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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 10/7/1996Board of Light Commissioners Minutes of Meeting October 7, 1996 PRESENT: Commissioners Colella, Madan, Mahana and Pasquale Chairman Robinson arrived at 7:40 pm g610 ¢r 20 Pty 7: 51 r -( D A000�ETTS MOTION: To appoint Commissioner Pasquale as Acting Chairman until Chairman Robinson arrives Madan/Colella Vote 3 - 0 - 1* "Commissioner Pasquale abstained Meeting called to order at 7:35pm MOTION: To approve the minutes of September 16, 1996 Commissioners Madan and Colella took exception with certain aspects of the minutes. MOTION: To table the minutes of September 16, 1996 until Commissioners Madan and Colella have a chance to review the tapes of the meeting. Madan/Colella Vote 3 - 0 TREE TRIMMING: Commissioner Colella stated that he expected the Manager to be obtaining bids from outside contractors for tree trimming services. He did not agree with the minutes that tree trimming would remain within the Electric Department. Commissioner Madan requested that the Manager obtain three estimates-(hourly rates) from outside tree trimming contractors and present these at the next meeting. Note: Chairman Robinson arrived at 7:40 pm and Acting Chairman Pasquale turned the meeting over to Chairman at this time. d . ' Commissioner Madan asked the Manager if he had investigated the possibility of having the Board Of Light Commissioners Meetings on cablevision as he had been requested to do at the previous meeting. The Manager informed the Board that he had contacted Mr. Lou Amoruso who in turn was supposed to discuss this request with his board at their meeting on October 3rd. Mr. Larch had not yet heard back from Mr. Amoruso. Mr. Madan spoke with the gentlemen who televises the Selectmen's Meeting who informed him that he receives $40.00 per meeting and that he would be willing to televise the Light Commisioners Meetings for the same price. Mr. Larch said Mr. Amoruso said he had to get approval from his board and he is still waiting to hear back from Mr. Amoroso. Mr. Pasquale stated that Mr. Amoroso didn't want to set a precedent whereby any municipal board who wanted a meeting televised only had to pay a fee to do so. MOTION: To hire Cablevision to televise the bi- weekly Board of Light Commissioners Meetings at a cost of $40.00 per meeting to begin with the meeting scheduled on October 21, 1996. The Electric Department will pay the $40.00 fee. Madan/Colella Vote 5 - 0 NO r IMON ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL MOTION: All non -union Electric Department personnel will now come under the Town Hall Personnel Policy. Mahana/Madan Vote 3 - 2* *Chairman Robinson and Commissioner Pasquale were opposed. Mr Madan stated that in accordance with Town Counsel and in accordance with the Town Hall Personnel Policy these individuals already come under this Policy. The Manager stated that he didn't believe that to be the case. Mr. Madan asked what policy these employees came under? Mr. Larch stated that generally speaking we follow the Town Personnel Policy as written with one or two specific exceptions. Mr. Pasquale stated it was somewhat of a "quasi" policy due to the separation of entities. Mr. Larch believes there is another legal opinion contradictory to what Town Counsel wrote and that there were one or two issues that were never resolved. The Manager stated that there is a conflict between the Personnel Policy, the Charter and Chapter 164 that has never been resolved. CONTRACTING WITH OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS: Commissioner Pasquale stated that he felt parameters needed to be put around this motion since that motion dictates the manager can do nothing without Board approval. Mr. Mahana disagreed and stated that the motion was for outside services. The Manager asked what he should do with ongoing services for example bankruptcies? Mahana/Madan Vote 3 - 2* "Chairman Robinson and Commissioner Pasquale were opposed. MOTION: The Manager will be precluded from contacting any legal law firm without express permission of the Board of Light Commissioners. Motion withdrawn MOTION: Any purchase order over $1,000 be approved by the Board of Light Commssioners. The Manager advised Mr. Mahana that this conflicts with his contract with the Board of Light Cormssioners which states that the execution of contracts for employment agreements and for purchases in excess of $10,000 shall require a vote of the Board of Light Commissioners AMENDED MOTION: Amend above motion to make it a policy of the Board of Light Commissioners that the Manager submit to the Board of Light Commissioners any contract or purchase order over $1,000 for their review and approval prior to the Manager signing it. Amendment by Mr. Madan: Except in an emergency situation Mahana/Colella Vote 3 - 2* x Chairman Robinson and Commissioner Pasquale were opposed. Commissioner Mahana asked the Manager if he arbitrarily contracted with outside ( consultants without Board approval? The Manager responded yes, with certain professional services that we have been using for years such as law firms and engineering firms. Mr. Mahana stated that PLM was engaged without approval from the board. MOTION: No further contracts be executed with any outside firms by the Electric Department Manager without express approval of the Board of Light Commissioners. Commissioner Pasquale stated that he felt parameters needed to be put around this motion since that motion dictates the manager can do nothing without Board approval. Mr. Mahana disagreed and stated that the motion was for outside services. The Manager asked what he should do with ongoing services for example bankruptcies? Mahana/Madan Vote 3 - 2* "Chairman Robinson and Commissioner Pasquale were opposed. MOTION: The Manager will be precluded from contacting any legal law firm without express permission of the Board of Light Commissioners. Motion withdrawn MOTION: Any purchase order over $1,000 be approved by the Board of Light Commssioners. The Manager advised Mr. Mahana that this conflicts with his contract with the Board of Light Cormssioners which states that the execution of contracts for employment agreements and for purchases in excess of $10,000 shall require a vote of the Board of Light Commissioners AMENDED MOTION: Amend above motion to make it a policy of the Board of Light Commissioners that the Manager submit to the Board of Light Commissioners any contract or purchase order over $1,000 for their review and approval prior to the Manager signing it. Amendment by Mr. Madan: Except in an emergency situation Mahana/Colella Vote 3 - 2* x Chairman Robinson and Commissioner Pasquale were opposed. Commissioner Pasquale felt it was an infringement on the management responsibilities and duties of the Electric Department Manager and he can not support it. He feels the Board is stepping over the line again between setting policy and running the day to day operation. LIGHTING JORDAN /JACKSON SCHOOL: Dr. Nicoletti and Chairman of the School Committee Jean Miller were present to discuss the lighting situation at the Jordan Jackson School. The bulbs have been replaced in the ten fixtures at the Jordan Jackson and it has improved the lighting in that area. However, there are two areas of concern primarily the walkway and the steps which have no lighting and are very dark. The school is used 5 -6 nights a week. The Manager had recommended installing 8 poles with 7 floodlights at a cost of $7,471.00 which had been voted down at the September 16, 1996 Light Commissioners Meeting. Mr. Colella felt that there was plenty of lighting, but would consider an extension on present poles. Mr. Mahana felt that the Jordan Jackson was well lit but that the Robinson School was in dire need of lights. Mr. Madan wanted to know why we would even consider putting wooden poles in the Jordan/Jackson parking lot. The Manager said that it might be possible to have an electrician jury rig another fixture on the existing poles but that liability could become an issue. Mr. Madan felt this issue should be brought before the Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Colella felt we should take care of the walkway and the steps. The Manager said it might be possible to cross overhead on East St. However we can not tap into the existing lights because the Electric Department is not licensed to do any work on the school side of the meter. The Manager estimated it would cost approximately $1,200 per light to change the fixtures on two poles and install floodlights. Dr. Nicoletti does not have $2,400 in his budget at this time. It was suggested that perhaps Richard Bros Electric could provide Dr. Nicoletti with a price to install floodlights. RFP CONSULTANT STUDY - PLM Mike Barrett and Charles Marsland were present from PLM. A discussion followed concerning what exactly the Board was looking to learn from PLM. The Board agreed that they wanted to focus on Mansfield Electric's Distribution System, primarily how it is affecting the industrial park. The Board wants to ensure the current system is functioning properly and to eliminate complaints from the Park regarding voltage dips and frequent and lengthy outages. PLM said they would present a proposal outlining exactly what they would do with a cost estimate and submit it to the Board for their review prior to the next Board meeting. Commissioner Madan wanted to know why the Financial Statements do not indicate the flush of funds 1.1 million dollars anywhere on the financial statements. The Manager stated that in the future he would attach a note on the financial statements. Mr. Mahana wanted to vote a 2 1 /2% rate increase in preparation for the deregulation of the utility industry. The Manager recommended that the Board wait to increase rates until April of 1997. MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:20 PM Clerk's signature and date