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 July 6, 2009 in the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Perry Goodell, Financial Services Director Cheryl Wilkins and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of June 15, 2009 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 3-0-0.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ending May 2009 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins.
Revenues through the first half of 2009 are below budget projections in water and electric by approximately 4 percent and 6.5 percent respectively.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The property access easement was signed and returned by the Roberts Family Trust. The easement authorizes LWL access to their property at the top of School Street to relocate the Oak Hill reservoir. LWL will conduct a geo-technical study required for final design.
2. LWL personnel finished installing a temporary aerial street light circuit along Main Street through the project limits. Street lighting should be able to be maintained through the duration of the project or at a minimum until work begins on the replacement lighting system.
3. The BOC reviewed a memorandum initiated by Superintendent Considine and sent to the Town Manager and Fire Chief in regard to an unauthorized operation and flowing of a fire hydrant by the Littleton Fire Department on Highland Avenue.
The circumstance surrounding the incident was discussed over the telephone with both the Town manager and Fire Chief as to the proper protocols and procedures that should have been followed. LWL personnel removed the damaged hydrant on Monday, June 19, 2009 at a cost that exceeded $1,600.
4. The Westside substation transformer is scheduled to undergo additional testing to determine why there is an increase in acetylene gas in the oil. This is the same transformer that was removed from the Lafayette substation and rebuilt in 1999 due to an extremely high gasification problem that was attributed to a loose internal connection. The gases in the Westside transformer oil are not near the 1999 levels though further investigation is required as to why this transformer, supposedly rebuilt and placed in service in 2004 and lightly loaded, is producing a higher than normal operating gas level.
5. Maintenance work to improve the access to the ground bank equipment was discussed with the BOC. The BOC agreed that if a vehicle was damaged as a result of maneuvering in mud that the vehicle repairs most likely would cost more than it would to improve the access. Clough Construction was low bid and will be contacted to complete the required work for LWL.
6. LWL and Fairpoint Communication are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 in the LWL conference room. LWL suspects the meeting was requested by Fairpoint to discuss LWL joint pole placements.
7. LWL is making preparation to install the water main along Redwing Lane in the Whitcomb Woods development. Approximately 350’ of 8” ductile iron pipe will be installed and placed in service that will increase tank turnover and fire protection throughout the system.
8. A suspected lightning strike in the vicinity of the Trudeau Road Monitoring Station damaged several pieces of chemical monitoring equipment over the fourth of July weekend. An inventory will be conducted to determine the extent of the damaged equipment. A preliminary claim was filed with our property insurance company.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. The BOC agreed to invoice Habitat for Humanities the materials cost used on the Grove Street water tap.
2. Commissioner Ross asked what the next phase of the conversion plan would be now that Grove Street was finished. Superintendent Considine stated that LWL crews are taking advantage of the slow down in contract work to clean up many of the small projects that are required to convert the system. The next major upgrade will be Cottage Street, Bethlehem Road and the Gilimington Hill area.
3. Commissioner Ross inquired as to the status of the new utility pick-up (Truck 12). Superintendent Considine stated that there is nothing new to report, would like to keep business in town but there is quite a variance in pricing, so most likely will go with North Country Ford. Will update BOC at next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
The BOC discussed the NHDES “Green” grant that LWL received in the amount of $8,500 to install a micro-hydro generator and solar panels at the Gale River intake. Superintendent Considine stated that when the NHDES loan application is ready for signature the Town of Littleton Select board would have to sign off, as this is technically a loan. Following the acceptance of the loan, NHDES will forgive (grant) 50% of the principle loan amount. Littleton plans to pay the remaining balance ($4,250) in one (1) lump sum.
Commissioner Goodell made a motion to accept the terms of the grant and that LWL would fund half (50%) the cost of the project and that Superintendent Considine be designated the Authorized Representative to the NHDES in all matters relative to this project on behalf of the Department and the processing of the loan/ grant. Seconded by Commissioner Moore.
Vote was in favor 3-0-0
OTHER BUSINESS:
The BOC agreed and discussed discretionary spending and that it needs to be closely monitored as a direct result of falling revenues through the first half of 2009.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Goodell made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Moore.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:10 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.