Selectmen approve contract to replace plastic water services with copper on District Two roads

The Waterford Board of Selectmen on June 2 approved a contract recommendation to replace aging plastic residential water services with new copper lines on District Two roads.

The vote followed a presentation from the utilities team, which said crews inspected curb stops ahead of the town paving program and identified 21 homes that will need services replaced. "We estimate about 660 linear feet of copper tubing that needs to be replaced," said Julie, a utilities staff member. The department told the board it expects that up to about five curb stops may require replacement once crews excavate and inspect in the field. The contract was described as having an estimated not‑to‑exceed amount of $110,000 and would be charged to account line 20531‑57881, "plastic water service line replacement."

The recommendation on the agenda came from Purchasing Agent Shea Davey on behalf of Director of Utilities Jill Stevens and named B&W Paving and Landscaping LLC as the proposed contractor. Board members said the timing was intended to align work with the Department of Public Works' paving schedule so the town would not cut new trenches into freshly paved roads. One selectman summarized the approach as doing the replacements "now" so roads are done properly for the next 30 years.

The board moved to award the contract and took a voice vote; the chair called the motion approved. The utilities department will proceed with contract execution and coordinate work with the DPW paving program.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contract documents and schedule the replacements to minimize rework during planned paving.