Utility Commission - Minutes - 10/10/2023

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
DATE:  
 
October 10, 2023 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike 
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 Tom Dembek, Steve Negri and Ray Valentini 
 
 
 
 
MEMBERS ABSENT: 
Rodney Pinkham 
 
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. Dembek to approve the Minutes of the September 12th meeting, 
Chairman Kirkman seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the September adjustments. The adjustment report will be kept in 
the office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Negri to approve the September 2023 bill list, Mr. Valentini 
seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
October 10, 2023 
 
 
 
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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. 
 
• 
Asset Management Software 
 
Mr. Bartelli spent time to answer questions that Mr. Valentini submitted after his 
 
review of the demonstration of Beehive Asset Management software. 
 
• 
Lead Service Line Inventory Program 
Mr. Bartelli submitted a funding request to the Board of Selectmen based on the 
proposal from Wright-Pierce to begin this project. 
 
New Business  
 
• 
Utility Commission 2024 Regular Meeting Schedule Adoption 
 
 
 
 
MOTION  
Made by Mr. Dembek to accept the 2024 schedule of WUC Regular  
 
 
 
 
Meeting Schedule, seconded by Mr. Valentini. 
 
 
 
 
 
Vote 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
City of New London/Veolia Report 
 
The monthly report was provided to the Commission to review. 
 
Mr. Bartelli reported that the Bi-Town Staff meeting has been postponed for this week and rescheduled 
for next week.   
 
PLANS REVIEW 
Eugene O’Neil Proposed Sewer Main Extension Proposal-Mr. Bartelli showed a map of the property and 
where there are current sewer lines.  He showed the areas of the property that is not tied-in and some 
ideas of how they could execute this project. A meeting with Martinez, Couch and Associates is 
scheduled for Wednesday October 11, 2023. 
 
PERSONNEL 
See Director’s Report for Updates. 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
October 10, 2023 
 
 
 
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OTHER 
 
 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 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 
October 10, 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 
This is a perpetual 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 is a CNR designation of $544,000 in LI # 20531-57816.  In addition, available ARPA funds 
in the amount of $1,020,041. Total available funds are $1,569,866 .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. In order to make up the shortfall of available funding and allow for a 
10% contingency in the event unforeseen items an additional funding request in the amount of 
$755,369 was requested and approved by the  of the Board of Selectman on September 12, 
2023. On October 2, 2023 the RTM also approved the additional funding request. After the 
required 15 day holding period for RTM action items, an Award Letter will be sent to the 
contractor. 
 
 
 

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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. 
 
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 15% of or customers have opted for paperless billing and 359 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 
for award. The Board of Selectman acted to accept the recommendation on July 11, 2023. An 
award letter has been sent to the contractor. A revised costs to temporary relocate the Town’s 

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antennas has been received and is being considered at the September 12, 2023 Board of 
Selectman meeting. The tank contractor, USG, is now planning to start work spring of 2024.  
 
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 and is scheduled to be completed within one month. 
9. Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program 
CNR Appropriation Li# 20531-57881      $550,000.00+  $181,300.00 = $731,300.00 
Current Account Balance: $604,761.88 
 
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. Our crew is currently 
working within the Birdville neighborhood where staff has replaced 5 plastic services to date 
and excavated 35 services which were identified as copper. 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. To date we have 
replaced 1755 LF of plastic water service line with copper. 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. 
 

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Other  
• All wastewater collection system components are operational  
• Two Part time Sewer Collection System Assistants started on 10/10/23 
•  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. 
• A P.O. has been issued for removal of the underground fuel storage tank and for the 
installation of an interior tank at Stoney Brook Station. 
• Our GIS is in the process of migrating to the Tighe & Bond hosted servers. 
  
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
 
James A. Bartelli   
Director of Utilities