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.
View Meeting Minutes for: | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
The regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 04, 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:
The minutes of the October 21, 2013 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting and nonpublic session were reviewed. Commissioner Ross made a motion to accept the regular meeting and nonpublic session minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
APPOINTMENTS:
Mr. Stan Faryniarz and Mr. Craig Kieny representatives of La Capra Associates briefed the BOC in regard to the ISONE (Regional Electric Grid Operators) load forecast model and Capacity Market.
Mr. Kieny stated that ISONE will implement changes based on a new US Federal Regulatory Commissions (FERC) rule that will de-regulate the capacity market. As the capacity market is an administrative market (not tied to real time load) market prices are based on speculation on how load will look three (3) years forward of real time based upon how much generation is supposed to be available. This can lead to severe price fluctuations and market volatility if load or generation projections reduce the reserve capacity volume that is available. Current market prices are about $3.00/ kw-month, under FERC new ruling prices are expected to rise significantly and some projections are as high as $9.00/ kw-month if reserves capacity amounts decline.
Mr. Faryniarz stated that LWL can hedge its capacity charges from ISONE by entering into an agreement with a participating generator in the capacity market for a certain amount of the anticipated load. The FERC new ruling will take effect beginning in June 2017 until then current capacity prices are locked in through that time. La Capra suggests that LWL consider hedging against capacity market volatility. As the start date of the new FERC ruling gets closer capacity charges on contracts will increase therefore La Capra is recommending that LWL consider hedging its capacity and take action by February 2014.
Winter fuel supply reliability was discussed briefly with the BOC and then Mr. Faryniarz and Mr. Kieny were excused from the meeting at
2:15 p.m.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
1. Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ended September 2013 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins.
Mrs. Wilkins also advised the BOC that the department received the Local Government Centers Property Liability and Trust surplus refund in the amount of about $6,000.
2. A representative from National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) was at the department for three (3) days last week to discuss the upcoming software conversion process. The first module to be converted is the accounting and business solutions suite (financial and asset accountability). LWL personnel reviewed how the NISC software will manage department assets from accounts payable to payroll.
The next NISC site visit and discussion will be a review of the Customer Information Solutions (Utility Billing) that is schedule for the week of January 6th, 2014.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The outage on Sunday evening November 3, 2013 was discussed with the BOC. A system wide power outage occurred at 6:39 p.m. According to National Grid a fault had occurred in the vicinity of their Waterford, VT substation, and the isolation point(s) failed to operate as anticipate. This resulted in outage to Littleton and several other communities as the fault current activated (opened) the main breaker on the 3315 line (LWL supply feed).
Minimal staff was required to manage this outage, in addition to on-call personnel, an office staff member was called in to handle the telephones. Power was restored without incident at 8:08 p.m.
A follow up phone call received from National Gird early this morning confirmed that they are reviewing the setup of the isolation point that failed to operate. If this had worked as anticipated the department would have been separated from the fault and most likely would see a blip on the line but power supply would have been maintained.
2. As a direct result of a failed injector pressure regulator truck 713 was towed to the maintenance garage for repair. The tow truck operator from Tilton, NH responded as no local tow trucks were available. The failed part is covered under warranty though apparently a recall notice was issued by the manufacturer it was not received by the department. International Truck stated that they would reimburse the department for the cost of the repair but not the other costs associated with getting the truck to the shop.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Superintendent Considine stated that the Local Government Center Property Liability Trust (LGC-PLT) notified the department they plan to deny all claims filed against the department with regard to the high pressure surge along Meadow Street. A high pressure surge (water hammer) was introduced into the system when the fire suppression system at The Home Depot failed on Sunday July 27th. As the surge pressure had nothing to do with department operations and that the department acted appropriately, no liability is being accepted by the insurance adjusters on behalf of the department. One claim was filed recently with the LGC-PLT for damages. The claimant alleges that the department is responsible because the water meter base plate broke as a result of the high pressure surge which caused flooding and property damage. This claim was denied by LGC-PLT as the claimant could not prove that the department acted inappropriately and could not prove that the water hammer was initiated by the department. The claimant should have filing a claim with their insurance company.
The BOC agreed with the insurance assessor opinion as stated in their letter dated October 22, 2013.
2. Superintendent Considine informed the BOC that he had attended a meeting recently with the Mt. Eustis Ski Tow committee. The committee members expressed a desire to install snow making equipment along the 1,200’ slope. No actual load data was provided the department though following a cursory review suggests that a high quantity of water would be need to be delivered. In addition there is a requirement for three phase power to run the proposed equipment. The BOC can expect a visit from the committee at a later time when price estimates are available.
The BOC discussed the proposed project minimally no further action was taken.
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 2:50 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.