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Waterworks staff report meter rollout progress and equipment vulnerabilities
Summary
Public Works reported ~750 meter accounts migrated with ~90% automated reads, ongoing projects (Gilbert Street, tank restoration), and a cybersecurity anomaly affecting tank-level modems; staff said some field modems are beyond end-of-life and unpatched, prompting planned replacements and an 'air-gap' mitigation switch.
The town’s Public Works Administrator updated the council on the water-meter rollout and ongoing infrastructure work, and warned of equipment vulnerabilities in field modems that transmit tank-level data.
Public Works reported roughly 750 customer bills have been issued from the new meter collectors and about 90% of accounts now receive automated reads; a small portion still require manual reads. The Gilbert Street project and a phase-3 tank restoration are in final drawing and permitting stages, with bidding expected and work slated to begin this fall.
On cybersecurity, staff described a data anomaly on July 4 involving tank signals and modem settings. The administrator said some modems are 'beyond end of life' and 'not patched,' creating vulnerabilities. To mitigate risk the team installed a switch to disconnect systems (an air gap) when remote connections are not required and plans to update vendor equipment and firmware.
The council directed staff to continue inquiry, bring forward a replacement schedule for outdated modems, and to coordinate modem upgrades with upcoming pump-station and tank projects to avoid duplication of work.
