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.
View Meeting Minutes for: | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
The regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 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 June 1, 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.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Mr. David Willis representing the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity discussed a single-family low-income housing project currently in progress on Grove Street with the BOC. Mr. Willis stated that the project would be completed with volunteer workers and materials and contract labor is typically provided at a reduced price. Mr. Willis stated that Habitat for Humanity was a not for profit (NFP) organization and requested that LWL wave the utilities connection fee applicable to a residential project.
Commissioner Goodell asked if they had contacted the Town with regard to waving the sewer connection fee. Mr. Willis stated that he had spoken to the town manager and he said that he would support their request.
Superintendent/ Manager Considine stated that the connection fees are not typically waved unless the requesting party has improved LWL infrastructure or they are a Town of Littleton entity.
Commissioner Ross stated that more discussion was needed before the BOC could render a decision. LWL receives many requests for donations from a variety of NFP organizations and the department needs to be careful not to set a precedence. Superintendent Considine would provide Habitat the BOC decision when reached.
2. Mr. Steve LaFrance, President of Horizons Engineering discussed their recent feasibility study and report with the BOC and offered several alternative tank designs in regard to replacing the Oak Hill Reservoir.
Utilizing a NE Steel tank was discussed with the BOC. The steel tank preliminary construction proposal was $ 60,000 less than the concrete tank. Superintendent Considine stated that he was familiar with the steel tank though in his opinion a steel tank might not be suitable for this particular application.
The abutter (Robert’s Family Trust) appears to be in agreement with a lot line adjustment that will provide approximately and additional acre (1 acre), which is needed to establish a new working water elevation. A construction access easement will be sent to the abutter requesting permission to access private property to conduct soil borings and test pits exploration required for foundation design.
Superintendent Considine asked Mr. Lafrance to provide a proposal to LWL for the next phase of the project including the geo-technical exploration in preparation for final design.
The BOC was in agreement that the land acquisition and funding alternatives were the priority to get ready for town meeting discussion.
SUPERINTENDENT/ MANAGERS REPORT:
1. Superintendent/ Manager Considine stated that he wants to reopen discussion with the Whitcomb Woods Association in regard to replacing the two (2) inch water main on Redwing Lane. The BOC was in agreement.
2. NHDES notified LWL that they were approved for a Green Project grant at Gale River to increase the solar and install a micro-hydro generator to augment the existing passive system. The final application will be submitted to NHDES by the end of this week.
3. The Local Government Center Property Liability Trust notified LWL that our insurance premium for 2009-2010 would increase by about $500 as compared to 2008.
Mrs. Wilkins stated that the three (3) new vehicles attributed to the increase in the premium.
4. LWL personnel are out straight attempting to keep up with the numerous projects throughout Littleton this construction season. The Main Street project is consuming much of LWL’s available manpower and resources on a daily/weekly basis. Water main valves at the intersection of Main Street and Saranac Street and Main Street and Maple Street were replaced this past week in addition some water main relocation work on Mill Street. The effected water mains were disinfected and bacteriological sampling will take place prior to restoring the system to normal. Several fire hydrants will be replaced along Main Street between Maple Street and School Street and are next on the schedule.
5. Morrill Construction completed all work associated with the water main valve replacement on Grove Street, two (2) property easements are still pending in regard to utility pole anchors.
6. The sidewalk project is nearing completion and LWL involvement has diminished. Several curb stands were damaged during the backfilling of the granite curbstone and will be replaced by LWL personnel with the contractor’s assistance. The fire hydrant at the corner of School Street and Oak Hill Avenue was relocated in conjunction with the project.
7. The NHDES requested additional information relative to the proposed work adjacent to the Gale River dam to support the Department’s dredge and fill application. The requested information was provided with assistance from Lobdell Associates. When approved LWL would have one (1) year to schedule and complete the work under a typical permit.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Commissioner Goodell discussed the current water abatement procedure with the BOC and made a proposal that Superintendent Considine determines whether the Department should grant the abatement. The criterion has been very clear in past situations and the BOC has approved each one, less LWL costs of treatment and distribution.
Commissioner Goodell suggested that the following motion be accepted as a department Standard Operating Procedure: “The LWL Superintendent to determine whether a request for an abatement of excess water usage is granted. The Superintendent at his discretion or at the request of a customer may refer an abatement request to the BOC as needed”. Seconded by Commissioner Moore.
Vote was in favor 3-0-0.
2. Bid proposals to replace truck 12 (1999 Dodge Dakota midsize pick up) were solicited by LWL. Three bids were received and presented to the BOC along with the vehicle life history for their review and consideration.
The BOC agreed to replace the vehicle and authorize Superintendent Considine to execute the low bid but requested further clarification in regard to the anticipated trade - in allowed, as it was not specified on any of the proposals. They also expressed a desire to purchase locally if at all possible in an effort to help stimulate the local economy.
3. Before adjourning their meeting the BOC had a lengthy and involved discussion relative to a request to wave the applicable connection fees for the Habitat for Humanity project on Grove Street.
The BOC agreed that though the project is very worthy they were concerned with establishing precedence with how LWL deals with every NFP that submits a similar request for assistance. Although a Habitat for Humanity project is founded for the most part with volunteers and contract services rendered at a reduced rate, this business model does not necessarily hold true for all NFP organizations. A LWL policy should be consistent and treat all similar NFP organization the same way and should not be based sole on the condition that they are a NFP organization. No decision was render by the BOC.
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 3:07 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.