Waterford selectmen tentatively approve most FY27 budget requests; plan to add planning staff rejected

The Waterford Board of Selectmen tentatively approved a series of FY27 budget requests Thursday, Feb. 5, after brief presentations and motions by board members. Most small commissions’ requests were approved unanimously while a proposal to add a full‑time Planning & Zoning staff position failed.

First Selectman Robert Brule convened the special budget meeting at 4:01 p.m. in Waterford Town Hall. Selectmen Rich Muckle and Greg Attanasio were present. Public comment included a question from Michael Buscetto seeking clarity on why Selectman Attanasio voted against Buscetto’s participation in Youth Services; the minutes record the comment but do not show an immediate response or subsequent board action on the matter.

The Board first adopted a standing motion, made by Selectman Rich Muckle and seconded by Selectman Greg Attanasio, to tentatively approve budget requests as they proceeded through the agenda. Under that standing motion the Board moved and tentatively approved the Ethics Commission request of $900 after Muckle moved to advance the item and Attanasio seconded; the vote was recorded 3-0.

The Zoning Board of Appeals request for $4,310, and the Flood and Erosion Control Board request for $1,104, were each tentatively approved on unanimous 3-0 votes. The Conservation Commission’s $18,250 and the Economic Development Commission’s $25,407 FY27 requests were also tentatively approved 3-0.

Planning & Zoning’s FY27 request was listed at $699,654. Selectman Greg Attanasio moved to increase that request by $60,000 to fund a full‑time position; the motion failed 1-2 (For: Attanasio; Against: Muckle, Brule). Following that failed amendment, the Board moved to tentatively approve the Planning & Zoning request as submitted, and the motion passed 3-0.

Votes in the minutes are recorded as tentative approvals to be forwarded to the Board of Finance for further consideration; the minutes do not record final funding or subsequent Board of Finance actions. The meeting recessed at 4:40 p.m.

Votes at a glance • Ethics Commission — $900 — tentatively approved, vote 3-0. • Zoning Board of Appeals — $4,310 — tentatively approved, vote 3-0. • Flood and Erosion Control Board — $1,104 — tentatively approved, vote 3-0. • Planning & Zoning — $699,654 — attempt to add $60,000 for a full‑time position failed 1-2; original request tentatively approved 3-0. • Conservation Commission — $18,250 — tentatively approved, vote 3-0. • Economic Development Commission — $25,407 — tentatively approved, vote 3-0.

What’s next These tentatively approved requests will be forwarded to the Board of Finance for its consideration and action on the FY27 budgets. The minutes do not record any final appropriations or a timeline for Board of Finance review.