Board approves multiple FY26 transfers, awards fire alerting contract and appoints alternate to Economic Development Commission

The Waterford Board of Selectmen on July 7 approved a series of budget transfers, a fire‑alerting system contract award and an appointment while discussing procurement backup and budget reporting.

The board approved a $50,000 FY26 transfer requested by the police department to cover an animal‑control deficit tied to increased service hours and higher staffing costs shared with East Lyme. "We split every cost right down the middle with the Town of East Lyme," Director of Finance Kim Allen said, explaining that East Lyme bills Waterford for its share and that the animal control positions have increased to two full‑time staff.

Members approved an additional appropriation of $45,233.43 to cover a clerical payout in the Fire Department after a long‑time employee’s retirement; the request came from Fire Administrator Chris Haley. The board also agreed to a cooperative‑purchase award for a fire alerting system to US Digital Designs by Honeywell for $162,214.27 after the building committee reviewed the procurement and recommended the vendor. Several members pressed for clearer backup—vendor quotes and documented solicitation—to be included in future Selectmen packets so the record shows what was solicited and why the cooperative purchase was chosen.

The board corrected and approved two interrelated transfers that had been mislabeled on the agenda: an amended $25,000 transfer to cover an employee complaint filed with the Connecticut Department of Labor (one member abstained on that vote) and a separate $3,000 transfer for retiree payouts. The meeting record shows the items were swapped in the packet and trustees made a friendly amendment to fix the amounts and descriptions on the record.

Director of Finance Kim Allen presented a larger cleanup transfer of $3,261,744 to cover multiple FY26 shortfalls and recurring costs, including new hires, ADP payroll/timekeeping fees, grants‑management software, contractual obligations for GGA staff, phone and fuel costs, life‑insurance adjustments and storm cleanup. Board members asked about ADP contract status and life‑insurance changes; Allen said ADP modules remain on evergreen contracts and that life‑insurance increases were implemented in FY26 and will carry into FY27.

The board also approved a FY27 transfer of $66,062 to centralize repairs and maintenance for most non‑fire fleet vehicles under Public Works for efficiency and expected volume discounts, and approved a $56,000 transfer to cover increased shifts and overtime at Quaker Hill Fire Station tied in part to winter storm cleanup.

The 1st Selectman announced the appointment of John Barros as an alternate to the Economic Development Commission to fill a term through Aug. 31, 2028; the board acknowledged the appointment. The board accepted minutes for its June 2 and June 23 meetings and adjourned.

Several board members asked that purchasing backup, quotes and building‑committee documentation be routinely included in future Selectmen packets to preserve a clear record of solicitations and approvals. Where votes in the transcript were spoken (ayes/noes) but not recorded by roll call, the minutes reflect the board’s approvals and one recorded abstention on the employee‑complaint transfer.