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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIGHTCOMM MIN07142010 l,})l' (lYh/"7 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 11 ',.i -f..: ~ {" ~ ; ;, "-..11.._ ..., ': !, I .j Present: Chairman Moran, Vice Chairman George Dentino, Clerk Douglas Annino, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, Selectman Olivier Kozlowski, William Ross, Town Manager Absent: As Chairman Moran arrived at 7:05pm, Selectman Aptowitz opened the meeting as Electric Light Commissioners. Town Accountant John Stanbrook is present for discussion. Mr. Stanbrook briefly explained to the Board why funds are moved from one line item to another at the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Ross has reviewed all transfer requests and feels they are in line. Motion: To move year end appropriations. (Moran/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Minutes of May 24, 2010 were reviewed by the board. Motion: To approve minute. (Moran/Kozlowski) 4:0 passes (Annino absent from discussion) Directors report given by Gary Babin. · FYlO MMED costs for employee benefits, insurance, town services and PILOT. MMED staff has reviewed all of the charges with the town accountant and are satisfied that all costs are based on actual expenditures made by the town on behalf of MMED. Town Accountant John Stanbrook was also involved in this discussion as he worked with the Light Dept. to assess charges. Selectman Dentino has many questions on how MIS/GIS work with the light dept. After a short discussion, Town Manager Ross explained the current procedure and how he and Mr. Stanbrook are working towards improved accounting practices. Mr. Babin further elaborated with specific examples and situations that GIS has played in keeping the light dept. up to date and running. Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 .. ....-..."'--'--~.--'-"......_'.,....---' .. !I'f Motion: To approve transfer of FYlO MMED costs for employee benefits. insurance. town services and PILOT from the Town of Mansfield to the MMED. (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes . Financial Statements - May 2010: Presentation by Mr. Babin and Ken Thompson. 1) Net Income - Net operating income year-to-date through May is $2,422.032 while non-operating income is $108.996. This figure has also been adjusted to account for the FYlO undercollection of Generation Charge revenues of $355,921. In other words, the $355,921 undercollection is not considered when computing net income. 2) Cash Position - MMED's operating cash position through May 2010 was $5.635.915, up slightly from $5,167,453 for the same period in FY09. This balance does not include an Accounts Receivable of $472,187 for monies owed to MMED by its customers for undercollection of the Generation Charge. 3) Generation Charge Account Receivable - MMED has a line item on the Balance Sheet entitled "A/R Undercollection of Generation Charges". This item reflects as an asset the undercollection of the Generation Charges, which is money owed to MMED by its customers. Through May, that receivable stands at $472,187. This amount is not calculated by fiscal year but reflects the over/under collection of the Generation Charge since the Generation Charge started being collected in the new rates in January 2008. 4) Energy Sales - Energy sales for May 2010 are up 3.3'ro from May 2009. Year-to- date, sales are still down 4.7'Yo. It is estimated that about half of the reduction is attributable to weather while the remaining decline in sales is due to decreased load. 5) Depreciation Fund - MMED's depreciation fund balance stands at $4,855,715. This money will be used to help offset the cost of the East Mansfield substation while also supporting other capital improvements. . Generation charge for 3rd quarter has been established at 11.36 cents. Rising transmission costs are beginning to constitute a larger percentage of the charge each quarter. While the generation charge has remained steady throughout calendar year 2010, the share of cost attributable to transmission charges has been steadily increasing. Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 2 ,-.... ~.,'-"--<~..,..",.__...~....~._<.,-~....""~'---...'~_.- . ...... Commissioners Moran and Kozlowski have a few questions about the generation charges and transmission collaborative we participate in. Mr. Babin explained the process used in New England. The use of low voltage facilities on private property was widely discussed at the June 9th meeting and Mr. Babin and Ross provided the board follow up on this matter. Motion: To create policy of not retaining ownership of secondary lines on private property pending hearing for existing locations. (Annino/Kozlowski) 4:0:1 (Dentino abstain) Mr. Babin and Mr. Ross will have owner information and proposed policy in 60 days for the board to review. September 13th will be the next MMED meeting. · Selectman Kozlowski: Questions about using LED lights for street lights. Mr. Babin stated there are high upfront costs for this type of program. However, they will look into it. · Selectman Aptowitz: Question of land acquisition. Mr. Ross has recently signed contract. · Selectman Annino: Questions about electric cars. Intersection of Franklin and Winter Sts. seem to be very dark, please check. · Selectman Dentino: None · Selectman Moran: Looking for update on NationalGrid developments. Mr. Babin feels the filing will be ready soon. The Bird Rd. substation is scheduled for June 2012. Motion: To adjourn as Light Commissioners and resume as Board of Selectmen after5 minute recess. (Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Gary Forget, looking for update on budget outlook subcommittee. Chairman Moran stated this committee will work on a type of master plan for future growth and spending. Mr. Forget also had questions about where the town managers salary comes from. Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 3 . -~,,-,.._-,-~~~._..,..,_..- - He additionally had questions about how the Zoning Board was marketing town land for cell towers. The ZBA should just listen to the facts of a case and not promote the use of town land over private. Mr. Forget then asked Chairman Moran about why he stated that the town cannot be run like a business. Chairman Moran responded with examples of how the town has to supply services where a private organization is not obligated to. Warrant No. 10053T in the amount of $68,113.53 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10053E in the amount of $101,992.43 Motion: To approve. (Kozlowski/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10054T in the amount of $653,249.54 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10054E in the amount of $122,610.26 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 11001T in the amount of $1,072,779.52 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 11002T in the amount of $4,519,686.31 Motion: To approve. (Kozlowski/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 11001SV in the amount of $266,774.20 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes · Drainlayers license application for G. Lopes Construction Motion: To approve. (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes · Sunday sales advisory issued July 2nd to allow cities and to "opt in" to lOam liquor service. Motion: To seek information from town counsel on procedure of opting in. (Kozlowski/ Annino) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 4 ... ....._._.b.....'......_._"'_.__._.. , ... . Drinking water SRF/water capital improvements request from Lee Azinheira. Motion: To authorize the loan as approved at town meeting. (Annino/Dentino) 5:0 passes . November 21, 2010 5k road race hosted at Mansfield Holiday Inn request. Routing has come back positive from public safety. Motion: To approve. (Annino/Dentino) 5:0 passes . Town counsel review will be moved to the follow meeting as a cost analysis is completed by the town accountant. . GA TRA update: open door operation started yesterday and Mr. Ross has already received emails from residents thanking the board for adding the service. . The DPW is continuing their work on the drainage areas of the rails to trails path and will monitor excavation work to assure they don't take more trees than necessary. . Canoe River dam paperwork is ready for review and the town engineer will be making presentation soon. . EPA storm water update. The updated regulations can potentially be very expensive for the town to follow. . Downtown street lighting issues were discussed. . Mr. Ross has sent a follow up letter to Supt. Hodges request expense breakdown. . Update on Municipal Relieve Project from the state. Mr. Ross updated the Board of Selectmen on the license agreement with youth soccer. Mr. Ross and Mr. Riccio have reviewed the document in addition to Atty. Mangiaratti and they would like the board to approve it so the work can begin. Motion: To approve agreement. (Kozlowski! Annino) 5:0 passes Selectman Annino has questions about insurance requirements from sub contractors. The town will be conducting inspections as well as the organization during the project. Selectman Aptowitz has questions about an indemnification clause in the contract. Selectman Dentino asked about the terms of the lease for the land. Mr. Ross is not sure what the current lease is but will look into it. Mr. Dentino has additional questions about maintenance of the land that Mr. Ross will address as well. Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 5 ---"--".'-'-~-'-' r 'I'I'~ · Selectman Kozlowski: He too had a great time at Family Fun Night and it was great to see everyone out there. He is also disappointed that the School Supt. has not responded back to requests for information from Mr. Ross. He also had additional questions about the conditions of the carpets. The DPW goes through buildings every year and staples down seams but frankly its 13 years old, quite worn and needs to be replaced. · Selectman Aptowitz: Condolences to Mike Trowbridge on the passing of his mother. Suggestions on future uses and retention of free cash. He would like to offer incentives to depts. to save money. Mr. Ross has already encouraged depts. to save where they can and they will continue to do so. He also has worked with a similar program using workers compensation savings. Mr. Aptowitz would also like to know when Verizon FIOS will be coming to surrounding neighborhoods. He receives regular inquires from residents. · Selectman Annino: Congratulations to the police dept. for securing under age drinking grant. He would also like school committee to pursue a policy as well. Questions about road repair and maintenance for rail road area that was damaged during a recent derailment. Downtown Family Fun night was well attended and fun, even thought it was raining. The Fire Dept. did a great job interacting with the kids and grown ups alike during demonstrations. · Selectman Dentino: Questions about grant for police dept. flashlights. · Chairman Moran: Possible inter-municipal discussion with Norton Board of Selectmen during IMA meeting on August 5th. Update on state and federal funding levels. As suspected, there will be even less funding available to the town this year than in previous years. Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 6 --, .-,-..-.,..".--.-.--. I ... Motion: Adjourn meeting at W:30pm (Aptowitz) 5-0 Passes ZhU.fJ4~ ~ Signature of Clerk f47 2~ 2t'/t' Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 14, 2010 7 "''''..-------. T '11"