Utility Commission - Minutes - 07/28/2026

WATERFORD UTILITY COMMISSION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATE:  
 
July 28, 2026 
 
PLACE:  
 
1000 Hartford Turnpike  
 
PRESIDING: 
 
Chairman Ken Kirkman 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
Jerry Porter and Ray Valentini 
 
MEMBERS ABSENT: 
Beth Sabilia and Ryan Boyle 
 
ALSO PRESENT:              Attorney Nicholas Kepple, Town Counsel, arrived at 6:20pm 
 
 
             J. Robert Tuneski, Board of Finance Liaison 
                 
                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 6:02 pm 
CITIZEN SESSION-             
 
SECRETARY’S REPORT 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to approve the Meeting Minutes of June 23, 2026, Mr. 
Porter seconded. 
 
VOTE 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
BILLING ADJUSTMENTS 
The Commission reviewed the July adjustments. The adjustment reports are kept in the office 
for review.  
 
 
EXPENDITURES 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Porter to approve the July 2026 bill lists, Mr. Valentini seconded. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
OLD BUSINESS 
Ms. Stevens respectfully requested that the Collection’s Report and Rate Study Update be tabled until 
Attorney Kepple arrived. 
 
 

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July 28, 2026 
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• 
Financial Report 
There were no financials to review because finance has not completed the year-end in time 
for the meeting. 
 
• 
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.   
 
• 
Collection’s Report 
Attorney Kepple reported that all is going well with collections and reviewed what has been 
collected through the years. 
 
207 Boston Post Rd-Town Auction- 
This town owned property was sold in April at auction.  Attorney Kepple went through the 
breakdown of the sale proceeds.  Our department and the tax collector received partial 
payment to cover past due charges.  A portion of the past due charges will need to be written 
off to bad debt as itemized in an adjustment breakdown provided by Ms. Windle. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to accept the charges identified be written off to 
bad debt as identified on the adjustment breakdown for this account, 
seconded by Mr. Porter. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
• 
Rate Study Update 
Attorney Kepple explained the next steps to move forward with the rate increase which includes 
a formal acceptance of the recommended rate increase identified in the Raftelis Rate Study and 
a public hearing in accordance with CT State Statute 7-255. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to accept the recommended rates as presented 
by Raftelis for calendar year 2027 for presentation in public hearing in 
accordance with state statue section 7-255, seconded by Mr. Porter. 
 
VOTE 
               The motion passed unanimously. 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Valentini to set a public meeting for the proposed rate 
increase for August 25, 2026 at 6:00PM at the Town Hall located at 15 
Rope Ferry Road, seconded by Mr. Porter. 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
NEW BUSINESS 
Route 85 Pump Station Power 
Ms. Stevens gave an update on her meeting with General Dynamics/ Electric Boat regarding the power 
source at the pump station located on their property.  Both the Town and General Dynamics/Electric 
Boat share the same goal: to no longer power the Utility Commission’s pump station located at the old 

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July 28, 2026 
3 | P a g e  
 
Crystal Mall property from the existing building and provide the station with its own separate normal 
and standby power sources.  Options on how best to achieve this goal were discussed with General 
Dynamics/Electric Boat and Ms. Stevens will keep the Commission updated. 
WATER 
City of New London/Veolia Report. 
The Veolia report was reviewed. 
 
INTERLOCAL WATER AGREEMENT UPDATE 
Dave Murphy and Scott Bighnatti from Resilient Land & Water presented an update on the progress 
made on the Capital Requirements Surrounding the Potential Renewal of the Waterford/New London 
Interlocal Water Agreement.  Discussion ensued; the Commission will have a special meeting on 
September 2, 2026 at 6pm to review the first draft of RLW’s report.  
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
• 
Minutes from New London 
• 
207 Boston Post Rd Auction Proceeds 
• 
Letter from East Lyme-Request More Sewer Capacity 
The Commission has requested that Ms. Stevens invite East Lyme to the October 
meeting to have a discussion surrounding their proposal to acquire additional capacity 
from Waterford.   
 
PLANS REVIEW –  
No plans 
 
PERSONNEL 
Sewer Tech I position is still vacant.  Ms. Stevens reported that the First Selectman Brule supports the 
revised job description for the Compliance Enforcement Tech position, which is currently vacant.  She 
will work with HR to advance the changes through the required channels for the final approval. 
 
  
OTHER 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. 
 
 
 
MOTION 
Made by Mr. Porter to adjourn, Mr. Valentini seconded. 
 
 
 
VOTE 
 
The motion passed unanimously. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
 
 
Amy Windle 
Recording Secretary 

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Waterford Utility Commission 
Director’s Report 
July 28, 2026 
             This report summarizes the Commission’s ongoing projects and operational activities as of 7/24/26 
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: Since the June 16th update, Arcadis has continued to develop a methodology for 
assessing pump station runtime data and calculating flows to represent fluctuations between dry and wet 
weather periods. Due to limited data, they are continuing to download and update runtime data as it is 
being collected by town employees that is stored in the ArcGIS online platform. Below are two examples 
illustrating the responses to precipitation showing system increases in pump station runtimes as a result 
of precipitation and I/I entering these areas.  
 
 

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Next steps for the project are to continue to download pump station runtime data, groundwater data, 
and precipitation data and integrate it into our calculations; conducting a site visit and meeting with 
existing Town employees to understand problem areas for the Town and incorporate our findings into a 
prioritization plan.  
It is anticipated that the site visit will be conducted in mid-August and that preliminary I/I results and 
findings will be available at that time. The project is on schedule and budget with a draft prioritization 
plan being submitted by the end of August.  
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. No operational issues to report.  Some items for Contractor to still address on punch list. 
Additional work has been approved in wet well to replace existing switches for motors.  Contractor 
indicated materials will take into September to receive and work can be completed in couple days once 
material received.    
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. 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 $153228.37 (plus $100,000 designated as of July 1, 2027) 

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Current Project Status:  Contract One Phase Two design: Preliminary drawings provided for comment. 
Virtual meeting held on July 14th to discuss.  Will address comments and prepare updated drawings and 
specs by July 28. A request to appropriate the FY27 designated funds was approved at the June 30, 2026 
BOS special meeting and the July 15, 2026 BOF meeting; this request has moved on to the August 3, 2026 
agenda for final approval. 
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. 
4. 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: $794,950.72 (plus $100,000 designated as of July 1, 2027) 
Current Project Status:  The contractor has completed their work in Quaker Hill, this project is complete 
for this paving season. Utility Commission staff will continue to work with DPW to complete plastic water 
service line replacements in advance of DPW’s paving plan, service line material identification efforts will 
continue all year as time permits.  
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. 
5. Bartlett Corners Booster Station Decommissioning 
CNR Designation L.I. #20531-57896 
Original Appropriation: $166,950 
Available Balance: $156,950 
Current Project Status: Haley Ward is attempting to find estimates for removal of the transite pipe for 
the Commission to make a determination regarding whether the pipe is abandoned in place or removed. 
Please see the following information provided by Haley Ward for discussion: 
“I will continue to branch out and try and get a budgetary quote, but if  I had to guess, here are the additional costs 
associated with removing the pipe vs. leaving it in place: 
- 
Saw cut and remove sections of sidewalk and pavement- $ 2500 
- 
Excavate and remove piping-  $ 7,500 
- 
Hazardous waste disposal of transite pipe-  $ 10,000 - $ 20,000 
- 
Restore pavement and concrete sidewalk- $ 5000 
ESTIMATED COST RANGE-  $ 25,000 to $ 35,000   
If the Commission could discuss this cost range and express a direction as to remove it or leave it in place, we could 
finalize the documents while still pursuing a more exact disposal number.” 
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 

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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.  
6. Water Tank Asset Management Program 
CNR Appropriation L.I. # 20531-57026 
Original Designation: FY27 $45,671.00 
Current Project Status: A request to appropriate the FY27 designated funds was approved at the June 30, 
2026 BOS special meeting and the July 15, 2026 BOF meeting; this request has moved on to the August 3, 
2026 agenda for final approval. 
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 
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.  
7. 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 as we 
complete the cellular network deployment for SCADA, 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. 
 
8. 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 & cellular network deployment. 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 that had 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. 

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9. 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: The driveway at Old Barry Road is in need of repair, it’s unlikely to survive 
another season of plowing; we have asked our on-call contractor to complete this work for us, which will 
use the balance of this line.  
Sewer Development & Maintenance Fund Projects 
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: Wright Pierce is addressing our comments and providing draft for wastewater 
specs for Waterford /New London review. A list of questions was received from Wright Pierce, staff are 
reviewing and crafting a response. 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