Utility Commission - Minutes - 01/14/2025

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATE:  
 
January 14, 2025 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 Tom Dembek, Ray Valentini, Rodney Pinkham and Jerry Porter 
 
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 6:00 pm 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to approve the Minutes of December 10th, 2024, Mr. 
Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
The Commission reviewed the December adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the 
office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to approve the December 2024 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. 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
January 14, 2025 
2 | P a g e  
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
Attorney Kepple reported that collection continues to go well.  He did explain that the 
number of files with large amounts of money to be collected are starting to go down 
because they have been collected.  That is why the summary of Fiscal Year totals are 
starting to decline.  This is a great step in the right direction. 
 
• 
Financial Report 
 
 
The financials for November were reviewed. 
 
• 
Ad-Hoc Water Committee 
 
Mr. Valentini reported that they have not met but will be setting another date shortly. 
 
 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
None 
 
WATER  
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The report was reviewed by the Commission. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
E-mail from resident regarding his late Sewer Deduct Meter reading.  This is tabled until next month 
meeting. 
 
PLANS REVIEW –  
None 
 
PERSONNEL 
 
• 
Sewer Tech I 
The position was re-posted at the beginning of January   
 
• 
Compliance Enforcement Tech Posting 
 
Edward Machinski will be starting on January 21st. 
OTHER 
 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham 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 
January 9, 2025 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities as of 1/9/25 
 
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: $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 1/9/2025 Wright Pierce 
continues to work on responses to our comments, a meeting to discuss flow meter relocation is 
tentatively scheduled for Thursday this week. 
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.  
 
 

P a g e  | 2 
 
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.  
 
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 is nearly complete, a few minor punch list items 
remain, and the mismatched ridge cap has been replaced.  
• 
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 – early 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 
 
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 
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. 

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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, we anticipate the remaining work will take 2-3 
weeks. 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 $174,800.00 
 
A quick 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 December 17, however 
more discussions are needed; a follow up meeting is tentatively set for next week.  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.  
 
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: $426,391.18 
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.  
 

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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.  The replacement of 
services previously scheduled for Old Norwich Rd is now pushed off until the spring of next year; this 
work will likely be put out to bid to allow the Maintenance staff to focus on smaller roads and also to 
keep up with their other system maintenance tasks. 
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 Designation L.I. # 20531-57890  
$19,800.00 
 
On January 7th, the Board of Selectmen approved our request to appropriate the designated funds, and 
forward the request to the Board of Finance meeting scheduled for January 15th. Pending Board of 
Finance approval, the request should be on the February 2nd RTM agenda for final approval and 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. 
 
Sewer Development & Maintenance Fund Projects 
9. SCADA System Upgrade Design/Build 
L.I. # 24431-57766  
$147,600.00 
 
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 

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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. 
 
Utility Commission Operational Projects 
• 
All wastewater collection system components and equipment are operational with exception of:  
1. Pump number 1, the Ed Machinski, at Evergreen is offline a replacement pump installation is 
underway at Evergreen. Pump startup was attempted on January 8th, while start up went smoothly 
and the pump performs well, there was a concern around the level of vibration, which were barely 
within the Hydraulic Institute’s specified limits. The contractor, pump manufacturer and our staff 
will be on site on Feb 4th to check for pipe strain which could be contributing to the elevated 
vibration levels. 
• 
O’Neill Theater tie-in for The Barn and Production Cottage, the Utility Commission and Public Works 
have partnered on this project to connect the back half of the theater building (The Barn) and the 
Production Cottage to our system. This work was completed by our on-call contractors and WUC/DPW 
staff. The contractor’s scope is complete; some site work / beautification will be completed by DPW staff 
in the spring, and an assessment surrounding the need for a vent for the station and its location by WUC 
staff. 
• 
The Asset Management software project, Beehive, is underway and improvements to our GIS program 
continue. Initial training for Beehive is scheduled for January 21st. 
• 
Municipal Waterworks Meetings: a meeting was held via Zoom on January 8th. 
• 
Municipal Wastewater Flow Metering verification was performed by an independent vendor, the Utility 
Commission continues to work with New London to come to terms with meter types and locations to 
move forward and resolve the flow data discrepancies.  
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
Jill N. Stevens 
Director of Utilities