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 Tuesday, September 4, 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, Operations Manager Richard Herrington and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of August 20, 2012 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Goodell made a motion to accept the minutes as presented and seconded by Commissioner Moore.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
OPERATIONS MANAGER REPORT:
Mr. Herrington reviewed the following projects status with the BOC:
1. The underground (UG) conductor on Gary’s Drive will be replaced with a conventional overhead single phase conductor and short runs of UG will feed the existing pad mounted transformers. In the future customers will be presented the option of replacing their UG (at their cost) or installing an aerial service drop. The new overhead conductor will be installed on the existing utility poles that currently support the cable and communications infrastructure. The new conductor is presently backordered preventing completion of the project.
2. The UG conductor and existing transformer will be replaced and relocated at the Daughters of Charity at the top of Grove Street. The existing system has had problems in the past with regard to capacity concerns and consists of three (3) pole mounted transformers that were installed at grade on a concrete pad. The planned upgrades will significantly improve the available capacity and safety of the power supply for this facility.
3. Overhead power line easements approvals from abutters have delayed the completion of the river crossing between Mill Street and Riverglen Lane. The circuit parallels Cottage Street and crosses the river behind the Littleton Bike Shop. The NH Department of Transportations Bureau of Rail and Transit have verbally agreed to LWL’s request for an overhead easement and written authorization is forthcoming.
4. The department is working with Hitchiner Manufacturing Company to replace a pad mounted transformer that is exhibiting signs of fatigue. Oil analysis raveled that the transformer is building up highly explosive gases which they are not able to remove or reduce to a safe operating level. The department ordered the new transformer and will assist with the installation.
5. Major tree trimming operations are completed for the year. About eleven (11) miles of overhead distribution lines were trimmed and about one (1) mile of transmission easement was trimmed and hazard potential trees removed.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ended July 2012 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The storage tank site work contractor will be back on the project this week to begin work on the altitude vault control building and new water main. This is the final major phase of the project and includes connecting the storage tank to the distribution water system. Natgun is removing the dome scaffolding from inside the tank and wire reinforcing is sixty (60) percent completed. Natgun is planning to start moving out its equipment and personnel within two weeks. The project is sixty-three (63) percent completed as of August 31, 2012.
2. Traffic safety concerns expressed by both the department and Millworks resulted in both companies sending letters to the Town of Littleton requesting that parking restriction signage be installed at the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and Union Street. Parked vehicles at the intersection block driver site distance and limit vehicle maneuverability causing an unsafe traffic condition.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Superintendent Considine explained that the Mt. Eustis storage tank (1.5 Mgal) is in need of some repairs, mostly to the joints along the dome panels sections. The needed repairs are not structural and general cosmetic in nature. The tank will require pressure washing to remove surface debris prior to being patched and seal coated.
The tank has had relatively no prior maintenance performed since being placed in service in 1972. Natgun can make the needed repairs and have submitted a cost estimate of $49,900. The cost estimate is $6,000 less as the proposed maintenance work coincides with our new tank construction and mobilization cost can be reduced.
Following some discussion Commissioner Ross stated that $1,000 per year maintenance cost is acceptable in his opinion and is in favor of the Natgun performing the repairs.
Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept Natgun Corporation bid in the amount of $49,900 to make the needed repairs to the Mt. Eustis storage tank. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
2. Superintendent Considine stated that requests for proposals to decommission the impoundment reservoir (old Oak Hill reservoir) were solicited by the department and received. Three (3) bids were received; Natgun Corporation/ Piscopo Construction, AB Logging and Dodge Contracting were considered. A low bid of $21,400 was submitted by Dodge Contracting and is recommended.
Following a brief discussion Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the Dodge Contracting bid in the amount of $21,400 to decommission the old reservoir. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
3. Commissioner Goodell asked what business is being proposed for the old Mc Donald’s site on Meadow Street.
Mr. Herrington stated that the department received plans for a Family Dollar Store and preliminary planning and discussion is taking place.
Commissioner Moore stated that to his knowledge a zoning variance may be required as the proposed new building is shown on the plan as being built closer to the rear of the parcel which is zoned residential.
CUSTOMER & PUBLIC CONCERNS:
1. Superintendent Considine stated that he has been reviewing the electric tariff for Poulsen Lumber Company with Electrical Systems Engineering as a result of a previous discussion with the mills owner. The low energy, hi demand, poor power quality and operating hours of the business suggests that they are probably not adding to LWL’s system peak though more likely affecting system performance. A hybrid rate tariff is proposed so that energy consumption would be charged at the G-2 rate and that the demand should be based on KVA, to account for the poor power and load factors (.59 and .19 respectively). When the power quality improves (G-2 class averages of about .80-.85) then they can be given a true G-2 rate based on KW. Currently the office staff manually adjusts the power factor and manually enters the readings into the billing system. The proposed rate tariff will be calculated by the utility billing software which negates any human error in the process.
The BOC was in agreement and in favor of the proposed adjust the saw mills rate tariff. Superintendent Considine will discuss this with the mills owner and that additional improvement to his power quality is highly suggested to reduce operating cost.
2. Superintendent Considine discussed the water service to 401 and 423 Blaney Road that is served by a 1 ˝” black PVC (low scheduled) pipe that is over 2,000 feet in length. The line was installed in the late 1970’s, prone to leaks and difficult to locate because it is made of plastic. The Department inadvertently had water meters installed in the homes when water meters were installed system wide (circ 1988) which has compounded the issue as to “who” is responsible for the plastic line. Due to a significant water leak on the plastic line in 2003 a water meter was installed adjacent to the transmission main to account for future leaks along the plastic line.
The department advised the new owners that the meter installed in 2003 near the transmission main would be the only meter read (for record) and the invoice for all the water consumed through this plastic line would be sent to the 401 Blaney Road resident . The resident would be responsible for the charges as this home was built first and they allow 423 Blaney Road to tie into the line which is not allowed by LWL policy.
The BOC was in agreement that this situation should be resolved and that water meters should not have been installed by the department in the homes in the first place. The water meter at 423 Blaney Road should be removed and they will allow the water meter at 401 Blaney Road to remain (abandoned by the department) so the owner can trend water consumption.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 2:20 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.