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Middletown WPCA reports stronger fund balances, approves billing credit and outlines ARPA-funded projects
Summary
Board members heard that water and sewer fund balances improved year over year, approved a $365.49 goodwill billing adjustment, and received an engineering update on near-complete ARPA spending, Mill Street bridge inspection, PCBs in bank-stabilization soils and a planned leak-detection survey.
At the regular session following the special meeting, Middletown’s Water Pollution Control Authority reviewed financials, approved a billing credit and received a broad engineering update on ongoing infrastructure work.
Staff reported the water fund cash balance at $2,015,005.21 as of Nov. 8, 2024 — a year-over-year increase of $635,000.67 — and the sewer fund balance at $2,440,465 (an increase of $1,068,533). The chief engineer credited the transition to quarterly billing for improved cash flow.
The board approved two transfers reported by staff: $25,000 moved from sewer depreciation (vehicle replacement) to pump-station repair (to buy spare pumps and support Newfield Street work) and a $10,000 intra-year transfer to pump station repair lines. The transfers were reported as compliant with purchasing and finance regulations.
The board also approved a goodwill adjustment for a customer at 835 Long Hill Road after staff found an apparent consumption spike (6,000 cubic feet). Staff recommended a credit of $365.49 ($116.87 water; $248.62 sewer) based on averaging prior bills; board members noted interest charges are not waived per statute.
In engineering reports, Chief Engineer Brian Robillard said the department has spent about 98% of its originally allocated ARPA funds and expects roughly $120,000 may remain pending final council accounting. Projects highlighted included a contract with AI Engineering for an inspection of the aging Mill Street utility bridge, nearly complete rehabilitation work on projects numbered 25/26 and a new award to In Situ Form Technologies for project 27. A Basin 12 flow study was scheduled to resume after recent rain events to collect data on inflow/infiltration in the north end of town.
Staff also disclosed detection of PCBs in soils generated from a bank-stabilization effort at a previously industrial parcel; those soils are being stored on-site under cover while the department consults engineers and legal counsel about disposal options. Separately, the town plans a satellite/airborne leak-detection survey funded by ARPA that will generate leads for two weeks of field crew follow-up to locate and repair leaks.
The board adjourned after announcing a departmental holiday gathering and scheduling follow-ups for project design and funding.
