HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of light commission 02/03/03
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Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting
February 3, 2003
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Present: Chairman Louis P. Amoruso; Vice Chairman Michael W. McCue; Clerk
Steven MacCaffrie; Commissioner Daniel Donovan; Director Jack Beliveau; Chief
Financial Officer Kimberly Stoyle and Town Manager John D' Agostino
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Light Commissioners Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 followed by the pledge of allegiance.
Minutes of January 6, 2003 Regular Session
Motion: To approve
Passes 4/0
Questions and Comments
There were no questions or comments.
Financial Report for December 2002
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Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Stoyle reviewed the profit and loss statement and the
balance sheet for December. Total metered sales for December were $2,039k and total
power production expense was $1,244k. Net income for the month was $337k while net
increase to surplus was $262k. The YTD net income is $2,152k and YTD net increase to
surplus is $1 ,482k.
Town Manager D' Agostino questioned the decrease in the depreciation fund. CFO
Stoyle explained it was due to capital projects. Chairman Amoruso asked if there was
less jobbing? CFO Stoyle answered there was not and that the year-end entry would
adjust that figure.
There were 6 outages for the month, 3 were due to squirrels.
CFO Stoyle also gave a major projects update. We have contacted 10 bidders on the e-
billing project. Ms. Stoyle reported that the Light Dept. has the software for the monthly
automatic payments with credit cards. It needs to be installed and then training
implemented. She will meet with everyone involved including those at the Treasurer's
office.
Engineer Ann Langille expanded on the major projects update. She reported that there is
no change with the storage expansion project at Gilbert St. Substation except the
r relocation of poles from DPW. AT&T will be holding a meeting for all downtown
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business owners regarding the North Main St. project. Our goal is to maintain the April 1
start date. Manager D' Agostino stated that 2 crews would be working on this project. He
added that they have been asked to put extra conduit in for municipal use, and in the
event of expansion, it would not be necessary to dig up the street again. Engineer
Langille continued with the West St. expansion project. Final phases should be complete
in the spring. She stated that the Light Dept.'s work at School St. is complete and all
other proj ects are on track.
CFO Stoyle reviewed the open purchase order list. Director Beliveau explained, using
Asplundh as an example, it is more efficient and economical to use Asplundh for tree
trimming rather than have linemen do the work. As tree trimming is all they do,
Asplundh is better at it and they are also on a different pay scale.
Director's Report
Director Beliveau reviewed the 2002 budget and the preliminary budget for 2003. The
overall picture for 2003 is generally the same as for 2002, with 2002 net income at
$1,782k and 2003 at $1,860k. The net increase to surplus for 2002 was $1,302k and for
2003 it's projected as $1,374. He explained that the Light Dept. is trying to pay down
stranded investment and then will attempt a pay as you go basis for new construction
without borrowing.
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Motion: To accept the 2003 budget
Passes 4/0
Director Beliveau distributed charts published by MMWEC, which show rate
comparisons among municipal light departments. Mansfield Electric ranks in the middle
ofthe pack demonstrating that the town's rates are fair.
Engineer Ann Langille gave a presentation on the Gilbert St. Substation repair project to
replace 30-year-old switchgear. The equipment is deteriorating, control cables are rodent
damaged then short out and there is a fear of failure of the whole unit because of its age.
The cost to extend the life of this unit is $500,000 to $700,000 and it is not worth it. Her
recommendation is to remove the existing switchgear and replace it with one identical to
the newer one. The costs will be approximately $1,835,000. With a start date of March
2003, a realistic completion date would be March 2004. Chairman Amoruso inquired as
to how this would be financed? Director Beliveau said from the depreciation fund.
Chairman Amoruso also asked about the possibility of going from 4 transformers to 3
transformers so that 1 could be moved to East Mansfield? Manager D' Agostino stated
that is 5 years away.
Motion: To fund 1.8 million for the Gilbert St. Substation repair
Passes 4/0
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