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,
October 3, 2022 in the LWL conference room. Present were Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Linda MacNeil, Director of Finance Lori Hogan and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of the September 19, 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 2-0-0
APPOINTMENTS:
Green Street Power Partners representatives Craig Dwyer and Mark Croke discussed with the BOC their previous 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. Dwyer stated that as a direct result of the federal government passing the Inflation Reduction Act project costs have been reduced due to increases in the amount of the incentives being offered to the developers that they can pass to the customers.
Mr. Dwyer presented the BOC with a new agreement (Term Sheet) or Letter of Agreement (LOA) that Green Street would like LWL to consider executing details what the Purchase Power Agreement would consist of. Once executed Green Street would begin to study the project in greater depth. The LOA is non-binding regarding final cost though exclusive to LWL working solely with Green Street on this solar project.
The proposed array output would make up about six (6) percent of LWL load and would provide most of LWL base load power supply when active.
Mr. Considine stated that in the spirit of full disclosure LWL is also working with Tangent Energy Solutions on a similar project and awaiting a term sheet from them. The proposed property belongs to the Town of Littleton (ToL) and that Green Street will have to discuss the property availability with them directly as It would be a straight business transaction between Green Street and ToL.
Commissioner MacNeil stated that the BOC would not entertain any board action until the full board is present to discuss.
Following some back-and-forth discussion, the Green Street representative exited the meeting at about 2:00 p.m.
CUSTOMER & PUBLIC CONCERNS:
Mr. Bruce Hadlock inquired about the status of the ongoing lawsuit between the TOL and LWL.
Superintendent Considine stated that at the time of this meeting there was no new information and that everyone was waiting for the judge’s opinion.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. Geosphere Environment advised LWL that the 7-day pump test for the Lafayette well (B) is scheduled for the week of October 10th. When the final data is collected the NHDES will determine if this is a viable public drinking water source. If NHDES validates the well then LWL could make future to improve the site and integrate the new source into the system.
2. ISONE advised participants that it plans to delay the decommissioning of the Mystic Generation Station in Everett, MA due to energy constraints headed into winter. The Mystic plant originally a coat fired plant is now dual fueled and can operate on either coat or natural gas. ISONE plans to operate the plant using natural gas, start-up costs and monthly fuel cost will be passed on to participants. Participant cost will be based on spot market fuel prices. LWL has realize a capacity increase of $25,000 in September and costs could be much higher and will fluctuate with the market and the weather.
GENERAL/OTHER BUSINESS:
THE BOC continued their discussions regarding electric rates and the record increases in energy prices. Thoughts rates were increased about 14% this past April surging energy/fuel prices and inflation will prevent LWL from breaking even. In addition to first quarter losses LWL is projecting losses in the fourth quarter as energy and transmission costs are increase steadily. LWL cannot absorb these costs and needs to consider raising electric rates.
The BOC reviewed the available data and discussed LWL current financial situation and the anticipated losses in 2022 and potentially in 2023 if no changes are made. Following some additional discussion Commissioner MacNeil made a motion to increase the electric tariff by thirty-nine (39) percent or about 6 cents per kilowatt hour.
Commissioner MacNeil also stated that Commission Cooper via email stated: “I will not be able to attend Monday’s meeting. I have reviewed Tom’s slides on electric rates. I support increasing rates immediately and again, if necessary, in January based upon our power procurement situation at that time. Tom suggests 3 cents on Nov 1. We might consider raising rates 5 cents on Nov 1. Whichever the Board decides has my support.”
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0 (Commissioner Cooper voted by proxy)
A press release will be prepared and distributed to the local newspapers once reviewed by BOC.
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 2-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:46 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.