HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm. 07/19/2021Mansfield Municipal Electric Department'
Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting
July 19, 2021
RECEIVED
Present: Chair Frank Del). �r IlfaF10fis Aptowitz, Commissioner Michael Trowbridge, and
Light Department General Manager Joseph Sollecito
loll SEP 23 A 156
The meeting was held at the (a-§Ve
all Room 3AB and called to order at 5:00 PM followed by
the Pledge of Allegiance. Ch 'r t that this meeting is being televised and taped for future
broadcast and asked if anyo iLaSieelneewas intending to record the meeting to please state their
intentions. No one did so.
A complete copy of the Board packet containing all documents that are referenced in the minutes is on file
at the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department office.
Chairman DelVecchio stated that due to not all members being in attendance, item number five on the
agenda, the Performance Review of the General Manager, would be postponed until a future meeting.
Citizens Comments- none
Motion: To approve the minutes from the June 21, 2021 Light Commissioners meeting.
(Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 3/0
General Manager's Report
Review of Financials - Manager Sollecito provided an update of the Department's financial statements
through May 2021. After correcting some numbers on the statement, he stated that the numbers are
comparable to last year. He stated that what drove the decrease in net income is transmission expenses and
discounts. The Generation Charge is right on target. The energy sales were up 3% in May, but for the year-
to-date the sales were up 3.7%. Vice Chair Aptowitz asked for clarification about what year-to-date was,
whether it was fiscal year. Manager Sollecito confirmed it was for the fiscal year-to-date. He then
referenced the charts showing the growth over the last 5 years in May.
MMWEC Project 2015A Update — Manager Sollecito reminded the Board that when they last met he
informed them of the environmental concerns that were raised over this project. He explained that it is a
55-megawatt peaker plant, a capacity resource and not an energy resource. It is to be used only when the
system is stressed. He attended a public in Peabody where the plant is to be built. It was almost five hours
in length with two hours of explanation of all the details of the plant by MMWEC representatives. This
was followed by three hours of a question and answer session with the public that gave a fair chance to
express what was going on. He explained that the emissions from this plant would be lower than other
comparable plants, such as those for hospitals and schools. Those other units would be displaced by this
plant, which is projected to run only about 200 hours per year, therefore not making a huge environmental
contribution. He then went on to state that the project already had all the relevant permits in place, and the
last hurdle was the DPU hearing on the bond financing. However, the MMWEC board of directors voted
to halt the project for at least 30 days in order to address the concerns.
The three main concerns raised by the Attorney General were project transparency, environmental justice,
and application of other technologies. Part of the technical concerns was battery storage. Though there is
a desire to increase wind and solar resources, this project is to provide a fixed capacity resource to be
available when needed as required by ISO New England. However, it is not possible to have enough
batteries to store the energy needed from these types of resources.
The second concern, environmental justice, was put in jeopardy when Peabody said they may not shutdown
one of their older units. Originally, they said they would, and that shutdown would offset the emissions
from this new plant. After some discussion with Peabody, they agreed to shut down their (Unit 1) plant
upon the completion of Project 2015A.
With that meeting in Peabody, all concerns that were raised by the Attorney General were answered.
Therefore, the MMWEC board voted to continue the project. Manager Sollecito stated that the project now
is optimistic of the project continuing. Commissioner Trowbridge asked about the timeline for this.
Manager Sollecito replied that they still needed to negotiate with the DPU, Attorney General, and others,
but that there is a short window to the decision. He reiterated that all requirements have been met and this
was only about bond financing now.
Commissioner Trowbridge asked if the local legislators had been helpful in the project. Manager Sollecito
stated he had reached out to Senator Paul Feeney, and Representatives Jay Barrows, Adam Scanlon and
Ted Phillips. Manager Sollecito had a meeting with Rep. Barrows and the Joint House and Senate Chairman
for Utilities in which he explained all the details about the project.
Manager Sollecito added that one concession was made to introduce green hydrogen into the natural gas
plant, which is a level of technology that does not exist yet. This is being evaluated in a development
project in northern New York, but there is a concern about how to get the green hydrogen to the location.
Additionally, there was a plan to replace the three oil tanks on site with a larger one, but it was another
concession to agree to eliminate the new tank. Since the plant would not be running much on oil, there
would be no need for a larger tank.
Chair DelVecchio noted that MMWEC has been willing to listen to the concerns of the citizens. He raised
the point that people believed that the plant would eventually have to shut down because it is not from
renewable energy. But it has been pointed out that other technology does not exist to meet these needs.
Perhaps in the future the plant could be retrofitted to use green energy. Manager Sollecito noted that ISO
New England is depending to have this plant run when needed.
Vice Chair Aptowitz asked if other communities are still in on this. Manager Sollecito replied that yes, a
contract was signed so that all the communities are committed monetarily. Mansfield has already
contributed $700,000, and is on the hook for $2.2 million in total. He noted that MMWEC was wise to
hold up the process and address the concerns. Commissioner Trowbridge pointed out that the letter of the
law was followed in the permitting process. Manager Sollecito also commented that at the public meeting
in Peabody, there were two convincing witnesses to speak in favor of the project: the DPU commissioner
(Paul Hibbard) from the Deval Patrick era, as well as a selectwoman (Ann ) from South Hadley, who is a
professional board of health worker. She stated she was against the project in the beginning, but after
listening to the information, she is now in favor of it.
Chair DelVecchio noted that MMWEC did not just meet the minimum standards. They did their due
diligence and showed a lot of flexibility on this project. The Board of Light Commissioners has shown it
supports green energy and the environment and will continue to support this project.
Contract Award Recommendation for MMED Security Access Control System — MMED hired a
consultant who worked with staff to put a spec together for a new `Security Access Control' system. A
walk through to highlight the security needs was held and had 12 attendees. Of those 12, four submitted
bids. The low bid was outside of the specs, and was therefore rejected. After reviewing the submissions,
it is recommended to accept the lowest responsible bid, which was made by Pasek Security in the amount
of $51,446.76.
Motion: To approve the contract with Pasek Security in the amount of $51,446.76 as presented.
(Trowbridge/Aptowitz) Passes 3/0
Commissioner Trowbridge did aske what needed to be done to tie in the security package to the new
building to be build in the yard. Manager Sollecito noted that it is in the base contract to have that building
tied into the system.
MMED Branding Update — Several items are standard, such as the signage on the trucks and building,
and the stationary. A new item is the promotional apparel. The idea is for each employee and official to
have at least two articles of branded clothing. This was priced out through LL Bean and pictures of item
samples were provided. The total cost would be approximately $3,000. Manager Sollecito noted that the
FR clothing for the operations staff was not included in this, and would have to be negotiated.
Commissioner Trowbridge questioned whether the stationary with the current logo would be discarded. It
was confirmed that it would be used up and then replaced with the new logo.
MMED Community Engagement — The annual summer camp electrical safety presentation was held. The
kids are very engaged and the linemen try to inspire them. In addition, MMED had a presence at the
Downtown Family Fun Night. They gave out about 500 plastic construction helmets. Many people
complimented MMED and our service. They also fielded questions about electric vehicle chargers and the
rebate program.
House Bill #3257 — There was a virtual hearing and the Foxboro Town Manager and others were speaking
positively about this bill. Manager Sollecito notes that he has the authority to have our line crews do any
work for the Town of Mansfield. But any work outside the Town, the Line workers wouldn't be covered
for retirement or disability. Commissioner Trowbridge asked to be sent a copy of the bill. Vice Chair
Aptowitz stated that it seems as though there are lots of things for which we need legislative support. He
asked to meet with all of the legislators and speak face to face about the issues as we want them to be aware
of our needs and can help when necessary. Commissioner Trowbridge noted that when they run into them,
many of these things are mentioned. Manager Sollecito stated that he will follow up with Senator Feeney.
Manager Sollecito noted his vacation days in July and August 22-30.
Item #5 will be rescheduled, possibly for the first or second Monday in August.
Comments from the Commissioners — None
Motion: To adjourn at 5:44 pm. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 3/0
Respectfully submitted: Katherine Codella
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Sign tune of Clerk/ Date of Approval