Utility Commission - Minutes - 10/19/2021

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION

                           REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

DATE:            October 19, 2021

PLACE:                 1000 Hartford Turnpike

PRESIDING:       Chairman Ken Kirkman

MEMBERS PRESENT: Peter Green, Steve Negri, Rodney Pinkham and Ray Valentini


ALSO PRESENT:    Attorney Nick Kepple, Town Attorney
       Staff: Neftali Soto-Chief Engineer and Jim Bartelli-Assistant
                 Director

Chairman Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM

Chairman Kirkman welcomed Peter Green back and thanked him for his service
serving as the Chairman for 30+ years.  Mr. Green took a few minutes to
express his appreciation for the work the Commission does and the employees
of the Utility Commission.

CITIZEN SESSION
Four residents of Scotch Cap Road came to express their concerns over the
water leaks in the road.  There have been five repairs this year so far on
their road.  They reported that the integrity of the road has been
compromised by the repairs.  The Commission said that they would be
discussing this matter and try to find a solution to fix this problem

SECRETARY’S REPORT

      MOTION      Made by Mr. Negri to approve the Minutes of the September
                 21, 2021 meeting, Mr. Valentini seconded.


      VOTE  The motion passed.


BILLING ADJUSTMENTS

      The Commission reviewed the September adjustments. The adjustment
      report will be kept in the office for review.


EXPENDITURES
The Commission discussed the flood insurance and the rate increases. Mr.
Soto said he would have a conversation with Kim Allen, the Finance Director
and the insurance agent.  He will report back his findings.




      MOTION      made by Mr. Negri to approve October 2021 bill list, Mr.
                 Pinkham seconded.


      VOTE  The motion passed unanimously.




OLD BUSINESS – REPORTS & UPDATES

    • FINANCIALS – WW FUND REVENUES/EXPENDITURES REPORT
      The financials were reviewed.


    • MUNICIPAL COMPLEX REHAB – STATUS UPDATE
      Mr. Valentini gave a brief report.  No date yet on a date for a
      Celebration open house.  Waiting on the CO and some IT issues to be
      completed.


    • COLLECTIONS-UPDATE
      Attorney Kepple reported he would be spending more time on collection
work now that the      Tri-Town agreement is complete.  The monthly bill
for his services will be higher in the months      to come because of this.
      Attorney Kepple also proposed going forward that the enterprise fund
pay the legal fees for       working on the Tri-Town and Two-Town agreement
instead of the General  Fund.  The      Commission was in favor of
splitting the cost with the other towns.  Mr. Green said that was a
verbal agreement about splitting the cost already.  Chairman Kirkman said
he would look    further into this matter.


    • TRI TOWN AGREEMENT
      Attorney Kepple reported that the Tri-Town agreement was signed in a
short ceremony at the  New London Treatment Plant on Friday, October 15th.
There was a nice article in the   newspaper the next day.

      Last Thursday, work started on the Two-Town agreement, a preliminary
meeting was held       with East Lyme.

    • American Rescue Plan
      Mr. Soto gave an update on where the department was in the different
projects using the     American Rescue Funds.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS –
    • OSHA Compliance
      Mr. Soto reported that we have met all the requirements to abate the
citations and is now   completed.



NEW BUSINESS
Water Plastic Services-
Mr. Soto and Mr. Bartelli reported on the problems that are happening with
water leaks that Veolia has been repairing.  Mr. Bartelli stated that the
plastic water pipe have exceed its useful life and is time to address how
to replace them.  Chairman Kirkman tasked the staff to meet with New London
to discuss this problem and the costs involved then to report back to the
Commission.

Meeting Schedule for 2022-

MOTION      Made by Mr. Negri to accept the meeting schedule with one
correction of the date for              the December meeting to be changed
to December 13th not the 20th, seconded by Mr.                Valentini.

VOTE        Passed

WATER-VEOLIA REPORT
Report was reviewed and discussed.

CORRESPONDENCE
There were two written requests from residents for adjustments to be made
to their October sewer bill for an outside leak.  The Commission tabled
both request for a lack of documentation.  They asked the staff to contact
the residents to ask for more documentation and to provide them with a copy
of the adjustment policy.

PLANS REVIEW
    • 21 Gurley Rd-proposed 7 buildings for a business park.  Mr. Bartelli
      explained that the water and sewer lines would need to be extended at
      the contractor’s cost.
    • 394 Willetts Ave-Proposed clubhouse for the apartment complex being
      built.  There is no impact for the sewer system.

PERSONNEL
There is a full staff and no issues to report.

ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at
8:06 p.m.

      MOTION     made by Mr. Negri to adjourn.  Mr. Valentini seconded.

      VOTE       The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Amy L. Windle
Recording Secretary