HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 12/1/1997Board of Light Commissioners
Minutes of Meeting
December 1, 1997 l
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Present: Chairman Colella, Commissioners Madan, Mahana, Robins t n and Royle
Meeting called to order at 7:30pm
MOTION: To approve minutes of November 3, 1997 as amended by Mr. Mahana
Madan/Mahana Vote 4 —1 *
*Commissioner Royle abstained
Harris Computer Systems, Craig Ross
Craig Ross presented the Board with the various computer system upgrade options
available to the Electric Department. These options are as follows:
A. "Piggy- backing with North Attleboro:
( The costs associated with this option:
Nynex one time charge to install the line and router of $9550.
Nynex monthly charge of $790 or $9480 annually
North Attleboro annual charge of $14,400 annually
Total cost for this option $33,430.
B. Purchasing a DEC Alpha Box:
The costs associated with this option would be a one -time charge of $23,600
The annual maintenance charge for the Alpha System for the first three years is $5,300.
C. Upgrading the current Motorola System:
Upgrading the Motorola System was considered to be a "Band -Aid approach" and was
not recommended by Mr. Ross since it would be a short-term solution only. The new
software is written in Informix 7, which no longer ports to the Motorola. Mr. Ross also
advised the Board that Motorola is abandoning the computer line and concentrating their
efforts more in the Telecommunications line.
Mr. Ross advised the Board that the DEC Alpha Server has more memory and faster
processing time. In addition DEC is building their servers with the capability of
expanding them as needed to accommodate future needs.
MOTION: To authorize the Manager to develop an RFP for a DEC Alpha Server
Model 800, a trade -in allowance for the Motorola 900 -810 System.
A three year maintenance contract on the DEC Alpha Server Model
800. A Raid Controller and Disk Sub System and Intelligent UPS
System.
Mahana/Royle Vote 5 — 0
Purchase Order Approval
Six Purchase Order were submitted for approval:
1. AvCom Inc PO #17542 in the amount of $2,688. This is for 96 meters to replenish
stock.
2. AvCom Inc PO #17545 in the amount of $2300. This is for 1000 meter rings to
replenish stock.
3. WESCO PO #17569 in the amount of $1,860. This is for 30 Hendrix brackets.
4. A.C.Supply Co PO #17536 in the amount of $1,119. This is for transformers.
5. Moore Business Forms PO #17561 in the amount of $3,126.51 for bill forms. These
were ordered in order to ensure we received the bills in time.
6. Hendrix — This was a bid awarded in May, 1997. The total bid award was
$60,414.00, however the actual expense was $61,885.71 which is a difference of
$1,471.71, which requires board approval.
Robinson/Royle
Industrial Park Expenditures:
Vote 5 -0
The Manager advised the Board that $37,442 has been spent in the industrial park year to
date. An additional $94,431.00 has been expended from the Betterment Project through
October 1997. These figures include all material, labor and truck time.
Communications System:
The Manager recommended that we add three additional phone lines with voice mail.
This will allow the station operator to leave a message indicating an approximate time
before power is restored. The cost is 33.50 per line, which would be an additional
expense of $100 monthly.
Mahana/Madan Vote 5 — 0
Industrial Customers Charges for Service Rendered:
The Manager checked with six other municipalities regarding what and how they charge
their industrial customers for shutdowns. Middleboro, Littleton and Concord do not
charge for this service. Taunton charges a 4 -%2 minimum call out for two men and a
truck. Norwood charges a 3 hour minimum call out for each trip for two men and a truck.
North Attleboro charges a four -hour minimum for two men and a truck, one charge only.
Mr. Mahana asked what Mass Electric charges, the Manager advised he had not called
Mass Electric. Mr. Robinson stated that he voted against these charges before and would
do so again. Mrs. Royle stated that she did not agree with charging industrial customers
since they pay higher rates which accounts for two thirds of the electric department
revenue. Mr. Madan disagreed and stated that the Electric Department has been giving
away millions of dollars for years and the ratepayers are paying the price.
The practice of charging for the three -hour minimum call out for each trip, two men and a
truck will stay in place.
Amtrak Crossing Central St
The Manager advised the Board that this is still being investigated. However the estimate
is now up to $30,000. This will be presented to the Board in the future.
September Financials
The Manager presented the September financial reports which indicate a net decrease to
surplus of— $28,922.00. The October financial reports will have the increased rates.
Mansfield Police Station
The Manager advised the Board that the electric bill for the new police station has still
not been paid and $3,301.27 is now due.
MOTION: To instruct the Manager to forward this bill to the Town Manager. The Town
Manager can resolve this issue with his department heads.
Royle/Robinson Vote 5 — 0
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Christmas Decorations
Chairman Colella expressed his disappointment with the North Common lighting. Mr.
Colella asked if the Manager would light the North Common the same way the South
Common had been lit. The Manager said he would look at the North Common and talk
to the Chairman this week.
Christmas Eve Hours:
The Manager asked if the Electric Department billing office could close at noon
Christmas Eve since the four employees were all willing to use vacation or personal time.
MOTION: To have the Electric Department billing office remain open until 4:00 PM on
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
Mahana/Madan Vote 4 — I
*Commissioner Royle abstained
Woman of Today Request:
The Manager advised the Board that he had a request from the Woman of today asking
for a bucket truck to assist in dropping the ball at 8:00 PM on New Year's Eve.
MOTION: To authorize the Manager to provide a bucket truck to be used to drop the
ball for the New Year's Eve celebration in Mansfield.
Mahana/Madan
Utility Deregulation Bill
Vote 5 — 0
The Manager advised the Board that the utility deregulation bill was 118 pages. The
Manager summarized the bill to one page as outlined below:
Municipals are exempt from requirement of allowing competition, unless and until "such
lighting plant is dissolved"
If this Board chooses to compete, they have to allow reciprocity. It is the choice of the
Board of Light Commissioners.
Can continue to sell power wholesale.
Can also sell to load aggregators
If the Board of Light Commissioners does not choose to open up competition by March
1, 2003, the Light Commissioner shall conduct a study of the marketplace. As a result of
this study, the Board may have a voter referendum if things should change. It's the
Board's choice.
The Board is exempt from public records and open meeting laws to protect proprietary
information.
The Board is required to establish an agricultural or farming rate at least 10% below any
other rate. Need to determine the definition of farmer.
Unclear about unbundling rates by January 1, 1998. Don't know if this applies to
municipalities
Also unclear about energy conservation requirements.
Mr. Madan asked the Manager to investigate if servicing borderline properties constituted
supplying service outside of our territory.
Next Meeting:
Th
Mrs. Royle suggested that we cancel the December 15 meeting and meet again on
January 5, 1998.
MOTION: Cancel the December 15, 1997 Light Commissioner's Meeting.
Royle/Mahana
Cash Receipts at 125 High St.
Vote 5 — 0
MOTION: To instruct the Manager to ensure cash receipts are no longer accepted at the
Electric Department office.
Royle/Madan
The Next Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 5, 1998 at 7:30 PM
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:10 PM
Mahana/Ro�yle
Clerk's Signature and Date
Vote 5 — 0
Votes -0