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, July 5, 2022 in the LWL conference room. Present were Commissioner Peter Cooper, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Linda MacNeil, Director of Finance Lori Hogan and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
1. The minutes of the June 6, 2022 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Ross made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner MacNeil.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0
2. LWL BOC acknowledge the passing of former LWL Commissioner Schuyler Sweet and his contribution to the LWL. Superintendent Considine stated that LWL technically owes Schuyler for three (3) meetings for consulting services provided in 2022 and he recommended settling the account with his estate.
The BOC agreed that LWL owed Schuyler for his services rendered to LWL in 2022 and authorized payment in the amount of $45.00.
APPOINTMENTS:
Green Street Power Partners representative Mark Croke discussed a proposal to construct a 4 MW solar array on the old Littleton landfill property and sell the energy output back to LWL through a Purchase Power Agreement (PPA).
Mr. Croke contends that even though the cost of the solar power energy would be slightly more expensive than LWL existing hedge contracts. The more expensive solar power supply would be passed on to the ratepayers and proportionally absorbed in LWL total expenses and the solar PPA would also provide a stable annual base budget number for the next 25 years. He feels that some LWL customers would welcome the renewable energy option and be willing to pay more to have access.
Following some back-and-forth discussion Mr. Croke stated that he would provide LWL with answers to several questions/ concerns that were discussed and exited the meeting at about 2:00 p.m.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. In preparation of conducting a 7-day pump test of Wellhead B (Lafayette Oxbow Property), the NHDES permit requires the installation of several shallow observation wells for monitoring the movement of water through the overburden. The installation of the monitor wells was unsuccessful as refusal was hit above the water table at each site. Open excavation may be an alternative to install the monitoring points though NHDES would need to approve this alternate installation method as the overburden will be impacted to a greater extent.
2. LWL is scheduled to take its 12th round (past 36 years) of water samples in accordance with the Lead and Copper Rule of the Safe Water Drinking Water Act. Notices and sample directions were sent to the applicable customers and samples are scheduled to be taken the week of July 11, 2022 with results are due to NHDES by September 30, 2022.
3. American Leak Detection completed LWL’s acoustic leak detection survey on June 30, 2022 with very favorable results. In connection with the NHDES 2022 Leak Detection Grant Program approximately 50 miles of water distribution mains were surveyed with only three (3) leaks confirmed. In addition, about 850 valves, service stands, and other fittings were checked for leakage. The three (3) leaks contributed to a total estimated water loss of about eleven (11) GPM or about 3% of LWL daily demand. LWL will prioritize repair activities as time permits as the leaks are not substantial and not causing a problem at this time.
4. The NH Department of Energy (NHDOE) recently distributed the proceeds from the fifty-sixth (56) Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Cap and Trade auction program to LWL for disbursement in the amount of about $62,300. Once LWL receives payment from the NHDOE eligible LWL electric customers will receive a rebate (credit) in the amount of about $ 11/1,000 kWh applied to their LWL statement.
GENERAL/OTHER BUSINESS:
1. The BOC reviewed the potential financial savings should LWL decide that a battery energy storage system is warranted to trim transmission peaks.
Superintendent Considine stated that the information was passed along to Daymark Energy Advisory to review. The BOC agreed to give Daymark time to perform/present their economic analysis of the data before actioning the proposed project.
2. Tantalus Communications in partnership with Itron Metering, provided LWL a proposal to conduct an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) pilot study consisting of fifty (50) meters and related software/hardware. When fully deployed most of LWL active electric and water meters will automatically transmit the data directly to the utility at predetermined intervals and does not require utility personnel to collect the data like our current drive by system. The utility industry is trending toward the AMI interfaces as an energy conservation measure.
Following some discussion, the BOC agreed that additional information is required regarding the pilot deliverables and what the representative sample group would look like.
3. The BOC reviewed Bruce Hadlock request for information regarding the ongoing lawsuit with the Town/DRA specifically as to how much has been spent and LWL reasons for pursuing the lawsuit. The BOC agreed to honor the request and to make Mr. Hadlock aware the LWL is the defendant in this case. Management will draft the response and provide a draft to the BOC for review and comment.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the board Commissioner MacNeil 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 3:12 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.