51110 (Administrative) for an employee payout and will forward that appropriation to the Board of Finance as required. The board also approved a $10,000 FY26 out‑of‑series transfer for increased telephone costs (to be forwarded to the Board of Finance if required), a $200,000 in‑series transfer to cover a negotiated increase to the chief’s salary and payouts of accrued time off plus overtime related to an unprecedented storm and community events, and a $3,000 in‑series transfer for increased repair costs.

- Fire Services: Director of Fire Services Christopher Haley secured approval for a $16,100 in‑series transfer to cover additional staff costs. The board also approved three out‑of‑series transfers — $18,973, $20,483 and $5,700 — to cover additional firefighter costs, a full‑time firefighter position and incident overages; those out‑of‑series items will be forwarded to the Board of Finance.

- Public Works: On a recommendation from Purchasing Agent Shea Davy on behalf of Director of Public Works Gary Schneider, the board awarded the bid for Parking Lot YSB/PD to MidConn Construction LLC for $222,810. The motion noted funds are available from line items 31117‑55803 and 31118‑55803.

Votes at a glance

All votes below were 3-0 in favor, motion by Selectman Rich Muckle, second by Selectman Greg Attanasio unless otherwise noted: • Emergency Management — $6,500 in‑series transfer — approved. • Senior Services — $1,100 in‑series transfer (tires) — approved. • Senior Services — $1,000 out‑of‑series transfer (DMV inspections) — approved; forward to Board of Finance. • Police — $106,632 additional appropriation to 10129‑51110 (employee payout) — approved; forward to Board of Finance. • Police — $10,000 out‑of‑series transfer (telephone) — approved; forward as required. • Police — $200,000 in‑series transfer (chief’s salary, payouts, storm overtime) — approved. • Police — $3,000 in‑series transfer (repairs) — approved. • Fire Services — $16,100 in‑series transfer (additional staff) — approved. • Fire Services — $18,973 out‑of‑series transfer (additional firefighters) — approved; forward to Board of Finance. • Fire Services — $20,483 out‑of‑series transfer (full‑time firefighter) — approved; forward to Board of Finance. • Fire Services — $5,700 out‑of‑series transfer (incident overages) — approved; forward to Board of Finance. • Public Works — Award MidConn Construction LLC $222,810 (Parking Lot YSB/PD) — approved. • Consent items — Tax refund $1,694.04; approval of April 7, 2026 minutes; adjournment at 6:04 p.m. — approved.

What the board did not decide: Several out‑of‑series transfers were approved by the Selectmen but are subject to final action by the Board of Finance; the Selectmen’s votes authorized forwarding those requests for further review as required by town procedure.

Community impact and next steps: The transfers address immediate operational needs across senior services, public safety and public works; larger out‑of‑series items will be considered by the Board of Finance. The Board of Selectmen will take no further local action on items already forwarded until the Board of Finance reviews those requests.