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, April 2, 2012 in the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Perry Goodell and Commissioner Ralph Ross, Financial Services Director Cheryl Wilkins, and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of March 19, 2012 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.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
1. Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ending February 2012 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins. Mrs. Wilkins stated that February contained five (5) weeks of labor which skews the budget numbers somewhat.
2. LWL is in possession of the independent auditors financial report of year ended 2011. Subject to the BOC review and questions this will close out the year end auditor process. There were no exceptions to the report presented by the BOC.
3. Commissioner Goodell (President) and Superintendent Considine (Treasurer) signed a certificate of full disclosure required by the auditor. The certificate affirms that the department and management, to the best of their knowledge presented “all” material evidence requested by the auditor in regard to the department’s financial records to support the 2011 financial audit.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The department recently solicited proposals for a new ¾ ton pickup to replace truck 304 (Dodge, 2500, utility). The low bid received was provided by Littleton Chevrolet in the amount of $ 19,793 (less bed) and does not include painting of the truck cab. Additionally, the utility bed from truck 304 must be removed and attached to the new truck which was estimated between $1,500 and $2,000 for this work.
2. Sales of water and electricity were discussed with the BOC in an attempt to identify early trends for budgeting purposes. Data is only available for January and February and shows that water sales continue to trend downward at about 2 ½ % annually, electricity sales varies depending upon the month but generally are remaining steady as compared to previous years.
A water rate increase is imminent and this subject will be discussed later this season once the new water storage tank is completed.
Superintendent Considine stated that he has been researching digital acoustic data-loggers for locating subsurface water leaks, though expensive this equipment will help the department pinpoint leaks. Before the department can look at developing a large groundwater project (wells) the leakage needs to be addressed. With the data-logger the department can systematically evaluate the system. Currently the department’s “unaccounted for water” is in excess of sixteen (16) percent (more or less) which is considered acceptable American Water Works Association standard for our size system.
3. Representative’s from La Capra Associates are planning to attend the April 16, 2012 regular BOC meeting to discuss the power supply markets. This meeting was previous scheduled for the March 19, 2012 meeting that had to be postponed.
4. Requests for proposals were sent to prospective contractors (pre-qualified) the week of March 19, 2012 inviting them to submit a bid proposal to construct the new one (1) million gallon water storage tank at the top of School Street (Oak Hill). A pre-bid conference will be held at the department on April 10, 2012 in which interested contractors will have an opportunity to ask questions prior to finalizing their bid. A public bid opening is scheduled for April 17, 2012 in the Commissioners conference room.
5. The department recently installed twenty-four (24) Light Emitting Diodes (LED) luminaries around town in areas that we anticipate to be the most visible. Six (6) of the fixtures were placed on the west end of Main Street; this consumption will be metered to determine the actual energy savings as compared to the Hi Pressure Sodium (HPS) that were replaced. The remaining eighteen (18) fixtures are not metered, six (6) were placed along Union Street from about Pine Street towards Pike Avenue, generally near the elementary school. The remaining twelve (12) were placed around the high school on Oak Hill, Maple, School and High Streets. The cost to the department to employ this energy efficient pilot program was in excess of $11,500. As there were various size fixtures replaced (70watt & 150 watt) the department anticipates that that it should breakeven on this investment in about eight (8) years, providing that the longevity of the LEDs is twice as long as the HPS systems removed. The Town of Littleton should realize an immediate savings of about four (4) percent in their un-metered street light account and twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) percent on their metered account. The departments intends to monitor usage and trends of the metered light circuit to determine the actual values
Commissioner Ross asked if anyone has commented on the lighting effects as it is noticeably different from the previous type lamps that were removed. Superintendent Considine stated that he is not aware of any comments to date.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. The department’s 2011 retained earnings were discussed by the BOC. Superintendent Considine suggested that the funds, less the capital equipment (vehicles) portion be used to pay down the cost of the new water storage tank. The BOC agreed that there is not shortage of projects that need to be funded due to the aging infrastructures in the electric and water.
2. Boulanger Surveying reviewed two (2) areas that the department has requested detailed survey and plans. They will conduct a topographical survey of the Lafayette yard in preparation for re-paving and surface water collection. Several catch basins will be installed to capture the surface water. Secondly, they were asked to collect and capture the right–of–way detail between Oak Hill Avenue/ Lilac Lane intersection and Tuck Lane (Greenwood Acres). The department would like to extend the water main from Oak Hill Avenue to Tuck Lane to loop this section of the system. This would improve overall water quality and increase the available water for fire suppression needs in the area.
Superintendent Considine stated that when he and the surveyor walked the site (Greenwood Acres) they observed a large area saturated with water that appears to be a potential wetlands impact. As this is on private property it would be for the owner to obtain the required permitting prior to any action from the department and suggested that we should put our efforts into another project.
BOC agreed that the department should wait on the Greenwood Acres project.
3. Commissioner Moore inquired as to what the impact of the two (2) projects approved at Town meeting (culvert replacement on Dells Road and Bishop Street) would have on the department.
Superintendent Considine stated that the Dells Road water main is new and isolation valves were placed on each side of the structure and does not foresee an issue with that project unless something unusual is proposed for the new culvert. The department will have to review the situation at Bishop Street and develop a proposed plan.
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 2:25 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.