Utility Commission - Minutes - 04/11/2023

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 
 
DATE:  
 
April 11, 2023 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike 
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
Ray Valentini, Thomas Dembek, and Steve Negri 
 
ALSO PRESENT: 
J. Robert Tuneski, Board of Finance Liaison 
 
Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Attorney 
 
 
Staff:  James A. Bartelli, Director of Utilities  
 
  
 
 
 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. 
 
CITIZEN SESSION 
None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the Minutes of the March 14, 2023 meeting, Mr. 
Valentini seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously.   
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the March adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the 
office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the April 2023 bill list, Mr. Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
April 11, 2023 
 
 
 
2 | P a g e  
 
OLD BUSINESS 
 
• 
FINANCIALS – WW FUND REVENUES/EXPENDITURES REPORT 
 
Mr. Bartelli explained the new reporting format.  Financial were reviewed and 
 
discussed. 
 
 
• 
Director’s Report 
 
Mr. Bartelli reviewed his report that provides updated information on all Utility 
 
Commission Capital projects that are currently funded and the status of each project. 
 
 
• 
The Collection Report  
 
The report was reviewed and Attorney Kepple reported that collections were going 
 
well. 
 
 
• 
Utility Billing Software Billing Logistics 
 
The conversion process and training is ongoing. The Department anticipate going live 
 
for the July billing process. 
• 
Contract #1 Sewer Interceptor Access update 
 
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. Engineering and Design work will 
 
commence upon selecting an Engineering Firm from the recently posted RFQ for 
 
engineering services 
• 
On-Call Engineering Services RFQ submission 
 
An RFQ was prepared by staff and forwarded to the Purchase Agent on February 10, 
 
2023. The RFQ was posted on February 14, 2023 and closed on March 2, 2023.  Eleven 
 
RFQs were received. Staff interviewed three firms on March 30, 2023.  
 
Recommendations to the Commission are for Wright Pierce and MCA (Martinez  Couch& 
 
Associates, LLC). 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Valentini to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that  
 
 
 
Wright Pierce and MCA be brought on as On-Call Engineers, second by  
 
 
 
Mr. Dembek. 
               VOTE  
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
April 11, 2023 
 
 
 
3 | P a g e  
 
 
NEW BUSINESS  
 
• 
Pump Station Flood Insurance 
Mr. Bartelli reported that Ms. Stevens, Assistant Director, and he have a meeting on          
 
April 24th to meet with a representative from H.D. Segur regarding the premiums on the 
 
flood insurance on four of the pump stations that are in flood zones.  They are planning 
 
on taking the representative to the pump stations in question.  Mr. Bartelli wants the 
 
chance to review the flood elevation access points at each station. 
 
 
 
 
 
• 
WATER-NLWWPCA/ REPORT 
 
 
The February report was reviewed and discussed.  Also, Mr. Bartelli reported on the  
 
 
meeting he had with Joseph Lanzafame, New London's Public Utilities director   
 
 
regarding the Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program. 
 
PLANS REVIEW 
No new plans to report. 
Mr. Bartelli did report on the preconstruction meeting Ms. Stevens and he attended for the new car 
wash on RT 85. 
 
PERSONNEL 
Nothing new to report. 
 
OTHER 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. 
 
 
MOTION 
made by Mr. Negri to adjourn.  Mr. Dembek seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Amy L. Windle 
Recording Secretary