Utility Commission - Minutes - 06/20/2023

REVISED MINUTES * 
 
 
 
 
WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION                      
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 
 
DATE:  
 
June 20, 2023 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike 
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
Ray Valentini, Thomas Dembek, and Steve Negri 
 
ALSO PRESENT: 
J. Robert Tuneski, Board of Finance Liaison 
 
 
 
Staff:  James A. Bartelli, Director of Utilities  
 
           Jill Stevens, Assistant Director of Utilities 
 
 
 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the Minutes of the May 9, 2023 meeting, Mr. 
Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously.   
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the April adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the 
office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the June 2023 bill list, Mr. Valentini seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
OLD BUSINESS 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 20, 2023 
 
 
 
2 | P a g e  
*Added motion and vote under Plan Review Section 
 
• 
Director’s Report 
 
Mr. Bartelli reviewed his report that provides updated information on all Utility 
 
Commission Capital projects that are currently funded and the status of each project. 
 
 
• 
The Collection Report  
 
Attorney Kepple gave a report that collections were going well. 
 
 
• 
Utility Billing Software Billing Logistics 
The new Impresa billing software will be going live along with Invoice Cloud, which 
collects electronic payments, on Monday, June 26th.   
• 
Contract #1 Sewer Interceptor Access update 
Engineering and Design work will be provided by Wright-Pierce Engineering, staff met 
with the engineering team last week and is awaiting Task Order #2 to begin analysis of 
the permitting needs for this project. Additionally an Inland Wetlands and Watercourse 
Application for a General Permit to conduct maintenance activities within the sewer 
easements was submitted to the Conservation Commission on June 20, 2022. Mr. 
Bartelli and Ms. Stevens will attend the next Conservation Commission meeting on June 
22, 2023 to present the application. 
• Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program 
 
 
Work commenced on this project on May 22, 2023. The City of New London contract  
 
service provider, Veolia and Waterford Utility Commission Maintenance Staff, operating  
 
independently, are currently replacing plastic services on Shore Road. To date 37  
 
services have been replaced and 5 remain to be replaced. We anticipate starting water  
 
service replacements on Niantic River Road on June 26, 2023, 43 services have been  
 
identified for replacement. A request for an additional $181,300.00 to replace plastic  
 
water services on Old Norwich Rd was forwarded to the Board of Selectman for their  
 
consideration, which is on their 6/20/23 Agenda for action. 
• 
Fargo Water Tank Rehabilitation 
 
An on-site pre-bid meeting was conducted on May 17, 2023. Bids were received May 31, 
2023 which ranged from $999,900 to $2,214,000.00. Our consulting engineer is 
currently evaluating the bids, a recommendation will be forthcoming. 
 
• 
Old Norwich Pump Station Upgrade 
 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 20, 2023 
 
 
 
3 | P a g e  
*Added motion and vote under Plan Review Section 
 
This project was placed out bid 6/30/22 as a combination project which entailed the 
 
refurbishment of both Old Norwich and Cross Rd stations. The bids received far 
 
exceeded our available funding. A letter request to the Board of Selectman to 
 
appropriate the currently designated $544,000.00 was approved May 16, 2023 and 
 
forwarded to the RTM for their action. On June 5, 2023 the RTM acted to appropriate 
 
the designation. A task Order with Wright- Pierce Engineers has been executed; we 
 
anticipate the preparation of bid documents by first week of June. 
NEW BUSINESS  
 
 
 
• 
Wastewater Enterprise Operating Fund 
  
Mr. Bartelli reviewed the proposed new Wastewater Operating Fund for Fiscal Year 2024. 
 
MOTION  
made by Mr. Negri to accept the new Wastewater Operating Fund for  
  
 
FY 2024 in the amount $3,910,074.00.  This Operating Fund figure  
  
 
represent a 2.6% increase, seconded by Mr. Valentini. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
WUC Policy Revision #3011 & 3015 
 
 
Ms. Stevens explained that the current policies regarding deduct meters needed 
corrections made to coincide with the new Sewer Rebate Program policy.  Chairman 
Kirkman proposed a minor change to the proposed policy revision. 
 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Dembek to accept the revised policy #3011 & 3015 with  
 
 
 
the recommended change, seconded by Mr. Negri. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
City of New London/Veolia Report 
 
The monthly report from May was reviewed. 
 
PLANS REVIEW 
 
4 Ridgewood Ave ZBA and CAM Application  
 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Valentini to acknowledge the letter from CT Dept. of Energy and   
 
 
Environmental Protection and accept their findings regarding the connection of a vacant 
 
 
parcel to the sanitary sewer in Ridgewood Park. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 20, 2023 
 
 
 
4 | P a g e  
*Added motion and vote under Plan Review Section 
 
PERSONNEL 
Mr. Bartelli reported that the Department needs a couple of people for summer positions to help out 
with lawn care at the Pump Stations.  Also, we are currently looking for a Sewer Tech 1 for the 
maintenance division.  
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 
 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Dembek to adjourn, Mr. Valentini seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Amy L. Windle 
Recording Secretary