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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 5/6/1997{ R I�rr i i! D Vi r 15 P;;- 10• S � .:,_ .�1E fls =.1� 3r,LCl MAC SOACHUSETTS Board of Light Commissioners Minutes of Meeting May 5, 1997 Present: Chairman Colella, Commissioners Madan, Mahana, Robinson and Royle. Meeting called to order at 7:40pm Chairman Colella made a statement that he has a serious problem with not be involved in determining the agenda. Chairman Colella stated that he, as Chairman should determine the agenda, and in the future would like to ensure that he decides what is on the agenda. Chairman Colella also informed the Manager that he wants to be informed of any changes at the Electric Department. In addition, Chairman Colella stated that he bad a problem with past Selectmen being involved with the Electric Department and cautioned that the five board members are the only Selectmen that should be involved in the Electric Department operations. The Manager informed Chairman Colella that he had no idea who lvh•. Colella was referring to. MOTION: To table the minutes of April 22, 1997, since Mr. Madan did not have an opportunity to review the minutes Madan/Mahana Vote 5 - 0 PLM, Bill Barry, Presentation of Industrial Survey, Mr. Barry stated that surveys were sent to 52 firms within the industrial park and that he received 25 responses, which was a 49% return which he considered to be a good return. The respondents were very aware of the competition within the utility industry. The three factors which would determine which utility to use would be cost, reliability and service. The respondents indicated that areas for improvement were billing accuracy, incentive to retrofit, ability to expand, energy rebate programs, technology upgrades and attitude. 50% of the respondents have been contacted by other power marketing companies. The survey identified this customer base to be a sophisticated savvy group who is well aware of the competitive issues in the utility industry. PLM, Mike Barrett, Reliability Study Mr. Barrett informed the Board that he had researched through the Department's log books for the past five years to identify problem areas within the industrial park. Electric service to the park is provided via a total of four 13.8 kV distribution feeders from two different substations. 1. West Street Industrial Feeder - This feeder had an average frequency of one interruption per year, the average outage duration was 35 minutes. Both frequency and duration were less than the industry standard bench marks established. 2. West Street Residential Feeder - This feeder had only two interruptions during the entire five year period, which is well below the industry bench mark. However, the average outage duration was 87.5 minutes, which is near the target criteria of 90 minutes. It was noted that one outage in 1993 lasted for 165 minutes, and that if this outage was discounted, the average outage duration becomes 10 minutes. 3. West Street GE Feeder - This feeder had an average frequency of 1.8 per year which is above the 1.5 bench mark established. The average outage duration was 32.8 minutes which compares favorably with that target criteria. The new "Datel Express" should be in place by July 1997 and this will significantly improve the performance of this feeder and eliminate the majority of problems experienced. 4. School Street Industrial Feeder - This feeder was by far the worst performer with an average frequency of interruption of 2.8 which is much higher than the 1.5 bench mark. the average outage duration was 167.6 minutes which is also higher than the target criteria of 90 minutes. This is an radial underground system that was state of the art when it was designed twenty years ago. However, everyone is tied together and if you lose one elbow, you lose everyone on this feeder. 50% of the problems on this feeder are the failure of elbows. As part of the Power Delivery and Distribution System Planning Study, PLM has recommended improvements that will essentially provide a dual primary feed to most underground fed customers. In summary, three of the four feeders meet target duration of interruption criteria, also two of the four meet target frequency of interruption criteria. Significant causes to interruptions identified; Biggest problem is the radial underground system, then animals (squirrel, mice, birds), lightning arrestors (step up to another class of arrestors) and finally .. ice. tree contacts (which have declined over the past five years due to the aggressive tree { trimming performed in Mansfield). Recommended improvements include, revising the underground system to provide backup capability, improve animal - proofing practices, utilize higher rated lightning arrestors and to maintain the aggressive tree trimming as well as continue to utilize tree resistant construction. PLM, Mike Barrett, Long Term Planning Study We need to expand the Gilbert Street substation which will cost between two and three million dollars. This study is underway now and once the expansion is complete we should be in able to accommodate new growth/load for twenty years. Purchase Order Approvals: 1. Hendrix CMT AA RHL 15 Kv cable, 14,100 feet at a cost of $9,644.40 PO# 017173 Madan/Royle Vote 5 - 0 2. DeGirolomo PO #017174 Estimated charges for installing manhole vaults at Plymouth St, Excavation, digging and back filling. Gary spoke to Brunelle, Barrows and Mainline Construction, none of which were interested in performing this work. The Manager has no idea how much it will cost, but it expects the price to be between $7,000 and $8,000. Commissioner Madan approved the purchase order at a price not to exceed $7,500 and stated that if it costs more, the Manager can request more at another meeting. Madan/Mahana Vote 3 - 2" *Commissioners Royle and Robinson were opposed, they both felt the purchase order should be approved not to exceed $8,000. Bid Award - Pad Mounted Switchgear Four bids were received from three different vendors, one vendor bid an alternate. MOTION: To award the bid for four P1YIH -9 pad mounted switchgear to Vanyo /Grainger Rush at a total cost of $32,367.20 and to award the bid for one PMH -I I pad mounted switchgear to Vanyo /Grainger Rush at a total cost of $7,553.40. Robinson/Royle Vote 5 - 0 i t l,i Bid 'Award - Pole Mounted Capacitors The Manager received bids from three vendors with alternate bids, MOTION: To award the bid for eight (8) 600Kvar pole mounted capacitors to WESCO at a total cost of $11,480.00 and to award the bid for three (3) 1200Kvar pole mounted capacitors to WESCO at a total cost of $6,525.00. Robinson/Royle Vote 5 - 0 Bid Award - Electric Power Cable Three different items were specified for this bid and five vendors responded. AJ Hurley, Grainger Rush,WESCO and Yale Aetna did not meet the bid specifications MOTION: To award the bid for #2 Cu- XLP- CN -15Kv -6,000 ft.of copper electric power cable to Hendrix at a total cost of $8,088.00. Robinson/Royle Votes -0 MOTION: To award the bid for 350MCM Cu- XLP- DW- J -15Kv- 15,300 It of copper electric power cable to A.J. Hurley Co. at a total cost of $52,326.00. Royle/Robinson Votes -0 MOTION: To award the bid for 500MCM- Cu- XLP- DW- J -25Kv -2,100 ft of copper electric power cable to Hendrix at a total cost of $12,547.50. Royle /Robinson Vote 5 - 0 Street Light Request Old Maple St Mr. James Grady requested that a street light be installed on Old Maple Street. The Manager agreed that the area did need a street light since it was very hilly, curvy and dark. MOTION: To authorize the Manager to install a street light on Old Maple Street Robinson/Royle Votes -0 Lighting Old Colony Way MOTION: To authorize the Manager to install a street light on Old Colony Way, behind the Town News to better light the area. Robinson/Royle Votes -0 Let to Representatives Hyland and Poirier _ Commissioner Mahana asked the Manager to write a letter to Representatives Hyland and Poirier requested that they intercede in our behalf in regards to the State Laws that prohibit us from terminating electric service from customers who are abusing they system and refusing to pay their monthly electric bills. Wage Adjustment for System Operator The Manager asked the Board to award the System Operator a $2.00 an hour wage adjustment for performing the functions of both the System Operator, the Administrative Assistant and the part-time clerk. The Manager felt this was a very reasonable request and advised the Board that the Department would recognize a savings of over $20,000 a year. MOTION: To grant a wage adjustment of $2.00 per hour to the System Operator to compensate her for her excellent performance and for performing the duties of two individuals for the past ten months. Royle/Robinson MOTION: To table the request to grant the System Operator a $2.00 per hour wage adjustment until the next meeting so that the Board could review the job descriptions for these positions. Madan/Mahana Vote 3 - 2" *Commissioners Royle and Robinson were opposed. Mrs. Royle suggested that the Electric Department might be better served by joining a union thereby ensuring that they are compensated for performing additional job positions within a department. Mr. Madan requested that this comment be noted in the minutes. Accounts over $1,000 A list of individuals with overdue accounts exceeding $1,000 was presented to the Board as requested. Change of Hours for Plant Employees The Manager advised the Board that according to Page 13, Article 12 of the Plant's union contract, the work week consisted of five consecutive days, Monday through Friday eight hours per day. This will have to be a topic for contract negotiations for the new contract. Mr. Madan stated that a second shift could be added. 3 �Y MOTION: To table the request to have the Town Accountant do the books for the Electric Department until Commissioners Royle and Robinson had a chance to speak with the Town Accountant and determine if this is feasible. Royle/Robinson Vote 2 - P `Commissioners Colella, Mahana and Madan were opposed. MOTION: To have the Town Accountant do the books for the Electric Department Madan/Mahana Vote3 -1 -P Commissioner Robinson was opposed, Commissioner Royle abstained due to lack of information Street Light Request - Animal Shelter MOTION: To install a street light half way down the driveway to the Animal Shelter Madan/Royle Vote 5 - 0 MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 10:25 PM Mahana/Madan Vote 5 - 0 Clerk's Signature and Date