Wilbraham updates Miller Street water main replacement; coordinates with neighboring communities and Eversource

Water Superintendent Vinnie Pafumi reported to the Board of Water Commissioners on March 6, 2026, that he attended a Wetlands/RDA meeting in Ludlow with representatives from engineering firm Tighe & Bond to discuss the Miller Street water main replacement. The board was given an update on the project’s scope and timeline; the project budget was projected at approximately $2,000,000, inclusive of contingencies.

Board members and staff discussed the potential purchase of excess water capacity from neighboring communities to support the town's needs. The minutes note that any such capacity purchase would require coordination with the CVA Communities and necessary approvals; no agreement or approval was recorded at the meeting.

Tighe & Bond also conducted electrical surveys at town water facilities as part of the asset management program; findings from those surveys are pending and will be reported when available.

DPW Director Capparello reviewed two Eversource projects (one south of East Street; another from Susan Drive to Oak Knoll) and advised that a minimum seven-foot separation is required from the town’s 10-inch water line. He said construction is restricted during summer months; Eversource indicated a preference for summer work using hydro excavation and plans to limit activity during extreme heat to avoid impacts to town infrastructure. These constraints may affect scheduling and coordination for the Miller Street project and other nearby work.

No formal approvals for the Miller Street replacement or for capacity purchases were recorded; the entry is an update and establishes follow-up actions and coordination needs.