Town of Watertown

The meeting established the purpose of the bipartisan committee, which is to review the history of the Waterberry water and sewer lawsuit and recommend safeguards, policies for public information, and changes to the relationship between the town council and the water and sewer authority. Ground rules for participation were reviewed. Public participation included questions regarding a rumored $10,000 settlement offer and a request to expand the list of interviewees to include current and former WSA members and town council members to understand decisions made in executive session regarding underpayments and the decision to appeal. The committee heard from attorney Franklin Pillsy regarding the annual budget process, noting that the Water and Sewer Authority budget is typically prepared separately and presented for final referendum approval. Attorney Pillsy also provided historical context on past rate disputes. Attorney Jessel subsequently described the budget approval process and referenced his April 2020 memo recommending vigorous defense of the lawsuit and immediate rate increases, which he confirmed were intended to occur concurrently.

Key discussions during the meeting involved Waterbury's application of interest rates for water and sewer services, which led to an executive session concerning the retaining of legal counsel and an accountant. The Council also reviewed a presentation and took action regarding the installation of speed cameras in Watertown, ultimately sending the matter to the ordinance committee. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to considering numerous appointments and reappointments to various town boards and commissions, including the Commission on Aging, Conservation Commission, Constables, Economic Development, Park and Recreation Commission, Planning and Zoning, Police Commission, Public Buildings Committee, Torrington Area Health, Watertown Historic District Commission, Water and Sewer Authority, Watertown Housing Authority, and Watertown Library Board of Trustees. New business also included authorizing appropriations for the final closeout of the State of Connecticut Polk School Elementary Project and allocating donated funds to the Watertown Dog Fund. Modifications to the wage schedule for Part Time Transfer Station Attendant and Seasonal Laborer positions were authorized, as was a resolution for tax refunds. The executive session also covered pending litigation related to the Siemon Realty Company Tax Appeal, which was subsequently authorized for settlement.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. New business primarily involved the discussion and authorization of project invoices for vendors including ICDS, Colliers Project Leaders, and The Imperial Company Restoration Contractor, Inc., with specific questions raised regarding mileage details and percentage of completion for some billings. The committee unanimously approved four separate payments. Old business included a discussion regarding the HVAC timeframe for bidding from Colliers. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

The meeting included the approval of the minutes from the November 12, 2025, regular meeting. Under Old Business, there was no further update regarding the request to the Connecticut DOT to evaluate the passing zone near 251 Litchfield Road. The Chief's Report detailed several operational updates for December 2025, including filling one sworn vacancy, extending a conditional offer for another officer position coinciding with an upcoming retirement, managing two officers on light duty due to injury, processing a candidate for Communications Supervisor, discussions with the White-Collar Union about making the Assistant Animal Control Officer position full-time, progress on the Town of Watertown Radio Communications Upgrade Project (including console installation), and the cancellation of the adult citizens police academy due to low interest, while the youth academy is expected to continue. The department has also received and is currently outfitting a new Animal Control van.

The meeting included a review of the Superintendent's Report for December 2025, detailing operations, business administration transactions, department position statuses, and project updates, including the ongoing Edmunds software implementation and a delayed WWD 42" Transmission Main Repairs project. The Authority permitted the City of Waterbury to provide water and sewer services to the Berkshire Estates development. A significant action was the approval of a temporary budget freeze for Water & Sewer Operations from January 21, 2026, through June 30, 2026, to support fiscal stability and potentially apply surplus funds to the BAN payment. The FY2026/2027 Sewer and Water Operational budgets were also approved with contingencies for personnel benefits adjustments. Discussions were held regarding the hiring of a consultant for rate adjustment messaging, ultimately deferring the decision to allow WSA staff an opportunity to manage messaging first.