HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm. 06/06/2024Mansfield Municipal Electric Department
Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting
June 6, 2024 RECEIVED
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Present: Chairman Brendan Roche, Vice Chair Walter Wilk, Clerk Maureen Doherty, Commissioner Michael
Trowbridge, General Manager Joe Sollecito jV;ll <<_' 20 A ID' I I
1) Open Meeting — Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held of the Mansfield Town
Hall Room 3AB and called to order at 6:01 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) Motion to enter into Executive Session (M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21, Exemption 2) To conduct strategy sessions in
preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract
negotiations with nonunion personnel — contract General Manager.
(Doherty/Trowbridge) Roll call vote: Trowbridge -Yes, Doherty -Yes, Wilk -Yes, Roche -Yes. Passes 4-0.
The meeting returned to open session at 6:32 PM.
3) Manager's Report:
a) Potential consideration of vote to adjust salary and/or contract for General Manager (J. Sollecito).
Motion: To provide a market adjustment increase to the General Manager's salary bringing it to $214,000, and
at the same time extend his contract to December 31, 2027.
(Doherty/Trowbridge) Passes 4-0
Clerk Doherty and Commissioner Wilk departed the meeting at 6:34pm.
e) Review Office Renovation project — TBA Architects (Justin Humphries).
Manager Sollecito reminded the Commission that this project has already been approved and the funds
appropriated. This is a final design update to include a women's shower. Mr. Humphries explained that much
of the work centered around updating fixtures in the seven bathrooms, with more extensive renovations to a
couple of the bathrooms. Additionally, there will be modifications to the breakroom and addition of new office
space. The wall between the breakroom and hallway will be removed. In the kitchen the fixtures and cabinets
will be updated and the microwave mounted under cabinet.
He then reviewed the change to the office area, where the large office will be subdivided, and an enclosed office
space will be added in the open area. The women's room off of the office will be renovated to include a fully
accessible shower, while the men's room off of the garage will be updated to include an accessible shower as
well. Additionally, the bathrooms on the far side of the office will also be updated.
Finally, in the corridor and open office areas the ceiling tiles will be replaced and lighting will be shifted to
create a continuous ceiling from one end to the other.
As much as possible, all of the fixtures will be touchless, and the finishes will be durable for minimal
maintenance. This would also be for safety in the event of another pandemic.
Commissioner Trowbridge thanked Mr. Humphries and stated that the design was for the best to have the
women's shower for future planning.
b) Review MMED Financials — April 2024
Net income is about $1.8 million as opposed to $1 million in the previous year.
Accounts receivable is at $2.6 million vs. $1.3 million last year.
Cash position is up to $12.6 million from $10.8 million.
Energy sales are up 4.3% for the month and down 1.6% for the year.
The depreciation fund balance is $5.1 million, which seems high. But it is used to fund MMED's capital
program.
c) Review MMWRC Rate Comparisons
Manager Sollecito reviewed the charts showing how MMED's rates compare to other municipal light
departments as well as investor owned utilities.
Commissioner Trowbridge pointed out that with the low electric rates in Mansfield, it makes up for the fact that
taxes may be slightly higher than neighboring towns.
Manager Sollecito stated that MMED has a good position with the way power is purchased, therefore giving the
ability to keep the rates low.
Commissioner Trowbridge also mentioned that MMED's reliability is superior to other utilities.
d) Review Tree Trimming solicitation proposals & memorandum to award contract
Manager Sollecito stated that the proposals were a bit more complicated than he expected, so there was nothing
ready to review tonight. He will have it for the next meeting.
4) Items not anticipated within 48 hours
None
5) Public Comments:
None
6) Commissioner Comments:
None
7) Motion to Adjourn 6:52 PM
(Trowbridge/Roche) Passes 2/0.
Respectfully submitted: Katherine Duggan
Sign6t4e of Clerk /�� Date of AlSproVal