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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 1/6/1986v BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 6, 1986 TOWN CLEF PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio, Commissioners McNair and Dunn. Commissioners Mahana and Levine were not present. 7:30 P.M. Meeting called to order. * Minutes of November 4, 1985, approved. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0. Distribution Planning Study - Contract Award Mr. Peter Thalmann was present from Power Line Models, Inc. to review their proposal for engineering services for a distribution planning study for the Town. Mr. Larch recommended this proposal because of its thoroughness in detail of work and design criteria, years of experience and low bid price. Mr. Larch noted that the study was needed because of a lack of growth capacity in the town, excessive system losses due to lack of capa- citors, unbalanced system load and excess outages for operation switching. * MOTION: That we support the Electric Department Manager's recommendation to award the bid to Power Line Models, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $21,000. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0. Mark Magyar from M.M.W.E.C. was scheduled on the agenda this evening but could not make it. 1986 Budget Board members reviewed the Electric Department budget with the Manager. Mr. Larch noted that the biggest increase is in purchased power because of Seabrook billing that we pick up in January. There was a short dis- cussion on the 923 account including computer mapping. Manager suggested that the Board raise the depreciation rate from 3% to 5% for 1985. The payment in lieu of taxes should be around $115,000. * MOTION: That the Board reconsider the payment in lieu of taxes and bring it more in line with the net value of the plant times the cost of the tax rate. D'Onofrio /Dunn Withdrawn Board members suggested that they get a recommendation Irmo the Board of Assesors to get the fair value of the light plant. * SUBSTITUTE MOTION: To receive from the Assessor's Office an indication of the value of the light plant to better understand what the true tax value is using the same criteria that is used for the rest of the town. D'Onofrio/ Dunn VOTED: 3 -0. Mr. Larch mentioned that there was a $200,000 refund from Sears Island which was cancelled. MOTION: To eliminate two vacant 3rd class lineman positions from plant personnel and put the line item to $424,600. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0. BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 6, 1986 PAGE 2 * MOTION: To approve the 1986 Electric Department budget as submitted with the desire of the Commissioners to receive information on data processing equipment and buildings and grounds account. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0. The Manager did not have any Old Business this evening. Old Business - Commissioners Commissioner McNair asked about the cost of installation of new street lights on Main Street and underground cable. Commissioner Dunn also asked about getting the telephone poles out of the street and putting the lights on. * MOTION: To direct the Electric Department Manager to finish the down- town project by the end of January. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0. Commissioner McNair mentioned that they should have a recommendation for the Manager's contract at the next meeting. MOTION: That we adjust the depreciation account for 1985 from 3% to t 5 %. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0. New Business - Manager Mr. Larch noted that we would be receiving a savings of around $40,000 per month because of the PASNY power. By law, it has to be returned to the residential customers. * MOTION: To instruct the Electric Department Manager to apply any PASNY savings in power supply costs to the lower blocks of the residential rates. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0. * There being no further business, the meeting was ADJOURNED at 11:00 P.M. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0. as written. H. McNair, Clerk LIGHT COMMISSIONERS EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 15, 1986 PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio; John McNair, Norman Mahana, John Dunn, Sandra Levine Norm Mahana and John McNair wanted to report on the preliminary discussion they had had with John Larch concerning his contact. The options were: - One year contract with 2'2 base and up to 3j, on base, merit increase; plus one additional week vacation. - Two year contract with 32' base and up to 2}, on base, merit increase the second year, plus one additional week vacation for a total of 4 weeks. - Three options pertaining to a vehicle: - Buy him a car - $100 /month for use of his own car, plus reimbursement for any out -of -town expense, which would include the Holyoke trip. - $150 /month and he absorb total cost of out -of -town and in- town travel - approximately $1800 per year., John Larch prefers the third option on the vehicle; this will eliminate the tax charge and paper work, etc. A clause requiring thirty (30) days notice from John Larch on a one -year contract; if the Town wishes to terminate, it will give him ninety(90) days notice. Norm and John expressed concern with setting a precedent with a merit increase; Sandy Levine reinforced it. She said an evaluation is actually the same thing. Asked about the reason for a one -year contract, was John Larch possibly looking to move after one more year. Chairman D'Onofrio asked about a third year. Norm and John McNair said John Larch said he had looked around and was comfortable staying here. John Larch did not ask for a third year. Norm said maybe they should discuss a third year with him. It was then suggested, possibly a three year, one year renewable contract, or two year, one -year renewable - annually renewable two or three year contract. Or, a two year contract with a one -year renewable for two years. Norm and John reported that during discussion John Larch brought up the Allan Jones issue; he was told they did not want to discuss that with his contract discussion. * MOTION: To complete negotiations for a two -year contract with 2 '2/3 '2, 3J/21, $150 /month car allowance and four weeks vacation per year. Language changes to be worked out later and to be approved at the next Light Commissioners' meeting. Dunn /Levine VOTED: 5 -0. MANSFIELD BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS A G E N D A JANUARY 6, 1986 1. 7:30 P.M. Meeting Called To Order 2. Minutes of November 4, 1985 3. Mark Magyar - M.M.W.E.C. 4. Distribution Planning Study - Contract Award 5. 1986 Budget 6. Old Business - Manager - Commissioners 7. New Business - Manager - Commissioners 8. Adjournment