HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of light commission 05/12/03
r
Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting
May 12, 2003
I ,~,
1J
10: 02
Present: Chainnan Louis P. Amoruso; Vice Chainnan MichadlI/ili"Mbc~~;;:ciil&
Steven Mac Caffri e; Commissioner David McCarter; Director Jack Beliveau; Chief
Financial Officer Kimberly Stoyle and Town Manager John D' Agostino
Light Commissioners Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 followed by the pledge of allegiance.
Minutes of April 14, 2003 Regular Session
Motion: To approve
Passes 4/0
Questions and Comments
There were no questions or comments.
Robotics Presentation
Engineer Ann Langille spoke on behalf of the Mansfield High School F.I.R.S.T. Robotics
r Team, explaining that F.I.R.S.T. represents "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology". She introduced the student advisor, Jim Carver-Brown who made
some brief remarks about the team. She also introduced team members John Cogswell,
Tim Hawes, Chris George and Paul Callanan who gave a demonstration and showed a
video which was taken at a competition. Engineer Langille presented certificates of
achievement to each of the team members, as well as a plaque to Chainnan Amoruso
which Engineer Langille had previously accepted at the Robotics banquet.
Financial Report for March 2003
Chief Financial Officer, Kimberly Stoyle, reviewed the profit and loss statement and the
balance sheet for March. Total metered sales for March were $2,082k and total power
production expense was $1,281k, down 12% which is good news. Net income for the
month was $385k while net increase to surplus was $343k. The balance sheet showed
nothing significant.
There were 7 outages for the month, 3 were due to squirrels.
CFO Stoyle gave a major projects update. A date of August 2003 has been set for the E-
Billing to begin. She is currently meeting with various vendors and making price
comparisons. Also, the monthly automatic credit card payment project is complete. It
has been tested and is working.
r
r T
r
Engineer Ann Langille spoke about Plant & Equipment major projects. The Storage
Expansion at Gilbert St. Substation should be completed by the end of the week.
Comcast is done with their part of the North Main St. project. The sidewalk is complete
at the West St. Expansion, loaming and seeding have begun and splicing will begin next
week. The telephone and cable lines need to be removed from the poles on the School
St./Elm St. Bridges so that the poles can come down.
Commissioner McCarter asked if there were any future projects being considered?
Director Beliveau answered there would be work on School St. but it was approximately
2 years away, after the bridges are completed. Also, a new substation, a project which
would be about 5 years away. Clerk MacCaffrie believes that money should be put aside
for capital projects down the road.
Director's Report
Director Beliveau reported that social services made a request for an additional $10,000
for heating assistance. He pointed out that this winter was 25% colder and the cost of
fuel did go up. The funding was already increased earlier this year from $20,000 to
$30,000. This addition would bring it to a total of $40,000.
Motion: To fund an additional $10,000 for heating assistance
Passes 4/0
r
Director Beliveau stated that the deterioration of downtown street lighting poles needs to
be addressed. The fiber glass poles made to look like cast iron are glued to a base which
is deteriorating. Also, after being hit time after time with the snow plow, 21 poles are
ready to fall and immediate action is needed. Foreman Gary D' Ambra stated that 2 poles
have already fallen over and wants to proceed ASAP in taking down 21 poles. Town
Manager John D' Agostino was in agreement.
Director Beliveau announced there would be an outage the next day, May 13, on West St.
between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
He thanked Engineer Ann Langille for her time and effort with the Robotics team. He
also thanked Shephard's Florist for making up the yellow bows for the streetlights.
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
r
Commissioner McCarter recommended that the PILOT for next year be taken into
consideration at this time since this was the last Light Commissioner's meeting before the
Town meeting regarding next year's budget. Chainnan Amoruso suggested that the
amount be increased from $300,000 to $480,000. Director Beliveau said the increase of
2
. ,
,
$180,000 would be acceptable for 1 year but not long-term. Both Vice Chairman McCue
r and Commissioner McCarter reiterated that it was just for one year.
r
r
Motion: For the July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 PILOT, to advance $180,000 in equal
payments over the fiscal year
Passes 4/0
Commissioner McCarter made a plea to the Town employees asking for more flexibility
on their part regarding the budget for the next fiscal year. He stated that the Board is
doing the best that they can and they are now spending more Light Dept. funds and have
also taken more than they wanted to from the Stabilization fund.
On his last night as Chairman of the Light Commissioners, Lou Amoruso thanked
Director Beliveau, CFO Stoyle, Foreman D' Ambra and Engineer Langille for all their
hard work.
The date for the next meeting was set for Monday, June 9, 2003 at 7:30.
Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn the Light Commissioner's meeting at 8:45
Passes 4/0
Respectfully submitted: Jacqueline Lee 6/9/03
~--P~
Signature of Clerk
/I.
~ (...,.., "'j
b/91or;r
#' (
Date of Approval
3