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Board approves revaluation bid waiver and transfers to cover overtime and firefighter safety costs
Summary
At its March 17 meeting the Waterford Board of Selectmen approved a $28,000 appropriation request and bid waiver for the town's 2026 property revaluation and authorized in‑series transfers to cover public works overtime and fire service physicals and protective clothing. Vote tallies were not specified.
Assessor Nicole requested a $28,000 appropriation from capital non‑recurring (20501‑57639) to complete the state‑mandated 2026 property revaluation, including valuation work on the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant and asked the board to waive competitive bidding for Federal Appraisal, which the assessor described as a “sole source provider” with unique expertise.
The board questioned the procurement approach. Selectman Rich asked whether Mr. Mark Pomichwick of the appraisal firm would personally perform the work; Selectman Greg said he is generally “not a big fan of bid waivers” and preferred putting the work out to bid unless there is a clear sole‑source justification. Nicole said the firm has worked with the town before and staff recommended the waiver. The motion to appropriate the funds and forward the request to the Board of Finance passed (vote tally not specified).
The board then approved a $92,800 FY26 in‑series transfer requested by Director of Public Works Gary Schneider to cover overtime tied to after‑hours emergency calls, tree removal, flooding and multiple weekend snow events, including a recent blizzard. Schneider and board members praised the Public Works crew for long hours keeping streets passable.
Director of Fire Services Chris Haley asked for two $9,000 transfers: one to expand OSHA‑required physicals through the town’s occupational health provider (Pequot Health) and one to cover protective clothing for new firefighters. Haley said the department has begun procuring PFAS‑free turnout gear, noting the new gear’s service life is about 10 years, and that Waterford has returned to a town specification using Honeywell Morning Pride equipment. “We’re putting our people in the best…premium products that are going to keep them safe,” he said.
All motions were approved and will be processed as required (several items were forwarded to the Board of Finance); meeting votes were recorded in the minutes but specific tallies were not provided.
