Utility Commission - Minutes - 02/13/2024

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
DATE:  
 
February 13, 2024 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike / Zoom 
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 Tom Dembek, Steve Negri and Ray Valentini 
 
MEMBERS ABSENT: 
Rodney Pinkham 
 
 
 
 
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 6:07 p.m. 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-None 
 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Dembek to approve the Minutes of the January 9th meeting, Mr. 
Negri seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the January adjustments. There were some questions on some of the 
higher dollar amount adjustments that Miss Windle explained.  The adjustment report will be 
kept in the office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri approve the January 2024 bill list, Mr. Dembek seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 

Waterford Utility Commission 
February 13, 2024 
 
 
 
2 | P a g e  
 
 
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 that he is seeking a recommendations for a member to this Task 
 
Force.   
New Business  
 
• 
Fargo Water Tank 
 
 
Mr. Bartelli explained the need for a change order on the Fargo Water tank  
 
 
 
rehabilitation project.  There is a small leak in the fill pipe that needs to be replaced. 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to utilize the Water fund to cover the cost above the  
 
 
 
currently appropriated ARPA funds for the new fill pipe on the   
 
 
 
 
Fargo water tank, seconded by Mr. Dembek. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
Water  
 
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The monthly report was provided to the Commission to review. 
 
Mr. Bartelli reported that the regular meeting with New London have been beneficial and updated on 
different projects going on. 
 
PLANS REVIEW 
None 
 
PERSONNEL 
Please see the Director’s Report for an update. 
 
OTHER 
 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
February 13, 2024 
 
 
 
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ADJOURNMENT 
 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to adjourn, Mr. Dembek seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Amy L. Windle 
Recording Secretary 

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Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
February 13, 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: $283,485.86 
 
The current study is the  Richards Grove Road Wastewater Pumping Station 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. Flow monitoring and metering will commence in the 
spring. 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. Sewer Contracts #2&3 cross country sewer 
manhole raisers were evaluated this past month, 22 manhole cone tops require replacement. A site 
meeting with our on-call contractor is scheduled for 2/15/24 to review the scope.  

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2. Old Norwich Road Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation 
 
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   The contractor has represented that there are long lead times for electrical 
switch gear, up to 56 weeks.  
 
 
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 
 
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 and Mago Pt, and 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. 
 
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 
Company for the bid price of $990,900.00 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 

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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 the contractor; a change order 
proposal in the amount of $217,857.00 was submitted and is under evaluation. On February 1, 
2024 we met with a different Tank Contractor to investigate the fill pipe and are awaiting their 
estimate. 
 
 
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 
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 with W/P is scheduled for February 14, 
2024 
 
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: $512,086.58 

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Work commenced on this 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. The Maintenance division will start replacing services on Brill Ave, Old Norwich 
Rd. in the spring. 
 
Water Revenue Funded Projects 
   
9. The Lead and Copper Rule     $98,763.00 Wright-Pierce Engineers (W/P)  L.I.  # 21131-
55302 
    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. W/P is currently working with staff obtaining data. Work on this project continues. 
 
10.   Bloomingdale Rd Low Pressure Evaluation   $13,900.00 Wright-Pierce Engineers 
L.I. # 21131-55303 
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 35 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 35 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. 
 

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Wastewater Enterprise Funded Projects 
 
 
Operational and Other  
• All wastewater collection system components and equipment are operational with 
exception to : 
1. The SCADA server #1 which is experiencing issues. We have  requested our 
consulting engineers to submit a task order for preparation of bid documents for a 
new SCADA system.  
2. The CCTV truck has a faulty engine, The Lead Fleet Mechanic is evaluating options 
although are limited due to the year of the vehicle, 1991 
• Caroline Ct land survey is complete and the monuments are set. A request has been 
sent to the First Selectman to initiate the CGS 8-24 process. The issue was reviewed by 
Town Departments and the Town Attorney. A meeting with the property owner is 
scheduled for February 15,2024  
• The  GIS migration with Tighe & Bond is being coordinated by the Assistant Director 
and remains a work in progress. 
• The Asset Management software project proposal will move forward upon full 
migration of the GIS system. 
• The Compliance Enforcement Technician  Job Description , which replaces the 
Assistant Construction Inspector position, has been reviewed by the Director of 
Human Resources and the Union. A meeting with the Personnel Review Board is 
scheduled for February 15, 2024 for their review and tentative action. 
• We have solicited a proposal for services necessary to update and revise our Water 
and Wastewater Standards and Specifications the last update was 2006. A proposal 
will be forthcoming. 
Respectfully Submitted, 
James A. Bartelli   
Director of Utilities