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Groton utilities present multiple procurement items, including transformer purchase and a federally funded water‑main replacement project
Summary
Groton Utilities staff requested approval to purchase 10 pad‑mount transformers (competitive bids) and reported multiple routine procurements; staff also presented a $5.7 million DIP grant project for two miles of water‑main replacement with construction bids exceeding available construction funds.
At the June 22 meeting Groton Utilities outlined several items the city will bring forward for formal action on July 6, including procurement requests and a federally funded water-main replacement project.
Transformers and routine procurements: Utilities Manager Bill Roar said the low-bid vendor was recommended for 10 pad‑mount transformers across three size categories (150 KVA, 225 KVA and 750 KVA). The request in the packet, including a 10% contingency, totaled $165,344.30. Staff said delivery is currently estimated at about six months. Roar described a min/max inventory approach to ensure spares are available and noted that larger developments (for example, Vista Point and Columbia Gardens) will require specific sizing; transformers above 225 KVA are typically the developer’s cost if required. Councilors asked about lead times, lifecycle expectations (30–40 years typical), condition‑based replacement and how many units would remain in stock after allocations to current developments.
Water‑main replacement (DIP grant): Project Manager Kelsey Odell summarized work funded through the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DIP) administered by the Southeastern Council of Governments (SCOG). The overall grant award is $5.7 million with roughly $4.6 million available for construction; construction bids returned at about $5.9 million, leaving a funding shortfall. Staff said the city will initially use bond or other funds and then seek reimbursement through SCOG per the intergovernmental agreement. The project, covering about two miles of replacement to improve fire flow to the submarine base, may require a schedule amendment and staff will notify residents when construction is set to begin.
Other routine items: staff also presented a three‑year sludge removal contract (loads ~6,500 gallons; expected three–five loads per week), water-treatment chemical awards (lowest qualified bidders), and granulated activated carbon replacement for the filtration plant; all these items were unanimously moved to the July 6 mayor-and-council agenda.
Next steps: council agreed to place these utility procurements and the DIP construction award on the July 6 agenda. Staff will prepare required contracts, funding authorization language and reimbursement paperwork for the grant-funded project.
