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, December 3, 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 November 19, 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 of the motion 3-0-0.
FINANCIAL DIRECTORS REPORT:
1. Mrs. Wilkins reviewed the financial statements for the month ended October 2012 with the Commissioners. Several discrepancies as compared to budget were discussed and explained by Mrs. Wilkins.
Superintendent Considine stated that the department realized a significant increase in the office expenses line item. This is due to a substantial increase in customers utilizing the IWEB payment portal which has resulted in increased processing fee’s that are associated with the on line payment transaction.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The department is planning to review a new utility billing and financial software that is developed by the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) next month. Our current software cannot, without modification, process multiple automated meter readings adequately, and the financial reporting module has limitations. The software that NISC plans to demonstrate for the department is fully integrated, smart meter ready and already being used in the area by other larger utilities.
2. The new water storage tank was placed in service on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 without incident and appears to be operating as anticipated. This marks the Substantial Completion phase of the project and up to the ninety-five (95) percent (mostly retain earnings) will be released to the contractor in accordance with the contract documents. There are several punch list items to be completed; the most noteworthy is the repair needed to fix the floor slope in the control building. Horizon’s Engineering has recommended a three (3) to five (5) inch reinforced concrete overlay be placed over the existing floor. The final details of how to repair the floor are still being discussed at this time.
3. The new line bucket truck was delivered last week and the dealer’s representative conducted a truck orientation with department personnel. Several modifications that need to be addressed by the dealer were identified during this process.
4. Superintendent Considine discussed the feasibility of acquiring a smaller bucket truck that would be used as a service/ trouble call vehicle. The truck would have a thirty-five (35) to thirty-eight (38) foot working boom/ bucket height that would be mounted to a Ford 550 chassis. The majority of the department service work and trouble calls are at the secondary height. The utilization of the proposed vehicle could potentially save operational wear and tear on the large materials handler prolonging their useful life expectancy.
The BOC discussed the department rationale for the utilization of a smaller bucket truck and is not convinced that it is warranted at this time. They do not feel that the department would realize any measurable amount of savings in regard to wear and tear of the large line trucks do to the purchase price (estimate at $125,000 plus equipping). The department would most likely realize and increased in maintenance expenses and other operating costs which would reduce the return of this investment. They were in agreement that a more deliberate study would have to be conducted before any expenditure of funds was authorized.
5. The Town of Littleton installed highway signs that restrict parking during business hours at the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and Union Street last week. Several positive comments have already been received by the department in regard to increased sight distance and safe maneuvering through the intersection.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
The BOC discussed in detail the Operating and Maintenance Budgets for 2013 for both the water and electric divisions.
Superintendent Considine stated that both budgets are very conservative, the only variables are the consumer loads. A hydrant rate increase was factored into the water division operating revenues as a direct result of the new water storage tank being constructed this past season.
Superintendent Considine stated that based on the results of a comparison analysis (similar size townships/ utilities) we are only recovering a small portion of our expenses that are associated with fire protection. Currently the annual fee for a private/public hydrant is $ 64, billed in monthly increments of $5.33. This represents a recovery of about two (2) percent of expenses that are associated with providing fire protection capabilities. The department uses a budget number of $5,000 to replace a hydrant in-place without field/ site complications or restrictions. Based on the revenues collected the department can typically replace two (2) to possible (3) hydrants in additional to hydrant winterization/ flushing activities.
Superintendent Considine recommended that the annual hydrant fee be raised to $70 per hydrant which equates to an increase of about nine (9) percent to help the department defray cost of maintaining the fire suppression system.
The BOC discussed that the project went through a methodical public review process that was followed an affirmative vote of the people. Throughout the deliberation process the department has always contended that water user fees would most likely have to be raised to pay for building the new tank to compensate financing. As the new tank is 75% associate with fire suppression storage capacity raising the fee at this time is warranted.
Commissioner Moore made a motion to increase the annual fire hydrant fee to $70 per hydrant, seconded by Commissioner Goodell.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
Note: The American Water Works Standard fire suppression recovery factor varies from 0.2 - 0.25 of a systems expenses.
Commissioner Goodell made a motion to approve the 2013 Operating and Maintenance budget for the Water and Electric divisions, seconded by Commissioner Moore.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
The BOC agree to discuss the propose capital expenditure plan at a later meeting.
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 2:40 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.