741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Water Pollution Control Authority

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Ed Lynch

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

6:30 PM

Council Chambers - Hybrid

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Lynch at 6:30 p.m.

Due to technical difficulties there is only audio for this meeting (no video).

II.

ROLL CALL

Board Member Terry Jones

Present

Board Member Stanley Juber

Board Member Monir Tewfik

Board Member Sharon Wadecki

Board Member Edmond Lynch

Alternate Member Jeremy Norris

Alternate Member Tony Capon

Alternate Member James A. Ball

Alternate

Mauricio Duarte, GU General Foreman Water Operations joined the meeting at 7:13 p.m.

III.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Not needed.

IV.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGAINCE

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

VI.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from March 25, 2025, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Edmond Lynch

RESULT:

MOVER:

Sharon Wadecki

SECONDER:

Jones Juber Tewfik Wadecki Lynch

AYE

VII. COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Operations Report.

Chairman Lynch said that the Groton Utilities cross connection inspections have begun. There

have been complaints from Pete Gardner. Chairman Lynch will ask Mauricio Duarte, GU

General Foreman Water Operations for his understanding on the complaints. Fox Run

condominium has two places with significant leaks (approximately 160 gallons a minute), they

are aware of the issue. It will be the responsibility of Fox Run to perform the repairs since the

leaks occur after the meter.

When Mauricio Duarte, GU General Foreman Water Operations joined the meeting at 7:13 p.m.,

Chairman Lynch asked him for an update on the Fox Run leaks. Mr. Duarte answered that he

was on duty when the emergency call came into GU's answering service. He reported that Fox

Run is aware of the leaks, and they will reach out to a contractor. Chairman Lynch asked what

was causing the leaks, it was answered that the leaks are with old cast iron pipes which are

subject to failing. Chairman Lynch also asked Mr. Duarte if the Peter Gardner cross connection

altercations have been resolved. Mr. Duarte said that during an inspection a device happened to

fail. Mr. Gardner got very angry at the GU employee trying to do his job, Mr. Duarte said the

incident was blown out of proportion. GU gives customers 30 days to fix the problem before

returning for an inspection.

Chairman Lynch asked Mr. Daurte about his meeting with Cashman. Mr. Duarte needs to follow

up with Cashman regarding the possibility of Cashman and American Styrenics (Amsty)

splitting the meter pit cost.

Lastly, Chairman Lynch asked Mr. Duarte about use of the hydrant on Baldwin Hill Road. Mr.

Duarte said the owner was given three months to tie into city water, but GU has not heard from

him in two months. Ms. Wadecki suggested that a reminder letter be sent.

ACTION ITEM:

Send a reminder letter of the three-month limit to tie into city water.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Service Correspondence.

None.

Aged Reports/Finance.

No comments.

Year to Date Water/Sewer Report.

Mr. Juber asked why the power purchased on the water report is 150%. Chairman Lynch was not

sure and suggested that the Authority ask Finance.

ACTION ITEM:

Ms. Wadecki will ask Ian Stammel, Assistant Financial Director, why the power purchase on the

water report is at 150%.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

PSR - Steve Banks.

No report this month.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

SCWA/WPCA Exclusive Service Area Agreement Adjustments.

Discussion and possible vote.

Ms. Wadecki said there were holes in the proposal from last month's meeting. She expressed

concern about giving up two service areas without any contingency stating that when the WPCA

can supply water they receive the addresses. Mr. Jones said SCWA needs to describe what

exactly is in the proposed takeover, what they are willing to do, and how it will be accomplished.

There was debate as to either separate the system or takeover the entire system (including 1

Colby Drive). Floyd's Garage owns Fairway Drive properties 5 and 9 which use well water so

there is no concern with those properties. Mr. Juber said a logical breaking point of where the

WPCA will take over the system is needed, not just a list of properties. Mr. Jones read a portion

of the SQWA letter:

"Providing sewer service to the Ledyard Center area also requires ESA changes along Colby

Drive. Parcels south of Colby Drive and its intersection with Fairway Drive will shift to WPCA

service and the emergency cross connect relocating to the north side of the intersection from

Colonel Ledyard and Fairway. The following parcels will now be served by the WPCA. 2,4,6

and 8 Colby, 1,5,6,7 Fairway and 690 Colonel Ledyard Highway."

The Commissioners agreed that the WPCA should ask for the areas south of the "T" and all of

Colby Drive. Also, there should not be a letter for WUUC until both organizations have reached

an agreement.

Chairman Lynch will draft a proposal letter for SCWA.

When Mauricio Duarte, GU General Foreman Water Operations joined the meeting at 7:13 p.m.

Ms. Wadecki told Mr. Duarte that the Authority was discussing the Fairway Drive/Colby Water

issue and would like to know where the cross-connect shut off valve is located, Mr. Duarte

answered that it is at the beginning of Fairway Drive/Colonel Ledyard Highway, approximately

50 feet in. The SCWA well no longer complies with State regulations and needs to be shut

down.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Review of Trail/Sewer line progress report. Communicate punch list requirements - continued.

Discussion of Hydrant displacement on Colonel Ledyard Highway. Status of hydrant move.

Mr. Duarte said the hydrant will go on the opposite side. Chairman Lynch asked if GU will be

performing the move, he answered yes and will let him know when. Mr. Duarte explained that

the Fire Marshall's concern is if there were a fire, a hose would need to be run across the street

requiring the street to be shut down.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

WPCA Handbook continued.

Chairman Lynch reported that he just received the grinder pump specs and will forward it to Mr.

Jones.

Questions;

Page 33 - Does the specification for sewage grinder pump installation exist?

Page 47 - Addendum of Residential dual check device, has this been implemented?

Residential dual check device - Effective the date of approval by the Town of Ledyard WPCA

Commission of this Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention Program for Ledyard WPCA,

all new residential buildings will be required to install a residential dual check device

immediately downstream of the water meter.

a) Installation of this residential dual check device on a retrofit basis on existing service lines

will be instituted at a time and at a potential cost to the homeowner as deemed necessary by

the Department.

b) The owner must be aware that installation of a residential dual check valve results in a

potential closed plumbing system within his residence. As such, provisions may have to be

made by the owner to provide for thermal expansion within his closed loop system, i.e. the

installation of thermal expansion devices and/or pressure relief valves.

Mr. Jones asked if this addendum should change to only apply to commercial properties. Mr.

Daurte will provide GU's comments for the next meeting.

Should the following paragraph remain in the handbook?

Strainers. The Department strongly recommends that all new retrofit installations of reduced

pressure principle devices and double check valve backflow preventers include the installation of

strainers located immediately upstream of the backflow device. The installation of strainer will

preclude the fouling of backflow devices due to both foreseen and unforeseen circumstances

occurring to the water supply system such as water main repairs, water main breaks, fires,

periodic cleaning and flushing of mains, etc. The occurrences may “stir up” debris within the

water main that will cause fouling of backflow devices installed without the benefit of strainers.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Ongoing Lead Survey Grant and Project Resolution. Status.

No update.

Discuss Budget Proposal Mathematics.

No changes need to be made.

Any Other Old Business to Come Before the Commission.

Ms. Wadecki obtained CNR accounts balances from the Finance Department. The CNR account

balances are as follows:

Water = $668,000 available.

Sewer = Started the year with $308,758 and expended $262,000. Available = $46,758.

The Commissioners discussed forming sub-categories within the CNR accounts. The

sub-categories would fund specific projects. Ms. Wadecki volunteered to speak with Mr.

Stammel about this.

ACTION ITEM:

Ask Ian Stammel, Assistant Finance Director, about forming specific sub-categories within the

CNR accounts.

Mr. Duarte asked if he could add something to the discussion. He said that Steve Masalin, Public

Works Director, reached out to him regarding which roads will be paved this year. One of the

roads on the list was Thompson Street, which has had some main breaks recently. Mr. Duarte

suggested that the WPCA coordinates with Mr. Masalin on long-term repairs to perform line

repairs at the same time that paving is done, which would be a cost-saving solution. Ms.

Wadecki asked Mr. Duarte if he could provide an approximate amount of repair costs so it could

be voted on during the next meeting. Mr. Ball agreed that getting a road paving schedule was a

great idea.

ACTION ITEM:

Ask Mr. Duarte for a line repair estimate for Thompson Street and other possible repairs in the

Highlands neighborhood.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion to RECOMMEND to the Town Council approval of a four percent water rate increase

effective July 1, 2025, as recommended and contained in the water and sewer rate table and the

WPCA letter dated April 10, 2025, in accordance with Ordinance #400-001 “An Ordinance

Establishing a Water Pollution Control Authority”.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Edmond Lynch

RESULT:

MOVER:

Sharon Wadecki

SECONDER:

Jones Juber Tewfik Wadecki Lynch

AYE

Motion to APPROVE payment to Day Paper Order number d01096214, in the amount of

$194.16, for Public Notice of Rate Increase published on April 11, 2025.

Chairman Lynch pointed out that the Authority saved a good amount of money (over $1,000) by

not printing the rate table in the Day Paper. The table was posted in the Town Clerk's Office and

on the Town Website.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Edmond Lynch

RESULT:

MOVER:

Sharon Wadecki

SECONDER:

Jones Juber Tewfik Wadecki Lynch

AYE

Motion to APPROVE payment of Ti-Sales invoice #INV0182622, dated April 7, 2025, in the

amount of $6,640.00, for Neptune meter/wall mount.

New meters were needed.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT:

Edmond Lynch

Sharon Wadecki

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Jones Juber Tewfik Wadecki Lynch

AYE

Motion to APPROVE payment of Groton Utilities Invoice #0028192, dated March 31, 2025, in

the amount of $534.13, for lead inventory.

Ms. Wadecki commented that she was glad to see the lead inventory was in the current fiscal

year budget.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Edmond Lynch

RESULT:

MOVER:

Sharon Wadecki

SECONDER:

Jones Juber Tewfik Wadecki Lynch

AYE

Any Other New Business to Come Before the Commission.

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 8:02 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Sharon Wadecki

RESULT:

MOVER:

Edmond Lynch

SECONDER:

Jones Juber Tewfik Wadecki Lynch

AYE

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.