HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 6/2/1997Board of Light Commissioners
Minutes of Meeting
June 2, 1997
Present: Chairman Colella, Commissioners Mahana, Robinson and Royle.
Commissioner Madan was absent
*Commissioner Robinson arrive at 8:15pm
Meeting called to order at 7:32pm
MOTION: To approve the minutes of May 16, 1997, with the change noted by Mr.
Mahana to indicate who was opposed on a vote of a motion.
Royle/Mahana Vote 3 - 0
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Mr. Morabet and Mr. Byers from Harris Computer Systems were present to discuss the
proposed network upgrade needed for Electric Department Computer System. Mr. Byers
explained that the network upgrade is required because the current system is running out
of memory and disc space.
The Business Manager explained that we have had the current system since 1994 with no
upgrades or revised distributions and it is now time to look at upgrading the network.
The total cost to upgrade three personal computers and cable and configure the system for
the remaining four computers was $9,970. Mr. Byers explained that the current network
is daisy - chained together and if one wire breaks, the entire network would be down. The
upgrade would include a hub, which would eliminate the daisy chain effect.
Mrs. Royle stated she felt that the quote was somewhat high and felt that it would be a
good idea if the Business Manager received two more quotes.
MOTION: To instruct the Business Manager to obtain two more quotes for the same
specifications quoted by Harris Computer System
Royle/Mahana Vote 3 - 0
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granite curbing. The Manager wanted the Board to approve the invoice since it was
higher than the purchase order. This was for work done installing manhole vaults at
Plymouth Street.
MOTION: To approve PO #071714 for DeOirolomo & Sons at a cost of $9089.06.
Mahana/Royle
Vote 3 -0
2. PO 4017083 for Hendrix Wire & Cable Company, approved at the March 3, 1997
meeting. The purchase order was approved for 1200' of cable at a cost of $4064.40,
however, the vendor actually shipped 1250' of wire at a cost of $4,275.81. The Manager
again wanted to make the Board aware that the invoice exceeded the approved purchase
order.
MOTION: To approve Hendrix invoice for PO #071714 at a cost of $4,275.81 and
authorize the Manager to pay the invoice.
Royle/Mahana Vote 3 - 0
New Purchase Orders
Seven purchase orders were submitted for approval
1. AvCom Inc.PO #017178 for 8 meters at a total cost of $2,200.
2. Columbia Electric PO #017204 for line hardware at at total cost of $1,108.60
3. Hendrix Wire & Cable PO #071215 for 5000' of cable at cost of $5,025.
4. WESCO PO #017193 for 15 Cooper 50W HPS Colonial Fixtures at a cost of $5,100.
5. WESCO PO #017211 for 1 Omni - Rupter Switch 15Kv upright mounting at a cost of
$2,450.
6. WESCO PO 4017192 for crossarms and anchors, line hardware at a cost of $3,847.55
7. Yale Electric PO #071217 for 12 Hadco colonial type 50 watt HPS light fixtures at a
The Manager explained that he was ordering light fixtures from both Yale Electric and
WESCO because he didn't want to be locked into just one vendor.
MOTION: To approve the seven purchase orders as submitted
Royle/Mabana
Vote 3 -1*
*Commissioner Robinson abstained since he arrived after the presentation of these
purchase orders.
Commissioner Royle stated that she felt that Commissioners Colella and Mahana were
against this wage increase and suggested that the best resolution to this problem was to
instruct the Business Manager to hire an Administrative Assistant and remove those
duties from Mrs. O'Malley.
MOTION: To instruct the Business Manager to hire an Administrative Assistant which
will allow Mrs. O'Malley to perform only her functions as Computer System Operator.
Royle/Robinson Vote 2 - 2*
Commissioners Colella and Mahana were opposed.
Mrs. Royle suggested that this issue be brought up at the nest meeting when a full board
would be present.
1997 FORECAST OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES
The Manager advised the Board that he has been diligently working on revising the
Forecast to format the Forecast in a manner which would provide much more detail to the
Board.
The Manager stated that the Board would have the Forecast prior to the nest scheduled
meeting.
MEETING WITH INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS
It was agreed that Thursday, June 19th at 10:00 am would be an.agreeable time to meet
with the industrial park customers.
Commissioner Mahana stated that he reviewed the minutes of August 28, 1996 and a 2
1/2% rate increase was discussed at that time in order to accumulate the $16 million
which would be required for the stranded investment cost.
Commissioner Mahana stated that this issue was again discussed in October of 1996 and
it was agreed that the increase would take affect in April of 1997. Mr. Mahana wanted to
know why that increase did not take effect in April of 1997.
As of March 31, 1997 the purchase power bills have included the additional billing to
accumulate funds for the stranded investment costs. Our financial reports indicate a net
income for the first quarter of 1997 of 174,791. The Manager stated at this time he still
does not think it is necessary to implement the 2 1 /2% increase.
Mr. Mahana questioned the ongoing litigation of the increased transmission costs. The
Manager advised the Board that we would have to continue to pay the increased
transmission costs and that it would be several years before this litigation is settled.
If FERC orders that we be retroactively refunded then we would receive a check back.
This litigation is being handled by a Washington law firm Speigel & McDiarmed and the
cost for the litigation is being shared by all MMWEC members.
Mr. Mahana wants to ensure that we don't wait too long and then be forced to raise the
rates more than 2 1 /2% which would be an increase of $1.25 per month on a residential
bill.
The Manager feels that the first quarter financial statements indicate we are on a positive
track with a net income of $174,791. The Manager feels we may be able to pay the bills
without raising the rates. He will keep a close watch on this.
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The Manager informed the Board that Mansfield has more contacts in place to more than
adequately cover our peak demand, plus a 20% reserve.
The problem is the generating plants. there is a 345 volt transmission loop that covers six
states. If there is a transmission problem, although we are contractually covered,
physically if the generating plant or loop has trouble, then we could have trouble.
Mansfield has no control over transmission or generation.
DEREGULATION
Mr. Mahana asked the Manager if we are legally safe from deregulation? The Manager
responded that deregulation of Mansfield Municipal is strictly a political decision. The
governor's proposal and the DPU's approved regulations exempt municipals and leave it
up to LOCAL CONTROL, LOCAL CHOICE.
The Manager stated that he is currently working under a 12 year time frame, if something
happens to make it a 6 year time frame, it would greatly impact the operations.
APPEALS OF PERSONNEL DECISION
Chairman Colella stated that he is very upset that two individuals in the Electric
Department have been denied time off for vacation due to the fact that other individuals
had previously requested the vacation time.
Mr. Colella feels that the Board of Light Commissioner should have the final decision on
who can take vacation time. Mr. Colella stressed that he hoped the Manager would
resolve this issue and allow the individuals to take their vacation time since he feels they
are entitled to this time and he did not want to have to take a vote on this matter.
The Manager responded by stating that he had sent a letter to the Board of Light
Commissioners regarding his view of the appeal process and that he had sent a copy to
( Town Council, The Manager suggested that the Chairman have Town Council review
this memo and give his opinion on this matter.
The Manager also stated that the individual who is in the union has no right to approach
the Board of Light Commissioners, if he has a problem with the denial of his vacation
request, the individual should file a grievance.
Commissioner Royle stated that she feels that the Board of Light Commissioners is
overstepping their bounds, the Board is not the Personnel Board. The Manager per his
contract has the final say, the Board of Light Commissioners are the policy makers.
Chairman Colella disputed this and stated that three votes can dictate a policy. Mrs.
Royle stated that the Board should not be interfering in the day to day operations of the
Electric Department.
Commissioner Robinson stated that the Board should look at the collective bargaining
agreement.
A discussion followed regarding the role of Light Commissions vs the role of Selectmen.
Mr. Mahana stated that according to the DPU, the Board of Light Commissioners can do
( anything they want. The Manager was instructed to ensure that the office employees be
covered by the,1983 Personnel Policy and it is incumbent on the Manager to foll ow tl
instructions of the Board.
Mrs. Royle stated that she believes that thel983 Personnel Policy is in conflict with the
Manager's contract and Chapter 164, Section 56 of the State laws.
Chairman Colella asked the Manger to please resolve this problem so that the Board did
not have to take a vote regarding granting vacation time. Mr. Colella requested that this
item be placed on the next agenda to be discussed again.
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The Manager advised the Board that he had an invoice from Clifford of Vermont for fire
alarm terminal boxes at a cost of $624 which he wanted approval to pay. The Manager
was advised to pay the invoice, and to track the payments in a separate account which can
be identified at year end.
MOTION: To send a letter to the Fire Chief instructing the Chief to budget these
expenses in his 1998 budget.
Royle/Robinson Vote 4 - 0
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Commissioner Mahana requested that the Manager provide the Board with a
recommended plan regarding when to start construction of the substation expansion.
The Manager informed Mr. Mahana that the substation design should be completed by
the end of 1997 and he was tentatively planning on beginning construction in the Spring
of 1998.
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Mrs. Royle asked the Chairman to contact Town Council to review the letter sent to the
Board from the Manager regarding the employee appeal process.
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:30pm
Royle/Mahana Vote 4 - 0
Clerk's Signature and Date ��—��