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, May 18, 2009 in the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Present were Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Eddy Moore, Commissioner Perry Goodell, Financial Services Director Cheryl Wilkins and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of May 4, 2009 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
CUSTOMER CONCERNS:
Mrs. Phyllis Stempinski, owner of 59 Tuck Lane requested that the BOC abate 10,800 CF of water recorded for March and April 2009. She stated that the house was empty at the time and the water leak is attributed to a leaking toilet. Town officials referred her to LWL after taking exception with her sewer bill.
Superintendent/ Manager Considine told her that LWL could only address the charges and could not change the meter reading. Following BOC approval the Department would apply a credit on her account.
The BOC agreed to abate a determined amount of the water used, typically based on the monthly average amount used less LWL operating cost. Commissioner Ross stated that they would not address what actions the Town of Littleton would take in regard to this matter but would supply the Town with any information that they may request.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The BOC agreed to create and fund a capital project on Grove Street for water valve and hydrant replacement expected to cost about $30,000.
2. The BOC was made aware of several recent bankruptcy filings that affect LWL receivables. The appropriate property liens were requested with Grafton County to guarantee LWL payment.
3. The power to the entire electrical system was momentarily interrupted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 for several seconds while the westerly side of town was out of power for a longer period of time. Severe wind gusts attributed to several nuisance power outages throughout the day. LWL personnel patrolled the hi-line easement on Thursday and Friday last week in an effort to determine why power to the entire system was interrupted. Though the incident was recorded at the Pattenville circuit breaker no physical evidence was found that might have attributed to the incident.
4. LWL personnel are still aggressively supporting the Main Street rehabilitation project. Many of the incidents that LWL personnel have responded to thus far are preventable, in the Department opinion, and may be the result of poor planning or execution. Expenses incurred outside the contracted work are being captured each week by the LWL work order system.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Superintendent/ Manager Considine discussed the possibility of instituting a water system replacement charge that would apply a certain percentage on the monthly invoice and would be similar to the Town’s sewer replacement fee. The additional funds would be used to defer construction expenses associated with replacing aging water mains
The BOC agreed that an infrastructure funding mechanism is needed as the system is aging but a detail plan is needed to justify a proposed increase in the rate. Commissioner Goddell stated that most of the groundwork has already been completed with regard to developing a 5-year plan and that the information needs to be placed in a report format and prioritized.
2. The BOC agreed that when LWL requires a credit reference from a customer that is requesting service from LWL that the type of reference provided must match the account type being requested. To open a commercial account with LWL a commercial type credit reference must be provided. Residential credit reference cannot be provided and will no longer be acceptable by LWL when opening a commercial account.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Steve LaFrance, president of Horizons Engineering discussed the Oak Hill reservoir project with the BOC. He stated that he, a representative of Natgun Tanks and Commissioner Goodell had a meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2009 to discuss the proposed replacement tank project for the LWL on Pine Hill. The tank size, tank location and the overflow elevation need to be determined before preceding any further.
A lengthy discussion revolved around a proposed tank size of 1 or 1.5 million gallons and which capacity was needed based on future demand as a pre-cast tank has a long useful life and is a major capital expenditure.
Mr. LaFrance stated that according to the engineering calculations for the needed fire supply a one (1) million gallon tank is all that is required as the department has sufficient fire supply available, and having too much water available can be a liability due to water quality concern associated with disinfection by-products (DBP).
Superintendent Considine stated that water consumption (sales) records indicate a downward trend since the water meters were installed and that the LWL is currently in compliance with the DBP Rule for both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
The BOC agreed that a one (1) million gallon tank would be adequate.
The proposed tank location is slightly northeast of the existing reservoir. Mr. LaFrance stated that this site was chosen to limit the impact to existing piping network, maintain a working reservoir throughout the construction period and to take advantage of ground elevation which is favorable for the proposed design overflow.
The BOC agreed that the proposed location was appropriate but noted that the abutter would have to be contacted as the project appears to impact their property. Mr. LaFrance suggested that LWL ask the abutter for a lot line adjustment to allow for an unrestricted access to the tank perimeter. LWL will take the lead in making contact with the property owner, as a lot line adjustment would need to go through the town meeting process for approval.
The proposed tank overflow elevation is approximately ten (10) feet higher than the existing elevation, which represents about four (4) additional pounds of system pressure. A hydraulic model scenario will need to be run to verify that water can adequately reach this elevation.
Several available funding sources were discussed with the BOC. It does not appear that LWL would qualify for some of the grant money, as our average single-family yearly water charges (based on 90,000 gals/yr) are well below the $400 minimum, require to receive funding.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Commissioner Moore advised the BOC that the Town of Littleton is planning to honor Senator Judd Greg on May 28, 2009 for his contribution toward acquiring federal funding for the Opera House and Main Street rehabilitation projects.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Goodell 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.