Utility Commission - Minutes - 11/14/2023

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
DATE:  
 
November 14, 2023 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike 
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 Tom Dembek, Steve Negri, Rodney Pinkham and Ray Valentini 
 
 
 
 
ALSO PRESENT:  
Staff:  James A. Bartelli, Director of Utilities  
 
            Jill Stevens, Assistant Director of Utilities  
 
 
 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-None 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the Minutes of the October 10th meeting, Mr. 
Valentini seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the October adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in the 
office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to approve the October 2023 bill list, Mr. Valentini 
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. 

Waterford Utility Commission 
November 14, 2023 
 
 
 
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Mr. Bartelli gave an update on the Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program.  He, 
 
also, reported that the project is halted for the winter season and will resume in the 
 
spring.  Mr. Valentini wanted the employees involved with the project to know they 
 
appreciated their hard work. 
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
 
The report was reviewed by the Commission. 
 
• 
Inflow and Infiltration Mitigation and Control 
 
Mr. Bartelli explained the proposal and the need for a study to be done for the Richards 
 
Grove Road drainage area. 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to approve the Proposal for Richards Grove Road 
Pump   
 
Station Sewer System Evaluation Study to Wright-Pierce in the amount  
 
 
 
of $27,500.00, seconded by Mr. Valentini. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
Lead Service Line Inventory Program 
The LCRR Inventory Proposal by Wright-Pierce was respectfully denied by the Board of 
Selectman.  Mr. Bartelli asked the Commission if the Water Revenue Fund could be used 
instead. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the proposal for the LCRR Inventory by  
 
 
Wright-Pierce in the amount of $98, 763.00 be paid out of the Water  
 
 
Revenue Fund, seconded by Mr. Dembek. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
New Business  
 
• 
Capital Improvements Plan FY 25-29 
 
 
Mr. Bartelli explained that the CIP was in progress and will send copies to the  
 
 
 
Commission when completed. 
 
• 
Sewer Use Account #060005663 Adjustment Request 
 
 
Resident requested an adjustment for a water leak in their meter pit.  Mr. Locke from  
 
 
Veolia Water confirmed the leak and that is was corrected.  
  
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to grant a credit using the five year average to determine the  
 
 
amount of credit, seconded by Mr. Dembek. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
November 14, 2023 
 
 
 
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City of New London/Veolia Report 
The monthly report was provided to the Commission to review. 
 
PLANS REVIEW 
None 
 
PERSONNEL 
Mr. Bartelli announced Edward Machinski will be retiring December 1st. 
He, also requested that he be able to create a new job description to replace the Construction Inspector 
position currently held by Ed Machinski and to bring the job description to the Personnel Review Board 
and HR. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the new job description replacing Mr. Machinski’s 
position and to bring the job description to the Personnel Review Board, seconded by 
Mr. Dembek. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
OTHER 
Mr. Bartelli explained that the Bloomingdale Road area has been cited for having low water pressure; 
this is also a concern for Fire Services.  He explained the Wright-Pierce proposal for an evaluation to 
provide options to enhance residential and fire protection water pressure in this area of Town. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the proposal from Wright-Pierce to provide an evaluation 
 
 
for low water pressure in the Bloomingdale Road area to be funded through the Water  
Revenue Fund, seconded by Mr. Dembek. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Pinkham to adjourn, Mr. Negri seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Amy L. Windle 
Recording Secretary 

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Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
November 14, 2023 
This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities 
Current Capital 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 Budget: $310,985.86 
A proposal to conduct a Sewer System Evaluation Study within the Richards Grove sewer basin 
was received and will be discussed at the 11/14/2023 WUC meeting. 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. This work will reconvene upon completion of 
the Control Panel Retrofit program and the Plastic Water Service Replacement program which 
are both being conducted by in-house staff.  
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 
A proposal for contract administration services was received and will be discussed at the 
11/14/23 WUC meeting. 
 

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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. This program will reconvene in the 
spring of 2025 
 
5. Utility Billing Software System 
FY23 Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33123-55906 
Original Appropriations: $ 130,000.00      : Available Budget: $0.00 
 
The new software officially launched June 26, 2023. We recently completed our first full first 
quarter “Book Route” process with success. We are working on revising our daily transaction 
reports for the Finance Department. Two Utility Commission staff members are scheduled to 
attend the Harris Systems comprehensive training program this December. To date 
approximately 19.5% of or customers have opted for paperless billing and 441 have set up for 
the auto pay option, these numbers are growing gradually in time. 
 
6. 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 

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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, is now planning to start 
work spring of 2024. A Pre-Construction meeting is scheduled for the week of November 27th 
 
7. 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 has commenced 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. All of the 
cellular amplifier equipment has been received. Utility Commission staff will be installing the 
amplifiers during the process of the controls upgrades. 
 
8. Contract #1 Sewer Easement Access Project 
Capital Improvement Fund L.I. 33123-55019 $250,000.00 
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. Contract drawing submissions are scheduled to be received by 
11/30/23 
9. Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program 
CNR Appropriation Li# 20531-57881      $550,000.00+  $181,300.00 = $731,300.00 
Current Account Balance: $603,876.91 
 
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. We are currently evaluating additional roads in the Quaker Hill section of town 
that DPW intends on resurfacing, which will require service line replacement prior to any 
roadwork. The Scheduled water service replacement program is currently suspended until 
spring.  

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Operational and Other  
• All wastewater collection system components are operational with exception to the 
SCADA server #1 which is experiencing issues. A proposal to correct this deficiency will 
be forthcoming.  
• 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  GIS migration to be hosted by Tighe & Bond is work in progress. 
• The Asset Management software project proposal  will move forward upon migration 
of the GIS system. 
• LCRR Inventory Proposal by W/P was acted on by the B.O.S on October 24,2023 to be 
reconsidered by the Utility Commission on 11/14/23 
• A proposal to conduct an Inflow and Infiltration Study within the Richards Grove Basin 
will be submitted to the Commission for consideration on 11/14/23 
• A proposal to conduct Contract Administration Services for the Old Norwich Rd 
Wastewater Pump Station rehabilitation project will be submitted to the Commission 
for consideration on 11/14/23 
• A revised Job Description for the Assistant Inspector will be submitted in DRAFT form 
for the Commission’s consideration at the 11/14/23 meeting. Our current Inspector is 
retiring December 1, 2023 
• The FY25-29 CIP is in progress, copies will be sent to the Commission upon 
completion. 
  
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
 
James A. Bartelli   
Director of Utilities