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, June 17, 2019 in the Littleton Water and Light (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Peter Cooper, Commissioner Schuyler Sweet, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Financial Director Cheryl Wilkins, and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of the June 3, 2019 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Sweet made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Cooper.
The vote was in favor of the motion 2-0-1.
Commissioner Ross abstained from the vote on the minutes as he was not present for the June 3, 2019 meeting.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
1. Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the highlights of the financial statements for the month ended April 2019 with the Commissioners. Several variances as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins.
2. Mrs. Wilkins also stated that several representatives from the Bank of NH visited recently and discussed the accounts in which LWL participates in the sweep or public entity risk pools. Mrs. Wilkins discussed the current interest rates being paid by the Bank of NH and the rates offered by their competitor. Following the discussion the Bank of NH stated that they would increase the annual interest rates on the sweep accounts to 1.4 percent, up from 0.9 percent.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. Several graphs were reviewed and discussed with the BOC that graphically depict the system load for the month of April 2019. Both the month (31-day) and high and low graphs were discussed.
2. The meeting was held on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 on site at LWL’s dam at the South Branch of the Gale River. The meeting was organized by proponents to remove the 1956 dam (NHDES and others) in an effort to improve fish migration. The primary goal of the meeting was to introduce National Forest Service (NFS) personnel to the site and discuss project intent and timeline.
Several NFS specialists reviewed the dam and related infrastructure with the principal parties and walked the property. The major discussion point centered on whether the NFS would require the removal of about 5’200 feet of cast iron water line between the north and south branch dam. Most everyone present were of the same opinion that the removal of the pipeline would cause more environment damage than leaving it buried in place and that it was not feasible to remove the pipe. NFS personnel present stated several times during the discussions that this decision would be left up to the regional forest ranger to change the terms of the Special Use Permit with regard to removing the existing water pipe.
Though the dam is not technically a historical landmark the design engineer on record is Howard M. Turner and he does have some historical significance throughout the region during the early part of the twentieth century. Though this may not deter removal of the dam other contingencies are being discussed as to how best to preserve Mr. Turners efforts as they relate to this project.
3. The water distribution leak survey is currently underway. The first review of the system is complete and a few additional days are required to true-up the finding. It is suspected that the largest leak found (about 50 gpm) is on West Main near the fire station.
4. Conversion work began today at the Burndy Substation. The existing 3.75 MVA transformer is being removed and being replaced with a new 5/5.6 MVA. This will required some modified inside the substation to accommodate the required safety clearance to ground and other equipment. Subcontractors with the assistance of LWL personnel will prepare the site and will install the new equipment over the next several months.
GENERAL/ OTHER BUSINESS:
1. The NH Public Utilities Commission is preparing to distribute the proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction held in June 2019 (No. 44) to LWL for disbursement. Eligible LWL customers will receive a rebate in the amount of about $4.34/1,000 kWh on their statement once LWL receives the funds.
2. The BOC reviewed an email from Stan Faryniarz of Daymark Energy Advisors in regard to progress in connection with analyzing the economics that is associated with the 115 kV interconnection projects with Eversource. When finished it is expected that Mr. Faryniarz will present his findings to the BOC.
3. The BOC reviewed an email conversation between an analyst working for the NH Department of Revenue Administration and the Town of Littleton Finance Director with regard to LWL annual budget approval process. The BOC were in agreement that no action is warranted.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Sweet 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 2:25 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.