Utility Commission - Minutes - 03/11/2025

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATE:  
 
March 11, 2025 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Acting Chairman Ray Valentini 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 Tom Dembek and Jerry Porter 
 
ABSENT MEMBERS: 
Ken Kirkman and Rodney Pinkham 
 
ALSO PRESENT:  
Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Counsel 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Staff:  Jill Stevens, Director of Utilities  
 
           Shawn Matthews, Assistant Director of Utilities 
 
Chairman Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Porter to approve the Amended Minutes of February 11, 2025, Mr. 
Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
The Commission reviewed the February adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the 
office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Dembek to approve the February 2025 bill list, Mr. Porter 
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 

Waterford Utility Commission 
March 11, 2025 
2 | P a g e  
 
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 January were reviewed. 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
Water Agreement Working Group Update 
Attorney Kepple and Ms. Stevens gave an update and recapped how the group was reclassified as a 
working group and not a committee.  The next meeting for this group is March 25th. 
 
Legal Fees 
Attorney Kepple reported that the Town has decided that beginning in July 2025 that the Waterford 
Commission Utility will be responsible to pay for their wastewater related legal fees out of the Enterprise 
fund. 
 
WATER  
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The report was reviewed by the Commission. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
A letter from City of New London was sent requesting a meeting regarding the sewer capacity at the 
treatment plant. A meeting date will be set in the near future the Town and City are working together to 
find a date and time that accommodates all parties schedules. 
 
PLANS REVIEW –  
None 
 
PERSONNEL 
• 
Sewer Tech I 
The position has been filled, the new hire will start on March 26th.   
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m. 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Dembek to adjourn, Mr. Porter seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
Amy Windle 

Waterford Utility Commission 
March 11, 2025 
3 | P a g e  
 
Recording Secretary 

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Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
March 11, 2025 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities as of 3/11/25 
 
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: $237,214.39 
 
This is an ongoing project. To identify sources of Inflow and Infiltration within the Richards Grove Sewer 
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. As of 3/11/2025 Wright Pierce with 
continued assistance with Waterford continues to review billing data as well as flow metering data 
previously collected by rental units.  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. 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 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.  
 

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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.  
No major issues/concerns to report.  However, contractor indicated there may be delays form MCC gear 
supplier which may impact contractor mobilization planned for end of May.   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. 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 – end of May 
• 
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 
 
This work is being completed in conjunction with the SCADA system upgrade, to date a high definition 
screen has been 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. 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. 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 
 
The East Neck Station driveway was replaced and the roof at Evergreen Avenue was replaced. 
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 

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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. This program will 
reconvene in the spring of 2025 with a driveway replacement at Cross Road Station. 
 
5. Gorman-Rupp Pump Station Controls 
This is an ARPA allocation project in the amount of $163,750.00. L.I. # 23531-55013 
 
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. 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. 
 
6. Contract #1 Sewer Easement Access Project. 
Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33123-55019  
Original Appropriation: $250,000.00     
Available Balance $147,200.00 
 
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.   
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.  
 
 

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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: $423,514.18 
An additional 100K was designated FY24, a request to move from an appropriation to a designation will 
take place when the currently appropriated funds are expended.  
 
A paving season kickoff meeting occurred with DPW on Feb 20th, we will begin replacing services on 
Albacore and Marlin the first week of April once the paving plant is open. Bid documents from a previous 
bid package to replace plastic water services in 2016 are being revised by WUC staff and will be sent to 
the finance department the week of March 10th for the services to be replaced on Old Norwich Road. 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 
 
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.  
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. 
 
 

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Sewer Development & Maintenance Fund Projects 
9. SCADA System Upgrade Design/Build 
L.I. # 24431-57766  
Approved Task Order: $147,600.00 
 
A draft amendment to the scope of the project was received on March 6th, with an additional cost of 
$16,600 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. 
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. 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.  
 
 

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10. Water and Wastewater Standards and Specifications Update 
L.I. # 24431-52121 
Approved Task Order: $36,800.00 
 
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. Wright Pierce Update as of 3/6/2025: Water specifications draft generated and being submitted 
to Waterford for review and comment.   
Wright Pierce update: Document in progress.  Will send over sample section for review.  Detail (drawings) 
sent over to Waterford for review and comment by Waterford staff – set up meeting to discuss.  
 
Utility Commission Operational Projects 
• 
All wastewater collection system components and equipment are operational.  
• 
The Asset Management software project, Beehive, is underway and improvements to our GIS program 
continue. Initial training for supervisors in Beehive occurred January 21st, training for the remaining crew 
is scheduled for March 13th. 
• 
Municipal Waterworks Meetings: a meeting is scheduled for March 20th. 
• 
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