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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 9/1/1999Ali 1U;r �SCCoiI,x Uo Light Commissioners �99 OC Minutes � ° 8 8' September 1, 1999 { 3 N Present: Chairman Robinson, Clerk Amoroso, and Commissioners McCarter, Royle, and Wills John D'Agostino, Town Manager Jack Beliveau, Light Department Director Kimberly Stoyle, Electric Department Accountant 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm followed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. Light Department Director's Report A. June and July Financial Results Ms. Stoyle reviewed the financial reports for the months of June and July. B. Heating Assistance Program Council on Aging Director Gail Farrugia and Social Services Director Debra Supranant were present for this discussion. Mr. Beliveau is proposing a $20,000 gift from the Electric Department to Social Services to assist residents with their heating and electric bills. Ms. Farrugia explained that residents would be required to complete an application as part of the process to determine their eligibility. Ms. Supranant stated that there is an increasing number of families in Mansfield experiencing difficulties and that a heating assistance program would encourage families to make regular payments on their bills. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning the following: determination of eligibility, how the gift amount was determined, and whether or not Mansfield Electric can legally make this type of donation. Motion: To review a legal opinion regarding the setting up a gift account through the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department and that we review the criteria established through social services. ( Royle- Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. C. Gilbert Street Substation During the last Commissioners, Mr. Beliveau and the Commissioners discussed inviting the project consultant to the next meeting; however, because of the uncertainty of the meeting night, the consultant was unable to attend this evening's meeting. Commissioners commented on and/or asked questions concerning the following: cost estimate of the new proposal, whether or not the substation should be enclosed, advantages and disadvantages to switching to a single distribution voltage, the need to purchase a standard transformer, and the age of transformers being used under Option B, most flexible plan. When asked by Mr. Beliveau, Commissioners responded that they would like the project consultant to attend the next Commissioners meeting. Mr. Beliveau also asked if the Commissioners would be willing to move forward with 30% of the project design, which would allow site preparation for the project. *Motion: To proceed with 30% of the design. (Royle- Wills) No vote taken at this time. D. Rate Study Mr. Beliveau reported that he did a cost of services study several months ago and that he asked the consultant to attend the next Commissioners' meeting to address the adequacy of the Electric rates, fairness of the rates, and the affect of the Gilbert Street substation. Commissioners commented on and asked questions concerning the following: cost of the study ($9,000), role of the study, issuance of a request for proposals for the study, consultation with the Commissioners prior to hiring the consultant, and whether or not Mr. D'Agostino signed the contract. *Motion: To amend the Gilbert Street substation motion to include Option B, by Warner Consultants, not to exceed $50,000. ( Royle- Wills) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To proceed with the 30% design for Option B, by Warner Consultants, no to exceed $50,000. (Boyle- Wills) All in favor. Passes. E. Welcome New Town Engineer, John Sullivan Mr. D'Agostino introduced the Town's new engineer, John Sullivan. F. Staffing • Staffing Study Mr. Beliveau suggested the Electric Department hire a consultant to study the department and determine its staffing needs. • MIS Position The Commissioners commented on and asked questions concerning the following: why the January MIS position vacancy is being advertised now, when the Town would be hiring a MIS employee, and the possibility of combining both positions and increasing the salary. Chairman Robinson stated that he would like a meeting 1vith Messrs. Beliveau and D'Agostino either this iveek or next regarding the Electric Department's MIS position and fees paid to a tempormy agency to hire the present employee, who will be resigning effective Janinv y 1, 2000. Chairwoman Royle asked why the Electric Department has to hire a MIS employee at $45,000 to work on computers for billing, she feels the position's duties should be broader based, and she would prefer the Town to hire a MIS director and have that person on the team to hire the Light Department employee. Motion: Not to go forward with hiring a MIS Director for the Town as proposed at the moment and revisit the issue with an eye towards combining positions with the Electric Department at a hire salary. (McCarter- Robinson) * Vote below. In response to the above motion, Mr. Beliveau stated that he feels the hvo positions would be too big of a job for one person. Also, in response to the motion, Mr. D'Agostino stated that the Board cannot take such an action, and the motion is counter to the vote of Torvn Meeting, and a change in the salary range would require a Town Meeting vote. Selectman Robinson stated he had hoped the Light Department MIS employee would be hired after the director and that that person would help hire the Electric Department employee. Selectman Amoruso also stated that he feels two MIS positions will be inadequate for the Town and that eventually more positions would be needed. The town should move forward hiring a MIS person and an employee is needed for the Light Department. *Motion: Not to fill the MIS position at the current moment but to rewrite the job description to include the Electric Department duties. (McCarter — Robinson) (2 -3) Chairman Robinson and Selectman McCarter in favor. Fails. Motion: To review both job descriptions for the MIS Director and Electric Department MIS employee at the next Selectmen's meeting. (Boyle- Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. Prior to voting on the above motion, the Commissioners, Director, and Town Manager discussed completing a needs assessment for the Light Department and Town on how many MIS positions are necessary. • Electrical Engineer Two candidates both interviewed and selected for the Electrical Engineer have declined and cite financial reasons. • Line Workers Two Line Department employees are considering retiring within the next year, and one is on extended sick leave. Director Beliveau would like to hire a first class lineman, although he feels he should be hiring two. • Financial Assistant One of the Financial Assistants, Jeri Trask, will be working part time beginning in September. Mr. Beliveau would like to add one half -time position at that time. • Trucks Mr. Beliveau suggested replacing two Electric Department pick -up trucks and two bucket trucks, one quickly, if possible. Motion: That we hire up to two first -class linemen. (Royle- Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To purchase two pick -up trucks, four wheel drive, and spec out a 2000 bucket truck and purchase a 1999 bucket truck as soon as possible. (Royle- Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. G. SCADA and Generator Designs Mr. Beliveau stated that he is ready to proceed with SCADA and that the cost is $163,000. A copy of the plan will be left in the Selectmen's conference room for review. The cost for an office generator is $33,000 and for the Light Department plant, $51,000. H. Request from North Attleboro Attorney, Dave Sweetland Mr. Beliveau is in receipt of an inquiry from Attorney Sweetland asking if Mansfield would be interested in forming a cooperative, a limited liability corporation, to legally operate outside of the town. The corporation would offer water heaters in Mansfield and town's beyond. This will be discussed more in the future. Selectman Amoruso stated that he supports the concept, and Selechrloman Royle agreed. 3. Old Business Commissioner Wills asked if repairing the crosswalk button at the Hope Street/Pratt Street crosswalk is the Light Department's responsibility. Mr. Beliveau responded that the Department is in the process of repairing the button. Town Manager D'Agostino stated he would like Mr. Beliveau and the Town Engineer to work out a design to prevent crosswalk signal at the Hope Street/ Pratt Street from hitting the private fence when it is hit by trucks. • Commissioner Royle asked if Mansfield is working under the purchase power contracts signed by the former Light Department Manager, John Larch, and Commissioners. • Chairman Robinson requested Mr. Beliveau direct his employees to check Eastman Street lights. • Commissioner Robinson requested lighting installed at the High School complex so that the police detail officer employed during the election is visible at all times. 4. New Business • Commissioner Amoroso summarized his experience at this summer's Neppa conference. • Commissioner McCarter asked if lights had been installed at the East Street fields. • Commissioner Wills thanked Mr. Beliveau for filling in for the Town Manager while he was on vacation. • Chairman Robinson summarized a burn meeting he attended sponsored by the Electric Department, 5. Date of Next Meeting Motion: To hold the Light Commissioners meetings the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM, beginning October 4, 1999. ( Royle- Wills) All in favor. Passes. 6. Adjournment — 9:45 PM Clerk's Signature Date of-Release 02/22/2000 10:59 5082617498 MANSFIELDTOWNMANAGER PAGE 06 Light Commissioners Minutes September 1, 1999 Present: Chairman Robinson, Clerk Amoroso, and Commissioners McCarter, Royle, and Wills John D'Agostino, Town Manager Jack Beliveau, Light Department Director Kimberly Stoyle, Electric Department Accountant 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm followed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. Light Department Director's Report C'� A. June and July Financial Results t I nO . Ms. Stoyle reviewed the financial reports for the months of June and July. i B. Heating Assistance Program Council on Aging Director Call Farrugia and Social Services Director Debra Supranant were present for this discussion. Mr. Beliveau is proposing a $20,000 gift from the Electric Department to Social Services to assist residents with their beating and electric bills. Ms. Farrugia explained that residents would be required to complete an application as part of the process to determine their eligibility. Ms. Supranant stated that there is an increasing number of families in Mansfield experiencing difficulties and that a heating assistance program would encourage families to make regular payments on their bills. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning the following: determination of eligibility, how the gift amount was determined, and whether or not Mansfield Electric can legally make this type of donation. Motion: To review a legal opinion regarding the setting up a gift account through the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department and that we review the criteria established through social services. (Royle- Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. C. Gilbert Street Substation During the last Commissioners, Mr. Beliveau and the Commissioners discussed inviting the project consultant to the next meeting; however, because of the uncertainty of the meeting night, the consultant was unable to attend this evening's meeting.