Serving the Community since 1903

Minutes of Littleton Water and Light Meetings

The Board meets on the first and third Monday of each month. Meetings begin at 1:00 p.m. and are held in the department conference room at 65 Lafayette Ave, Littleton. Board meetings are open to the public and time is allotted for public comments at each meeting.

Minutes for 2013

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Regular Meeting Jun 17, 2013

The regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2013 in the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Financial Services Director Cheryl Wilkins and Superintendent Thomas Considine.

MINUTES REVIEW:

The minutes of June 3, 2013 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Ross made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore.

The vote was in favor of the motion 2-0-0.

APPOINTMENTS:

Mr. David MClure representing Habitat for Humanity for the Ammonoosuc Region discussed their 2013 project with the BOC. The new habitat home will be located at 21 Village Way in Littleton, NH and Mr. MClure asked the BOC to waive the associated costs for connecting the water and electric service. The preliminary estimate to connect both water and electric is about $ 2,500 which is mostly made up of the water investment fee and setting a utility pole.

Commissioner Moore asked what the department did with regard to the 2009 Habitat home built on Grove Street. Superintendent Considine stated that the BOC waived about $ 1,300 and only charged the hardware/ materials costs required for the installation the water meter.

Commissioner Ross advised Mr. MClure that the project is located within the telephone company pole set area and that may slow the process of setting the utility pole.

Following some additional discussion Commissioner Ross made a motion to waive (donate) the first $2,000 (not to exceed) of the expenses incurred by the department at 21 Village Way, seconded by Commissioner Moore.

Vote was in favor of the motion 2-0-0.

SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:

1. The BOC reviewed and discussed the June 7, 2013 response that National Grid offered in regard to a communiqué sent by the department inquiring as to the progress being made to restore the LWL revenue metering point at Pattenville. National Grid states that they are waiting on a communication circuit and that progress is being made on-site to replace the affected station equipment that was destroyed in the March 7, 2013 event.

Superintendent Considine stated that at the time of the department’s inquiry (June 3, 2013) the only work that appeared to have taken place at Pattenville metering point was that several ground (safety) cables were attached at the work area. Unless some additional work had taken place recently, the on-site work does not reflect the statements made by the National Grid.

2. Superintendent Considine asked the BOC to consider increasing a water meter monthly fee to more accurately reflect the type and character of service and generate additional revenue for the water division. Under the current water rate tariff all water accounts are treated the same and the tariff does not take into account the size of the water service provided which is not equitable for all customers. Most residential water meter are 5/8” which allows a maximum flow of 20 GPM whereas a typical 2” commercial class meter allows a maximum flow of 160 GPM. Under the department present water rate tariff each account is charged the same minimum monthly fee even though the allowable flow capacities are significantly different.

The BOC reviewed a spreadsheet that would access meter fees based on the size of the water meter installed similar to how an electric tariff meter fee is accessed based on capacity/ functionality. The following minimum monthly meter fees were suggested by the department and based on size of the water meter at the premises; a 5/8” meter would incur a fee of $ 5.50 (no change), meters ¾” through 2” would incur at fee of $8.55 and meter larger than 2” would incur a fee of $25.00.

Commissioner Ross asked if the department provided the larger capacity water meters.

Superintendent Considine stated that generally the department provided the water meter that are installed into corner-horn assemble. The flanged meters are generally provide by the customers and then maintained/ replaced by the department as they are hard plumbed into the system.

Commissioner Ross made a motion to adopt the suggested meter fee structure as presented by the department, seconded by Commissioner Moore.

Vote was in favor of the motion 2-0-0.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

1. The BOC reviewed several power procurement alternatives that La Capra Associates presented the department with regard to purchasing additional resource to hedge wholesale spot market fluctuation.

Commissioner Moore stated that he was surprised that La Capra did not make a recommendation or prioritize the alternative presented to the department.

Commissioner Ross stated that additional discussion and discernment is required before he feels comfortable in responding to La Capra and as the futures market pricing is trending slightly downward there does not appear to be an immediate concern and more discussion is required. The materials/ data provided by La Capra are just philosophical suggestion and do not provide any real clarity as prices are not given.

Superintendent Considine stated that he will discuss these options with La Capra and will report back to the BOC at the next meeting to continue this discussion.

2. Fred Moody the town manager for the Town of Littleton reached out to the department in regard to a proposed solar farm on the old landfill site and has asked the department if we would get involved with the project as the town would lease the property to the developer.

Superintendent Considine stated that eventually the developers will have to have a discussion with the department to establish the interconnection requirements, similar to net metering. There are many factors to be considered and typically these projects are capital intensive on the front end.

The BOC agree that the department has had some experience with these types of renewable projects and that being involved with the preliminary discussions is warranted though no monetary expenditure is authorizing at this time. Generally the sales of these types of energy products are costly, well above current market pricing and significantly higher than what the department historically purchase wholesale power for.

3. Commissioner Ross asked what the status was of truck 799. Superintendent Considine states that he is in preliminary discussion with a salesperson for dealer sown south.


CUSTOMER & PUBLIC CONCERNS:

Jackie Kenney, the department’s office manager discussed the security deposit policy with the BOC and the impact that the policy has on some elderly customers when establishing service with the department for the first time. Mrs. Kenney stated that she feels that some of the customers do not understand the requirements to provide an acceptable credit reference when establishing service.

The BOC tabled further discussion on this topic until the next meeting when the full board is present.

ADJOURNMENT:

Commissioner Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Moore.

The vote was in favor of the motion 2-0-0.

Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

The regularly scheduled Commissioner’s meeting is held twice monthly on the first and third Monday, at 1:00 p.m., in the Department’s conference room.


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