Utility Commission - Minutes - 05/05/2026

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
SPECIAL MEETING 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATE:  
 
May 5, 2026 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
Jerry Porter, Beth Sabilia and Ray Valentini 
 
MEMBERS ABSENT: 
Ryan Boyle 
 
ALSO PRESENT:   Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Counsel 
                 
                Staff: Jill Stevens, Director of Utilities  
 
 
            Shawn Matthews, Assistant Director of Utilities 
            Amy Windle, Office Coordinator/Recording Secretary 
 
Chairman Kirkman called the meeting to order at 6:25 pm 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
None 
 
SEWER RATE STUDY PRESENTATION AND UPDATE 
Dave Fox and Cameron Okie from Raftelis gave a detailed presentation on the sewer rate study they 
conducted at the Commission’s request. Mr. Fox and Mr. Okie answered several questions and the study 
results were discussed in detail, including next steps. There was a consensus of the Commission to move 
forward with pursuing a sewer use rate increase. Ms. Stevens and other Commissioner members 
emphasized the need to educated the public about the vast nature of our wastewater system and the 
important service that this department provides to protect public health and the environment. 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to approve the Minutes of March 24, 2026, Ms. Sabilia 
seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed 3-Yes 
                                                 1-Abstained 
 
MOTION 
Made by Ms. Sabilia to approve the Special Minutes of April 14, 2026, Mr. 
Valentini seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously.                                               
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 5, 2026 
2 | P a g e  
 
 
  BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the March and April adjustments. The adjustment reports are kept in 
the office for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Ms. Sabilia to approve the March and April 2026 bill lists, Mr. Valentini 
seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
Interlocal Water Agreement 
MOTION 
Made by Ms. Sabilia to move the discussion of the Interlocal Water Agreement forward 
on the agenda, seconded by Mr. Valentini. 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
David Murphy from RLW was present to give an update to the Commission.  He reported there 
are two meetings set up to meet with Norwich Public Utilities and Groton Utilities next 
week.   
OLD BUSINESS 
• 
Financial Report 
The financials for March were reviewed.   Ms. Stevens gave an update on the finances 
and the need for a sewer rate increase.  She explained that a majority of the 
expenditures are influenced by external factors such as treatment costs, energy costs 
and system repairs and maintenance costs, limiting the ability to significantly reduce 
costs without affecting service levels. 
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
Attorney Kepple asked the Commission to reconsider being able to pursue delinquent 
accounts by suing for breach of contract instead of Foreclosure action. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Ms. Sabilia to authorize the Town Attorney’s office to reinstate 
its practice of pursuing referred delinquent accounts by suing in 
Superior Court for failure to comply with relevant Town ordinances and 
state law regarding sewer use programs, seconded by Mr. Valentini. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
• 
Director’s Report 
Ms. Stevens reviewed her report that provides updated information on all Utility 
Commission Capital and Operational projects currently funded. A copy of the Director’s 
Report will be attached to the minutes when posted. 

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 5, 2026 
3 | P a g e  
 
 
• 
Pioneer-Sewer AI Update 
This update was tabled for next meeting. 
 
• 
Policy Manual Update 
This was tabled for next meeting. 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
Odor and Corrosion Control Chemicals-Evaluation of Bids 
Ms. Stevens reported that one qualified bid was received: Evoqua Water Technologies.  Ms. Stevens 
reported that the staff is happy with their services and recommends that we stay with them. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to award the Odor and Control Chemicals contract to Evoqua, 
seconded by Ms. Sabilia. 
 
VOTE 
              The motion passed unanimously. 
 
On-Call Contractors-Evaluation of Bids 
 
Ms. Stevens reported that eight bids in total were received from contractors to be considered for minor 
repairs in Town.  Ms. Stevens completed a value analysis of the submitted bids.  Ms. Stevens made a 
recommendation to the Commission of the four bidders that would best serve the department and 
system needs. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to award the bid for On-Call Contractors to B&W Paving, Prime 
Electric, Deedy Construction, and P&H Construction, seconded by Ms. Sabilia. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Proposal for Infiltration and Inflow Analysis  
Ms. Stevens explained this analysis will assist the department in its continued efforts to monitor and 
investigate the wastewater system and to monitor flows and identify and remove infiltration and inflow. 
The overall goal of the study is to reduce the amount of non-wastewater flows entering the system to 
provide future capacity for domestic wastewater flows and reduce costs related to the collection, 
conveyance and treatment of clean water. The analysis will be performed by Arcadis, one of our on-call 
engineering firms, and will be conducted system-wide. 
 
WATER  
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The Commission reviewed the report.   
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
 
• 
Ms. Stevens provided a draft of the Proposed Budget for FY27 for review at the next 
regular meeting. 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 5, 2026 
4 | P a g e  
 
• 
Minutes from East Lyme , Old Lyme, and New London 
• 
Wright Pierce-Update on Contract One Project. 
 
PLANS REVIEW –  
None 
 
PERSONNEL 
Sewer Tech I position is still vacant.   
 
Account Receivables Clerk position has been filled, our new hire started on May 4. 
 
There are two positions posted for seasonal help.  These positions will help the maintenance 
department with lawn care and other seasonal duties at the 28 pump stations. 
 
  
OTHER 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to adjourn, Ms. Sabilia seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
Amy Windle 
Recording Secretary 

P a g e  | 1 
 
 
 
Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
April 24, 2026 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities as of 4/24/26 
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: $235,865.56 
This is an ongoing project to identify sources of Inflow and Infiltration within the Waterford Wastewater 
Collection and Conveyance System 
Current Project Status: We have completed the installation of manhole dishes within the wastewater 
basin where surface run off was observed flowing into vented manhole covers. A proposal in the amount 
of $62,000 is included in your meeting packets for an I/I study throughout the entire system resulting in a 
technical memorandum summarizing the results and a prioritization plan for future SSES investigations 
from one of our new engineering consultants, Arcadis. 
Project Background: The Richards Grove Road Wastewater Basin Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) evaluation 
being conducted by Wright-Pierce Engineers for $27,500.00. This project consists of conducting I&I 
evaluations and a Sewer System Evaluation Study (SSES). 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 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. 
2. Old Norwich Road Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation 
There are two CNR designations totaling $1,299,369 in L.I. # 20531-57816.   
In addition, available ARPA funds have been increased to $1,341,316 per finance as of June 4, 2025. 
Original ARPA funds available were in the amount of $1,020,041. 
Current Project Status: The upgraded pump station is in operation and substantially complete as of 
March 27, 2026. A punchlist has been provided to the contractor, we anticipate most if not all 
outstanding items to be complete by the end of May along with a full submittal of O&M final copies. 
Project Background: This project entails an upgrades needed to replace aging equipment at the Old 
Norwich Road pump station. The upgrades include the replacement of the three sewage pumps and 
associated piping and valves and the installation of a new bypass pumping connection.  Comprehensive 
upgrades will also be performed for the electrical systems including replacement of conduit and wiring 
and the electrical distribution and pump control systems.  The ventilation system will also be 
replaced.  Painting and minor architectural improvements will be performed to replace the exterior 

P a g e  | 2 
 
doors, louvers, trim and roof.  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 was 
expected about November 2025, however the contractor has provided an updated final completion date 
of 2/11/2026. 
3. Control Panel Retrofit 
FY22 Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33122-55894 
Original Appropriation: $30,000.00       Available Balance: $0 – line closed 
Current Project Status: No change to this project in the last 30 days, this project will resume when as we 
complete the build phase on the SCADA project, the first station to be worked on will be Graniteville. 
Project Background: 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. Gorman-Rupp Pump Station Controls 
This is an ARPA allocation project in the amount of $163,750.00. L.I. # 23531-55013 
Current Project Status: Some progress has been made at Ridgewood Ave, after replacing the pumps in 
early December, we are installing the remaining screens and completing the electrical work in 
conjunction with the SCADA project. The station will be placed on by-pass during the day and returned to 
normal operation at night for two days to complete the remaining electrical work that requires de-
energizing of the pumps. This work requires the use of the Vac truck which has been tied up on the 
plastic water service project, which is now complete for the season. The truck needs to be used to clean a 
few of the big stations wet wells before we can resume this project. 
Project Background: 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. 
 
5. Pump Station Exterior Improvements 
FY22&23 Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33123-55895 
Original Appropriations: $ 100,000.00 (50K ea. L.I.)      Available Balance: $16,719.48 
Current Project Status: No change to this project this month. The crew continues regular exterior 
maintenance work at all the stations including landscape upkeep. We have identified four stations that 
need new roofs, and have taken precedence over a new driveway at Cross Road. Due to staffing 
shortages this project has been delayed until the summer of 2026. 
 
6. Contract #1 Sewer Easement Access Project 
Capital Improvement Fund L.I. # 33123-55019 & FY26 CNR L.I. # 20531-57894  
Original Appropriation: $250,000.00 & Additional Designation: FY26 CNR $200,000  
Available Balance $279,341.68 
Current Project Status: Advanced Resources began construction on December 10, 2025, site work in 
progress, final clean-up is underway and the contractor indicated completion by end of May. A 
construction field report is included in your packets from the most recent site visit. 
A task order for a not to exceed fee of $41,000 was received and signed on March 20, 2026 for the final 
design drawings and bid services to complete Phase 2. This will enable us to go out to bid for the 
remainder of the interceptor in the near future. A kickoff meeting was held on April 10th for phase two.  

P a g e  | 3 
 
Project Background: Contract #1 was the Town's very first sewer construction project, which began in 
1970. This project entailed the installation of approximately 13,000 linier feet of sewer main. Contract #1, 
Phase one encompasses the southern section of the interceptor beginning at the intersection of Great 
Neck Road and Rope Ferry Road to the end of the interceptor at Evergreen Avenue Pump Station. Phase 
two which encompasses the northern section of the interceptor from Boston Post Road to Great Neck 
Road requires the acquisition of additional easements to gain access to the interceptor during restoration 
and for the Utility Commission staff in the future. Splitting the project into two Phases allows restoration 
work to begin while easements are procured, so that once Phase one is complete easements will be in 
place and Phase two can begin shortly thereafter. 
 
7. Plastic Water Service Line Replacement Program 
CNR Appropriation L.I. # 20531-57881       
Original Appropriations: $550,000.00 + $181,300.00 = $731,300.00  
Additional Designations: $200,000 total in FY24 & FY25 ($100K each year), & $500,000 in FY26 GFB 
Available Balance: $781,471.53 
Current Project Status:  The WUC maintenance crew has completed all material identification on the 
roads identified by DPW’s current paving plan for this season. Bid documents are being finalized with the 
21 verified services that need to be replaced in advance of DPW’s paving program. 
Project Background: There are approximately 7900 water services in Town, many of which are plastic and 
have exceeded their useful life resulting in unaccounted for water loss and degradation to the Town 
roads. The goal of this program is to replace the aging plastic water services with copper line prior to 
DPW paving the roads. 
8. Bartlett Corners Booster Station Decommissioning 
CNR Designation L.I. #20531-57896 
Original Appropriation: $166,950 
Available Balance: $166,950 
Current Project Status: Haley Ward’s task order for a lump sum of $22,705 was signed on March 24, 2026 
a project kick off meeting and site visit was held on April 9, 2026. 
Project Background: In 2006, the Town constructed water system improvements that enhanced water 
pressures and fire flows to the Quaker Hill area of Waterford. Included in this project were a new 2500 
gpm capacity water booster pumping station near the intersection of Old Colchester and Old Norwich 
Roads, and a 1.5 million gallon pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete water storage tank constructed on Rogers 
Hill. From 1977 up to 2006, the Bartlett Corners Hydro-pneumatic Station served a small high service area 
on a hill in the northeast corner of Waterford consisting of approximately 20 residential customers on 
Lathrop Road, Lower Bartlett Road, Upper Bartlett Road, Pepperidge Road and South Bartlett Road.  Once 
the new Quaker Hill water system improvements were activated in 2006, the Bartlett Corners Station was 
inactivated however not fully decommissioned. In 2009 a decommissioning report was prepared which 
identified costs of $105,000 to properly decommission the station. Utilizing the Engineering News 
Record’s Construction Costs Index inflation factor of 1.59 from 11/2009 to 11/2024, the current 
decommissioning costs estimate is $166,950.  
9. Water Tank Asset Management Program 
CNR Appropriation L.I. # 20531-57895 
Original Designation: $46,222 
Available Balance: $2,726.00 
Current Project Status: This project is complete for this year, the Commission will be updated as routine 
inspections are performed and inspection reports provided. The project will be removed from this report 
after this month. 
Project Background: The Town of Waterford owns three water storage tanks, the 750,000 gallon Fargo 
Tank, the 300,000 gallon Vauxhall tank and the 1.25 Million gallon Rogers Hill tank. In 2024 the Fargo 

P a g e  | 4 
 
Road Tank refurbishment project was completed; prior to this renovation, the Fargo Road water tank had 
its original coat of paint, which had far exceeded its useful life expectancy by approximately 10 years. This 
work was necessary to preserve the Town’s significant investment in its infrastructure and to extend the 
life of its asset. A Water Tank Management Program for these valuable assets preserves the significant 
investment the Town has made in water storage tanks by guaranteeing routine inspections and 
maintenance of the water storage tanks does not fall behind, thus improving the reliability of the system. 
A sustainable water tank management solution also makes budgeting easier as initial repair costs can be 
spread out over a few years if necessary and all future interior and exterior renovation costs are included.  
Sewer Development & Maintenance Fund Projects 
10. SCADA System Upgrade Design/Build 
L.I. # 24431-57766  
Approved Task Order: $147,600.00 + $19,200 change order 3/2025: $166,800 
Current Project Status:  
The project continues to make forward progress and will enter into production the week of May 5th. 
Verizon completed their IP addressing changes and have sent a group of 10 SIM cards for testing. 
Project Background: The current SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system has 
experienced multiple failures over the past several months, which has necessitated calling in the entire 
crew to canvas the pumps stations on at least one occasion while the system was brought back online; 
additionally two different software programs used to operate the system are no longer supported and 
the hardware has exceeded its useful life. The Commission has entered into a design-build contract with 
Wright Pierce, our on-call engineering firm, to replace the failing system. The new system platform will be 
Ignition, a software system found and piloted by one of our current Maintenance Operators and 
presented to the Commission over the past few years. Additionally the communication between stations 
to the maintenance shop/Municipal Complex will be accomplished over a closed zero-tunnel cellular 
network with radio redundancy.  
11. Water and Wastewater Standards and Specifications Update 
L.I. # 24431-52121 
Approved Task Order: $36,800.00 
Available Balance: $23,035.74 
Current Project Status: Three working sessions with Waterford and New London staff were held on 
12/9/25 and 1/7/26 & 3/25/26 to review the W-P draft standards and specifications provided. A meeting 
with Wright Pierce to review the results (redlines) of the working sessions will take place in May to 
incorporate into the next draft of standards and specifications. We anticipate one or two more working 
sessions with New London to confirm the changes and provide any additional feedback before accepting 
the new standards and specifications to be published. 
Project Background: The current Water and Wastewater Standard and Specifications the Utility 
Commission uses are significantly outdated and require updating. This project is being cost-shared with 
the City of New London.  
Other Utility Commission Updates 
• 
Flow metering – EST continues to support the inter-municipal flow meters, the first monthly report was 
received for data logged in March with the exception of the Mago Point meter, this is a duplicate meter, 
East Lyme’s pump station flow meter can be used in place of this meter until the data is available. 
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
Jill N. Stevens 
Director of Utilities