HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm. 05/16/2022Mansfield Municipal Electric Department
Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting
May 16, 2022 ' c I V EQ
-MS OFFICE
Present: Chair Jess Aptowitz, Commissioner Mike Trowbridge, rs� ' Neil Rhein,
Clerk Diana Bren (joined virtually), Light Departmeni"Manag r Josep'Y S0 lecito, TBA
Architects Justin Humphreys (joined virtually) and TBA Arc that ka Nilsson Ripps
(joined virtually) v
The meeting was held at the Mansfield Town Hall, room 3AB and was also virtual via
GoToWebinar. It was called to order at 5:30 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
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.
Motion: To appoint Neil Rhein as temporary clerk for the May 16, 2022 meeting
(Trowbridge/Aptowitz) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye; Bren-aye and Aptowitz-aye
Motion: To approve the minutes from the April 25, 2022 Light Commissioners meeting
(Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 3/0/1 (Bren abstained)
Roll call vote: Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye and Aptowitz-aye
Office Renovation Plans - Manager Sollecito reviewed the plan for the MMED office
renovations which is to create 3 office spaces out of two and to create one additional office
space. He stated that during the pandemic plastic shields were put up around the desks of those
who did not have their own office. The plans also include renovation of (7) pre-existing
bathrooms.
TBA Architects Justin Humphreys was available to answer any questions the Board had. He
reviewed the current floor plan of the MMED office as well as the proposed plan. He said that
the number of bathrooms that MMED has is what is required for the potential occupancy of the
units. Manager Sollecito added that it would cost more to decommission bathrooms rather than
renovate them.
Motion: To approve moving forward with MMED office renovations subject to the final
cost
(Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye; Bren-aye and Aptowitz-aye
Rate Increases — Manager Sollecito said a vote was needed for rate increases that were not
covered at the previous meeting.
Motion: To approve the following rate increases —
i) Large General Service Interruptible Rate Option — MDPU 167
ii) Municipal General Service — MDPU 168
iii) Security Lighting Rate (existing installations) — MDPU 170
iv) LED Security Lighting Rate — MDPU 171
v) Street Light Formula Rate — MDPU 172
vi) Optional Off -Peak Residential Service — MDPU 173 (closed)
(Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye; Bren-aye and Aptowitz-aye
Town Hall back lot lighting — Manager Sollecito said that the Board of Commissioners did
already approve replacing the current lights in the back of the Town Hall since the existing
lights are not very effective and pose a safety issue for employees. However, upon review of
the existing light bases, there are additional costs to the project. He explained that the bases of
the lights are brittle and fragile so new bases are necessary. This will mean an additional cost
of $10,000 bringing the total cost of the project to just under $40,000. Chair Aptowitz asked if
this is a donation to the Town and Manager Sollecito answered that it is.
Motion: To approve the increased cost of the Town Hall back parking lot lighting from
$25,570.16 to $39,815.36.
(Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye; Bren-aye and Aptowitz-aye
MMWEC Voting Representatives — Manager Sollecito said that the MMWEC document,
Designation of Voting Representative & Alternates, needed to be approved and signed.
Motion: To approve the Designation of Voting Representative & Alternates document as
presented
(Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye; Bren-aye and Aptowitz-aye
Financial Statements for March 2022 — Manager Sollecito presented the financial statements
for March 2022. The net income through the month of March was $1.3 million compared to
prior year income of $ 1.5 million. MMED's cash position as of March 2022 was $14.3 million
compared to March 2021 of $16.5 million. Manager Sollecito reported that energy sales were
up quite a bit, especially industrial sales.
Citizens Comments — None
Comments from the Commissioners — Clerk Bren said thank you and that she was excited to
be here and learn.
Motion: To enter into Executive Session at 6:00 PM for the following reasons and to not
return to open session
a. Review and possible approval of minutes of March 21, 2022 Executive Session
where Exemptions 2,3 and 10 were declared
b. Review and possible approval of minutes of April 25, 2022 Executive Session
One where Exemption 10 was declared
c. Review and possible approval of minutes of April 25, 2022 Executive Session
Two where Exemption 3 was declared
d. Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 164, Section 47D and M.G.L. Ch. 30, Section 21,
Exemption 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open
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meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public
body and the chair so declares
(Trowbridge/Rhein) Passes 4/0
Roll call vote: Trowbridge -aye; Rhein -aye; Bren-aye and Aptowitz-aye
Respectfully submitted: Jacqueline Lee
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Signatu of Clerk
Date of Approval