HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm. 06/21/2021Mansfield Municipal Electric Department
Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting RECEIVED
June 21,2021 N Ct_ERKS OFFICE
Present: Chair Frank Delvecchio, Vice Chair Jess Aptowitz, Clerk Neil Rhelklewu0siArct D9
Mike Trowbridge, Light Department Manager Joseph Sollecito and MMWER-C leb
DeCurzio M; e ACHUSETTS
The meeting was held at the Mansfield Town Hall Room 3AB and called to order at 4:30 PM
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion: To enter into Executive Session and to return to Open Session pursuant to
M.G.L. Ch.164, Section 47D and M.G.L. C. 30, Section 21, Exemption 10, to discuss trade
secrets or confidential, competitively -sensitive or other proprietary information provided,
in the course of activities conducted by a governmental body as an energy supplier under
a license granted by the department of public utilities pursuant to section IF of chapter
164 and when such governmental body, municipal aggregator or cooperative determines
that such disclosure will adversely affect its ability to conduct business in relation to other
entities making, selling or distributing electric power and energy and the chair so declares.
(Trowbridge/Aptowitz) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Delvecchio-aye; Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye and Aptowitz-aye
Motion: To adjourn at 5:05 PM and return to open session
(Aptowitz/Delvecchio) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Delvecchio-aye; Rhein -aye; Trowbridge -aye and Aptowitz-aye
Citizen Comments — none
MMWEC Project 2015A — Manager Sollecito said that in 2017 the Board voted to participate
in MMWEC Project 2015A. This gas -fired plant would be a capacity resource and would run
only when necessary. Some environmental activists, however, have expressed concerns and
believe that anything fossil fuel generated should not be allowed. The Attorney General's office
has also expressed concerns regarding transparency with this project. Manager Sollecito said
there is a meeting in Peabody tomorrow night regarding this and he will be attending it. He
said plants, such as this Peabody unit, are necessary for backup purposes to avoid what
happened in Texas last February. MMWEC CEO Ron DeCurzio said these plants are very
important for reliability and would actually be more efficient as they would save on emissions.
MMED has already paid $700,000 into this project and if it doesn't get built Mansfield's
commitment will be $2.2 million in total.
Commissioner Trowbridge thought they should reach out to state reps and the senator to make
them aware of the situation. He also commented that this unit would be cleaner than what is
out there now. Chair Delvecchio agreed and asked Manager Sollecito to send a letter.
Manager Sollecito then presented a document to the Board that he asked them to sign
reconfirming their support of this project and read the following motion.
Motion: Vote to reconfirm support of MMWEC Project 2015A — On June 21, 2021 the
Mansfield Municipal Electric Department (MMED) Light Commission voted accordingly
below in open session to reconfirm MMED's support for the MMWEC Project 2015A
capacity resource in Peabody, MA. The MMED Light Commission originally voted and
approved MMED's participation in Project 2015A on January 23, 2017, also in open
session.
(Trowbridge/Aptowitz) Passes 4/0
MMED FY22 Goals and Objectives — Manager Sollecito said that most of MMED's FY22
goals and objectives are identified within the operational and capital budgets. He reviewed and
highlighted some of these items. He said that the ITRON Choice Connect project is anticipated
to be fully implemented in July/ August. The Gilbert Street Substation pole replacement project
should be completed in July. The bid process for the Equipment Storage Building is expected
to be completed by August. Manager Sollecito also mentioned that he would like to schedule
another Key Accounts Meeting in the fall or possibly spring 2022.
Environmental Justice — Manager Sollecito said that MMED is getting up to speed with the
Municipal Action Plan with the help of MMWEC. One component of the Municipal Action
Plan is Environmental Justice. He reviewed the `Census' map (2010) of the area in Mansfield
which was identified by the state as an Environmental Justice population as 25% or more of the
residents identify as a race other than white. One idea he has is to approach the landlords in the
area and suggest energy efficient appliances in order to reduce energy costs. Manager Sollecito
said he is open to ideas from the Board and this will be addressed again at a later meeting.
Memorial Park Lighting — Manager Sollecito told the Board that the Parks & Recreation
Department have been in communication to see if MMED can assist with the current lighting
situation at Memorial Park. There are lights out and there are fixtures that MMED can't reach
even with a bucket truck. Some poles are in bad shape and need to be replaced which could be
a safety issue. The Board had a discussion. Chair Delvecchio questioned what exactly the
Recreation Department is requesting. Vice Chair Aptowitz said he has concerns about MMED
paying for too many things and felt they should be cautious.
Motion: To approve the minutes of the May 17, 2021 Light Commissioners meeting
(Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 4/0
Financials for April 2021 — Manager Sollecito presented the financial statements for April
2021. The net income through the month of April is $1.025 million compared to April 2020
which was $2.077 million. The generation charge accounts payable which is money owed to
the customers is $336k while last April it was $0. MMED's operating cash position as of April
2021 is $16.2 million. Energy sales for the month of April saw a significant increase as they
were up 8.9% compared to last year.
Comments from the Commissioners — Clerk Rhein mentioned the power lines you see as you
are driving into Mansfield in the area of Route 140 & Route 106 and wondered if it would be
possible to put them underground. Manager Sollecito answered that it would be very expensive.
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Chair Delvecchio said that he and Manager Sollecito have been working on Manager Sollecito's
proposed evaluation form. Chair Delvecchio wants the completed forms back from the other
commissioners in time to compile them for their July meeting.
Chair Delvecchio said that a request came to Manager Sollecito regarding the Family Fun Night
banner after the agenda for this meeting was completed.
Motion: To approve MMED to hang the Family Fun Night banner
(Trowbridge/Aptowitz) Passes 4/0
Motion: To adjourn t 6:05 PM
(Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 4/0
Respectfully submitted: Jacqueline Lee
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Signature of Clerk ate o Approval