Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm Minutes 7/8/1985BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING JULY 8, 1985 PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio, Commissioners Dunn, McNair, Mahana; Light Dept. Manager John Larch. Commissioner Levine arrived at 7:49 P.M. 7:30 P.M. Meeting called to order. Minutes of June 3, 1985 approved with two corrections. Street light conversion rationale for motion being cost of electricity being used while waiting for the grant. NEPPA annual manager's meeting is on page 2. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0. 7:30 - Karl Clemmey: Clemmey, Inc. Street Lights Mr. Clemmey was present with his attorney, Jerome Coogan to discuss the street lights on the private way leading into his establishment. Town Counsel was also present at this time. There are five street lights on the private way that should be paid for as security lights. At the present time, they are being paid for by the Town. Mr. Clemmey also has two flood lights in his possession that belong to the Electric Department. His contention was that the Electric Department loaned him the flood lights to use on his property. Mr. Clemmey claimed that the Town agreed to light the private way for him in 1974 and that he had paid $1400.00 for the cost of the installation of the lights, i.e. labor and materials. He had never received a bill for the cost of electricity for the lights on the private way, though. Mr. Larch suggested that Mr. Clemmey begin paying for the cost of electricity for the five lights on the private way, the Town recover the two flood lights loaned to Mr. Clemmey, and the Electric Department seek restitution for the years the lights were used and not paid for. Mr. Clemmey had copies of a letter from Town Manager Dennis Hannon dated 1/11/74 and a copy of a receipt from Treasurer Joan Cutillo dated 1/28/74 for $1400.00. He mentioned that he was not willing to pay for past electric service as he was never billed for the five lights. Town Counsel noted that there is a statute of limitations and the town would only be able to seek restitution for six years of the eleven years of service. The cost of service would be around $2,000. Mr. Clemmey noted that he came in because he thought he had an agreement with the Town for the lights and they had been shut off. It was agreed that Mr. Clemmey should pay for the five lights from the date he was notified and that he would come into the office and make application for the security lights. With regard to the two flood lights, Mr. Larch would rather have him pay a fair value for the lights outright instead of setting up a rental agreement for them. MOTION: To have the Manager get a fair value on the two security lights that are unmetered and sell them to Mr. Clemmey. Mahana /McNair VOTED: 5 -0. BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING JULY 8, 1985 PAGE 2 Commissioner Dunn would like to have the Light Department Manager re- view the files and DPU to see if there are other communities which have the same kind of situation of unbilled accounts and past due amounts to see if there is a precedent on it. * MOTION: To take it under advisement and to direct Town Counsel to get together with John Larch, J. Coogan and Karl Clemmey to reach an agreement on both sides. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 3 -2 Levine /Dunn opposed. Mr. McNair felt that Mr. Clemmey should not have to pay for something that was never billed. Mr. Dunn would like to speak to the DPU about the matter. 9:00 P.M. Mike Jones - MMWEC Mr. Jones had a power purchase agreement amendment for the Board which would allow MMWEC to comingle Mansfield's money for all agreements into one single account for prepayments to all projects. They are trying to get away from the banks and use the prepayments for working capital instead. There is concern on future lines of credit for MMWEC because of Seabrook and the tight money market. It is a 36 month.agreement which will cost Mansfield $8,326.83 per month. There is no minimum interest guarantee on the account and the Town will be charged for expenses to maintain the account, i.e. user fee. The Board would like to see some information on the cost data that MMWEC has for the amend- ment. * MOTION: That the Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the amendments as per the attached certificate. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -1 Levine opposed. Mrs. Levine felt that MMWEC should improve their communications with the Board and keep the Board more informed. New York power is coming to Mansfield now. Agreement for Hydro - Quebec II will be here after Labor Day. They will file for it on August 1. Ten year load forecast and supply plan has to be filed and MMWEC does that. 1st Quarter Financial Statements were discussed and there was a report on JW Collection Agency with their results. Truck Bid Award - Mr. Larch and Mr. Albertini went out to Sterling, NY to see a similar truck and he recommends the Board go with the low bidder for the material handling aerial lift truck which is Doering Equipment Co. at a bid price of $80,465. * MOTION: To award the bid for the bucket truck to Doering Equipment Co. at a price of $80,465. McNair / Mahana VOTED: 5 -0. Allan Jones will do an analysis on leasing vs. purchasing of it. BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING JULY 8, 1985 PAGE 3 Old Business - Commission * MOTION: To reconsider Karl Clemmey vote previously taken on Page 2 as he feels it is not right and they should drop it. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -1 Levine opposed. * MOTION: To rescind the original vote taken on Page 2. Mahana /McNair VOTED: 5 -0. * MOTION: To develop information from various sources having to do with this kind of situation including the DPU and make it available to the Board a week before the next meeting. Dunn /Levine VOTED: 5 -0. Notify Town Counsel, Clemmey and Coogan regarding their meeting. * MOTION: That the Manager come back to the Board with a report on security lights on private ways, Ryan & Elliot and CC &F park including any other parks around to see what kind of agreements were made back in 1974. McNair /Levine VOTED: 5 -0. Board would -like to know what was paid for and supplied by the Town and private contractors. Subdivisions should be checked also. New Business - Mr. Larch mentioned that in the 1985 budget there were funds for the national convention in Los Angeles that he did not attend and he would like to go to a NEPPA training school which deals with public pressure type situations. * MOTION: To approve transfer of funds for the NEPPA school. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0. Commissioner Dunn asked about the downtown situation. It is on hold as they are waiting for cable and more wires will be taken down from the poles. Commissioner McNair asked about Foxboro Terminals in the park and if there was power supply to support that. Mr. Larch felt are could supply power distribution, but in the late 80's we might have a power supply problem. A letter should be sent to the Planning Board regarding this. * MOTION: To direct the Manager to send the Planning Board a letter that in 1988 -1990 we will have a power problem. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0. Manager will get an analysis of power for the Board. BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING JULY 8, 1985 PAGE 4 Commissioner McNair mentioned that there was a discussion at a Selectmen's meeting with the Police Chief on vehicles. The Police Chief needs $2000. for a trade in on another car. The Electric Department car is currently being used by the DPW as it is only good for around town. They could trade in the Light Department car and keep the police car. It was suggested the Manager sell it to the Town for a fair market value. * MOTION: To direct the Light Department Manager to assess a fair market value on the car and make a transfer from the Electric Department to the Town for the car. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0. Town will use Light Dept. car and Bldg. Inspector's cars for trade in on a cruiser. Manager will speak to the Police Chief on it. * MOTION: To go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. McNair /Dunn Board polled 5 -0 and will only come out to adjourn. Executive session minutes are typed separately. Minutes approved as written. ( BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION JULY 8, 1985 PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio, Commissioners Dunn, McNair, Mahana, Levine Light Department Manager John Larch. Board was polled 5 -0 to enter into executive session to discuss contract negotiations. Mr. Larch noted that they would like a $75. work boot allowance with a total cost of $225. per year. They also want a $50. work boot allowance for meter readers and others at a yearly total of $250. Also included is a $3.50 meal allowance. Presently getting $3.00. There was also a rest time agreement between midnight and 8 AM or over 16 hours. They are looking for rest time during the day. Regarding increases, it came in at 8% across the board for all steps. There is also a stricter sick leave clause. Board suggested the Manager do an analysis on all proposals, 4, 5 and 6% increases and financial impact analysis. Current grievance is waiting arbitration. * MOTION: To go out of executive session. McNair /Dunn Board polled 4 -0. There being no further business, meeting was ADJOURNED at 11:24 P.M. McNair /Levine VOTED: 4 -0.