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 Monday, August 15, 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:
The minutes of the August 1, 2022 regularly scheduled Commissioner’s 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
APPOINTMENTS:
John Guerin, representing Tangent Energy Solutions (TES) presented the BOC with a power point presentation about potentially installing a combination solar and energy storage project at the retired Town of Littleton landfill. TES proposed to install a 4.2 MW solar ground mounted array in conjunction with a 2MW battery/energy storage rated at 6 MWH. Mr. Guerin reviewed the benefits to LWL system that TES would be responsible for dispatching and system operations.
Mr. Guerin reviewed the proposed project and the anticipated financial benefits to LWL should the project come to fruition. LWL would need to execute a purchase power agreement (PPA) most likely with a 25-year term with respect to the solar output being purchased by LWL.
Commissioner MacNeil mentioned that Tangent/LWL would need to reach some sort of an agreement with the Town of Littleton (TOL) as they control access to the property.
Mr. Guerin also stated that a small energy storage system could be placed behind one of LWL largest industrial customers, for example the hospital. LWL would receive additional benefits though that is only a possibility. The BOC were not comfortable with the idea of placing an energy storage system behind a customer’s meter in connection with a LWL proposed project. A second party would complicate the project and potential lead to disagreement in the future regard project savings.
Following some additional discussion, he thanked the BOC for their time and excused himself from the meeting at about 1:50 p.m.
CUSTOMER & PUBLIC CONCERNS:
1. Bruce Hadlock commented that regarding the proposed landfill project and the use of a battery storage equipment, a similar type of project was denied by the TOL zoning board due to firefighting concerns.
Mr. Considine stated that the energy storage project TES proposes is minimal in comparison to what Eversource Energy proposed at their Foster Hill Road project.
2. Mr. Hadlock further stated that he is going to approach the TOL selectboard again and demand that they drop their lawsuit against LWL as it is wasting both ratepayer and taxpayer money. If the selectboard refuses he with the support of others are prepared to take further action against the selectboard.
There was some additional discussion regarding the history of LWL that Mr. Hadlock discovered at the library which he reviewed the highlights with the BOC before exiting the BOC meeting at about 2:15 p.m.
DIRECTOR of FINANCE and HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT:
1. Mrs. Hogan stated that Paul Bresnahan submitted his retirement paperwork to LWL after 34 years of employment, his final day of work is Wednesday August 31, 2022. LWL began actively recruiting for a replacement this week.
The BOC acknowledged Paul’s years of service to the LWL and wished him success with his retirement endeavors.
2. LWL is having difficulty soliciting pre-buy No. 2 heating fuel quotes for the winter season. Mrs. Hogan discussed a bid submitted by one company though no other offers were made preventing a bid comparison.
Following some discussion, the BOC agreed that due to the current operating environment that LWL should accept the bid for heating fuel as offered. Commissioner MacNeil made a motion to accept the offer submitted by CN Brown, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0
3. Health Trust, LWL health (Blue Cross & Blue Shield) care and dental (Delta) provider, recently informed their customers that they will not be returning excess funds back to its members in their upcoming fiscal year. They cited increased operating costs for their decision.
In 2021 the BOC voted to apply the return funds toward LWL total premium which resulted in both LWL and employee realized a slight reduction in monthly premiums costs in 2022. For 2023 the return contribution credit will not be available to reduce expected increases in premiums.
4. Vachon Clukay & Company (auditors) presented the BOC their full audit report in writing regarding LWL’s 2021 financial activities including the Management Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents. In April 2022 the BOC review and accepted the auditors’ initial findings (financial schedules) as to the financial health of the organization.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
NHDES advised LWL that the Strategic Planning grant in the amount of $50,000 was approved by Governor and Council in July 2022. The engineering firm of record will be Horizons, a project kick-off will within the next couple of weeks and all work must be completed by July 1, 2024.
GENERAL/OTHER BUSINESS:
The State of NH initiative for electric customer relief was discussed with the BOC. In accordance with the preliminary direction provided by the NH Department of Energy residential accounts having a different service address will be eligible to receive a $100 credit under the NH Energy Relief Plan. The mechanics of how this is to be accomplished are still being resolved though it appears that LWL will have to fund the credit(s) upfront and submit paperwork to the State of NH for reimbursement.
LWL has about 3,100 active residential accounts in the R-1 schedule though not all meet the eligibility requirements set up by the state. About ten (10) percent of accounts are non-dwelling/resident location such as garages, shed, etc. To meet the governor’s intent LWL is suggesting that an additional rate schedule be developed (Residential-Other) that would contain non-dwelling type service locations. Accounts in the proposed (new) rate schedule would incur the same residential charges as if they were in the R-1 class but would not be eligible for the $100 credit as they are non-dwelling locations.
Following some discussion relative to the state’s electric rate initiate and how best to apply the credit Commissioner MacNeil made a motion to authorize the development of a new rate schedule (R-5) specific to non-dwelling/resident service locations to be added to LWL electric tariff. 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 Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner MacNeil.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:55 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.