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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 10/3/1994Ft IFFo Board of Light Commissioners Minutes of Meeting 914 € 0V -2 P1 3: 1A October 3, 1994 -TTS PRESENT: Chairman Penney, Commissioners Ronald and Robinson. Commissioners Pasquale and Royle were absent Meeting called to order at 7:12 pm MOTION: To approve minutes of September 12, 1994 Robinson/Ronald Vote 3 - 0 Fiberglass vs Cast Iron Replacement Light Fixtures The Manager advised the Board that he felt it would be more economical to replace the damaged poles uptown with the existing fiberglass poles instead of the cast iron poles. Although the cast iron would be more durable, the pole weighs over 1400 pounds and would be a lot more expensive than the fiberglass ($600 vs. $1400). If the poles are damaged again this winter, then the Manager would consider replacing the poles with the cast iron at that time. - The Manager agreed to send a memo to the Town Manager advising him of the damage caused to the poles by the snow plows. Additionally, the Board advised the Manager to inform the Town Manager that if this type of damage occurs again this winter, the Town Manager should inform the DPW Director that the DPW will be billed for replacement poles. Developer's Connection Charge: The Manager advised the Board that the cost per house lot for new underground subdivision, was approximately $1,350.00 per lot and for existing overhead lots the cost to tie in would be approximately $150.00. The Manager also stated that most heavy industrial users provide their own transformers, cable and labor so he didn't feel their should be a fee for industrial users. Commissioner Ronald stated that he wanted to recoup the capital costs associated with wiring a new subdivision so that the developers are paying the capital costs and that the rate payers are not subsidizing these costs through the rates. MOTION: All new residential underground subdivisions will be charged a fee of $1,350.00 per house lot for each Planning Board approved phase of the ' planned subdivision. Additionally, new construction which will require an overhead connection will be assessed a fee of $150.00 per house lot. This fee structure will take effect November 1, 1994. All fees are to be paid up front, prior to the Mansfield Electric Department beginning any work on the subdivision. Ronald/Robinson Vote 3 -0 The Manager suggested that this new policy be posted at the Building Department as soon as possible. Additionally, the Manager was requested to look at gray areas, such as existing unfinished phases of subdivisions, new commercial sites, etc. and report his recommendations to the Board by October 14, 1994. Customer Satisfaction Survey The Manager suggested that he mail out approximately 600 surveys to residential customers, providing return self - addressed stamped envelopes. This will be done prior to the next meeting. Conservation Program The Board requested that the Manager submit a complete program at the next meeting for approval. The Board want this to be completed and ready to roll out the new program at the next meeting. The Manager advised the Board that overtime work was primarily due to the following: 1) trouble 2) volume of work 3) nature of work i 4) storm trouble 5) accidents 6) squirrels 7) transformer failure In the long term, we have plenty of work, not overwhelming but enough to keep us busy. In the short term, work sometimes bunches up. Staggering shifts might affect overtime a little bit but the majority of overtime would still exist. Swing shift results in reduced visibility and productivity. A troublemen wouldn't save i you any money, because he could only take the calls and then call a crew in to repair the problem. The Manager doesn't feel the work load warrants another crew at this time. There are other less costly alternatives, such as adding an additional man or contracting out tree trimming if the work volume gets overwhelming. The Manager feels once you hire a crew your married to that crew and he doesn't feel he could cost justify a crew at this time. The Manager feels that the perception of excessive overtime by the Electric Department was stirred up by the Mansfield New article. The Manager feels that the results of the customer satisfaction survey will support his view that overtime is not an issue relative to the Electric Department. The Manager feels that he is efficiently operating the Electric Department in the most economical method. It was agreed that the Board would re- evaluate this issue after the completion of the customer satisfaction survey. The Manager presented a proposal to basically leave things as they are, or if the Board insisted that they would like a position created for Assistant Manager, he would recommend that Kym be awarded this position. The Chairman stated that he did indeed want an Assistant Manager's position created, but did not feel that Kym McGough was qualified for the position. The Chairman wants someone with both a business and an engineering background to fill this position. The Manager advised the Board that he felt that the technical expertise required was minimal and felt that the Acting Superintendent was performing the job functions extremely well. A lengthy discussion followed regarding what each Board member would like to see happen in regard to the Acting Superintendent's position. The Manager was instructed.to reorganize the department and present the proposed reorganization at the next scheduled meeting. MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 9:30 pm Ronald/Robinson a/ � - Jerk's signature & date klaniffil