A major part of the annual budget process is the approval of the budgets for two capital plans for each fiscal year in Waterford. The Current Year Capital plan is part of the General Government operational budget, and items in the plan are considered appropriated. Departments may commence spending those funds on July 1. The Transfer to Capital Non-Recurring Expenditure fund items are just designated, and the requesting department, board or agency must request appropriation from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting before obligating the funds.

Current Year Capital Improvements — $2,539,846.

Transfer to the Fleet Management Fund — $1,250,000. The actual expenditure from the Fleet Management Fund in FY2019 will be $971,910. The plan will replace five police cars, two Public Works pickup trucks, one Public Works dump truck, one Public Works Excavator/bulldozer, two Fire Service utility pickup trucks and one Recreation and Parks tractor.

Information Technology — $130,831

This funding will be used to continue refreshment of computer hardware such as desktop personal computers; a new e-mail server with Microsoft software; upgrade to the Rec Trac Software used by senior citizens and Recreation and Parks that will permit online registration for Rec and Parks and Senior Citizens programs; and a Storage Area Network.

Police Department — $111,179

This funding will be used for the final phase of furniture replacement for the Police Department; Infrared Cameras in Police Cars; and Improvements to the Firing Range at the Municipal Complex on Route 85.

Fire Service — $140,000

This money will continue upgrade of the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Public Works — $598,586

Funding will be used to mill and pave Mullen Hill Road, Myrock Avenue, Stoneheights Road and WestWood/ West Neck roads. Pepperbox Road is also scheduled for a mill and pave using Local Capital Improvement Funds at a cost of $202,804. Currently, LOCIP funds are on hold from the state so Waterford may be required to use undesignated funds from the Capital Non-Recurring Expenditure fund.

Recreation and Parks — $100,250

This will be used to install Veterans Field and Leary Park irrigation; repair the Fire Apparatus Access Road at the Eugene O’Neill Theater; and Children’s Playground Improvements.

Information Technology — $12,000 for Core Switches and Blades for Town Hall and EOC.

Fire Service — $105,000 for a new phone system for the fire houses; and a down payment for Departmental Hydraulic Lift equipment. It is expected that the Oswegatchie Fire House reconstruction will also occur in FY2019. Bonding is planned for funding the new firehouse.

Emergency Management — $213,447 to replace front line mobile and portable radios

Utilities Commission — $588,000 to add to the fund for replacement of Force Main Air Release Valves; Old Norwich Road Pump Station Rehab including pump replacement and Waste Water pump stations Flood Protection.

Board of Education — $480,000 to add to the Waterford High School Turf Field fund; continuing replacement of IT Learning Boards; IT Virtual Desktop Main Processer and a 10-year Retro Commissioning for Quaker Hill School.

Sewer Maintenance and Development Fund — $151,600

The Utility Commission has a separate fund that is supported by sewer system rate payers. The commission plans to utilize $151,600 to monitor the sewer system by conducting detailed sanitary system evaluations and surveys (SSES) and implementation of a formal Capacity, Management, Operatio, and Maintenance Program. The commission has a TV inspection system that inspects a selected portion of the sewer system each year.

Other funding included $1,473,447 for Transfers To Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure Fund and $75,000 to the assessor for the FY2022 revaluation.

John W. “Bill” Sheehan is a former Democratic Town Committee chair in Waterford.