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,
September 19, 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 September 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
APPOINTMENTS:
The BOC welcomed Town of Littleton (TOL) Budget Committee members Daniel Stearns and Steve Kelley to the Commissioner meeting. Mr. Rudy Gelsi stated that he was attending as a concerned TOL citizen and was not a budget committee member.
Mr. Stearns stated that as a TOL taxpayer and LWL ratepayer he as well as other budget committee members are concerned about the ongoing lawsuit between the DRA/TOL and LWL. He is concerned with unintended consequences and how they might affect LWL operations and finances going forward. As the budget committee spokesman, he plans to read a prepared statement to the TOL selectboard and would like to read the same statement for the BOC. In summary the statement requested that the TOL/DRA and LWL resolve this case amicable before letting the court decide on LWL and the TOL future.
There was continued back and forth discussion regarding reaching a resolution. Commissioner Cooper stated that LWL has attempted several times, the most recent being one (1) year ago, to resolve the matter and presented the DRA with an agreement that was rejected. It is not known if the TOL selectmen were made aware of the proposed settlement and its contents.
Mr. Considine stated that he wanted to make Mr. Stearns and Mr. Kelley aware that LWL is the defendant in this lawsuit filed by the TOL. Prior to the lawsuit LWL was in discussions with the DRA to reach a potential resolution. Once the lawsuit was filed by the TOL those discussions ended. It almost seems like the timing of the filing was planned or by design to keep the DRA and LWL from further discussion.
Mr. Gelsi stated that the lawsuit has been going on for two (2) years why is the budget committee just now getting involved?
Mr. Gelsi stated that he believes that the lawsuit is being used as a cover-up to deflect the public from what really happened, the TOL overspending of public funds by town officials which was proven by the TOL financial audits. Mr. Gelsi also alleged that the TOL selectboard and budget committee were aware of this overspending and did nothing to stop the spending or the lawsuit, they did nothing to bring the matter forward to the public.
Mr. Kelley stated that he nor other committee members were aware until the TOL Treasure came forward in writing to the selectboard claiming the TOL had financial problems and that the financial records were not accurate. The budget committee is not involved with the TOL financial audits or its day-to-day spending.
Following some additional back and forth discussion the BOC thanked Mr. Stearns and Mr. Kelley for discussing this matter with the BOC.
Commissioner Ross assured them that LWL has been willing to make concessions in an effort to reach an amicable resolution despite the rumors though the BOC will not roll over and fully capitulate to the DRA demands.
Mr. Stearns and Mr. Kelly thank that BOC and exited the meeting at about 1:45 p.m. with Mr. Gelsi following shortly thereafter.
DIRECTOR of FINANCE and HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT:
1. Mrs. Hogan informed the BOC that Brenda Woods last day of work was on Friday, September 16, 2022 following more than ten (10) years of employment with LWL. Currently there are two (2) open positions at LWL. The vacant Operations Clerk position recently vacated will be posted in-house for a period of two (2) weeks, if not filled internally the job vacancy will be publicly advertised. Several quality candidates for the open line workers position vacated August 31, 2022 have been interviewed and are being considered at this time.
2. Mrs. Hogan stated that because of the increase power supply expenses that will be incurred in the fourth quarter 2022 due to the recent power supply procurement LWL will not be able to make up the short fall from the first quarter as rates were not increase until April 1, 2022.
Mr. Considine stated that a power supply procurement was solicited and executed with Macquarie Energy on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 to hedge LWL open power supply position for the forth quarter of 2022. The bid price came in $9/MW or about $35,000 more than expected. A total of 3,800,000 kWh was secured at a cost of about $765,000 that represents about five (5) precent of LWL’s annual power supply requirements and twice as high as the budget estimate carried in the 2022. (Note: several of LWL usual energy providers declined to participate and did not provide a bid due to increased volatility expected throughout the energy commodities market over the next six (6) months).
The BOC agreed and acknowledged that power supply increase expected over the next six (6) months will need to be managed closely and the impact to LWL cash flow.
Mr. Considine stated that the 2022 budget will be adjusted to indicate the recent power supply procurement. The data should be made available so the BOC can discuss an appropriate course of action regarding electric rates at their October 3, 2022 meeting.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The revised quote for a new office VoIP telephone system was received by LWL. The cost is about $ 5,000 less than previously discussed at the last BOC meeting. The new quote shows the proper number of desk telephones needed by LWL to conduct business which dramatically effected the final price. The new system is expected to be placed in-service by the end of the year.
2. NHDES with the assistance of LWL water operators conducted a sanitary survey on the potable water system on Thursday, September 15, 2022 with regard to compliance with the USEPA Safe Water Drinking Act. No significant violations were noted at the time of the field inspection by the NHDES engineer. A sanitary survey (system inspection and LWL report card) is performed by NHDES (regulators) every three (3) years in accordance with LWL to operate as a public drinking (potable) water system.
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 2:26 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.