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, February 06, 2017 in the Littleton Water and Light (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Perry Goodell, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Financial Director Cheryl Wilkins, Administrative Assistant Sharon Hampson and Superintendent
Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of the January 17, 2017 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Goodell made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
APPOINTMENTS:
Ms. Carole Doran accompanied by Ms. Kim Wark spoke with the BOC about an electrical incident that occurred on December 19, 2016 at her home located on the North Littleton Road. Ms. Doran explained that she had no power to her barn, after checking her breakers she contacted a local electrician. The electrician determined that the problem was a broken neutral on the outside of the barn at the weather head. LWL on-call personnel were dispatched and made the required repair.
Ms. Doran stated that she had to pay the electrician for coming out as the problem was on LWL wires which are LWL’s responsibility; she is asking LWL for reimbursement. Ms. Doran does not feel she is responsible for the electrician’s bill as the problem was on LWL equipment. She told this to Mr. Considine and he said that LWL would not pay as LWL did not call the electrician in the first place. LWL did make the needed repairs at no cost to her, but that she could appeal his decision to the BOC. She came to the meeting to see if the BOC would reimburse her for the electrician’s costs as it was an LWL problem in the first place.
Kim Wark stated that Carole almost had a fire in the barn due to the incident.
Commissioner Ross stated that LWL did make the repair at no cost to her and that LWL did not call for an electrician and that she should have called LWL first.
Ms. Doran stated that the average person would have called an electrician in this type of situation. Commissioner Ross stated that is not typically the case, LWL is usually called in first and then advises the customer once they do some investigating.
Commissioner Moore stated after hearing both sides of the discussion he does not feel LWL is responsible for the electricians invoice.
Ms. Doran thanked the BOC and left the meeting.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ended November 2016 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The auditors are still emailing requests back to LWL asking for clarification with regard to the 2016 year-end financial audit. Several questions were submitted today as the auditors reconcile LWL processes and statements.
2. A customer from Mann’s Hill area came in to thank LWL and to say how much they appreciate the fact that surrounding communities lost power during the last two wind and ice storms and Littleton did not. He wanted to make sure that it was passed on to the Commissioners.
3. The 2014 capital equipment plan proposed a new generator for the back-up power supply at Gale River intake. The proposal was approved for a new generator and $4,000 was sequestered. As a result of a recent generator failure, a new generator is required as making repairs to the existing unit is cost prohibitive. Additional funds are required as the generator quote in 2017 is for an installed cost of $4,950 which is $950 more than the previously approved amount.
As there are two (2) generators Commissioner Ross asked if they could rotate each unit.
Superintendent stated that they alternate each unit and that a relay automatically switches from one unit to the other.
Commissioner Goodell asked about the reliability of the other generator. Superintendent Considine stated that he most likely will have to come back to the BOC next year with another request. The run hours are building and are similar to the one being replace but hopes that it will be a couple of years so that the purchases can be staggered.
Commissioner Ross moved to amend the amount for the generator from $4,000 to $4,950 to cover installation. Commissioner Goodell seconded the motion.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
4. Superintendent Considine stated that there has been some safety discussion and concern with regard to customers entering the building through the front door especially during the winter months. During the winter ice builds up under the eaves and most customers walk under the eaves across this hazardous area to get to the front door and there is potential for a customer to slip and fall due to the icing.
To temporarily address the situation and to direct customers to a safer route traffic cones and hazard tape were placed on each side of the front door. This prevents people from walking under the eaves and pushes them to walk directly into the building under the gable end. For the past several years this temporary barrier has been employed and works. As a permanent fix aluminum railings could be installed, which LWL has received an estimate in the amount of $945 to build and install. Two (2) rails are being proposed that will block access to the building from under the eave line and direct customer under the gable end.
Commissioner Goodell made a motion to install aluminum railings by the front entrance of the office to prevent the potential of injury. Commissioner Ross seconded the motion.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
5. A purchase order was submitted to North Country Ford for the new utility truck
(no. 10). The new truck should arrive late spring or early summer. In addition the replacement bucket truck (no. 5) ordered this time last year (2016) is scheduled for the punch list inspection and paint the week of February 20th. Following a successful inspection the new truck should arrive in March.
6. Superintendent Considine stated that he was recently made aware that the auger on the 2008 digger/derrick truck (no. 8) is severely worn and needs to be replaced. Kiley truck has the replacement auger a cost of about $3,000 for the same size. LWL will pick up following the punch list inspection of the new line bucket truck being built by Kiley.
Commissioner Ross asked how many utility poles have been set by this piece of equipment as the cost to set a pole has historically been very high. Superintendent Considine stated that he did not know but would find out and report back with the answer.
Commissioner Goodell made a motion to replace the auger in the amount of $2,994.90 for truck #8. Commissioner Ross seconded the motion.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
GENERAL/ OTHER BUSINESS:
1. Superintendent Considine discussed several unpaid motor vehicle accident invoices that are affecting the LWL account receivables
(>$14,000) and came up in discussion with the auditors. These accidents are the result of drivers that had motor vehicle accidents and did not have automotive liability insurance coverage. Recent discussion with the NH Department of Motor Vehicle Office of Financial Responsibility the drivers need to address their debt and if the BOC takes no exception the following course of action will be taken by LWL:
a)The person responsible for the damages will receive a letter from LWL requesting that they pay their outstanding invoice or contact LWL for some type of payment arrangement,
b)If the responsible party does not respond to LWL’s inquiry, a packet containing documentation relative to the accident, damage repair costs, police accident report and any other pertinent documents will be sent to the NHDMV for their action which may affect their driving privileges.
The BOC was in agreement and took no exception.
DayMark Energy (LaCapra) inquired by email if LWL would entertain doing business with an energy provider that was not rated as investment grade (Lower that LWL). TransAlta Energy Services, headquartered in Alberta, Canada is providing wholesale power resources into the NE grid and are looking to enter into an agreement and be placed on LWLs RFP bid list.
Commissioner Ross stated that it would not cost anything with the exception of some legal review expenses to have another bidder.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 1:50 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.