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 07, 2012 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 April 16, 2012 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Goodell made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore.
The vote was in favor 3-0-0.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
1. Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ending March 2012 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins, most notably the increase in National Grid transmission costs which were double a typical month. National Grid explained that the variance is attributed to their fiscal year close out and reconciliation of expenses for 2011.
2. Superintendent Considine stated that the department’s year end financial report was forwarded to the Town of Littleton and they plan to incorporate LWL’s audit into the town’s year end report. The LWL auditor was asked for an opinion in regard to this practice and he advised against it. LWL is considered an enterprise funds (no public taxes) and combining the two reports tends to skew the Town’s bottom line figures, as the operating funds are represented in totally different manners. Separate audits are a means to insure full disclosure and when reports are bundled items may be misrepresented.
SUPERINTENDENT/MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The Town of Littleton Energy Committee has requested that the department provide a representative to serve as a committee member. Superintendent Considine will attend the May 9th meeting in an advisory capacity.
2. The NHDOT proposal for the Town to take over maintenance of the Interstate 93 ramp lights was apparently discussed by the Town of Littleton Board of Selectmen and their decision is pending public comment. Further discussion is scheduled to take place at their meeting next week a decision should be forthcoming. LWL will submit an estimate for services rendered to accomplish this work to the NHDOT as soon as a decision is made by the Town.
3. Boulanger Consulting surveyed the department’s driveway recently and topographical detail was gathered behind the meter building and Lafayette substation. When the detail is plotted the department plans to use the information to complete a site drainage plan and look into restoring the riverbank behind the meter building. It is expected that a certain portion of the meter building will be demolished in order to properly restore the riverbank and to gain access to the rear of the substation. Discussion in regard to the status of the meter building is ongoing as to its functionality versus continued long term maintenance expenses, further discussion on this topic is needed (currently houses the meter reading section).
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Commissioner Moore signed a letter that certifies that the LWL Board of Commissioners was reorganized for 2012 in accordance with the departments enabling legislation. The original certificate will be forward to the Littleton town clerk’s office and a copy placed in the minutes.
2. The BOC discussed the water storage tank bids that were received by the department and publicly read aloud on April 17, 2012. Superintendent Considine stated that sixteen (16) site work contractors (many locally) participated in the solicitation process. Commissioner Goodell made a motion to award the contract to the Natgun Corporation of Wakefield, MA for their bid of $1,028,603 (low bidder), seconded by Commissioner Moore.
Vote was in favor 3-0-0
Superintendent Considine stated that a preconstruction conference is going to be held on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. to finalize the contract documents and establish a tentative construction start up date.
Commissioner Moore inquired about the reserves accounts that the contract money is targeted.
Superintendent Considine reviewed the accounts with the BOC and explained that the new line truck ($215,000) would be coming out of the reserves as well in September or October. Additionally, expenses to remove the current impoundment reservoir will come from these reserves as well through a change order to the water storage tank project.
4. The BOC discussed a certificate of authorization that empowers Superintendent Considine as the LWL treasurer to sign certain documents on behalf of the BOC as needed to execute power supply and other operational needs. This is presently how the process is working though some supplier wants verification of this prior to executing the contracts. The contracts typically executed have already been approved by vote of the BOC and the paperwork usually follows after the board has adjourned. The proposed certificate expedites the process and moves the contracts along without needless time delays.
Following a brief discussion each Commissioner signed the certification which will be in effect through December 2012.
5. The BOC discussed a preliminary rate tariff adjustment proposal submitted by Superintendent Considine. Each item class will be adjusted to more closely reflect operating costs, especially transmission services. Residential, public lighting and large commercial group customers could possibly see a slight reduction in their energy rates. Customers in the commercial groups are still struggling to pay their share of the overall expenses within their respective groups.
Commissioner Moore stated that though the electric rates for some class may be reduced an increase in the water rates is pending later this year due to construction cost of the new water storage tank that will impact the total invoice that customers receive.
A tentative implementation date of July 1st was discussed for electric tariff adjustments and or changes in the specific rate classes.
6. The BOC discussed a proposed new driveway gate that is going to be installed at the Westside Substation adjacent to the St. Johnsbury Road to deter against theft and illegal garbage dumping. Commissioner Goodell suggested that large rocks or other suitable material be utilized to barricade the lower drive access to the rear of the property. Pictures showing the illegal garbage dumped recently at this location were turned over to the Littleton Police Department to aid their investigation.
7. The BOC agreed that becoming a Channel 2 TV sponsor was a good way to increase public awareness and education of the department and what we do. Channel 2 has also inquired about producing progress segments of the water storage tank project under construction.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Goodell.
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.