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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin light commission 01/08/01 r! LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes January 8, 2001 RECEIV~D TO\~/I'! r, rp~<(C' O.F-FICE T - '. j --~ ~;' ,._ I., ,'le~; ;'..f '" o I FEB - 9 AN": 0 2 NANSFIElO Present: Chairman Brad Wills, Lou Amoruso, Dave McCarter, Dan Do~ACHUSETTS John D'Agostino, Town Manager Jack Beliveau, Director of Light Department Kimberly Stoyle, Financial Director Gary D' Ambra, Lineman 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance Minutes of December 4,2000. Motion: To approve the minutes of December 4,2000 as amended by Lou Amoruso, on page two, last paragraph, change the word "cliche" to glitch. Amoruso/Donovan 2-0 in favor, 2 abstentions Wills/McCarter. Motion passed. r Correspondence Letter was received from Jeffrey J. Siena, Chairman of the Airport Commission advising "as they are always seeking ways to create the safest conditions possible at the airport they are currently engaged in a program to remove obstructions". The Airport Commission is requesting that the present pole/mounted utility lines on the Fruit Street end of an active runway (04-22) that the lines be placed underground. Town Manager, D' Agostino advised he had a meeting with Mr. Fredette and several town staff members, including legal representation, this morning and it was his understanding that one of the issues with his new house being built is the overhead wires. The FAA may grant the height requirements as long as it does not encroach on the height zone. He has respectfully asked for some additional time before this vote is taken until he can get the issue with the property addressed. The Director felt they should move cautiously with this request because it could set a precedent for others to make the same request. It was also noted that because it is now winter nothing could be done until late spring, if the decision was made to do this. Discussion was held on the right of way where the wires are and if the department has the rights? The Director will investigate the ownership. The grass runway is short in length. There is question of whether they are going to move the runway and who will pay to bury the wires. The bottom line is FAA has to rule to approve the house. This item will be put on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting. 2. Questions and Comments The Director wanted to publicly recognize the line crew for a job well done. There have been a series of storms and the numbers of outages we've had were relatively minor. The Director attributes this to the dedication of hard work by our staff, which deserves them a r public acknowledgement. The Chairman also thanked them for the great job they are doing for our town. r Light Commissioners Page two January 8, 200 I 3. Light Department Director's Report Financial Report Kim Stoyle presented the Commissioners with the Financial Report for the month of November. Sales and consumption were both up. What hit hard was the purchased power which was up 38% over the prior year due to the high cost of oil; the Seabrook plant is still out and has been since the middle of October. The department earned a profit of $13k before payments in lieu of taxes. YTD net income before payments in lieu of taxes was $158k. Sales were up 20% over last year. The good news is December sales are up 28%. She advised the Commissioners to expect a hefty bill for December. The Department is still researching their bar coding system. They are waiting for Harris to update their system and make our program. r A discussion was held on the outlook for next year. The Director advised there is nothing but bad news. They have been forced to raise the PPCA by one cent as of January 1 st, which hopefully, if nothing else changes will bring the department onto a reasonable financial situation to allow them to make just under a million dollars to keep the construction programs going. At the present time they are purchasing power at the same price they are selling it to the customers. The Director advised they have cut everything that is prudent. Seabrook being down has cost the Department a considerable amount of money. MMWEC (Mass Municipal Wholesale Corp.) Management Changes The Director advised that this group was formed to purchase power in bulk. He noted they have a history of management changes, which he feels reflect the stability of the company. The Director has expressed his concerns at the recent meeting of BOD and will express his concerns in writing to MMWEC. Wireless Proposal The Director brought back before the Commissioners a discussion to have a wireless system in town, which would provide ancillary service as well as Internet services. It will embrace all municipal buildings with the capabilities to expand. This is a high-speed wireless system. The cost of total installation would be $100,000, which would include 20 municipal buildings. They would also offer an engineering study at the cost of $25,000, which if they decided to go forward with the system would be included in the total cost of $100,000. Discussion was held on the advantages of being "first kid on the block" with this system, and possible revenues this would open up for the town, r Commissioner McCarter is opposed to spending $25,000 for the study without more information, but not opposed to the idea. Motion: To go ahead with the study. Donovan/Amoruso 3 in favor 1 opposed (McCarter) Motion passes. r. Light Commissioners Page three January 8, 2001 Plant Building Replacement The Director has been offered the chance to purchase additional space in the existing building, which would solve a lot of long term space problems. The property is being offered below the appraised value of the property. The cost of building a new facility would be about three times the amount of the offered price to the Department. The Department will also have the option to purchase two other units within the next two years. The Director requested that the Commission appoint a task force to consider the options as he feels this is a unique opportunity. It was the consensus of the Commissioners not to form a task force, but that the Director can present to them the needs of the department. It will give us a place to store all our trucks indoors and also some of our materials. The property will only require minor modifications. Motion: To enter into a purchase and sale agreement subject to the approval of the Commissioners. McCarter/Amoruso 4-0 Motion passes. The Commissioners will set a time to meet and walk through the property. r The Director discussed with the Commissioners a letter from Dowditch & Dewey Attorneys regarding the expansion at the Gilbert Street Substation. As some of the construction is taking place by land owned by New England Power it was necessary for the Director to sign for the work permit. Work had to be stopped until the signature was received. They allowed the Director to sign the property access agreement and asked that the Commissioners vote to ratify the execution of the agreement. This agreement was reviewed by Jack Welsh Attorney. Motion: To endorse the actions taken by the Director on behalf of the Light Department and to certify competency of that vote be forwarded as requested. Amoruso/McCarter 4-0 all in favor. . Personnel Changes Jim Brinson is the new Financial Assistant and has been on board since December 18th. Jim is a retired Air Force Officer and is very well suited to the position. The Department is advertising for a Lineman, Financial Assistant, (to replace Jen Trask), and an entry- level meter reader. 4. Old Business Commissioner Donovan asked to review the vehicle list that had been requested by Commissioner Robinson. It appeared a few of the vehicles seem to need replacing, but they have low mileage. It was noted the mileage was probably incorrect. Also noted a lot ofthe vehicles were quite old. Present was Gary D' Ambra who went over the list with the Commissioners. Replacement requests will be presented in the budget request. r ,....-- , Light Commissioners Page four January 8, 2001 Commissioner Amoruso asked the status of the work of the substation on Gilbert Street and the status of what the impact will be on the housing development that borders it. The Director advised the transformer will arrive sometime in February. This will be a very active site over the next six months. There is still a discussion taking place with an abutter of the site who has about eight acres in front of the site. The offered price is quite reasonable taking into account the cost of house lots in town. The twenty-two houses that are being built are somewhat removed from the site. People have to be aware that a substation of this size will make noise and they should be aware of this before they purchase a home. Some type of fencing is to be erected with netting as joggers, dirt bikers, etc. use the area and the Department is concerned about safety. Chairman Wills asked that the Director send a letter to the Planning Board advising them of the location of the substation in relation to the twenty-two houses and the noise so that this comes out in their discussion of the development. r 5. New Business Chairman Wills advised the board that Commissioner Robinson would like to attend the American Power Conference in Washington. This is to be held in February. If Commissioner Robinson did attend he would probably get some useful information, as they would discuss what is going on in California. Motion: To approve the attendance of Commissioner Robinson at the APP A Conference in Washington. Amoruso/Donovan 3-1 McCarter opposed Motion passes. Date of Next Meeting Motion: To hold the next meeting February 5, 2001. DonovanlMcCarter 4-0 Motion passes. 6. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn. Donovan/McCarter 4-0 motion passes Meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted Deborah A. Button r ~~JldL Lou Amoruso - Clerk - Board of Light Commissioners ~I Date