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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 6/16/1997PRESENT: Chairman Colella, Commissioners Mahana, and Madan. Commissioners Royle and Robinson were absent. Meeting called to order at 7:32 pm MOTION: To approve the minutes of June 2, 1997 Mahana/Colella Vote 2 - I* *Commissioner Madan abstained. P.C. Network Upgrade The Manager submitted three bids as requested. One bid was from Harris Computers for 3 Dell PC's, the other bid was from Dell Computers for 3 Dell PC's and the last bid was from Gateway for 3 Gateway 2000 PC's. The Manager recommended that we award the bid to Harris Computers for 3 Dell PC's with a 17" monitor at a cost of $6,876.00. The Manager informed the Board that this bid was only for the three PC's and that the networking upgrade cost would be over $4,000.00 Mr. Mahana wanted to ensure that this upgrade will allow the Town Hall system to network with the Electric Department. Mr. Madan suggested that this wait until the next meeting. A brief discussion followed after which Mr. Madan suggested that we do an RFP for six personal computers either Dell or Gateway with 17" monitor and upgrade all the personal computers at the office at the same time instead of upgrading three this year and three next year. In addition, Mr. Madan also suggested that we check and see what these PC's cost on the state bid list. 4' Three purchase ff i`ers were submitted for the Board's approval, I. Boro Sand & Plymouth St and one PO #01721, in the amount of $4007.82. This was for work on lie 495 West Street Bridge. The Manager advised the Board that this workhadalread3 over $9,000 we beendone. Mr. Madan stated that this $4000, was in addition to the paid to DeGirolomo for work done this bidding laws. Hoi statute, while man on same project. Mr. Madan state( have publicly bid at since this job exceeds the $10,000 limit, that the Manager should is job. Mr. Mahana stated that the Manager had follow bidding laws. Mi General's to the public Wahana advised the Manager that he had spoken with the Attorney office A you cannot separ i arding the West Mansfield Fire Station and that they advised him that to sand, and all costs assoe gravel, asphalt into separate purchase orders. This is one job i ited with the job should be considered as Mr. Mahana cited not always convey one separate purchase order. Jrilburn vs. Peabody and advised the Manager that even though it was nt, we must adhere to the spirit of the law. The Manager adv' violated in this d the Board that he does not believe that the bidding law had been ca these bidding law, The Manager advised the Board that he will look into this and if pply to the Electric Department, he bidding laws. Hoi statute, while man will comply with the public i ever, the Manager believes that buildings are covered under one oles are covered under a different statute. However, the Man manholes are unde er believe that buildings are covered under one statute, while different statute. The Manager advi the Board that he will look into this and report back to the them at the next Light Co issioner's Meeting The Manager stated that he was in no way knowingly trying t ircumvent the bidding laws. 2. A,C Supply Cc 3. L.D. McFarland of poles and Gros MOTION: To Mahana/Madan #017219 at a cost of $2,361,60 for a skid of meters. #017233 at a cost of $6,660.00 for a truck load three purchase orders submitted by the Manager. Vote 4 -0 i ignatures for the DPU Report The Manager requested that the Board sign the back page of the DPU report so that we could submit our annual report to the DPU. Commissioners Madan and Colella did not have their reports. We will send the reports to the Board again and ask them to stop by and sign five original pages of the DPU report. INX001"IZ 1 The Manager advised the Board that the financial auditor works directly for the Board of Light Commissioners. The Business Manager stated she felt we should do an RFP for a new financial auditing firm since we have used DiPesa and Company for three consecutive years. Mr. Madan stated that it would be a good idea to look for a new financial auditor. The Business Manager will forward copies of the proposed RFP for a financial audit to the Board for their review. Management Letter Mr. Madan asked why DiPesa & Company submits a draft of a management letter. The Manager informed the Board that this was done in case the Board has any comments or revisions that they would like to see in the Management Letter. The Board had no problem with the draft of the Management Letter. Wage Adjustment The Manager again requested that the Board approve a $2/hr increase to Ms. O'Malley who has been performing two job functions for the past ten months. The Manager stated that there is a precedent for remunerating employees for performing extra work. Mr. Colella recommended that we do not give any increase to Ms. O'Malley at the present time and that we put this issue on hold for now. This issued is to be put on the next agenda for the July 7th meeting. C1 1997 Forecast of Reven uec & Expenses i The Manager submitted his new format of 1997 Revenues & Expenses. He advised the Board that page 1 was the Summary Page and that the numbers had been taken directly from the 1996/1995 audited financial statements. Pages 2 -5 support the numbers on the summary page, and can be compared directly to our monthly financial statements. This forecast reflects an accurate projection of income through the first quarter of 1997. The Manager indicated that he is very comfortable with the numbers through the first quarter of 1997 and he would recommend that the Board go forward at this point in time with no rate increases. We can track our income now on a monthly basis, and if we need to implement a rate increase we can do so at any time. Mr. Madan asked why the Water Department pumps had been taken off the Municipal Electric Rate. The Manager advised the Board that he had noticed that the pumps were on this rate and advised the Business Manager to change the pumps to the Low Tension rate since the Municipal Electric rate did not apply to the pumps. Mr. Madan stated that these were all electric and didn't understand why the Municipal Electric rate didn't apply. The Manager advised that the rate was available for comfort heat; however, if the Board wanted the pumps to stay on the Municipal Electric rate we would change the pumps back to this rate. Industrial Sales Mr. Mahana stated that the rate reduction gave the industrial customers too much of a break. The Manager advised the Board that the criteria for the rate design was to bring all classes of customers to 15% below Mass Electric rates so that MMED was competitive. Additional Line crew Mr. Mahana stated that Gary D'Ambra was the hardest working man he has ever seen; however, he is concerned that we may be burning him out. Mr. Mahana requested that the Manager put together the cost of hiring an additional crew. Industrial Park Customer Meeting The meeting with the Industrial Park customers is scheduled for Thursday, June 19th and the Manager will have a list of all the work that MMED has done in the Park in the past year. Madan/Mahana Harmony Vote 3 - 0 The Manager advised the Board that the Union member did not file a grievance and an arrangement had been made for the individual to take part of the desired week off. The Manager advised the Board that the Business Manager canceled her vacation and lost her $250 non - refundable deposit in order to accommodate the Credit Manager's request for vacation time. Full Time Position The need to p1l the Administrative Assistant's position was discussed and it was agreed that this Ny6ul issue would be on the July 7th agenda. TCG Mr. Mahana read in the Walpole paper that TCG is installing fiber optic cable in Walpole. Mr Mahana asked the Manager if TCG had bypassed Mansfield. Mr Mahana also questioned whether or not the Board had made the correct decision regarding TCG. Mr. Mahana asked where Mr. Gallant was in his research on this issue. The Manager advised the Board that Mr. Gallant was putting together a draft for an RFP as well as trying to get regulations. The Manager advised the Board he would have more information for them at the next meeting. Brown Outs Mr. Madan asked the Manager about the recent article in the Sun Chronicle regarding - brown outs. The Manager informed Mr. Madan that Mansfield is less likely than other utilities to experience brown outs because we are on the 181, 182 lines directly out of Brayton Point. However there is a potential generation shortage in the New England area. If any large generating plant shuts down during the peak time then brown outs will occur. Who suffers depends in large part on the geographic location of the generating plant that shuts down. The Manager advised the Board that it is possible we may experience brown outs, but he feels the probability is small. The outage is scheduled for 4:00 am Friday, June 20th and will last approximately one hour. BFI Contract The Manager advised the Board that we had instructed BFI to remove their dumpster from the Electric Department yard. BFI responded with a letter stated that we had a three year contract and in order to break the contract, we were obligated to pay over $5,000 in liquidation costs. The Manager forwarded the letter to Town Council for review and advise. Union Contract Negotiations: The first meeting with the union to discuss contract negotiations is scheduled for Monday, June 23rd at 3:00 at the Electric Department Office. Mr. Mahana and Mr. Colella both stated they intend to attend. Mr. Mahana requested copies of the existing contract as well as the proposed rules of engagement imposed on both Management and Union. Amtrak The Manager advised the Board that we will need to rent a truck to build our crossings on s_ The Manager also advised the Board that there was a scheduled outage for the Northeast ' ( side of the Industrial Park, Walnut St, Casa Drive. We have hand delivered lettA to the _ `' industrial park customers and we have advertised the outage on Cablevision. The outage is scheduled for 4:00 am Friday, June 20th and will last approximately one hour. BFI Contract The Manager advised the Board that we had instructed BFI to remove their dumpster from the Electric Department yard. BFI responded with a letter stated that we had a three year contract and in order to break the contract, we were obligated to pay over $5,000 in liquidation costs. The Manager forwarded the letter to Town Council for review and advise. Union Contract Negotiations: The first meeting with the union to discuss contract negotiations is scheduled for Monday, June 23rd at 3:00 at the Electric Department Office. Mr. Mahana and Mr. Colella both stated they intend to attend. Mr. Mahana requested copies of the existing contract as well as the proposed rules of engagement imposed on both Management and Union. Amtrak The Manager advised the Board that we will need to rent a truck to build our crossings on