Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of light comm 01232008 TOW!'! ~F~f/VED ., "L.r:RKS OFFICE 100' MAR -5 P 2: 5 Present: Chairman David McCarter; Vice Chairman George Dentino; commis~~i 5 Amoruso; Commissioner Sandra Levine; Clerk Ann Baldwin; Director Ga~ 4SL~fhi D Foreman Gary D' Ambra; Staff Accountant Ken Thomson; Engineer Chris Cox; Financl ETTS Assistant Jacqueline Lee and Town Manager John D' Agostino Mansfield Municipal Electric Department Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting January 23, 2008 Light Commissioners Meeting The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. FY08 Capital Budget Update - Director Babin stated that there would be two presentations given by Engineer Chris Cox. The first would be a FY08 capital budget update followed by the presentation ofthe FY09 capital work plan, which covers July 2008 to June 2009. Engineer Cox told the Board that MMED staff would be requesting a vote to change the authorized FY08 capital budget amount from $1,932,125 to $1,700,249. He then reviewed some of the highlights on the status of projects that were listed on the spreadsheet that had been distributed to the Board. He said that Project 861, which is single phase and 3 phase primary upgrades at various locations in town, is still on hold due to the need for Verizon to set poles. The annual pole replacement project, Project 715, is on track. The proposed budget for Project 373 for the installation of new streetlights is being doubled as MMED anticipates installing twice as many new lights than was originally planned. FINCOM members Jim Lazzara and Jack Goldberg were also in attendance and asked to address the Board. They indicated to the Board that they had met with MMED staff to review the proposed changes to the capital budget and were satisfied. Commissioner Levine asked Engineer Cox when the FY08 unanticipated capital items, Projects 884, 885 and 886 would be completed. He answered they would be done before June 30, which is the end of the fiscal year. Vice Chairman Dentino questioned the FY07 carryover expenditures of $104,760. He believed that it was deceiving as it looked as if there was a savings when actually there was not, due to both the FY07 carryover and the items deferred to FY09. Director Babin said he believes the presentation before the Board is accurate and fairly represented based on the fact that MMED anticipates spending $1.7 million on capital projects in FY08, down from the currently authorized amount of$I,932,125. Motion: To approve the revised FY08 Capital Budget in the amount of $1,700,249 (AmorusolLevine) Passes 5/0 MMED Capital Work Plan for FY09 - Engineer Cox reviewed the FY09 capital budget summary that had been provided to the Board a week prior to the meeting. He began by explaining the assumptions MMED staff made to the budget process for specific issues such as cost allocation for the hourly costs of labor, vehicle time, police details and stores expense. Vice Chairman Dentino questioned the 80% overhead factor on the labor. The FINCOM members said that they were in agreement with the use of the 80% factor as it was consistent with the calculation ofan actual overhead rate of76% for FY07. Engineer Cox reviewed the FY09 Capital Work Plan Cost Summary from July 2008 to June 2009. This included projects carried over from FY08, one-time projects, recurring projects, special projects and reimbursable customer projects. He then reviewed additional work that has to be completed which does not fall under a specific project. Mr. Goldberg told the Board that the FINCOM did question the purchase of two new vehicles and wondered what would happen to the two vehicles that were being replaced. Director Babin said that the old vehicles are traded in as part of the bid on the new vehicles. Mr. Goldberg said the FINCOM members also questioned the purchase of a tractor. Director Babin explained that currently MMED pays someone to mow the grass at the Gilbert St. Substation, in addition to using a 1964 DPW tractor to mow rights-of-way with its own personnel. He believes MMED would better utilize their own labor and avoid the cost of paying a third party to mow grass at Gilbert Street by purchasing this tractor. He estimates a three year payback on MMED's investment. Mr. Goldberg told the Board that the FINCOM also questioned the cost of police details and it was determined that the hourly cost varied depending on the rank of the officer who shows up for the detail. Town Manager D' Agostino explained that it had to be done like that otherwise the details wouldn't get covered. Vice Chairman Dentino wondered if MMED was setting a precedent when Engineer Cox said that while doing an upgrade in the Squire and Ephriam project MMED was also installing additional street lighting. Vice Chairman Dentino believed the door was being opened for other residents from other streets to request similar upgrades. He also questioned who was paying for all of this work. Engineer Cox answered that MMED is paying all of it. Vice Chairman Dentino asked if this would require MMED to excavate the whole neighborhood to accommodate the conduit required. Engineer Cox said that it would require cutting into some driveways and sidewalks. Vice Chairman Dentino questioned the building related high voltage wire clearance problems on Rumford Avenue and the relocation of transformers in that area. Engineer Cox said that the plan was to eliminate the clearance problem by installing the wire underground and there was also a plan to move MMED owned transformers that were less than ten feet away from buildings. Director Babin noted that first and foremost, MMED wants a safe system. He added that Engineer Cox and Line Foreman D' Ambra have both worked very hard on the budget and were to be commended for their efforts. ~. Motion: To adjourn the Light Commissioners meeting to a Selectmen's meeting (Amoruso/Levine seconds for discussion) Passes 5/0 Commissioner Levine suggested that the remainder of Vice Chairman Dentino's questions should be asked in Director Babin's office at another time as Selectmen's business had also been scheduled for this evening. She also noted that it appeared that Vice Chairman Dentino was telling the staff of the Light Department how to do their job. Chairman McCarter stated that he believed Vice Chairman Dentino had the right to ask his questions during a Light Commissioners meeting. He also said that he had acquiesced to peer pressure as he had not been in favor of scheduling the Light Commissioners meeting on the same night as the Selectmen's meeting. He believed the Light Department should have had their meeting on a separate night. Vice Chairman Dentino suggested postponing the remainder of the Light Commissioners meeting rather than continuing it that evening after the Selectmen's business was completed. He also said that he was offended by Commissioner Levine's suggestion that he was telling the staff of MMED how to do their work. Commissioner Levine clarified her comment by saying she had said that maybe Commissioner Dentino was trying to tell them how to run their business. Chairman McCarter suggested that the Light Commissioners schedule two meetings for February. Director Babin reminded the Board that the Light Commissioners were scheduled to meet again the following Wednesday, January 30. He pointed out however, that there may not be enough time to complete this evening's business as well as the regularly scheduled monthly business. It was then agreed to meet on Wednesday, January 30 at 7:00 rather than 7:30. Commissioner Amoruso said that while the FINCOM members were present he would like to hear their recommendation regarding the capital budget. Mr. Lazzara said that they were in agreement with what the MMED staff was proposing. Chairman McCarter said that he did not feel it necessary for the FINCOM members to come back again next week. Motion: To adjourn the Light Commissioners meeting at 8:10 (Amoruso) Passes 5/0 Respectfully submitted: Jacqueline Lee 3/3/08 rM11-~~o~Th~~~) Signature of ler ~ - ~--O~ Date of Approval