Utility Commission - Minutes - 03/14/2023

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 
 
DATE:  
 
March 14, 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 
 
Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Attorney 
 
 
Staff:  James A. Bartelli, Director of Utilities  
 
             Jill Stevens, Assistant Director  
 
 
 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 
 
CITIZEN SESSION 
None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to approve the Minutes of the February 21, 2023 
meeting, Mr. Negri seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously.   
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the February adjustments.  Water Assessment adjustment was 
explained. The adjustment report will be kept in the office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the March 2023 bill list, Mr. Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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March 14, 2023 
 
 
 
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OLD BUSINESS 
 
• 
FINANCIALS – WW FUND REVENUES/EXPENDITURES REPORT 
 
Reports were reviewed and discussed.  
 
• 
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. 
 
 
 
Mr. Bartelli provided more information regarding the reversed pitch sewer lateral line at 
 
908 Harford Tpk. We are awaiting costs estimates for providing a new lateral service. 
 
 
 
Mr. Bartelli informed the Commission that the new Fire Alarm System for the Utility 
 
Maintenance Building is installed and operational 
 
• 
The Collection Report was reviewed and Attorney Kepple reported that there was a few 
Town’s Foreclosures going on currently.  He also reported that one property did go 
through foreclosure but there wasn’t enough funds from the sale to cover the Town’s 
debts.  The Utility Commission was informed that we will need to write off $17, 556.85 
as Bad Debt Expense for account #06-0003129 . A letter from Town Counsel indicating 
such will be forthcoming. 
• 
 
 
 
 
The Office Coordinator reported that out of the 644 intent to lien notices there were 
 
only 399 that were lien.  The number of liens processed continue to decrease every 
 
year. 
 
• 
Utility Billing Software Billing Logistics 
 
The Office Coordinator gave an update on the progress of the software conversion. 
• 
Contract #1 Sewer Interceptor Access update 
 
Mr. Bartelli gave an update on the meetings he attended on this matter.   
• 
On-Call Engineering Services RFQ submission 
 
Eleven RFQs were received.  Mr. Bartelli and staff are currently reviewing the 
submissions. 
A recommendation to the Commission is anticipated by March 31, 2023..  
 Mr. Bartelli entertained a Special Meeting be called prior to the regular meeting to act on the 
staff’s recommendation this instead of waiting for the regular next meeting.  He would like to 
start moving this project along. 
 

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March 14, 2023 
 
 
 
3 | P a g e  
 
• 
Secondary Water Meter Policy #3015 revision 
 
The Office Coordinator reviewed the proposed policy for a once a year rebate on 
 
Secondary Meters.  There was discussion and Commission requested that we updated 
 
our application for future installations that indicate that a radio read type meter be 
 
installed. The Commission requested that our customers be fully informed of this 
 
revision. The Staff will post the new Policy on the Commission’s web page and send 
 
notices to current Secondary Water Meter customers informing them of the revised 
 
Policy. 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Negri to accept the new policy #3015 for a once a year  
 
 
 
rebate on Secondary meters as presented to the  
 
 
 
 
 
Commission, Seconded by Mr.  Valentini. 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
NEW BUSINESS  
 
• 
Water Service Replacement/Paving Cooperative Project Special Funding Request 
 
 
 
Mr. Bartelli represented that this project entails the replacement of plastic water 
services prior to DPW paving the roadway.  The plastic pipes have exceeded their useful life and 
are prone to failure.  A special funding request of $550, 000.00 has been submitted to the Town. 
 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Dembek to ratify Mr. Bartelli’s request of the funds for  
 
 
 
the Plastic Water Service Line, Seconded by Mr. Negri. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
WATER-NLWWPCA/ REPORT 
                            Mr. Bartelli updated the Commission regarding recent conversations and a meeting he     
 
 
had with New London’s Director regarding the following items: 
Unaccounted for water, Illegal water service connections found in Waterford, Fire 
Hydrant color coding bands to identify static pressure, Metered Water filling Stations for 
municipal apparatus at Fire Stations, Recording and Reporting water use by Fire 
apparatus at fire calls, Secondary water meter reading by the City logistics, Plastic water 
service replacements both proactive and reactive replacements, Data sharing for Utility 
Billing software and Wastewater Flow Metering. Mr. Bartelli indicated that the meeting 
was very beneficial and anticipates future cooperative meetings. 
 

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March 14, 2023 
 
 
 
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The Veolia Report was not available at the time of meeting.  Commission will receive e-mail of the 
report when it becomes available. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
• 
Former Owner of Account 06-0001434 requested an adjustment and a refund for a 
water leak that did not enter our sewer system.  The Commission previously requested 
more information which was provided in this meeting that justified the water in fact did 
not enter our system.  
 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Negri to adjust and refund the former owner that incurred the  
 
 
 
cost of the sewer bill before selling the property, Seconded by Mr. Dembek. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
PLANS REVIEW 
None 
 
PERSONNEL 
Mr. Bartelli reported that the department is fully staffed. 
 
OTHER 
• 
Caroline Ct land acquisition and required survey. Mr. Bartelli updated the Commission 
on this situation.  A cost to survey the paved portion of the roadway has been submitted 
by our on-call engineer. 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Dembek for the Utility Commission, through its Enterprise Fund,  provide  
 
 
for the cost of survey in the amount of $5000 for a survey to be conducted on Caroline  
 
 
CT for the purpose of roadway and sewer main acquisition. Seconded by Mr. Negri. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
Pat Kelley from East Lyme Shell Commission provided Mr. Bartelli with an educational 
flyer on different pollutants, predominantly nitrogen in the bay that most likely is a 
result of over fertilizing lawns.  Mr. Bartelli showed the Commission the Flyer and 
requested permission to post the flyer on the Utility Commission Town Web Page.  
 
• 
Broadband/Security Upgrades at Pump Stations ARPA Funding Amount:  $680,322 
Mr. Bartelli discussed the pros and cons of bringing Broadband services to all of the pump stations and 
expressed concerns with the recurring costs and substantial installation costs. Mr. Bartelli stated that 
there are other means of enhancing connectivity and communications other than installing broadband 
and does not see a positive return on investment. Mr. Bartelli explained the success of the cell booster 
pilot program and how it greatly enhanced connectivity and communications within our pump stations 
for far less installation costs and no recurring costs. Mr. Bartelli stated that there is a current ARPA 

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March 14, 2023 
 
 
 
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allocation in the amount of $680,322 for Broadband/Security Upgrades at Pump Stations and 
entertained that the Commission return the allocation to the Town and request a separate 
appropriation $100,000 for the installation of additional cell boosters at the pump stations. 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Negri to authorize the Director to return the funds and request a separate  
 
 
appropriation of $100,000.00 for the installation of cell boosters. 
 
 
 
Seconded by Mr. Valentini. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. 
 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Valentini to adjourn.  Mr. Dembek seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Amy L. Windle 
Recording Secretary