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, October 2, 2017 in the Littleton Water and Light (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Perry Goodell, Commissioner Peter Cooper, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Financial Director Cheryl Wilkins and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The amended minutes of the September 5, 2017 and minutes of September 18, 2017 regularly scheduled Commissioner Meetings were reviewed. Commissioner Ross made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Cooper.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
CUSTOMER & PUBLIC CONCERNS:
LWL customer Mr. Patrick Flanagan addressed the BOC with regard to a reconnect fee of $70.00 that in his opinion is unjustified. Mr. Flanagan stated that though he was physically disconnected the meter reader never left that property and following a telephone call the meter was reconnected.
Mr. Flanagan stated that he has several health conditions and that he has a medical certificate that protects him from being disconnected.
Mrs. Kenney stated that Mr. Flanagan’s account is due for disconnection for non-payment and has advised him to seek assistance. Mrs. Kenney also noted that Mr. Flanagan has contacted NH Free legal aid service and the NH Public Utility Commission in regard to this same matter, which Mr. Flanagan denied.
Mr. Considine stated that though Mr. Flanagan has the medical certificate on record with LWL he failed to complete the entire process. LWL made several attempts to contact Mr. Flanagan to resolve the matter that was unsuccessful. In accordance with the NHPUC regulations (which LWL is not bound by though attempts to follow in these situations) he did not enter into a promise payment arrangement with LWL, therefore he remains eligible for disconnection.
The BOC were in agreement that LWL would not wave the disconnection fee at this time as Mr. Flanagan has not shown any type of effort to make any sort of timely payment or communicate with LWL. If over the next six (6) months Mr. Flanagan makes a good faith effort and maintains an ongoing dialog with LWL then the BOC would reconsider his request for an exemption from policy with regard to waving the $70.00 reconnect fee. In the meantime the outstanding reconnect fee would not be counted against him for disconnection though he needs to enter into and signed promise payment agreement with the LWL immediately.
Mr. Flanagan agreed to the BOC conditions and left the meeting followed by Mrs. Kenney.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
Mrs. Wilkins discussed the Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) services offered through the Bank of NH. LWL cash savings accounts with the exception of the checking account and water connection funds were recently made part of the ICS program. These funds are invested through a federally insured bank, earn a higher interest rate than a typical sweep account or certificate of deposit, and are fully FDIC insured.
SUPERINTENDENT/GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. With the exception of some minimal line striping LWL has completed all work associated with replacing/ relocating about 500’ of water main through the TJ Maxx parking lot. Final project costs are still being tabulated.
2. LWL personnel will be working in the Poulsen Point Road area to replace/ relocate several deteriorated utility poles and wire to improve reliability as more full time resident are living in that area.
3. NHDES are planning a site visit to the South Branch Gale River Dam on Thursday,October 12, 2017 to conduct a preliminary condition assessment with regard to the dam’s potential removal. The NHDES accompanied by LWL personnel and other state agencies may suggest the dam’s removal as it has not been in service for many years and is located in a significant fish habitat.
Funding may potentially be available that would relieve the financial obligation off LWL as the dams owner through programs focused to restore the rivers original conditions to encourage and foster fish migration.
GENERAL/ OTHER BUSINESS:
1. The proceeds from the 37th auction of the ISONE Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) program will be distributed to LWL customers during the month of October. LWL customer that record kWh (energy) consumption this month will receive a rebate of $2.91 per 1,000 kWh consumed. The total rebate funds available for distribution are $16,605.
2. Mr. Tom Clark, owner operator of the White Mountain hydroelectric (WMH) dam in Apthorpe spoke recently to Mr. Considine with regard increase the rate/kWh paid WHM. Currently the WMH payment is made in accordance with a 1999 agreement between WMH and LWL. The methodology is based on LWL’s avoided cost time energy generated. Specifically, the monthly payment to WMH is calculated by taking the ISONE spot market energy price plus LWL’s share of the monthly National Grid pool transmission cost times the total energy generated by WMH for the month.
Mr. Clark stated that he will plan to attend a future BOC meeting and would like this to be discussed in nonpublic session as it is contractual in nature.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Cooper.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:35 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.