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 17, 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 April 3, 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:
Dave Harkless and Justin Daigneault presented the BOC with a revised design plan of what they are proposing for a new mountain bike pump track to be located adjacent to the water tank on School Street. At a previous meeting LWL BOC expressed some concern with regard to having vehicle parking in close proximity and out of public site near the potable water tank and rejected the initial plan. The initial plans also included a dog park and relocating the lower vehicle gate which was not acceptable to LWL.
The revised plan shows the suggested parking area below the current gate location and adjacent to Pine Hill Road. Six (6) to seven (7) gravel parking spots are being proposed in this location. Superintendent Considine explained the parking area would be located before the gate along with the beginning of the bike trail.
Commissioner Ross asked if they have spoken with the town. Mr. Harkless stated he had a preliminary discussion with the town manager and that there is a Selectmen’s meeting on Monday that they are planning to attend. They anticipate starting work in May.
The LWL BOC stated that they are in favor of the revised project plans that depict the proposed location of the parking area below the gate.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
Mrs. Wilkins stated that Vachon Clukay & Company PC (Independent Auditors) presented LWL with a draft of their year ended 2016 audit of LWL financial records. She is currently reviewing the report and that Mr. Considine is preparing the required Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) portion for the final report.
SUPERINTENDENT/GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. A public hearing for the River District Revitalization project is scheduled for May 4, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the opera house.
Commissioner Goodell asked if there is a list and a cost of LWL involvement in addition to supporting the main construction effort before entertaining any large monetary donation to the River District Project. Superintendent Considine stated that he has met several times on site and a plan is beginning to take place though he does not want to finalize any plans until construction plans are approved. He will have a better idea following the public hearing and he will attempt to put some cost estimates together for another meeting. Several hydrants, utility poles, and gate valves need to be replaced and or relocated though nothing appear too excessive at this point.
2. A significant sink hole developed in the driveway at Jiffy Mart that apparently carries Hidden Brook across the property. LWL to date has not been involved in the discussion with the exception of locating and marking utility lines.
3. LWL is also working on plans to relocate the three-phase service to the Social security office building on Main Street. The service to the building feeds up from Saranac Street behind the building from an old class 4 secondary pole and over two residential properties. The home owner stated that he is not going to allow anyone on this property to upgrade/ replace the pole.
Commissioner Ross asked about a resolution. Mr. Considine stated that there was none yet.
4. Five (5) employees from LWL are attending two (2) day OSHA training at the VFW hall hosted by EJP. Several local contractors and adjacent town’s public works employees were invited to attend the OSHA standard 1926 - 10 hour training course that focuses on construction and general industry.
Participants will receive the converted OHSA 10 certification card that at least one individual on a jobsite must have. The cost was $50 per attendee and EJP will invoice through their normal invoice procedure. Though all LWL field employees routinely attend training conducted by NEPPA the NEPPA training is focused generally on the OSHA 1910 - general electrical safety and glosses over general contracting topic. The OSHA 10 is more focused on bigger picture and technically more applicable to water maintenance personnel that are more frequently involved with heavy equipment operations.
5. The BOC discussed the benefits of continued membership with the American Public Power Association (APPA) as it is renewal time ($4700.00). The BOC were in agreement to discontinue membership.
6. The pending work to relocate the water main adjacent to the TJ Maxx plaza was discussed with the BOC. Horizon Engineering submitted a revised survey cost of service proposal for LWL consideration ($1,500) as the previous proposal was rejected. The BOC approved Horizon revised proposal number 17090 as presented.
7. Commissioner Ross asked about the Mann’s Hill access. Superintendent stated all work to relocate the electrical inside the vault to accommodate a new access door is complete. No schedule has been set to date as to when to begin the excavation work and installing the retaining wall blocks and cutting the proposed door opening.
8. Commissioner Goodell asked if the tree trimmers were on Mann’s Hill. Superintendent said they are and will be trimming to the town line and all tap line/roads as they proceed.
GENERAL/ OTHER BUSINESS:
1. The BOC reviewed a proposal submitted by Geosphere Environmental Management to conduct a geophysical survey and bedrock well drilling exploration for the Lafayette property. This is the third step in the feasibility study process of determining whether this property located at the end of Lafayette Avenue has the potential of becoming a public drinking water well site.
Commissioner Goodell stated that he was in favor of continuing the site investigation as it would be nice to find out one way or another if enough water was available at this site. If enough water was available the actual well development would not have to happen right away, but the potential would be there if and when needed.
Following some additional discussion Commissioner Goodell made a motion to accept the scope of work and cost estimate submitted by Geosphere (range $61,175 to $69,400) and that the total exploration costs for this phase is not to exceed $70,000, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
2. The BOC reviewed an email request by Ron Bolt, Secretary of the Littleton Energy Conservation Commission, to see if LWL would donate $100 toward the purchase of LED bulbs for Earth Day. No decision was made and no action taken by the BOC on this request.
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 2:06 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.