Rochelle Kowalski

The agenda for the meeting included a Safety Moment, updates on HazWaste Central, and discussions regarding land and RWA properties, including an update on invasive species management. Other land items were also slated for review, and volunteers for the upcoming Authority meeting were noted.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting included a Safety Moment, approval of previous meeting minutes, a planned executive session to discuss trade secrets and commercial/financial information following an Aquarion Water Authority update, review of RPB and Committee agendas, setting the date for the next regular meeting, and new business before adjournment.

The Land Use Committee meeting included an update on the HazWaste Central 2025 season, noting a decrease in household participation and no revenue from the CESQG program in 2025. Discussions covered approved materials, invoicing, program promotion, and weather restrictions for the waste collection program. A report was given on The Land We Need for the Water We Use Program, detailing dispositions and acquisitions in several towns, including Cheshire, Hamden, and Killingworth, alongside updates on rental houses in Woodbridge and Hamden. The Forestry Update involved discussions on box turtle protection plans, diversifying cutting methods for a research study, and certifying a sugarbush as bird-friendly habitat. Recreation matters addressed a repaired horse bridge and the removal of a downed tree, along with reporting on annual surveys and ongoing search and rescue K9 team training permits. Other items included correspondence regarding agricultural agreements, boundary checks, status of city reviews for West Haven property, invasive plant treatments, deer hunt survey status, and review of plans for development adjacent to conservation easements.

The Finance Committee reviewed and voted to recommend a resolution to the Representative Policy Board regarding the issuance of Bonds, not to exceed $4,200,000 in aggregate principal amount. The purposes of these Bonds include financing or refinancing electrical improvements to the Lake Gaillard Water Treatment Plant, funding the Capital Contingency Fund and Debt Reserve Fund, and paying costs of issuance. Additionally, the committee reviewed the second quarter 2026 financial report, which included the balance sheet, income statement, maintenance test, revenues and expenses, and capital budget. The RPB Dashboard Metrics for the second quarter of FY 2026 were also reviewed.

Key discussions and actions included a Safety Moment presentation focused on winter driving preparedness. The committee addressed DWSRF Financing Resolutions for the Lake Gaillard Electrical Improvements Project. The Quarterly Financial Report was reviewed, along with the RPB Quarterly Dashboard Report for FY 2026 Q2 metrics, which covered financial performance, system metrics like Average Daily Production and Net Unaccounted For Water, and service disruptions. The committee also reviewed attendance schedules for upcoming Regional Water Authority meetings.