Weston committee approves 2‑year satellite leak‑detection contract; backs real‑estate fee increase for Ryan Street lift station

The Village of Weston Public Works/Utilities Committee voted Tuesday to recommend that the Village Board approve a two‑year preventive leak‑detection contract using satellite imagery and on‑the‑ground follow up, and approved an amendment to a real‑estate services agreement for the Ryan Street lift‑station project.

Committee members said the satellite service — proposed by a vendor referred to in committee materials as Astera and used by the City of Green Bay and City of Wausau — would supplement the village’s existing leak‑chase work and help prioritize main replacements. Michael (staff member, public works/engineering) summarized the proposal, telling the committee that the vendor combines satellite analysis with “boots on the ground” technicians who can then localize leaks to a smaller area for field crews to investigate.

The contract discussion came after staff recapped recent system problems and water‑main work: a water main break on Beltwood Avenue that was located after residents noticed pumps running longer than normal; continuing routine lateral inspections; and legacy communications problems affecting well control that staff said AT&T and a contractor were addressing.

Why it matters: Weston’s system includes about 113 miles of water main and roughly 5,600 water services, staff said. Committee members said better targeting of likely leak locations could reduce field time and help prioritize water‑main replacements in the village’s capital plan.

Key details and decisions: Michael recommended the committee forward a two‑year “preventive” package from the vendor at a cost of $46,500, split between the 2025 and 2026 budgets. A committee member moved the recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. The committee directed staff to include contract outcomes, alerts and results in future operations reports so the board can monitor the service’s effectiveness.

The committee also approved a contract amendment for Becker & Hoppe, the firm handling property acquisition for the Ryan Street lift station and river crossing project. Staff said state law changes and a longer process of securing releases from multiple condo owners expanded the scope of work; the committee voted to recommend approval of an increase to the real‑estate acquisition services agreement for an additional $13,650.

Other actions: the committee acknowledged proceeds from a village surplus auction that totaled $36,890.71 (the largest item was a 1990 tri‑axle dump truck that sold for $29,500), and approved the minutes of the Nov. 11, 2024 utility committee meeting.

Discussion and caveats: Committee members asked about what the satellite technology detects, how precise its heat/other imagery is, and whether the village would get an insurance certificate and clear contract terms; staff said the current document was a proposal and that insurance and the final contract language would be required. Staff also noted the village already budgets roughly $70,000 a year for main and lateral repairs and said the contract cost would come from that operating budget.

What’s next: Staff will bring the final contract language and insurance documentation for board approval and include vendor alerts and follow‑up reports in future staff updates so the board can assess successes and failures of the program.