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, May 1, 2023 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 April 17, 2023 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner MacNeil made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0
APPOINTMENTS:
1. The BOC welcomed Ms. Sonja Marie Rodriguez to BOC meeting. Ms. Rodriguez explained that she is representing Artisans with a Mission, which is a Not-for-Profit organization. That’s mission is to raise awareness regarding stopping trafficking of children and homelessness. Ms. Rodriquez’s provided the BOC additional detail about the outreach that they are doing and asked the BOC to support this initiative.
Commissioner Cooper stated that LWL does not typically provide rate payer funds to support worthy initiatives but could provide a letter in support of their initiatives and in-kind services such as force account labor.
Commissioner Ross stated that it is not for LWL to choose which charitable organization to support as the funds/donations would be provided with ratepayer money. In his opinion the proper request avenue should be through a petition article at the annual town meeting.
Ms. Rodriquez’s thanked the BOC for their time and stated that any support the LWL provided would be greatly appreciated and that she is just beginning to bring awareness in the local community and exited the meeting at about 1:20 p.m.
2. Mr. Henry Rennar advised the BOC that he is the new director at Parker Village Community. He asked the BOC if they would on a temporary basis allow them to place US Flags on four (4) wooden utility poles that are located on their property in celebration of Memorial Day, Independence Day, and the Veterans Day holiday.
Mr. Rennar explained that management is attempting to acknowledge some of the residents in the community that are veterans, and that management is generally trying to improve communication and the overall environment within the community.
The Commissioners were generally in agreement that as the flags are on private property, not promotional or advertisement in nature and on the poles for a short period of time that they would not object even though LWL (law) does not allow flags, banners, or signs on power poles.
Mr. Renner assured the BOC that the flags would be installed in the morning and removed before the close of business by their maintenance staff. The flags would be put up only on the three (3) holidays that he mentioned and will be eight (8) to (10) feet above the ground. Mr. Renner thanked the BOC for their willingness to discuss this matter and help support Parker Village management improve their community and exited the meeting at about 1:45 p.m.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
Mr. Considine stated that Smart Energy of New England and local solar installer that LWL has worked with in the past approached him regarding the following topics: 1) installing a small (1MW) static solar array at the old landfill and, 2) installing a battery system to shave peak transmission loads.
In Smart Energy’s opinion, the availability of the production and other credits offered by the USEPA would allow LWL to be owner operators. The payback could be relatively quick and could provide LWL and economical supply for the next 20-years. When the details are available, they will reach back out to LWL with their proposals.
GENERAL/OTHER BUSINESS:
1. LWL’s in-kind community support was discussed with the BOC. Superintendent Considine discussed developing an official policy or procedure now that these activities are being tracked in the system (on-book). In the past these activities were reviewed but were not subject to any formal audit as they were being maintained off-book. Now with LWL generating and invoice for service provided (zero balance) the charges/credits will be maintained on-book. Having language or a policy in place to reference will provide the proper authority.
The BOC agreed. Management will present a draft to the BOC for review later regarding authorizing LWL management the ability to credit in-kind service-related activities.
2. At the start of the meeting Commissioner Cooper stated that he was reappointed by the Littleton Select Board on April 25, 2023 to the LWL Commission. He had recently been sworn in and took the oath of office administered by the Town Clerk.
3. As a result of the reappointment of Peter Cooper to the LWL BOC, Commissioner Cooper discussed the need to reorganize the LWL officials/officers for 2023-2024 in accordance with LWL’s enabling legislation. (Written notice will be provided to the Littleton Town Clerk certifying the LWL board reorganization once the minutes are approved).
Commissioner Ross nominated Commissioner MacNeil for Board President/Chairperson, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, Commissioner MacNeil accepted the nomination.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
Commissioner Cooper nominated Commissioner Ross for Board Secretary seconded by Commissioner MacNeil. Commissioner Ross accepted the nomination.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
The BOC agreed that Superintendent Considine remain LWL’s Treasurer.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the board Commissioner Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Cooper.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 2:15 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.