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 Tuesday, February 16, 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, Operations Manager Richard Herrington and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of February 1, 2010 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Goodell made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
1. LWL plans to participate in an online web demonstration this week with Harris Computer where the IWEB product (online bill paying software) will be viewed. The demonstration will assist LWL in making a decision whether to offer an online payment option.
2. The auditor completed his year end review of LWL financial records for 2009. The auditor conducted an inspection and physical count of several stock/ inventory items that were reconciled to the year end count provided by LWL. The auditor will provide LWL a report of his findings within a week. LWL management will prepare the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) based on the findings of the auditor’s report.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. As a direct result of the Fair Point Communications (FPC) bankruptcy claim recently settled by court action, LWL is receiving third party offers to purchase LWL FPC debt. FPC owes LWL about $20,000 in outstanding invoices most of which was for energy consumption at their Pleasant Street property. FPC owes LWL about $20,000, it is doubtful that LWL will recoup the full arrears due to the bankruptcy filing.
The BOC agreed that prior to LWL selling off any rights to its debt claim that the bankruptcy courts creditor’s settlement terms be researched. Superintendent Considine is to make a decision as to the best course of action that will result in LWL recouping most of the arrears.
2. The maintenance procedures for cleaning the slow sand filter beds were discussed with the BOC. Superintendent Considine requested that the BOC consider the purchase of an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with the appropriate equipment to aid LWL personnel in maintenance cleaning of the sand media in the cells.
The physical cleaning of each filter cell is a very labor intensive process that should at a minimum be repeated four (4) times per year (design recommendation was six (6) times, each cell three (3) times each) to optimize the filtration process. Due to the pristine nature of the water source the filters are currently being cleaned once per year which has proven not to be enough.
Utilizing the ATV, we anticipate that the level of maintenance will be increased which enhances filter operations and improves scheduling of the labor forces will offer the operators more flexibility. The associated cleaning costs should decrease as much as fifty (50) percent due to the reduction in force account labor. The utilization of the ATV will also provide some residual risk mitigation to the potential of physical injury associated with the intensive cleaning activity.
We anticipated that the return on our principle capital investment to be two (2) to four (4) years at a minimum at our current maintenance level.
Commissioner Goodell questioned the use of the ATV inside the filter in regard to contaminating the filter media.
Superintendent Considine stated that the ATV would remain sterile and would only be used for activities inside the cells thereby limiting the wear and tear on the machine.
Commissioner Ross inquired as to the air quality inside the cells resulting from the ATV exhaust building up inside the filter.
Superintendent Considine stated that the gross cost shown ($7,300) includes the purchase of two (2) - 42” high capacity air circulators capable of moving great than 10,000 CFM each. The air within the cell(s) will be “turned over” at least every two (2) minutes, fresh air will be drafted into the work area through several 2’x2’ access points in the ceiling that should be opened while the cell(s) are occupied. The air quality will be constantly monitored while personnel are inside the cell and additional fans will be added if needed based on the toxicity level(s) measured.
Commissioner Goodell made a motion to approve the purchase of an ATV and associated equipment with the following condition: that the utilization of the ATV is restricted to potable water maintenance activities inside the sand filter cell and not used for general maintenance work. Seconded by Commissioner Moore.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
OTHER BUSINESS:
1. Due to severe deterioration LWL is planning to demolish a vacant building at the intake (across from the rake house). After some discussion the BOC agreed that the debris should be removed from the site and disposed of properly. Disposition of the contents within the building is left to the discretion of Superintendent Considine.
2. The BOC discussed the minutes of the Joint Loss Committee meeting of February 9, 2010 specifically, how using an automated valve operating machine would benefit the Department.
Commissioner Goodell stated that he was not in favor of using the machine if it removes the human operator from the process. Valves under pressure need to be operated in a specific way and direction to avoid damaging the system.
Superintendent Considine stated that he will advise the BOC when the demonstration is scheduled so a board member can observe the process and evaluate whether the machine is even practical.
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 1:55 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.