Utility Commission - Minutes - 03/12/2024

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION
DATE:
March 12, 2024
PLACE:
1000 Hartford Turnpike
PRESIDING:
Chairman Ken Kirkman
MEMBERS PRESENT:
 Tom Dembek, Steve Negri, Rodney Pinkham and Ray Valentini
ALSO PRESENT: 
J. Robert Tuneski, Finance Liaison
Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Legal Counsel
Staff:  James A. Bartelli, Director of Utilities
            Jill Stevens, Assistant Director of Utilities
Chairman Ken Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
CITIZEN SESSION-
The owner from account #060000703 was present to appeal back billing charges applied to the most 
recent invoice.  The Commission listened to their concerns but was not able to accommodate their
request to waive the charges due to CT State Statute 12-130.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
MOTION
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the Minutes of the February 13th meeting and 
the Special minutes from March 6th, Mr. Pinkham seconded.
VOTE
The motion passed unanimously.
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS
The Commission reviewed the January adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the 
office for review. 
EXPENDITURES
MOTION
Made by Mr. Dembek approve the February 2024 bill list, Mr. Valentini 
seconded.
VOTE
The motion passed unanimously.

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March 12, 2024
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MOTION
Made by Mr. Dembek to move the Connecticut College item up before Old Business 
due to having guests waiting for this item on the agenda, seconded by Mr. Valentini.
VOTE
The motion passed unanimously.

Connecticut College Municipal Sewer Connection
Mr. Justin Wolfradt from Connecticut College was present to make a request that the 
Commission allow a portion of college to connect to Waterford’s wastewater collection system 
through the Old Norwich Pump Station sewer shed.  He gave a history of what has transpired 
with the College including a denial of their request to the State of CT for repairs to the sewer 
mains under Route 32.  Mr. Bartelli explained that he had a conversation with the Director of 
New London whom did not see an issue with this proposal.  Mr. Bartelli explained that a Sewer 
Connection fee would be levied to the college and a flow meter would be required to be
installed at the college’s expense.
MOTION
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the process of Connecticut College being able to connect 
to Waterford’s Wastewater system and to move forward with the process pending final 
plans, seconded by Mr. Pinkham.
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
Attorney Kepple gave a short report that collections were going well.

Ad-Hoc Water Committee
Mr. Bartelli reported the names of the people that would be on this committee:
Ray Valentini, Chairman
Ken Kirkman
James Bartelli and Jill Stevens-Staff Members
Mr. Michael Elbaum-Appointed Member by the First Selectman
A kickoff meeting will be scheduled soon.
New Business    

Sewer User Change
Ms. Stevens explained that there have been some legislative changes made surrounding 
Public Act 21-29 regarding Accessory Dwelling Units; more specifically, the term “in law 

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March 12, 2024
3 | P a g e 
apartments” can no longer be used and instead must be replaced with the term 
“accessory dwelling unit”.  This change will affect our current sewer user charge policy 
descriptions. Staff is also awaiting a legal opinion regarding the ability to charge Tier 1 
fees for these units. Ms. Stevens will work on putting together a new proposed policy to 
bring to the Commission to review in the coming months.
Water
City of New London/Veolia Report.
The monthly report was provided to the Commission to review.
Mr. Bartelli provided an agenda from the last Waterworks meeting and gave update on what transpired 
during the meeting.
PLANS REVIEW
None
PERSONNEL

Compliance Officer Technician Job Update
Please see the Director’s Report for an update.

Accumulated Call-Period compensatory time
The Town added a MOU to the union contract regarding the compensatory time earned 
when on call for a week.  There are currently two employees that have over 40 hours of 
compensatory time and they will get paid the hourly wage for every hour over 40.  The 
rest of the employees will have sixty days to use this time or will lose the time.
OTHER
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
MOTION
Made by Mr. Valentini to adjourn, Mr. Negri seconded.
VOTE
The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy L. Windle
Recording Secretary