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 business meeting of the Littleton Water and Light (LWL) Board of Commissioners (BOC) began at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024 in the LWL conference room. Present were Commissioner Peter Cooper, Commissioner Ralph Ross, Commissioner Linda MacNeil, Director of Finance Lori Hogan, Line Supervisor Justen Elliott and Superintendent Thomas Considine.
MINUTES REVIEW:
The minutes of the June 17, 2024 regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Ross made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner MacNeil.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0
CUSTOMER & PUBLIC CONCERNS:
Mr. December Rust spoke with the BOC regarding the homeless encampment behind LWL near the proposed wellsite and the proposed restriction being discussed and the general homeless situation in Littleton.
Mr. Considine stated that technically there are two (2) wells already in place with the potential for a third. Mr. Rust stated that he was not aware as he had not been on the property before.
Mr. Considine explained that the wellheads have been in place for several years and that the area has been under study by LWL for more than ten (10) years. The 400’ radius that will be delineated when the wellhead is permitted restricts use of the property and is dictated by a State of NH RSA pertaining to drinking water source protection. Mr. Rust stated that he was not aware that the state mandated property uses restrictions on wellheads.
Mr. Rust commented that camping and humans’ activity are not permitted in these areas though dogs are permitted on the Rail Trail. How can LWL enforce that no dog will defecate on the trails between the trestles.
Mr. Considine stated that LWL will post the property as required by RSA and rely on responsible people and dog owners to clean up after their dogs and do what is right.
Mr. Rust stated that that would not happen, it appears dogs have more rights than the homeless.
Mr. Rust changed the topic and stated that he feels that Commissioner MacNeil has a conflict-of-interest in being a member of both the LWL BOC and Town of Littleton Selectboard as the boards do have overlapping interests, especially concerning the homeless.
Commissioner MacNeil stated that her serving in both capacities has been fully vetted by legal and that no conflict exists. She will recuse herself from a vote if necessary to prevent a biased outcome.
Commissioner Ross advised Mr. Rust that this conflict-of-interest discussion was not germane to the present discussion or in the right venue. If he had more questions pertaining to the wellhead protection area and the homeless currently in that area, he should address it.
There was additional back and forth discussion between Mr. Rust and the BOC. Mr. Rust asked for a map of the wellhead for reference which Mr. Considine provided. Mr. Rust exited the meeting at 1:30 PM
DIRECTOR of FINANCE and HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT:
1. LWL employees participated in an annual 457 plan financial educational seminar/briefing. The briefing was conducted by Union Street Advisors, the financial managers of LWL’s 457 Plan (deferred compensation) and 401(a) Plan (percentage base employer sponsored contribution toward retirement). Market trends and financial risk management were discussed with LWL employees. Over the past couple of years participation has grown and this program has benefited LWL recruitment and retention.
2. LWL 2024 operations were discussed, Mrs. Hogan commented that LWL operations are trending on budget. Financial for the month ended May 2024 should be available soon.
OPERATIONS UPDATE:
1. Justen Elliott updated the BOC as to the status of the two (2) major projects that were approved by the BOC regard improvement to LWL primary power supply line (line 30).
I.C. Reed completed work on several poles between Burndy Road and Interstate 93 to include the poles that cross over the interstate at the South Street Substation.
This work came in at about $25,000 under the estimate. The contractor plans to return in a couple of weeks to finish up the remaining work: 1) the line 30 pole just above the ground bank, reported by aerial observation as leaning more, and 2) an interstate crossing pole on the Monroe Road that currently has a pole top extension on it (LWL refers to as the tootsie pop pole). Not sure why LWL did not replace the pole at this time in place of adding a pole extension which was the wrong decision. More work is needed now to resolve a situation that should not exist in the first place and now there is high speed traffic to contend with.
2. Mr. Elliott also stated that LWL will be trying a loaner/new digger/derrick truck (Altec) for the next several weeks in preparation for a potential 2025-2026 solicitation. Though lead time was excessive for the new bucket truck according to the Altec representative the lead time can be significantly reduced if a more stock truck bed is ordered.
SUPERINTENDENT/ GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT:
1. The NH Department of Energy recently distributed the proceeds from the 64th Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Cap and Trade auction to LWL for disbursement in the amount of about $90,077. Once LWL received payment from the NHDOE eligible LWL electric customers will receive a rebate (credit) in the amount of about $16.7/1,000 kWh applied to their July 2024 LWL statement.
2. The second of two (2) monitoring wells was installed last week in accordance with NHDES recommendations about the Lafayette Wellhead drinking water permit. Unless something else is mandated by the state this should be the last roadblock to a final permitting, then an interconnection can be developed.
3. The filter media (sand) needed to replace/replenish the sand in filter 1 of LWL’s Slow Sand Filtration facility was delivered the week of June 24, 2024. Nine (9) total loads were received from Holliston Sand that totaled more than 200 tons or about 150 CYS. Work to remove/replace the sand from filter 1 is expected to take place the week of July 8, 2024.
4. The final documentation was submitted to NHDES to close out the Strategic Planning grant that was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). LWL personnel working with Horizons Engineering developed a 20-year master plan and project cost estimates to replace prioritized sections of water main throughout the water distribution system. The first project that LWL submitted for funding consideration (in connection with this master plan) was the transfer of water service laterals off the old 8-inch steel pipe (Northside) to the new 12-inch ductile (Southside) along lower Meadow Street.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the board Commissioner MacNeil made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Ross.
The vote was in favor of the motion 3-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 2:00 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.