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 Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 07, 2011 in the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Perry Goodell and Commissioner Ralph Ross and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of October 17, 2011 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
APPOINTMENTS:
Mr. Stan Faryniarz representing La Capra Associates briefed the BOC in regard to the department’s wholesale power position. Mr. Faryniarz discussed contract procurement, proposed renewable energy projects, and ISONE’s regional transmission planning initiatives.
Mr. Faryniarz suggested that LWL purchase at least 1 Mw more of wholesale power for 2012 – 2013 which would give LWL about a 10% open position on the spot market. Commissioner Ross stated that they would discuss the department open position with Superintendent Considine and would let him know.
Commissioner Ross asked Mr. Faryniarz what the expected breakeven purchase price was for renewable energy on the wholesale market.
Mr. Faryniarz stated that renewable energy sales are above current market prices at about sixty (60) to seventy (70) dollars per megawatt hour (Mwh), though this would be a contract price and would most likely be locked in for ten (10) to twenty (20) years or the life of the project. He was not aware of the current status of the proposed methane generation project at the Casella Waste Managements landfill in Bethlehem. The plan was to place several 1 Mw generators in service and wheel the power through the LWL overhead line at 34.5 kv and the expected life of the project was about twenty (20) years.
Superintendent Considine stated that October 2011 spot market closed at forty-five (45) dollars per Mwh, in theory that would have cost LWL at least $20,000 in additional wholesale charges for renewable, less wheeling costs.
The BOC agreed that a partnership in a long term project was critical and the LWL would take a conservative approach to the project and any prospective partner(s).
Superintendent Considine stated that LWL has not been contacted by Casella since the initial contact was made several years ago and that an electrical interconnection study would have to be conducted prior to any agreements.
Mr. Faryniarz advised the BOC that if LWL was interested in pursuing a renewable energy alternative that those anticipated expenses would be over and above their present monthly contracted amount with LWL.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. A letter from the New England Electrical Workers Benefit Fund (dated November 3, 2011) gave notice to LWL that the cost of health insurance will be increased by seven (7) percent effective January 1, 2012. This represents about a $15,000 impact to the fiscal year budget.
2. LWL recently took possession of a 2012 Chevrolet pick up that replaced the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 (LWL truck 402). The 2012 truck is factory white and was not painted the safety green (limited use, special order) that typically is associated with the LWL fleet. To have the truck painted it would have delayed delivery and the estimate to have it locally painted was $6,000, which the department felt was excessive.
3. The department is soliciting bids to replace the 1999 International bucket truck (LWL truck 799). Bid proposals are scheduled to be open in public session at the December 5, 2011 regular Commissioners meeting.
4. Front office renovations are progressing as expected. The majority of the weather sensitive items should be completed by November 11th as the masonry and roofing is expected to be completed by that date.
5. Clough Construction completed the site work that was associated with removing the old Apthorpe stone reservoir. The fencing and block were removed, a safe slope was
placed and a swale trench was constructed to drain any water that might accumulate in the remaining depression.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Commissioner Goodell suggested that the land be cleared in preparation for the new water tank on School Street at Oak Hill. Superintendent stated that the department will have the roadway layout completed and delineated the area that need to be cleared that is anticipated to be approximately three-quarters (3/4) of an acre on the westerly side of the existing reservoir.
2. Mrs. Jackie Kenney introduced the BOC to Ms. Brenda Fairbrother the newest LWL employee and member of the LWL team. She was hired to fill the Customer Service Representative position in the front office.
The front office staff has been short one person since Mrs. Candice Pike resigned her position with the department in late August 2011.
3. The Department was asked by the Town of Littleton to review a proposal submitted by Energy Smart Industry that alleges that it can save the Town at least $50,000 a year on energy costs associate with lighting by installing Light Emitting Diode (LED) equipment.
A cursory review of the proposal was conducted by the department and the results were forward to the Town as requested. In summary of the major points; 1) the department charged the Town of Littleton about $88,000 in total electrical charge in 2010, it is unlikely that they can save the amount suggested in the salesmen’s proposal, 2) the contractor never approached the LWL for any operations or maintenance records or trend consumption data which is unusual. LWL advised caution as the proposal does not seem well thought out.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Moore.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 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.