Utility Commission - Minutes - 05/13/2025

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATE:  
 
May 13, 2025 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Acting Chairman Raymond Valentini 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 Tom Dembek and Jerry Porter 
 
ABSENT MEMBERS: 
Ken Kirkman and Rodney Pinkham 
  
ALSO PRESENT:  
Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Counsel 
 
 
 
Abbas Danesh, Town of Waterford Treasurer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Staff:  Jill Stevens, Director of Utilities  
 
           Shawn Matthews, Assistant Director of Utilities 
 
Acting Chairman Valentini called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Dembek to amend and approve the Minutes of April 8, 2025, Mr. 
Porter seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 
            Therlin Montgomery from Wright Pierce gave a presentation on the current plans for the 
Contract 1 Sewer Easement Access Project.  There was a discussion and questions answered by Mr. 
Montgomery and Ms. Stevens regarding the project. 
 
Abbas Danesh, Waterford Town Treasurer made a presentation on Utility Commission 
Controlled Funds. He provided information on the interest that has accumulated for this Fiscal Year and 
past years. 
    
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
The Commission reviewed the April adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the 
office for review.  
 
 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 13, 2025 
2 | P a g e  
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Porter to approve the April 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 that are currently funded and the status of 
each project. A copy of the Director’s Report will be attached to the minutes when 
posted. 
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
Report was reviewed and Attorney Kepple reported that all is going well. 
 
• 
Financial Report 
 
 
The financials for March were reviewed. 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
Old Norwich Rd Plastic Water Service Bid Results 
Ms. Stevens updated the Commission on the results from the bids received on May 6th.  There were 
four bidders, B&W Paving & Landscaping LLC coming in as the lowest qualified bidder.  Ms. Stevens told 
the Commission that the department has liked the work they have done for us in the past and have 
been helpful when the Utility Commission has encountered challenging emergency repairs in the 
wastewater system.   
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Dembek to make a recommendation for the bid to be awarded to 
B&W Paving & Landscaping, seconded by Mr. Porter. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Enterprise Fund Budget FY 26 
Ms. Stevens presented the Budget for FY26 to the Commission with a proposed 4.82% increase.  She 
answered questions from the Commission and recommended that they vote on the Budget on a later date 
after taking time to review. Ms. Stevens let the Commission know she was available at any time to answer 
questions or discuss concerns regarding the proposed budget. 
WATER  
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The Commission reviewed the report. 
 
Water Agreement Working Group Update 
Attorney Kepple gave an update on behalf of the working group. He stated that he and Director Stevens 
are working with First Selectman Brule on a funding source to work with an engineering firm to evaluate 
all options for a viable water supply for the Town of Waterford into the future in advance of the 

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 13, 2025 
3 | P a g e  
 
expiration of the current Interlocal Agreement. Atty Kepple, on behalf of the Water Committee, 
suggested that the Commission consider authorizing the Working Group to pursue proposing an 
extension of the current water agreement to New London. 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Dembek to authorize the Working Group to commence exploration with 
New London of an extension of the current water agreement seconded by Mr. Porter. 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
Shipman-Notice of Regulated Activities at 51 Daniels Ave. 
 
PLANS REVIEW –  
51 Daniels Ave, Project LEARN 
 
Connecticut College Sewer Relocation 
 
Ms. Stevens reported that the detail design plans have been received for both projects.  The staff is 
currently reviewing the plans and working with the developers on some revisions. The plans will be 
presented to the Commission after staff comments are addressed and the revisions are complete. 
 
PERSONNEL 
The Department is fully staffed. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Dembek to adjourn, Mr. Porter seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
Amy Windle 
Recording Secretary 

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Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
May 9, 2025 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities as of 5/9/25 
 
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: $234,645.73 
 
This is an ongoing project to identify sources of Inflow and Infiltration within the Richards Grove Sewer 
Basin.  
Current Project Status: As of 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. 
Project History: 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 
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 

P a g e  | 2 
 
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 in the amount of $1,020,041.  
Current Project Status: No major issues/concerns to report as of 5/9/25. 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. 
Project History: 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 
Current Project Status: No change on this project in the last 30 days. This work is in conjunction with the 
SCADA system upgrade; 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. 
 

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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 50% complete, the wet well work is complete, 
some interior work remains, due to manpower issues this work was delayed from last month, we 
anticipate the remaining work will take 10-14 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 drawing updates in progress – addressing comments from Waterford staff.  
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 
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.   

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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: $411,898.27 
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.  
Current Project Status: Our road crew has completed their work on Albacore and will be starting on 
Marlin next week. The bid opening for Old Norwich Road PWS replacements took place on May 6th and a 
tabulation sheet was provided to the Director. The lowest qualified bid received was from B&W Paving, 
for a total not to exceed amount of $205.000. 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 
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 review of record drawings and preliminary pump 
and generator sizing. 
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 

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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) Final Network Drawing based on amendment 1 and the recent change to the architecture due to 
changes needed to operate with the Verizon zero tunnel 95% complete 
2) Equipment purchase list 99% complete needs to be updated when network drawing is completed 
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 
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. 

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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: No change to this project over the last 30 days. 
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.  
 
Utility Commission Operational Projects 
• 
All wastewater collection system components and equipment are operational with the exception of 
pump one at Harvey Ave.  
• 
Asset Management update:  
• 
Beehive is being used with increased consistency. It is being well received and used well for 
short term planning.  
• 
Municipal Waterworks Meetings: a meeting is scheduled for May 15th 
• 
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