Torrington council authorizes mayor to use cooperative contract for Winstead Road force‑main work

Torrington — The Torrington City Council, meeting jointly with the WPCA on Tuesday, Oct. 28, voted to authorize the mayor to execute a Capital Region Council of Governments cooperative purchasing contract to proceed with Phase 1 of the Winstead Road force‑main replacement.

The measure implements a contract previously approved by the council on June 17, 2025, to award Phase 1 to Yield Industries Inc. of Torrington for a contract amount cited in the WPCA memo dated Oct. 23, 2025, as $246,658.70. Council members present responded 'Aye' when the chair called for a vote, and the chair declared the motion carried.

The authorization follows WPCA administrator Ed's explanation that the project team wants to move quickly to secure materials before regional asphalt plants close for the season. "We wanted to get this across the road before winter sets in," Ed said, and added he expects materials to be available "about a week, maybe 2 tops" after approval.

Ed described the work as an approximately 8‑foot deep excavation that will install casements to allow the force main to be pulled through later, enable work on either side of the road, and restore the pavement and guardrails when complete. He said the work is intended to minimize long‑term full road closures by doing half the road at a time as required by the state.

Officials said recurring breaks prompted the project: two force mains exit the station, and one is currently out of service because it leaks under the road. Ed attributed the breaks in part to how a previous single‑span bridge was backfilled, which added weight and stressed nearby utilities, and to inadequate bedding around pipes. Phase 1 and subsequent Phase 2 work are intended to address those areas and reduce future failures.

Council members asked whether ongoing projects on Midgett Avenue and Harrington Avenue would conflict; Ed said Midgett is "kinda winding down" and that this phase sits south of the planned tunnel work and should not create a scheduling conflict. He also noted the contractor is prepared to encounter historical abutments several feet below the surface and has demolition equipment on hand if needed.

With the authorization in hand, WPCA staff said they will proceed with procurement and scheduling under the cooperative contract; Ed provided the one‑to‑two‑week estimate for materials availability. The council adjourned after the vote.

(For the record: the council meeting was a special joint session of the Torrington City Council and WPCA held by Zoom on Oct. 28, 2025.)