Summary

WPCA reviews 8 Smith Pond leak repair, discusses un‑metered service policy, lead survey, and Groton Utilities rate impacts

LedyardDec 16, 20253 min read

At a glance

Quick context to catch up fast.

The Water Pollution Control Authority met December 16, 2025 (Council Chambers - Hybrid). Mr. James A. Ball was appointed as a voting alternate. The Authority approved the November 25, 2025 minutes and amended/approved the October 28, 2025 minutes. Operations updates noted completion of the 8 Smith Pond Road leak repair, completion of Thompson Road service transfers (outstanding cut/cap of the old 2-inch line), and a satisfactory sanitary inspection of storage tanks. Members discussed a draft policy to address un‑metered service leaks (options include notifying owners to repair, installing curb‑stop meters if repairs are not made, and prohibiting new basement meter installations), billing options (paper vs. online), and the Lead & Copper Rule Revisions effort (Town Finance Committee and Town Council approved Arcadis for LCRR engineering services). FY27 budget worksheets and larger-than-expected Groton Utilities rate increases were discussed; an action item requests an updated Groton Utilities rate structure.

Committees mentioned

Open the committee coverage hubs tied to this summary.

Water Pollution Control Authority

Topics discussed

Budget & TaxEnvironmentalUtilities

View official document

Was this summary helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize what to improve next.

Key decisions

Follow the major takeaways from this briefing.

Appointed James A. Ball as a voting alternate member.
Approved the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 25, 2025.
Approved the Regular Meeting Minutes from October 28, 2025, as amended to note the hydraulic model item was voted in June and not discussed in October.
Acknowledged completion of the leak repair at 8 Smith Pond Road and completion of Thompson Road service transfers (cutting/capping of the old 2-inch line remains outstanding).
Noted that the Finance Committee and Town Council approved the WPCA recommendation to have Arcadis provide engineering services for LCRR compliance.
Created an action item: ask Groton Utilities for an updated rate structure to inform FY27 budget work.
Decided to revisit the draft policy on un‑metered service leaks (including curb‑stop meter installation and changes to basement meter policy) at a future meeting (January).
Adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.

Timeline & follow-ups

Action items flagged by the community.

No follow-ups have been shared yet. Add one in the community board below.

Meeting information

Details and records from this meeting.

Water Pollution Control Authority

Dec 16, 2025, 12:00 AMCouncil Chambers - Hybridscheduled

Regular Meeting

Agenda

REMOTE MEETING INFORMATION
Zoom Meeting Link: https://ledyardct.zoom.us/j/83515511632?pwd=REVImpMZQzIAOPTbMVUidxiR87WLwu.1 Meeting ID: 835 1551 1632 Passcode: 461636 One tap mobile +13092053325,,83515511632#,,,,*461636# US
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 25, 2025.
Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from October 28, 2025, as written. From the November 25, 2025, meeting: The Authority was questioning whether a vote or discussion took place under Old Business agenda item "Hydraulic Model Purchase Order Approval". It was decided to wait until December to vote on the minutes after this question could be answered.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Operations Report.
Service Correspondence.
Aged Reports/Finance.
Year to Date Water/Sewer Report.
PSR - Steve Banks.
Ian Stammel, Assistant Finance Director email regarding Groton Utilities invoices.
OLD BUSINESS
8 Smith Pond Way update.
Draft policy addressing un-metered service leaks.
Invoices to Groton Utility for CUSI and Hydro Study resolved - although some contractual discussions were made on software support.
Status of Lead Survey - Finance and Town Council meeting vote results.
Status of Finance Request - request made for budget sheets.
Request made to Steve Banks, WPCA Supervisor, to update documentation on lead survey.
Tina Daniels, Groton Utilities Customer Service General Manager’s response on Groton Utilities contract (not until June 2027).
Any Other Old Business to Come Before the Authority.
NEW BUSINESS
Any Other New Business to Come Before the Authority.
FY 27 Sewer/Water Budget Work Sheets.
ADJOURNMENT
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the Town.
Also in attendance: Councilor James Thompson Kate Blacker and Joe Pratt from Groton Utilities. Terry Jones was present via Zoom. Chairman Lynch welcomed Jim Thompson, Town Council, as the Authority's newly appointed Liaison to the meeting.

WPCA reviews 8 Smith Pond leak repair, discusses un‑metered service policy, lead survey, and Groton Utilities rate impacts

At a glance

Committees mentioned

Topics discussed

Key decisions

Timeline & follow-ups

Meeting information

Water Pollution Control Authority

Agenda

Documents from this meeting

Recent documents

Civic leadership