Utility Commission - Minutes - 06/10/2025

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATE:  
 
June 10, 2025 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
Ryan Boyle, Tom Dembek, Jerry Porter and Ray Valentini 
 
ALSO PRESENT:  
J. Robert Tuneski, Board of Finance Liaison  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Staff:  Jill Stevens, Director of Utilities  
 
           Shawn Matthews, Assistant Director of Utilities 
 
           Amy Windle, Office Coordinator/Recording Secretary 
 
Chairman Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
• 
A letter was received by the Commission from a resident regarding the status of her Sewer 
Rebate after she sold her property.  She requested the existing Sewer Rebate Policy #3015 be 
amended to allow the balance of her Sewer Rebate be refunded to her in a check.  Ms. Windle 
explained the situation to the Commission and Ms. Stevens explained the existing policy.  
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Valentini that no sewer rebate would be refunded, which is in 
accordance with Policy #3015, seconded by Mr. Porter. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
A resident expressed a concern regarding their bill and the lien process through Commission 
member Mr. Dembek.  Discussion ensued regarding this matter.  Staff is researching this issue 
and has been in communication with the billing software support team and the online billing 
platform to determine if any adjustments are needed to the process. 
 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to approve the Minutes of May 13, 2025, Mr. Dembek 
seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed.  Yes - 4 Abstentions - 1 
    
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
The Commission reviewed the May adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the office 
for review.  
 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 10, 2025 
2 | P a g e  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Porter to approve the May 2025 bill list, Mr. Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
OLD BUSINESS 
• 
Director’s Report 
Ms. Stevens reviewed her report that provides updated information on all Utility 
Commission Capital and Operational projects currently funded. A copy of the Director’s 
Report will be attached to the minutes when posted. 
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
Ms. Stevens reported that Attorney Kepple contacted her regarding Judgement 
Accounts and how they are handled versus foreclosures.  Attorney Kepple would like the 
Commission to consider altering the procedure in the collection process. 
 
Ms. Windle reported that 554 Intent to Lien letters were sent out at the end of May.  
She stated that the department has already received 150 payments, which is a 27% 
response so far. 
 
• 
Financial Report 
 
 
The financials for April were reviewed. 
 
• 
Enterprise Fund Budget FY’26 
Ms. Stevens went over the updates made to the proposed Budget for FY’26 and 
answered Commission members questions regarding the transfer of all legal costs from 
the General Fund to the Enterprise Fund moving forward 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Valentini to approve the Wastewater Enterprise Operating 
Fund FY’26 with an increase of 6.06% for a total of $4,461,161.00, 
seconded by Mr. Porter. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
NEW BUSINESS 
On Call Engineer Bid Results 
Ms. Stevens reported that seven proposals were received and are currently under review. 
 
WATER  
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The Commission reviewed the report. 
 
Water Agreement Working Group Update 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 10, 2025 
3 | P a g e  
 
Mr. Valentini reported that progress was being made.  A meeting will be requested with the Regional 
Water Authority and water rates are being reviewed. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
OSHA Violations 
Old Norwich Road Chlorination Station Report & recommendations by UCONN Senior Design Students & 
Wright Pierce 
 
PLANS REVIEW –  
No plans 
 
PERSONNEL 
The Department is losing an Operator on June 20th.  The position will be posted soon for internal 
candidates. 
  
OTHER 
Mr. Tuneski reported to the Commission the great job that Ms. Stevens did on her presentation to the 
RTM Board at the June 1st meeting.  “She set the bar high for others when making presentations!” 
according to Mr. Tuneski. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m. 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Boyle to adjourn, Mr. Valentini seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
Amy Windle 
Recording Secretary 

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Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
June 10, 2025 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities as of 6/4/25 
 
Current Capital and Capital Non-Recurring Funded Projects 
 
1. Inflow and Infiltration Mitigation and Control 
FY 19 Capital & Non-Recurring Expenditure Fund L.I. #20531-57685  
 
Original Appropriation: $388,303.00       Available Balance: $232,645.73 
 
This is an ongoing project to identify sources of Inflow and Infiltration within the Richards Grove Sewer 
Basin.  
Current Project Status: As of 6/4/2025, Waterford and Wright-Pierce have been working together to 
assimilate recent CCTV footage from 2025 plus flow meter and water use data to update the draft report 
from October 2024.  Wright-Pierce and Waterford staff also performed a walk -down of the collection 
system on May 22nd after rainfall to check on ponding/pooling around vented manhole covers.  An 
update report will be provided to assimilate the more recent information into the draft report. 
Project History:  
As of 5/9/2025, Wright Pierce has reviewed the recent flow meter and CCTV data provided.  Flow graphs 
and spreadsheet provided with the observed defects. Will review with Waterford and develop 
recommendations where to move the flow meter and/or further studies. Additionally four manhole 
dishes have been installed during storms in direct storm water flow paths in conjunction with manhole 
inspections in the basin. A draft report was emailed on October 30, 2024 for review and comment; staff 
reviewed and issued comments back to Wright Pierce to address within the report. Waterford has 
received their flow meters back from calibration.   Flow meter data will be used to determine next 
location for flow meters. Field data and video review and QA/QC will be completed by Friday, September 
13, 2024 with a target date of September 27th for the draft report. No major manhole defects were 
noted. All field testing is completed (manhole inspections, smoke testing).  Wright Pierce is reviewing the 
field-testing results and working a Technical Memorandum with the results.  Manhole inspections were 
conducted on July 15 followed by Smoke testing of the sewer mains on July 16th.  
Project Background: The Richards Grove Road Wastewater Basin I&I evaluation being conducted by 
Wright-Pierce Engineers for the amount of $27,500.00 This project consist of conducting inflow and 
infiltration I&I evaluations and Sewer System Evaluation Study (SSES) . This drainage area has been 

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identified as one of the larger contributors of I&I to our Collection System. This area possesses 
approximately 5 miles of 8-inch diameter gravity sewer piping and serves primarily residential 
users. The current flows received and conveyed by the Richards Grove Pump Station are greater than 
the current capacity of the pump station, triggering the potential need for a capacity upgrade if the 
I & I  sources cannot be identified and mitigated. The I&I mitigation and control program is an ongoing 
project. Our staff routinely conducts pipeline and manhole assessments with the use of our CCTV and Jet 
Rodding apparatus. Deficiencies are located, graded and catalogued based upon severity. Corrective 
repairs are typically conducted during springtime utilizing robotic trenchless technology.  
 
2. Old Norwich Road Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation 
There are two CNR designations totaling $1,299,369 in L.I. # 20531-57816.   
Available CNR Balance: $160,595.91  
In addition, available ARPA funds have been increased to $1,341,316 per finance as of June 4, 2025. 
Original ARPA funds available were in the amount of $1,020,041. 
Current Project Status: No major issues/concerns to report as of 6/4/25. Contractor is still waiting for 
confirmation of electrical gear delivery from supplier.  Supplier is unable to provided firm delivery 
schedule.  Contractor submitted updated bypass pumping plan, which is being reviewed by Wright-
Pierce. 
Project History: Contractor is proposing a 2-week schedule extension due to MCC gear delays (still 
waiting for delivery from supplier). Project completion has now been pushed to late December of 2025. 
Contractor confirming delivery of electrical gear.  Currently still indicating end of May to mobilize on site 
but contingent on receiving confirmation from electrical gear supplier. A formal change order to the 
contract has been requested to extend the completion date as the project was originally scheduled to be 
complete this spring. The new roof was installed in June of 2024. Stored materials have been relocated 
from the Holzner warehouse to a storage container box located at the pump station. 
Contractor submittals ongoing (approximately 85% complete with submittals).  Contractor completion 
date remains November of 2025 currently.  
The updated construction schedule is as follows: 
• 
Install new doors & trim: The doors and trim work are complete.  
• 
Power wash building & fencing at fuel tank – will be completed when doors are installed 
• 
Gas line install to building – Eversource installed the line on Thursday 9/19. 
• 
Gas line run from regulator/ meter to building entrance – Holzner/ mechanical contractor ran 
underground gas line from regulator to north side. 
• 
Switchgear is showing delivery late spring – once received, bulk of work will commence 
• 
Bypass install / contractor mobilization – mid-June 
• 
Electrical installation – commence once bypass system in place 
• 
Mechanical installation - commence once bypass system in place 
• 
Final site work – commence after bypass system removal 
Competitive bid results for this project were received on August 10, 2023. The lowest bid received was 
from Holzner Construction in the amount of $2,113,850.00 The Notice to Proceed for Holzner was 
executed on January 16, 2024. A Contract Administration proposal from Wright- Pierce was executed 
1/19/2024 in the amount of $55,800.00 an anticipated completion date is expected about November 
2025.  
 
3. Control Panel Retrofit 
FY22 Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33122-55894 
Original Appropriation: $30,000.00       Available Balance: $0 – line closed 

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Current Project Status: No change on this project in the last 30 days, this project will resume when we 
move into the build phase on the SCADA project. This work is in conjunction with the SCADA system 
upgrade.  
Project History: To date a high definition screen was installed at the Route 85/Crystal Mall station and a 
10-inch screen at Stoney Brook. All ordered parts have arrived; we anticipate beginning this project in the 
next 3-4 weeks once Ridgewood Ave is complete.  
Project Background: This project entails replacing the existing pump control panels, which are obsolete 
and unsupported with current control technology. This work will ensue upon completion of upgrades 
currently being conducted at 10 of the lift stations, which are identified within this report and are being 
funded with ARPA funds. 
 
4. Gorman-Rupp Pump Station Controls 
This is an ARPA allocation project in the amount of $163,750.00. L.I. # 23531-55013 
Current Project Status: No change on this project in the last 30 days.  
Project History: To date Shore Road, Dock Road, Richards Grove Road, Old Barry Road, Quaker Hill 
Center, Oil Mill, Oswegatchie Rd and Niantic River Road stations are complete. Ridgewood Ave station, is 
the last station for this project and is at approximately 90% complete, the wet well work is complete, 
some interior work remains, due to manpower issues this work has continued to be delayed, we 
anticipate the remaining work will take 3 working days to complete as time permits.  
Project Background: Utility Commission staff is performing the installation of equipment, conduits and 
wiring. A scope of services change order was executed that directs the contractor to supply 18 cellular 
amplifiers and associated equipment in lieu of providing broadband to 5 stations. Utility Commission staff 
will be installing the amplifiers during the process of the controls upgrades. This project is ongoing. 
 
5. Pump Station Exterior Improvements 
FY22&23 Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33123-55895 
Original Appropriations: $ 100,000.00 (50K ea. L.I.)      Available Balance: $15,412.84 
Current Project Status: The crew has begun spring cleanup at all the stations and are taking inventory of 
exterior items that require work. We have identified four stations that need new roofs, and have taken 
precedence over a new driveway at Cross Road.  
Project History: To date under these two L.I.#s, roof replacements have occurred at Shore Road, Dock 
Road, Bolles Ct, Waterford Village, Sea Side, Niantic River Rd, Mago Pt and Evergreen Ave stations. The 
exterior siding was replaced at the Waterford Village and Bolles Ct stations. Siding repairs were 
conducted at Stoney Brook Station. A new asphalt driveway was installed at the East Neck pump station.  
 
 
6. Contract #1 Sewer Easement Access Project. 
Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33123-55019  
Original Appropriation: $250,000.00     
Available Balance $147,200.00 
Current Project Status: Final drawings in progress to address Waterford comments.  Additional drawing 
sent to DOT for comment (some work will be within their jurisdiction). 
Project History: Drawings are 90% complete, and spec package is 100% complete, a site walk with Wright 
Pierce was conducted April 9th to discuss and finalize package for bidding. Per Wright-Pierce, drawing 
updates and draft specifications are in progress. A kick off call to begin the final design package (drawing 
and specs) to be used for contractor bid solicitation and construction for Phase One of the restoration 
project occurred on January 22, drawing updates are in progress.  Phase one will encompass the southern 

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section of the interceptor beginning at the intersection of Great Neck Road and Rope Ferry Road to the 
end of the Interceptor at Evergreen Pump Station. Phase two which encompasses the northern section of 
the interceptor from Boston Post Road to Great Neck Road requires the acquisition of additional 
easements to gain access to the interceptor during restoration and for the Utility Commission staff in the 
future. Splitting the project into two Phases allows restoration work to begin while easements are 
procured, so that once Phase one is complete easements will be in place and Phase two can begin shortly 
thereafter. 
Contract One Restoration Preliminary Design: W-P and WUC to have Teams meeting (tentative for 
Tuesday July 16) to discuss scope for the final design and construction.  Also discuss the approach for 2 
new easements that may be required for interceptor access.   Based on the meeting, W-P will provide a 
fee proposal for the final design package (drawing and specs) to be used for contractor bid solicitation 
and construction.   
The request for a Special Appropriation of funds in the amount of $500,000 was approved by the Board 
of Selectmen on 1/10/23. On 1/11/23 the Board of Finance acted to reduce the original request 
appropriation to $250,000. On 2/6/23 the RTM approved the $250,000.00 Special appropriation. On 
August 8, 2023 the Utility Commission accepted Wright–Pierce Engineers (W/P) task order proposal in 
the amount of $75,200.00. Survey of the C-1 easement started October 2, 2023 and is now complete. 
Wright-Pierce (W/P) submitted the Preliminary drawings on February 6, 2024. A plan review session was 
conducted on February 14, 2024 at which time we identified various access alternatives.  
 
7. Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program 
CNR Appropriation L.I. # 20531-57881       
Original Appropriations: $550,000.00+$181,300.00 = $731,300.00  
Available Balance: $409,001.30  
An additional 100K was designated in both FY24 and FY25, a request to move from an appropriation to a 
designation will take place when the currently appropriated funds are expended. The First Selectmen 
included $500,000 in the General Fund Balance for FY26 to be used for Plastic Water Services, a request 
to appropriate these funds will be made to enable to Utility Commission to stay one full year ahead of 
DPW’s paving plan. 
Current Project Status: Our road crew has completed their work on Albacore and Marlin. The Utility 
Commission crew investigate 15 of the 20 total services between both roads and replaced 10 services, 
totaling 248 LF of service line replacement on these streets. 
A pre construction meeting with B&W was held on May 29th, construction is anticipated to begin on June 
XX, 2025. 
Staff is working with DPW to review next few years planned paving roads in an effort to stay ahead of 
DPW by a year. 
Project History: The bid package for Old Norwich Road PWS replacements has been approved and is out 
to bid, a pre-submittal meeting is scheduled for April 22, bids are due May 6th. Bidders are required to 
mobilize within 2-3 weeks of receipt of award in order to keep ahead of DPW’s paving schedule. Our crew 
has picked up our mini-excavator for the season, and are preparing to begin work on Albacore the week 
of April 7th. 
2023-2024 Project History: The Maintenance crew has completed work on Quarry Road, Goshen Road, 
Leary Drive and Country Club Drive, a total of 65 services were investigated, of which 41 were identified 
as plastic service lines and replaced, this amounted to 972 LF of service line replacement on these 
streets.  Work commenced on the Plastic Water Service Replacement Project on May 22, 2023. In Fiscal 
Year 2024 the City of New London’s contract service provider, Veolia replaced 21 plastic services on 

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Shore Road; Waterford Utility Commission Maintenance Staff investigated a total of 425 services of 
which 105 were identified as plastic services and replaced on Shore Road, Niantic River Road, Tiffany Ave, 
East Brook Drive, Savi Ave, Cherry Street, Willow Street, Cedar Street, Mackenzie Road, Lark Street, 
Thrush Street, Robin Street, Quail Street, Kingfisher Way, Kestrel Lane, Woodlawn Ave and Woodlawn 
Court; a total of 2,584 LF of service lines were replaced. A request for an additional $181,300.00 to 
replace plastic water services on Old Norwich Rd was approved by the Board of Selectman, Board of 
Finance and subsequently by the RTM on August 7, 2023.  
 
8. Wiemes & Marilyn Road Ejector Pump Replacement 
CNR Appropriation L.I. # 20531-57890  
$19,800.00 
Current Project Status: Wright Piece is completing their draft memo which will include options for 
upgrades to Gorman Rupp pre-packaged station and submersible pump/valve vault station options. 
Project History: A site visit was conducted on April 2nd by Wright-Pierce, both stations were visited along 
with a packaged pump station as an example of what the Utility Commission has done for building 
enclosures. A signed task order was sent to Wright Pierce on March 3rd, Wright-Pierce is working with 
WUC staff to gather station and force main record drawings/documentation and run time data for each 
station, and a site visit to each station will be conducted within the next few weeks as they begin their 
analysis. On February 2nd the RTM approved our request to appropriate the designated funds following 
approval on January 15th from Board of Finance and January 7th approval from Board of Selectmen, funds 
will be available 15 days thereafter, as which time the task order will be signed and the Engineering Study 
can begin.  
Project Background: Wiemes Ct and Marilyn Rd pump stations were designed in 1981. These stations are 
known as Pneumatic Ejectors. The station itself is a steel cylinder 9' in diameter buried about 18 feet 
below ground and accessed via a manway. The station houses the pots, compressors and control panel. 
The stations have exceeded their design life and do not operate efficiently. An engineering study is 
warranted to fully evaluate the stations structural integrity and plan for the station's replacement. In 
addition, considerations for permanent stand by power should be evaluated, as portable generators have 
to be mobilized in the event of need. Wright-Pierce provided a fee proposal for $19,800 to complete the 
needed engineering study, a formalized task order has been requested, with the understanding the 
funding must be appropriated prior to execution of the task order. 
 
Sewer Development & Maintenance Fund Projects 
9. SCADA System Upgrade Design/Build 
L.I. # 24431-57766  
Approved Task Order: $147,600.00 
Current Project Status:  
1) 
Client meeting held to discuss preliminary design and finalization of the network design. Follow-
up meeting to be held on 6/6 regarding MQTT communication decisions. 
2) 
Network Design complete pending changes from 6/6 meeting  
Project History: A final amendment to the scope of the project was received on March 26th after much 
discussion, one final addition to the scope was made to host a documentation management portal for 
ease of management for all Utility Commission documentation moving forward. The total cost for the 
change of scope is an additional $19,200 to their original approved task order and a timeline extension of 
6-8 weeks as a result of the verbally agreed upon scope changes. The changes to the scope will net long 
term savings to the Commission over the life of the SCADA system due to the elimination of the $2,000 
monthly cost for a separate fiber internet connection which over an anticipated 7 year life of the system 

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equates to a cost savings of over $150,000 in internet connection fees alone, amongst other reoccurring 
costs for data storage and back up. 
As a result of discussions and investigations made over the last few months, an amendment to the scope 
of the project will be made. This amendment was discussed at the December meeting with a 
representative from Wright-Pierce and involved avoiding duplicative efforts in terms of IT 
infrastructure/resources that the Town could provide the Commission, including options for fiber 
connectivity, data storage, and virtualized hosts. 
To date the following progress has been made on this project: 
1) Project kickoff meeting held on site October 3rd.  Wright-Pierce reviewed the current network 
architecture and programs/ hardware.   
2) Preliminary network architecture drawings in progress, coordination meeting with Waterford IT on 
Dec 6h.    
3) Revised preliminary network drawings based on initial/follow up discussions. 
4) Verizon design meeting to review cellular network needs 
5) IT meeting to discuss virtual historian and data storage. 
6) Commission meeting to review modified scope per above 
7) A follow up IT meeting to solidify scope changes for forthcoming amendment. 
8) Conceptual SCADA hardware design 95% complete waiting on Client decision on Pump Station Wi-Fi 
dot1x 
9) Virtual Infrastructure Network Drawing 95% complete 
10) Amendment 1 being drafted for changes as outcome of virtualization decisions. 
11) HMI Development 90% Complete.  
12) Currently working on putting screenshots together for client review.  
Project Background: The current SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system has 
experienced multiple failures over the past several months, which has necessitated calling in the entire 
crew to canvas the pumps stations on at least one occasion while the system was brought back online; 
additionally two different software programs used to operate the system are no longer supported and 
the hardware has exceeded its useful life. The Commission has entered into a design-build contract with 
Wright Pierce, our on-call engineering firm, to replace the failing system. The new system platform will 
be Ignition, a software system found and piloted by one of our current Maintenance Operators and 
presented to the Commission over the past few years. Additionally the communication between stations 
to the maintenance shop/Municipal Complex will be accomplished over a closed zero-tunnel cellular 
network with radio redundancy. The Commission approved the proposal from Wright-Pierce for this 
project in August of 2024, the cellular network work is outside of this proposal and is being handled by 
Utility Commission staff. 
 
10. Water and Wastewater Standards and Specifications Update 
L.I. # 24431-52121 
Approved Task Order: $36,800.00 
Current Project Status: Waterford sent the draft standards and specs to New London for their initial 
comments on May 13, 2025. 
Project History: Wright Pierce Update as of 4/3/25: Water specifications and standard details draft 
submitted for review by Waterford staff. WUC staff is currently reviewing. 
Project Background: The current Water and Wastewater Standard and Specifications the Utility 
Commission uses are significantly outdated and require updating. This project is being cost-shared with 
the City of New London.  
 
 

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Utility Commission Operational Projects 
• 
All wastewater collection system components and equipment are operational with the exception of 
pump one at Harvey Ave and the generator at Oil Mill Road. 
Harvey Update: 
                  - Pump #3: which has the new VFD in it is running in lead as of May 1st.  
                  - Pump 1 has no report for why it went into over temp or seal failure from REM in Hartford. 
                  - Pump 2 is in lag due to the fact that we have lost 2 3phase harmonic /voltage surge filter and have no  
extra. Having hard time finding some replacement. Will get back on that today.  
                               *** pump 3 vfd does not require a filter, it is built internal           
Oil Mill Generator: 
• 
Status ( all done ) done 
• 
Our portable is hooked up 
• 
I have quotes from HO Penn and Generator demand for 175KW ( will submit those later) 
• 
A and J has sent an offer for a rental it is a 85Kw which does not match what runs the station. 
Sending him an email this morning.  
 
• 
Asset Management update:  
• 
The crew received their second training from the vendor directly on May 22nd, workflows still 
continue to be fine tuned, however the amount of work recorded in up 50% since last month. 
• 
Municipal Waterworks Meetings: a meeting is scheduled for June 26th. 
• 
Municipal Wastewater Flow Metering verification was performed by an independent vendor, the Utility 
Commission and the City of New London will engage Flow Assessment Services to manage the inter-
municipal flow meters with full transparency and ensuring both municipalities have real time access to 
the data at all times moving forward. 
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
Jill N. Stevens 
Director of Utilities