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 1, 2010 in the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Perry Goodell, Financial Services Director Cheryl Wilkins and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of January 19, 2010 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
CUSTOMER CONCERNS:
The BOC reviewed a request submitted by Mr. & Mrs. Rene Fillion in regard to permanent street repair costs incurred that resulted from a water service line leak at their 290 Pleasant Street property.
The Fillion’s came in and met with Superintendent Considine and asked that they not be held responsible for the costs associated with the final street paving (that will occur this spring) of the trench patch. It was explained to the Fillion’s that in accordance to the LWL water ordinance, specifically due to a lack of a water shut off valve (curb stand) on the service line (galvanized) the home owner is responsible to the water main. LWL policy states that the Department would donate $250 towards the excavation expenses and would not typically charge for labor or materials to replace the section in the roadway.
They did not question the repair cost and appreciate the time and money that LWL has already paid towards the repair. They just feel that the temporary paving (cold patch) used to make the repair would normal cover the cost of permanent pavement and in their opinion they would be paying for it twice.
The BOC agreed that LWL would pay for the final pavement. Superintendent Considine will advise the Fillion’s of the BOC decision.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
Mrs. Wilkins reviewed a draft of the financial statements for the month ending December 2009 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins. The December 2009 statement will remain in draft form in the event that changes are necessitated as a result of the auditor’s finding.
It appears that the operating margins when compared to breaking even for each section will finish the year at about a plus eleven (+11) and minus one (-1) percent for water and electric respectively.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The BOC agreed with the Department’s suggestion and attempt to sell the old Pitney Bowes inserter machine.
2. The vehicle charges for 2010 and the life cycle equipment costs were reviewed with the BOC. Some discussion relative to line truck replacement ensued as truck seven (7) is getting old though it is operating more efficiently than truck five (5). The Department is currently in the process of evaluating a light duty bucket truck that would be utilized mostly for secondary type residential work. This vehicle could not replace the larger material handlers though the majority of our service/ work orders and many trouble calls might be taken care of with a smaller bucket truck. The affect hopefully would reduce the operating hours of our larger more expensive vehicles.
The BOC agreed generally, though adding to the fleet may not be economically viable as you still need the larger line trucks and cost saving may be negligible as routine maintenance expense (PM’s, di-electric testing, etc…) would still need to be done for all the vehicles.
There was some discussion relative to the fleet operating costs and proposed expenses. Commissioner Ross suggested that the vehicle charges reflect the replacement costs as LWL rates appear a little low.
Superintendent Considine said that they reflect the actual fixed depreciation and physical expenses and are not marked up, but would recalculate using replacement costs.
3. Due to the costs involved (in excess of 2.6 million dollars yearly) the purchase power supply counterparty agreements (Master Promissory EEI agreements) are being reviewed by legal counsel (Primmer and Piper, St. Johnsbury, VT.) Once legal is finished with their review the agreement will be brought to the BOC for action.
4. Superintendent Considine stated that he would like to begin construction renovations to the existing conference room and other interior rooms in the near future. Currently discussing how much of the work can be accomplished with force account labor and what needs to be contracted out. The BOC had no exception.
OLD BUSINESS:
The BOC was in agreement that the expected savings by using a glass lined steel tank versus precast concrete was not sufficient enough to consider a steel tank for the new Oak Hill Reservoir. The Department should continue plans to bid a concrete tank when ready.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:00 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.