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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Min 12/13/1999I Light Commissioners t Minutes t December 13, 1999 Present: Clerk Amoroso, and Commissioners McCarter, Royle and Wills Not Present: Chairman Robinson John D'Agostino, Town Manager Jack Beliveau, Director, Light Department Kimberly Stoyle, Accounting Officer, Light Department Gary D'Ambra, Line Foreman, Light Department James Havrilla, Professional Engineer, Quad Three Group Norman Baron, Professional Engineer, Quad Three Group Daryl Benson, Member, Telecommunications Committee Phil Giangarra, Member, Telecommunications Committee Michael Lawless, MIS Manager, Light Department The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. MOTION: To approve the minutes of the November 08, 1999 meeting. () All in favor. Passes 4 -0. 2. PPCA (Purchased Power Cost Adjustment) Mr. James Havrilla, Professional Engineer, MBA, Attorney, of the Quad Three Group, Inc. of Wilkes -Barre Pennsylvania presented a study evaluating what the PPCA should be. Mr. Havrilla explained what the PPCA actually was and went on to tell us that our PPCA base cost of power should be 6.03 cents per kWh. The PPCA provides the required adjustment for Fluctuations in the purchased cost of power. Absent this PPCA, base electric rates would need modifications on a regular basis to adjust for the variations in power cost. Of the three components that make up the PPCA, the base rate factor is most critical. The purchased cost of power is based on power contracts and market conditions. Electric sales in kWh are based on the consumption. The base rate factor is predetermined and represents the base cost of power. After clarifying the calculation Mr. Havrilla answered questions regarding the PPCA calculation. 3. Seasonal Rate Study Mr. Havrilla and Mr.Beliveau discussed the possibility of instituting a seasonal rate for customers such as Great Waves and Tweeter. A definition would have to be developed to define exactly what characteristics a customer would possess to be deemed "seasonal ". A tentative definition that was talked about but in that in no means was final was the following. A seasonal rate customer would be a customer that had at least eighty percent of their consumption over a three month period. The purpose of a seasonal rate would be to ensure that costs are equitable amongst all electric users of the town without penalizing any one group. The Board concurred that exploring the seasonal rate further is warranted and gave direction to Mr. Beliveau to follow through on the idea and to also develop a definition for a seasonal rate customer and to report the findings at a future meeting. A study with a potential cost of $3 -4k was discussed. 4. High School Transformers Mr. Norman Baron, Professional Engineer with Quad Three was also present. Mr. Baron is in town to review the transformer issues with the High School. 5. October Financial Results Kimberly Stoyle presented October's Financial Report. Mansfield Electric earned a profit before payments in lieu of taxes of $165k with an after payments in lieu of taxes net increase to surplus of $123k. Ytd net increase to surplus was $1.3mil. Ms. Stoyle stated that we have met our profitability goals and that we are in a healthy financial position. It was pointed out that three new sections now appear in the report. The new sections are entitled Competitive Procurements over $I Ok, Engineering Consultants, and Safety. There is a new safety committee made up of Ralph Bellavance, Shawn Bell, Shawn Curran, and Rees Jones. They will meet the first Friday of every month at 7 a.m. to discuss any safety related issues or Light Commissioners Mtg. Page 1 of 1 12/13/99 concerns that have occurred during the month. Each meetings minutes will be summarized on the safety page. 6. Linemen Wage Adjustments A salary survey analysis was prepared and given to the Board and Mr. D'agostino. Mr. Beliveau spoke of his desire to adjust the Plant employees wages to bring them to the average pay that is representative of their quartile. Currently the First Class Linemen are being paid $22.551hr. where as the average for their quartile is $24.131hr. An adjustment of $1.58/hr. would be needed to bring the linemen up to the appropriate average. This issue was discussed back and forth with the main concern appearing to be how and when to do the adjustment. It seemed that all were in agreement that the linemen should be making the average amount per hour. The Board would like to get a feel for the status of the wages for the other Unions in the town and how they stack up to surrounding communities. This subject was tabled until the next meeting. 7. Street Lighting Update Mr. Beliveau informed the Board of the actual number of street lights per a recent inventory. The actual number of streetlights are 2,241. The town was only paying for 1,349. The actual number is 66% higher than what was previously reported. The town will be billed for the actual number and then credited for the difference between the new and the old numbers until the new budget is formulated. 8. Request for Additional Lighting Mrs. D'Afile and other residents in the Fisher Street area requested an additional streetlight for their neighborhood. Mr. D'Ambra visited the area to review the lighting and reported that the lighting was in accordance with policy. Because of this the Board must make the decision whether or not an additional light is in order. The issue was postponed until Mr. Robinson can visit the area. 9. Fiber Optic Incentives Members the Telecommunications Committee were invited to speak so that a mission could be established for the Committee. Mr.Daryl Benson and Mr. Phil Giangarra attended as well as MIS manager Michael Lawless. The committee asked the light commissioners for direction in their investigating telecommuncations such as cable TV, long distance telephone, and Internet Service Provider (ISP). Mr. D'Agostino suggested that Mr. Benson and Mr. Giangarra research several items relating to the Industrial Park. Both members left with a sense of direction and will keep the Board updated on all information obtained. 10. Status update on Truck Procurement The leased truck has been purchased and is awaiting a paint job. 'file new bucket truck has been awarded and we are awaiting delivery (approx.8weeks). H. Santoro Property The Santoro Property is for sale. This is the current location for Kirley & Co. No information was available as contact with Mr. Santoro had not yet been made. Mr. Beliveau will obtain information and report back. 12. Old Business 13. New Business 14. Adjournment 9:38 p.m. Motion: To adjourn. () All in Favor. Passes. Respectfully submitted, Kimberly Stoyle Light Commissioners Mtg. Page 2 of 2 12/13/99