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, December 4, 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 minutes of the November 21, 2017 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Cooper 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:
Mr. William Thomas from the NHDES Bureau of Dams and River Restoration was in attendance at the meeting to discuss the potential removal of the dam on the South Branch of the Gale River (dam). Mr. Thomas was accompanied by Mr. John Magee and Ms. Dianne Timmins, both Fisheries Bioligist representing the NH Fish and Game.
Mr. Thomas presented the BOC with a packet of slides and gave a brief overview as to how this dam and others were selected as part of a larger Connecticut River restoration project. The subject dam met several of the committee’s preliminary criterions (i.e. migratory river, not in operations, easily accessed, etc.) for selection as its removal would open fish migration passages.
Mr. Magee stated that fish and in this particular area the wild brook trout need to move throughout their habitat to remain healthy. The removal of obstructions such as road culverts and dam would open up migratory passages which in turn would foster a healthy species.
Mr. Thomas stated that as this dam is classified as “non-menacing” (not a threat to the public) the NHDES cannot mandate that LWL maintain or remove this dam even though it may poses an obstruction to fish migratory passages.
Mr. Thomas stated that he believes that this dam is a good candidate for removal and that there are funding agencies and resources that are currently available to restore the river. He also stated that they did not need an immediate answer whether or not LWL wanted to have the dam removed as the process can sometimes be lengthy.
Mr. Magee stated that the removal of the dam and the restoration of the river and fish passage is their primary focus.
Following some back and forth general discussion it was agreed that the next step was to determine ownership of the property. Should the dam be removed the secondary effects of that loss need to be considered. For example how will this affect potential access and future water rights if the land were to be turned back over to the forest service?
Mr. Thomas and his team thanked the BOC for their willingness to discuss the potential removal of the dam with them and exited the conference room.
GENERAL/OTHER BUSINESS:
Draft language provided by LWL power supply attorney was presented to the BOC for review. The proposed language amends section 6 (future sales) of the August 1998 Settlement Agreement between the LWL and the White Mountain Hydroelectric Station.
Following some discussion the BOC was in agreement with the proposed language and authorized that WMH be sent a copy for their review and comment. If WMH is agreeable the amended terms would take effect on January 1, 2018.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Cooper 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 2:40 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.