Utility Commission - Minutes - 05/26/2026

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATE:  
 
May 26, 2026 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
Jerry Porter, Beth Sabilia, Ryan Boyle and Ray Valentini 
 
ALSO PRESENT:              Abbas Danesh, Waterford Town Treasurer  
 
 
             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 6:00 pm 
 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
None 
 
ANNUAL MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY 9003 
Election of Chairperson- 
 
MOTION  
Made by Mr. Boyle to nominate Mr. Kirkman to remain as Chairman, seconded 
by Mr. Porter. 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Election of Secretary- 
 
MOTION 
Made by Ms. Sabilia to nominate Mr. Valentini to remain as Secretary, seconded 
by Mr. Porter. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to approve the Special Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2026, 
Ms. Sabilia seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed 4-Yes  1-Abstained. 
 
   

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 26, 2026 
2 | P a g e  
 
Special Presentation- 
 
Abbas Danesh, Waterford Town Treasurer reviewed the Cash Position and the Interest Income 
with the Commissioners and answered questions. 
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
 
The Commission reviewed the May adjustments. The adjustment reports are kept in the office 
for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Porter to approve the May 2026 bill list, Ms. Sabilia seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
OLD BUSINESS 
• 
Financial Report 
The financials for April were reviewed.  There was discussion on overtime expense and 
staff shortages. 
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
Attorney Kepple reported that all is going well with collections. 
 
• 
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. 
 
Mr. Matthews reviewed the Asset Management report.  He also gave a presentation on 
what the new Pioneer-Sewer AI Inspection software can do. 
 
Policy Manual Update 
No major updates needed.  There are a few minor changes and some grammar changes needed. 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
FY26 Plastic Water Service Replacement Bid Results 
Ms. Stevens reviewed the bid tabulation sheet with the Commissioners.  She also explained that 21 
services were identified that need to be replaced with copper pipe.  Two contractors submitted bids;  
B&W Paving & Landscaping LLC and P&H Construction and Septic Service.  Staff recommended B&W 
Paving & Landscaping LLC as the lowest qualified bidder.  
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to recommend to the Board of Selectman that B& W 
Paving Landscaping LLC be awarded the contract for the Replacement of Plastic 
Water Services for the FY26 Paving Program, seconded by Mr. Boyle. 
 
VOTE 
               The motion passed unanimously. 
 

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 26, 2026 
3 | P a g e  
 
 
 
WATER  
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The Commission reviewed the report.  Ms. Stevens reported that New London would be doing Targeted 
flushing on hydrants because of potential drought conditions anticipated this summer.  In addition, our 
Water Tank Asset Management vendor, USG, will conduct a remote vehicle assessment on the Fargo 
Water Tank in order to conserve water in place of a full washout this year. 
 
Water Agreement Working Group Update 
Mr. Valentini reported that the two meetings with the City of Norwich and Groton Utilities went very 
well.  Both meetings had good discussions with positive feedback.   
At the June monthly meeting, RLW will be present to present their draft report and answer questions. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
• 
Minutes from Old Lyme 
PLANS REVIEW –  
No plans 
 
PERSONNEL 
Sewer Tech I position is still vacant.  There is a potential interview being scheduled for next week for the 
Sewer Tech I position and there is an applicant for the Seasonal Position who may be interviewed next 
week as well. 
 
  
OTHER 
Ms. Stevens request that the approval of the FY 27 Budget be added to the agenda. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Ms. Sabilia to add FY27 Budget Approval to the agenda, seconded by 
Mr. Valentini. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
There was discussion on how the amount for the treatment cost was calculated.  Ms. Stevens explained 
her calculation at how she arrived at the number in the FY27 Budget. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Ms. Sabilia to approve the FY27 Budget as presented to the 
Commission, seconded by Mr. Valentini. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
 
 
 
 
ADJOURNMENT 

Waterford Utility Commission 
May 26, 2026 
4 | P a g e  
 
 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Boyle 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 
May 26, 2026 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities as of 5/21/26 
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: On May 15th we had a kickoff call with Arcadis to begin the I/I study throughout 
the entire system. They have been provided with access to the GIS, flow metering data, pump run times 
and other I/I reports and studies performed over time for historical context.  
Project Background: 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. Waiting for contractor update on punchlist items. Final completion will be granted once 
punchlist is complete. No operational issues to report. 
Project Background: This project entails an upgrade 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 
doors, louvers, trim and roof. 
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. 

P a g e  | 2 
 
 
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: No updates since early May. 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 continues 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. 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 & FY27 CNR $100,000 
Available Balance $265,804.18 (plus $100,000 on July 1, 2027) 
Current Project Status: Site walk completed with Maureen Fitzgerald May 5th to confirm wetlands permit 
conditions are being met (some site notes generated but work satisfies the permit 
requirements). Contractor indicated completion by end of May.  
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. 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. 
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, & 
$100,000 CNR FY27 
Available Balance: $797,532.05 (plus $100,000 on July 1, 2027) 

P a g e  | 3 
 
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. The bid opening is May 21st, we anticipate 
a Commission recommendation to award this contract will be submitted to the BOS for their next regular 
meeting. 
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 lines 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 was on-site April 9, 2026 and completed measurements and photos.  
Mystic Air Quality was on site with Haley Ward on May 4, 2026 and collected asbestos samples in the 
station. Haley Ward is in the process of preparing draft demolition plans for the removal of equipment 
and materials inside the station, which should be submitted by early June. 
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.  
Sewer Development & Maintenance Fund Projects 
9. 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: The Domain setup is complete, Historian setup is 
complete, NAS backup setup is complete, SCADA2 and all redundant VMS are setup and working across 
town (complete), SMS alarming is setup and in testing, the entire new SCADA system is up and running in 
parallel as of 5/18. WP returning to site Thursday 5/21 to address minor issues, Jeff R (Waterford IT) to 
set up some network equipment for remote access which should be completed next week or the 
following week. Once remote access is setup WP will make another site visit to test remote access, 
provide training, and address any addition issues Waterford might have. 
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 

P a g e  | 4 
 
to the maintenance shop/Municipal Complex will be accomplished over a closed zero-tunnel cellular 
network with radio redundancy.  
 
10. 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: Meet with Wright Pierce 5/19/2026 to discuss our comments on the water & 
wastewater specs and details. Wright Pierce will be addressing our comments and providing draft for 
wastewater specs for Waterford /New London review. We anticipate one more working session with 
New London for the wastewater specifications and a final workshop with Wright Pierce, Waterford, and 
New London to confirm the changes made by Wright Pierce 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. 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 
 
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
Jill N. Stevens 
Director of Utilities