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 business meeting of the Littleton Water and Light (LWL) Board of Commissioners (BOC) began at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 in the LWL conference room. Present were Commissioner Schuyler Sweet, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Peter Cooper, Director of Finance Lori Hogan and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of the February 1, 2021 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting 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
DIRECTOR of FINANCE and HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT:
1. Jackie Kenney, (office manager), reviewed and discussed one of LWL’s large customer account and their 2020 payment history. Over the past year this customer has incurred several late penalties due to their inconsistencies in how they pay their LWL invoice. Recently this customer has chosen not to pay the late fees and assumes that LWL will forgive the debt without discussion.
Following some additional discussion, the BOC agreed that the customer is responsible for paying all their charges including late penalty charges. If this issue is not corrected within the next billing period LWL will escalate this matter to the management level.
2. Mrs. Hogan stated that she is working on an internal asset financial analysis to more accurately track how LWL is financing its annual Capital Improvement Projects and Equipment (CIPE) investments. Though LWL has an informal process and tracking system this mechanism will also tie in previous year encumbrances and depreciation expense added through LWL’s continuing property records (force account work). When completed the financial information provided should more accurately depict future cash needs/requirements to fund reserve balances/levels to accommodate proposed/future project expenditures.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The results of the 2020 Transmission Line 30 enhanced tree clearing project were discussed with the BOC. The project was slightly over budget due to the number and extent of the danger and special trees removed and density of the underbrush. The foresters managing the project estimated that it has been 30 to 35 years since the last time the easement was cleared to this extent. Several large white pine trees were in close (danger) proximity to the lines and were found to be severely deteriorated when felled.
The recommendation by the foresters is that the easement be mowed, and the danger/special trees be removed on a five (5) year rotation/cycle, costs are expected to be substantial lower (estimated at 33% to 50%) as a lesser amount of work is anticipated. Minimal expenses are expected on an annual basis that will consist of aerial thermographic imaging patrols of the overhead lines and foot patrols to assess the physical condition of the wires, equipment, and structures.
2. LWL personnel are working to transfer twenty-two (22) streetlights to the Town of Littleton located along the Interstate 93 on and off ramps between exit 41 and 43. These lights were discontinued by the State of NH in 2012 through a statewide highway lighting discontinuance project. The billing/accounting after consulting by email with the NHDOT and much effort provided by LWL office staff has been figured out. To maintain the records accurately each of the NHDOT accounts and town account will receive a unique meter identifier that will correspond to specific lights. This will require that the data manipulation monthly by LWL staff to ensure that the proper charges are applied to each customer. New bulbs and photo sensors have been ordered to replace equipment that has been inactive for the past eight (8) years. The replacement equipment is expected within the next couple of weeks and weather permitting the lights will be energized soon thereafter.
GENERAL/OTHER BUSINESS:
The Preliminary Report and Large Groundwater Withdrawal Permit Application dated January 22, 2021 regarding the proposed Lafayette Well-B system was briefly reviewed and discussed with the BOC. The report and application developed by Geosphere Environment Management of Exeter, NH consists of more than 200 pages and annotates the progress made to date by LWL to establish a new ground water source and the proposed installation of a new public well pending further testing.
Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Cooper made a motion to authorized Geosphere to submit the report and application to the NHDES on behalf of LWL for consideration, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0
MEETING ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the board, 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 2:26 p.m.
The above read and approved.
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.