HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 4-19-1976Board of Light Commissioners
Minutes of the Meeting
April 19, 1976
Present: Commissioners DeLong, Caponigro, Colella, Clemmey, and Titus;
Light Department Manager Dennis A. Hannon;
Light Department Director James F. Hall;
Light Department Office Manager Geraldine Lemieux
The Board of Selectmen as Light Commissioners met with the Department
Manager Dennis Hannon, Department Director Hall, and Office Manager
Geraldine Lemieux to discuss items solely-related to the Electric De-
partment.
In the first item of business, the Commissioners discussed the recent
problem with apartment units owned by Fox Run Realty, Inc. where the
meter .socket had been by- passed and power had been provided unknowingly.
This customer had a previous arrearage of $454.02 in addition to the
Department's estimate that $642.47 had been the cost for labor and mate-
rials to replace secondary cables and repair the damaged transformers.
The damage was attributable to unmetered power supply to these units.
Also, the Light Department had estimated an expense of $813.60 for
electric consumption in November and December for the six units. A
negotiated settlement had been worked out with an attorney from Fox Run
and by Town Counsel; but to this date the agreed amount had not been re-
ceived. The Board recommended that the Town immediately remove electric
service lines to any of the units where possible and wanted information
on whether occupancy permits for these units could be revoked.
The Board reviewed bids received for the replacement of the bucket truck.
The Board is concerned about the condition of the existing bucket truck
and there was general agreement that it wise to accept the trade -in price,
rather than the Town transferring this piece of equipment to the Fire De-
partment. Commissioner Clemmey moved and Commissioner DeLong seconded,
that the Town purchase the new bucket truck 'based on the bid received from
the Doering Equipment Company, and that the trade -in price of the existing
truck be accepted as part of that purchase. The motion passed 3 -0, with
Selectman Titus not present for the vote, and the Chairman abstained.
The Board discussed the alternatives on awarding the approximate $75,000
to $80,000 rebate expected to be received as settlement of the R -9 rate
increase. The rate has been in effect from July 1, 1975, to December 1,
1975. The Town converted to Contract Demand agreement for the purchase
of electricity from NEPCO.
Selectman DeLong moved, and Selectman Caponigro seconded, that the approxi-
mate amount of $75,000 to $80,000 would be appropriated to the Town for the
purpose of reducing the expected tax rate increase, with the condition that
this use of the rebate would be acceptable to D.P.U. regulations. The
motion carried 3 -0, with Selectman Titus not present and Chairman Colella
abstaining from the vote.
Selectman DeLong moved, and Selectman Caponigro seconded that the Electric
Department appropriate $80,000 to the Town as its contribution in lieu of
taxes. The motion carried 3 -0, with Selectman Titus not present, and the
Chairman abstaining from the vote.
Manager Hannon stated that he would submit recommendations at the next Light
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Board of Light Commissioners
Minutes of the Meeting
April 19, 1976
Page 2
Commissioners meeting for quarterly amounts to be set in a depreciation
fund, either at the 30 or 5% allowable for depreciation level.
Concerning the quarterly depreciation fund, Commissioner Clemmey moved
and Commissioner Caponigro seconded that an additional $8,000 be invested
from the Guarantee Deposit Fund. The motion carried 3 -0. The objective
is to offset the interest payments made to customers with guarantee deposits
with an equal or greater amount received as interest from the investments
of deposit funds.
The Commissioners also began a discussion of master metering versus indi-
vidual metering in major apartment complexes. Chairman Colella permitted
Mrs. Margot Jellinek to ask whether the Light Commissioners have heard of
a new State law which required individual metering. Light Director James
Hall said that he was not aware of any such law but would check out her
comment. The Board desired additional information concerning average con-
sumption and billing costs related to these units. Also, Manager Hannon
stated that he and Mr. Hall would have additional information about compu-
terized billing for the replacement of the existing machine for billing.
All other business concluded, Commissioner Clemmey moved and Commissioner
DeLong seconded, that the meeting be adjourned.
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