I am trying to create a feature editing template for a water utility network that will create connectivity associations between a meter and a flow valve. This can be done manually--the rules work just fine. This is all part of a residential service creation process. A Tap | 3/4" residential service | service valve | Meter | Association | flow valve.

The meter to flow valve was historically managed with a line segment however that line segment didn't actually exist. It was there to provide connectivity so we dropped it.
Question: How can a feature template be built to handle the association between the Meter and the Flow Valve? I've tried different approaches but can't figure out how to add it to the template so the line after the meter isn't created but an association is. If it can't be handled with feature templates is there another cool solution out there? Thanks!