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Home My WebLink AboutLight Comm. 12/19/2022Mansfield Municipal Electric Department Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting December 19, 2022 RECEIVED TOWN CLERKS OFFICE Present: Vice Chair Frank DelVecchio, Clerk Diana Bren, Coq,}p}i�rr�zZN > Commissioner Michael Trowbridge, and Light Department Manager Joseph Sollecito. a r ess Aptowitz joined at 6:00 PM. Clerk Diana Bren left the meeting at 6:40 PM. (9 r,dS F (ELD 1•i1'�Srs,CHUSETTS 1) Open Meeting — Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Mansfield Town Hall Room 3AB and 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. 2) Vice Chair DelVecchio stated that the Commission would be entering into executive session for the following reasons: a) Review and possible approval of minutes of November 21, 2022 Executive Session where Exemptions 2 and 3 were declared b) Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 164, Section 47D and M.G.L. Ch. 30, Section 21, Exemption 2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiation with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel c) 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 meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares. d) 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. Motion: To enter into executive session and then return to, open session: (Bren/Trowbridge) Roll call vote: Rhein — Yes, DelVecchio - Yes, Bren — Yes, Trowbridge'- Yes. Passes 4/0. The Board returned to open session at 6:24pm. 3) Motion to Review and approve Board Minutes of November 21, 2022. (Trowbridge/Rhein) Passes 5/0. 4) Citizen Comment - None 5) General Manager's Report a) Review Equipment Storage Building Project with TBA Architects (Justin Humphreys) Change Order #2 is for $10,277.92 and is for the installation of sag rods to support the weight of the windows, which has already been completed. Vice Chair DelVecchio noted that the windows had been changed and asked if this would have happened with the original windows. Mr. Humphries replied that due to supply issues, many items had to be changed. He did note that this should be the last change as most of the building is now complete. Motion: To approve Change Order #2 as written. (Trowbridge/Rhein) Passes 510. b) Review and possible vote to authorize General Manager to participate in the MMWEC Battery Storage project Manager Sollecito discussed that he had talks with other Mansfield Town officials regarding placing a behind -the -meter battery storage project at the Town landfill. This would give shared savings to multiple Town departments with no upfront costs. Bill Bullock, Manager of Sustainability Policy and Energy Programs at MMWEC, explained that MMWEC partnered with MLP's that could benefit fiom this type of project to create a competitive process for the selection of common suppliers. They received nine proposals from developers who would own the project and sell the battery services to the MLP, and two proposals for equipment only supply where the MLP would own the battery. It appears it would be a better deal and incur less risk to outsource to a developer. MMWEC is in the final phases of the contracts with the contractor, DeLorean Power. The contractor would only get paid if they deliver value, and it is expected the use will offset the costs paid to ISO New England. Sign offs are expected early 2023 with installation to be ready for Summer 2024. Manager Sollecito noted that with this project our open position would come down to 30%. Giving approval tonight would give the General Manager Authority to sign a contract of participation. Motion: To allow the General Manager to sign the letter of interest in participation for the battery storage project. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 4/0. c) Review and possible vote to approve AFSCME Local 1702 MOA Manager Sollecito summarized the contract as providing raises of 3% in each of the three years. The contract includes a reorganization agreement as well, to change some supervisory functions. Motion: To approve the AFSCME Local 1702 MOA. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 4/0 d) Review and possible vote to approve General Manager's salary for FY23 No Discussion held. e) Review revised project scope memo from Chris Cox regarding Balcom Street reconductoring Manager Sollecito explained that there has been an ongoing initiative to not have three circuits on the same pole. The last remaining such instance is on Jewell St. There are two options to fix this. The first option would take the lines underground from Justin Dr up Jewell St and cost $1.7 million. The second option would be to create new overhead conductor by replacing 50 poles along Balcom St, Otis St, and School St. This estimated cost would be $500,000. This would achieve the same objective and save $1.2 million. Vice Chair DelVecchio asked where the savings would come from and if we would have to install new poles. Manager Sollecito replied that the savings would come from not having to create the infrastructure of setting underground lines, and that poles along Balcom St do already exist, but would have to be changed out to taller poles to accommodate the new circuit. Motion: To go with option B as presented to save capital funds. (Trowbridge/Rhein) Passes 4/0 f) Request authorization to seek bid proposals for underground cable (Sweets Pond to Jewell Street FY24 project) Manager Sollecito discussed that the infrastructure for the underground project from Sweet's Pond to Justin Dr has been completed. The FY 24 capital budget has the funds to purchase and install the cable, but due to long lead times he is requesting that it be put out to bid now. Motion: To go out to bid now for the cable installation project. (Trowbridge/Rhein) Passes 4/0 g) Review 2022 Residential Conservation Program and possible vote to approve 2023 program Manager Sollecito discussed the expenditures for the program for 2022. Per Laurie Anderson's memo, two changes are proposed to the program: Add a $500 rebate for a multi -zone mini split heat pump, and eliminate plug-in hybrid charger rebates. Manager Sollecito also added a third change; Professional labor costs could be included in the rebate. However, DIY installation for a weatherization project would not be eligible for rebate. Commissioner Rhein asked for clarification that the full electric vehicle charger rebate would stay, and Manager Sollecito confirmed that it would. Motion: To approve the 2023 rebate program as presented. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 4/0 6) Comments from the Commissioners Commissioner Rhein brought up the issue of installing public charging stations. Manager Sollecito discussed that there had been meetings with the DPW and Town Manager about where to place them. The fast charger type requires three phase service which limits where it can be installed. Commissioner Rhein discussed that with our Green Communities designation, having more electric vehicles would be beneficial, and that there are large rebates available for them right now. Commissioner Trowbridge inquired about the cost of the Tesla charging stations and how long it takes. Vice Chair DelVecchio stated that it would be approximately $20-$30 for about 25 minutes. Commissioner Trowbridge thought that Mansfield Electric could probably do it cheaper. Commissioner Rhein noted that some companies are offering free charging for two years with the purchase of a new car. 7) Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting - None 8) Adjournment Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 7:04pm. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 4-0 Respectfully submitted: Katherine Duggan :4" G 2/13/23 Signature of Clerk Date of Approval