Utility Commission - Minutes - 06/11/2024

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
DATE:  
 
June 11, 2024 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Acting Chairman Ray Valentini 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 Tom Dembek, Rodney Pinkham and Steve Negri 
 
ALSO PRESENT:  
 Robert Tuneski, Board of Finance Liaison 
 
 
 
Staff:  James A. Bartelli, Director of Utilities  
 
           Jill Stevens, Assistant Director of Utilities 
  
MEMBERS ABSENT: 
Chairman Ken Kirkman  
 
Acting Chairman Ray Valentini called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. 
 
Thomas Schacht 
 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to move Thomas Schacht up on the agenda,  
seconded by Mr. Dembek. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Mr. Schacht presented to the Commission some contractual concerns he had with the City of New 
London and the inter-local water agreement.  Mr. Pinkham asked for Mr. Schacht to speak and present 
his findings to our Town Attorney, Nick Kepple.   
 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
 
None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to approve the Minutes of the May 14th meeting, Mr. 
Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 11, 2024 
 
 
 
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BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the May adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the office 
for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the May 2024 bill list, Mr. Pinkham seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
OLD BUSINESS 
 
• 
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. 
 
A copy of the Director’s Report will be attached to the minutes when posted. 
 
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
The report was reviewed by the Commission.   
 
• 
Ad-Hoc Water Committee 
 
Mr. Bartelli introduced Mr. Mike Elbaum to the Commission as the newly appointed 
 
member of the Ad-Hoc Water Committee.  Mr. Bartelli reported that Mr. Valentini, Mr. 
 
Elbaum and he have already met to go over the purpose of the committee. 
 
• 
Connecticut College Municipal Sewer Connection 
Ms. Stevens did get a response from the College in regards to the occupancy count.  The 
College has hired a firm to obtain an accurate number for beds.  The College requested 
that we move forward with the calculation of the sewer connection fee and use the 540 
bed count and adjust the fee at a later date if warranted. 
 
• 
Utility Commission Policy 3011  Draft 
Ms. Stevens explained that there was one change to the current policy.  At the end of 
the policy language was added for water deduct meters to be replaced every 15 years. 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to approve and adopt the revise version  
 
 
 
of Policy #3011, seconded by Mr. Negri. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
2025 Wastewater Enterprise Operating Fund & Fleet Plan 
Mr. Bartelli and Ms. Stevens reviewed the two versions of the FY25 Operating Fund to 
the members of the Commission.  One version of the budget has a 7.9% increase and 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 11, 2024 
 
 
 
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using the Sewer Development and Maintenance Fund to kick start our Fleet Plan.  The 
other version has a 15.50% and does not use funds from the Sewer Development and 
Maintenance fund.   
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to approve the FY25 Operating Budget  
 
 
 
Fund that has a 7.9% increase and using the Sewer  
 
 
 
 
Development and Maintenance Fund, seconded by Mr. Negri. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
Asset Management Software 
Ms. Stevens reported that on June 12th there is a kick off call with Beehive. 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
• 
On-Call Contractor Bid Review 
               Mr. Bartelli reported on the bids received.  There were five total and two were new 
 
companies.  The three that came in the lowest were Prime Electric, Peter S. Turello, LLC 
 
and Deedy Construction Company. 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Dembek to accept the bids from Prime Electric, Peter S.  
 
 
 
Turello, LLC and Deedy Construction Company. 
  
 
 
seconded by Mr. Pinkham. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
Generator Preventative Maintenance Bid Review 
                There was just one company that submitted a bid.  Mr. Bartelli reviewed that bid and 
 
thought the prices were fair for our department.  The company is A&J Generator 
 
Equipment. 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to make a recommendation to the First   
 
 
 
Selectman to award the bid to A & J Generator Equipment, seconded by 
 
 
 
Mr. Negri. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
WATER  
 
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The report was reviewed by the Commission. 
 
Municipal Waterworks Meeting Update 
There is a meeting scheduled for June 24th. 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
June 11, 2024 
 
 
 
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Correspondence 
Mr. Bartelli’s Retirement Notice to the First Selectman-Mr. Bartelli took this moment to express his 
appreciation to the Commission and to Jill Stevens.  Mr. Bartelli also communicated that he would help 
with a smooth transition to the next director. 
 
PLANS REVIEW –  
None 
 
PERSONNEL 
• 
Fred Lathrop, Survey Party Chief will be retiring on July 5th.  His service has been much 
appreciated! 
 
• 
The Compliance Enforcement Technician Job, an applicant has been hired for this 
position and will start on June 17th. 
OTHER 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to adjourn, Mr. Negri seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
 
 
Amy Windle 
Recording Secretary 

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Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
June 11, 2024 
 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities 
 
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: $244,508.29 
 
This is an ongoing project. Temporary Sewer Flow meters have been installed within the Richards 
Grove wastewater basin for the past two months. Wright –Pierce field crews are scheduled to be on 
site June 24th for the week to perform manhole inspections, smoke testing.  Smoke testing notices are being 
printed and will be distributed to households 24-48 hours prior to smoke testing.  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 additional inflow and infiltration I&I evaluation and 
Sewer System Evaluation Study (SSES) for the Richards Grove drainage area. 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 
This is Work in Progress. Materials are currently stored in Holzner’s warehouse. There are two 
CNR designations totaling  $1,299,369 in LI # 20531-57816.  In addition, available ARPA funds in 
the amount of $1,020,041. Total available funds are $2,319,410 .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 Budget: $30,000.00 
 
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 Budget: $44,790.34 
 
This month 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. In addition, 
siding repairs were conducted at Stoney Brook Station. This program will reconvene in the 
spring of 2025 
5. Fargo Water Tank Rehabilitation. 
This is an ARPA allocation project in the amount of $1,200,000.00. 
 
The interior of the Tank’s wet and dry sides have been sandblasted and primed, exterior 
sandblasting is anticipated to start this week. The pitting’s within the interior of the tank 
identified last month were ultrasonically tested and evaluated. The pits were found to be within 
tolerance. A recommendation was made by our consulting engineer to apply an epoxy coating 
on the pitted areas in lieu of spot welding. A change order reduction is currently being 
prepared. 
An on-site pre-bid meeting was conducted on May 17, 2023 
Bids were received May 31, 2023 which ranged from $999,900 to $2,214,000.00 The Utility 
Commission accepted the recommendation from Haley Ward Engineering dated June 23, 2023 
recommendation the Fargo Water Tank refurbishment project be awarded to Utility Service 

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Company for the bid price of $999,900.00 and forward to the Board of Selectman for award. 
The Board of Selectman acted to accept the recommendation on July 11, 2023. An award letter 
has been sent to the contractor. The tank contractor, USG Water, is now planning to start work 
spring of 2024. A Pre-Construction meeting was conducted on November 27th.The pinhole leak 
at the base of the fill pipe which recently presented itself was discussed. This issue was not 
present during the Tank Evaluation study nor was the standpipe interior evaluated during the 
study, as there are no means to inspect the interior of the standpipe. Alternatives to correct 
this deficiency were evaluated by our consulting engineer and USG Water, the contractor; a 
change order proposal in the amount of $217,857.00 was submitted by USG. The Commission 
acted on 2/13/24 to award the change order to USG Water and to be funded by the Water 
Revenue Fund.  
6. Gorman-Rupp Pump Station Controls 
This is an ARPA allocation project in the amount of $163,750.00. 
To date Dock Road, Richards Grove Road, Old Barry Road, Quaker Hill Center, Oil Mill, 
Oswegatchie Rd and Niantic River Road stations are complete. Works is ongoing at Shore Rd, 
upon completion; the Ridgewood Ave station is next on the list. 
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. 
7. Contract #1 Sewer Easement Access Project. 
Capital Improvement Fund L.I. 33123-55019 $250,000.00     
Current Available Balance $174,800.00 
 Wright/Pierce. 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. March 28, 2024 is the target 
date to receive a preliminary design package. 
 
8. Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program 
CNR Appropriation Li# 20531-57881      $550,000.00+  $181,300.00 = $731,300.00  
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.  
Current Available Balance: $496,904.58 

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The Maintenance is currently working on Goshen Rd, Leary Drive, SpinikerDrive and Country 
Club Road next week. 
 The replacement of services previously scheduled for Old Norwich Rd was pushed off till the 
Fall. 
Work commenced on the Plastic Water Service Replacement Project on May 22, 2023. The City 
of New London contract service provider, Veolia replaced 21 plastic services on Shore Road and 
Waterford Utility Commission Maintenance Staff replaced 16 services on Shore Rd. Waterford 
crews also replaced 35 services on Niantic River Road and 38 services within the Tiffany 
neighborhood and replaced 41 services  within the Birdville neighborhood. To date a total of 
2,488 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.  
 
Water Revenue Funded Projects 
   
9. The Lead and Copper Rule     $98,763.00 Wright-Pierce Engineers (W/P)  L.I.  # 21131-
55302 
 
The  Water Service Line Material Surveys  were be mailed out last week to all of our customers 
and made accessible on line.  
    The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), first promulgated in 1991, was enacted by the USEPA to 
protect public health and reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water. In January 
2021 the USEPA published the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). The LCRR aims to better 
protect public and get the lead out of our nation’s drinking water. One major regulatory change 
included in the LCRR is the requirement for water systems to develop a lead service line (LSL) 
material inventory and an LSL replacement (LSLR) plan if lead or lead goosenecks are found by 
October 16, 2024. The LSL inventory which is mandated by USEPA and the Connecticut 
Department of Public Health (CTDPH) requires that Waterford creates an inventory of the 
existing water service lines materials (plastic, copper, lead, galvanized, other) on public and 
private side in Waterford’s water system and identify which service lines may be galvanized or 
contain lead. 
 
 
 
 
 
10.   Bloomingdale Rd Low Pressure Evaluation   $13,900.00 Wright-Pierce Engineers 
(W/P)    L.I. # 21131-55303 
The Engineering Report is being reviewed by staff. 

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This evaluation entails the engineering services to reevaluate options to enhance residential 
and fire protection pressures on Bloomingdale Road, near the Gallows Lane tank. The 
Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) regulations require water systems to 
maintain a minimum pressure of 25 psi in their water distribution system and a minimum of 20 
psi during a fire flow event. In 2004, the Waterford Utility Commission (WUC) received 
complaints of low pressure from residents on Bloomingdale Road, near the Gallows Lane tank. 
In a subsequent sanitary survey, CT DPH cited a violation for water pressures below 25 psi and 
20 psi at services in this area. The proposed evaluation is to review recommendations from 
previous study, update construction cost estimates, and evaluate new alternatives. Work on 
this project continues. 
 
Utility Commission Operational Project 
• All wastewater collection system components and equipment are operational with 
exception to : 
1. A  SCADA evaluation proposal was received from W/P  and is being reviewed by 
staff. 
•  Caroline Ct land acquisition was approved by P&Z and will be forwarded to the RTM 
for final action.  
• The Asset Management software kick-off meeting is scheduled for 6/12/ 
 
• The Compliance Enforcement Technician position has been offered to an applicant. 
The applicant will start 6/17/24  
• The On-Call Contractor Bids closed May 21, 2024   
• The Generator Service Contract Bid closed on June 4, 2024, one bidder submitted. 
• Municipal Waterworks Meetings Update. 
• Municipal Wastewater Flow Metering verification continues. The City has installed 
their own meters parallel to ours, the readings do not match up, as result we 
collectively are in the process of soliciting flow metering services from an independent 
vendor.  
 
 
 
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
James A. Bartelli   
Director of Utilities