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.
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The regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2013 in the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Perry Goodell, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Financial Services Director Cheryl Wilkins and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
1. The minutes of April 1, 2013 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
2. As a result of Mr. Ralph Ross being reappointed by the Town of Littleton Board of Selectmen on April 9, 2013 the LWL Board of Commissioners organized the senior department officers for 2013-2014 as follows:
a) Commissioner Goodell nominated Commissioner Moore for President. The nomination was accepted by Commissioner Moore and seconded by Commissioner Ross.
Vote was in favor of the nomination 2-0-1.
b) Commissioner Ross nominated Commissioner Goodell for Secretary. The nomination was accepted by Commissioner Goodell and seconded by Commissioner Moore.
Vote was in favor of the nomination 2-0-1.
c) The BOC agreed that Superintendent Considine remain a non-voting officer and Treasurer of the department. A signature authorization will be drafted and presented to the BOC to be executed confirming this appointment.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
1. Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ended January 2013 and February 2013 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins.
2. Mrs. Wilkins explained that the department was getting closer to recommending a utility billing software solution to the BOC. The department has narrowed down its review to one vendor, National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), due to pricing and overall product functionality and workability. The NISC product offers a totally integrated platform solution that includes utility bulling through asset management. Several additional discussions have taken place between the department and NISC to refine the needs of the department.
Superintendent Considine stated that there has been much discussion with regard to IT continuity and whether to host the software locally or at the NISC data center and where the invoice printing will take place. Presently the department hosts and prints in-house, though there appears to be some advantage to have NISC host the software at their Missouri facility the distance is a concern. Whereas the department’s service area is focused around Littleton it makes sense to have the data stored locally on site and keep control of the data and invoice print functionality.
NISC will be asked to provide a final estimate to provide their software solutions and that the hardware, software, data and print functions will be located in the department. It is expected that management will make a formal recommendation to the BOC for vote at the May 6, 2013 regular Commissioners meeting. The implementation process is expected to take nine (9) to twelve (12) months.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The department is making final preparation with regard to disconnecting several customers (beginning Tuesday, 4/16/13) for non-payment. About ten (10) percent of the customers that received disconnection notices in cycles 1, 2 and 3 have not yet contacted the department and remain delinquent and subject to termination of both water and electric service.
2. The new catwalk was installed in the slow sand filtration pipe gallery (a slide show will be available for viewing at the next meeting) above the main piping. Department personnel are very satisfied with the final outcome and the location will provide a safe and reliable work platform for employees when maintaining the filters.
3. Tuite’s Paints and Prints have completed the restoration of the rear men’s restroom and crew room floors and walls. It is expected that the epoxy surface treatment on the floors will be easier to maintain and provide some lasting durability. Department personnel anticipate moving the furniture back into this area soon.
4. Significant overhead line work and safety improvements were recently completed at the Burndy substation by department personnel. The original way that the overhead lines were constructed presented a potential hazardous and perilous working environment as the lines passed directly above the station/ equipment. The work completed relocated the overhead lines to the outside of the substation increasing safety clearances and created open airspace above the station to maneuver equipment and aerial devises.
5. A conference call is planned between the department, La Capra Associates and National Grid (NG) to discuss how daily loads are being determined and submitted for reconciliation with ISO-NE. Presently NG is submitting load data based on the load record prior to the system outage on March 7th and are submitting the data on a seven (7) day pattern. Concerns were expressed to NG that the system loads being submitted on behalf of the department are not reflecting the actual load conditions and do not take into affect the ambient weather. The department energy and load reconciliation is based on this load submittal. The BOC will be briefed as to the results and outcome of this conference.
6. Commissioner Moore asked about the status of the apparent water leak on Meadow Street near Staples.
Superintendent Considine stated that department personnel have been constantly observing the condition of the apparent water main leak and the situation has not deteriorated so the decision has not been made to excavate. The leak is minor and does not appear to be affecting the water system. No chlorine has been detected and no sounds are being detected which is expected for a leak that is under 100 psi and in close proximity to a main line gate valve. The leak is also directly above the 6” forced sewer main that is under a constant static head pressure. An attempt will be made this week to isolate the water main adjacent to the apparent leak and see what the effect will be on the water coming to the surface of the roadway.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Superintendent Considine stated that the department is looking to protect the overhead conductor/wire reels from the weather. Most of the conduct reels are made of wood and some are severely deteriorated, unusable and difficult to handle. The deteriorated reels cannot be used in this condition with the wire tensioner/ puller as the reel will collapse under load causing a potential unsafe operating condition when stringing/ pulling wire.
The department has researched and looked into several off site storage locations but found these rental spaces economically not feasible and presented inherent logistical problems. The construction of a 24’x30’ (720 SF) covered storage shed/ garage is being proposed and the storage building would be located adjacent to the quonset hut abutting Lafayette Avenue. No preliminary cost estimates have been developed though discussion with the owner of Millworks has taken place.
Commissioner Moore stated that the offset between adjacent buildings may present a problem in attaining a building permit unless the two (2) are attached by some means. Additional research may be required with the town zoning officer.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Goodell made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:26 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.