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, November 21, 2023 in the LWL conference room. Present were Commissioner Linda MacNeil, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Peter Cooper, Director of Finance Lori Hogan, Line Supervisor Justen Elliott, and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of the November 6, 2023 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Cooper made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
DIRECTOR of FINANCE and HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT:
1. Mrs. Hogan reviewed the highlights of the financial statements for the month ending September 2023 with the Commissioners. Several variances as compared to the budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Hogan.
The BOC acknowledged the September 2023 statement as presented. Mrs. Hogan will prepare the P/L statement and present a copy to the Town of Littleton for their records.
2. Mrs. Hogan reviewed a 2023 Cumulative Earning report with the BOC. Power supply markets performed better than initially expected or predicted and the warmer than normal temperatures maintained a stable power supply market that benefited LWL. As a result, LWL was able to replenish its Rate Stabilization and capital reserves funds for 2021 and 2022 and reduce rates in October 2023 by about twenty (20) percent.
Mr. Considine stated that the October 2023 rate design calculations were based on year-to-date expenses for the month ended August 2023, which were somewhat conservative. Based on November 2023 actual revenues and anticipated December 2023 projected revenue a one-time power supply rebate would true-up the October 2023 electric rate going forward in 2024.
The suggested rebate would be tied to consumption and run through the same process utilized by the RGGI rebates and affect the wholesale power supply line item.
Mr. Considine suggested that the rebate amount of eight (8) cents per kWh would True-up the power supply going into 2024.
Following some back-and-forth discussion Commissioner Ross made motion to provide a one-time power supply rebate in the amount of eight (8) cents per kWh in December 2023 to align the October 2023 electric rate adjustment with the projected 2024 operating budget. Seconded by Commissioner Cooper.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. Negotiations with the IBEW are progressing, non-economic proposals have been tentatively agreed on. A third round of discussions are scheduled on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 and a fourth round, if necessary, is scheduled for Thursday, November 30, 2023.
2. Justen Elliott stated that he and the Chief Lineman conducted a pre-paint inspection on the new line truck that is expected to arrive prior to the start of the new year. Minor changes were suggested such as not painting the upper boom above the turret. Some additional surcharge in the amount of about $10,000 is expected and are beyond the scope of the quote provided by shop.
GENERAL/OTHER BUSINESS:
Mrs. Hogan and Mr. Considine reviewed the highlights of the proposed 2024 operating and maintenance budget to the BOC for review and comment.
Electric Operating: As the electric rates were recently adjusted as previously discussed the expenses are generally set going forward, especially the large ticket lines items. LWL has minimal control over managing power supply and transmission expenses and these costs represent almost 72% of the electric operating budget. Power Supply resources are hedged to about 88% and costs are projected to be steady. Transmission expenses were increased 10% over 2023 in anticipation of rising costs. On the distribution or delivery of power (poles and wires) the largest line-items are labor, tree trimming expenses and health care (increasing by 17% on January 1, 2024). Labor and health care expenses are shown estimates as union negotiations are ongoing.
Electric revenue projections were set in October 2023 when the rates were adjusted. Electric rates are stable and are not expected to increase in 2024 Municipal Street lighting revenue is expected to be lower in 2024 by as much as 40% as the LED street lighting program will be fully implemented on January 1, 2024.
Water Operating: Water revenues for 2024 are projected to be the same as 2023, no rate increase is anticipated. Health care (increasing by 17% on January 1, 2024) and labor cost are expected to increase in 2024 and are shown as estimates only for budget purposes as union negotiations are ongoing.
Utility-wide shipping constraints, long product lead times and inflation are challenging to manage. The costs of service rendered by LWL at most levels has increased and are reflective of the current operating environment. Lead times on some items are as long as 30 - 52 weeks especially for electronic equipment and new transformers.
The proposed projects and equipment need for 2024 will be presented at a later meeting. A new utility 1-ton and the continued deployment and integration of the AMI infrastructure are on the list as major investments for 2024.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the board Commissioner Cooper 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 2:43 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.