HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of light commission 08/11/03
': 1 ,':
('
Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting
August 11, 2003) ~"~
. (n
"'" .-.'..... '.er-l'e;:
I';..",., ..,.... ... .," ': ..,..1"."";
Present: Chairman Steven MacCaffrie; Vice Chairman b~vid McCari~;; Clerk Roger
Achille; Commissioner Louis P. Amoruso; Commissioner Michael W. McCue; 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 June 9, 2003 Regular Session
Motion: To approve MaCaffrie/McCue
Passes 3/0 w/2 abstentions
There was no July meeting
Questions and Comments
There were no questions or comments.
r Financial Report for June 2003
Chief Financial Officer, Kimberly Stoyle, reviewed the profit and loss statement and the
balance sheet for June. The net increase to surplus was $17.8 thousand with year to date
results of $752.2 thousand.
There were 16 outages for the month most were due to failed cutouts. Director Beliveau
noted that while it was originally our intent to issue a contract to replace all cutouts, the
union had objected and wished to keep the work in house. Director Beliveau noted that
the additional work might precipitate the need to add another crew as the current staff is
working 10-hour days plus call outs for emergencies. It is anticipated that the level of
work will continue for the foreseeable future.
CFO Stoyle also gave a major projects update. Commissioner McCarter questioned the
completion date of the work downtown to relocate telephone and cable TV. Gary
D' Ambra addressed the project stating it was scheduled for completion in November.
Commissioner McCarter asked who was in overall charge of coordination for the Town.
Director Beliveau stated that DPW director Lee Azinheira has a major role in the project,
as it is under his purview with respect to the application for utility locations in public
roads.
r"
E-billing research is nearing completion. Weare seeking a system that will allow
customers to access account information in real time and make payments over the
r
Internet. The system currently offered by the Town does not provide real time
information and delays posting payments for several days. Commissioner McCarter
noted we should do it once and do it right.
Director's Report
Commissioner MacCaffrie inquired about the transformer at the Erin Center. Manager
D' Agostino stated we need to resolve this issue. Director Beliveau noted that even
though the matter had been discussed in April, it was still an issue with the building
inspector because the Board had voted in 1988 regarding the placement of fences around
all transformers. Director Beliveau noted that the policy had been selectively applied, as
there were over 1000 oil filled pad mount transformers in Mansfield and fences around
only six. The Director stated that this was a matter of engineering design judgment and
should be decided on a case-by-case basis and not as a blanket policy, which created code
conflicts and safety hazards if applied universally as written.
The Board voted to rescind the policy of 1988 Achille/MacCaffrie 4-1 McCarter
dissenting.
r"
Director Beliveau discussed the Calpine power contract and the provision for placing a
bond in escrow should the credit rating of Calpine drop below investment grade. As this
had occurred negotiations with Calpine had ensured. Documents had been prepared to
have Calpine place up to $1 million in an escrow account to protect Mansfield's financial
interests.
The Board voted to empower Director Beliveau to negotiate and sign the necessary
documents with Calpine McCue/Achille 5-0
The Board voted to sign a certificate authorizing Director Beliveau to execute documents
to establish the escrow agreement and account Amoruso/McCue 5-0
Director Beliveau noted that North Attleboro had issued new rates. The most significant
provision of which was the charging of interest on over due accounts in the amount of
18% per annum. Director Beliveau noted it is unfair to most customers when a few
customers, who can afford to pay their bill, take advantage ofDTE regulations preventing
shut offs in the winter and simply do not pay their bill for six months with no penalty.
Commissioner McCue suggested interest rates closer to 12% might be appropriate after a
bill was over due for 60 - 90 days. The matter was left for future discussion.
Director Beliveau discussed our "dig safe" policy. Unlike other utilities, we have been
conducting dig safes on private property to construction of projects such as swimming
pools. The frequency of these requests has increased by several hundred percent in
recent years. The Board asked director Beliveau to prepare a report of the frequency and
cost of these dig safes for further discussion.
r
2
('
r
r"
~
Old Business
Commissioner McCarter noted there were too many light poles on North Main street and
asked if it were possible to plant trees in place of several of the poles. Gary D' Ambra
noted that the logistics of splicing through the conduit with tree roots in the way would be
extremely difficult.
New Business
Commissioner Amoruso asked if financial information could be shared with the finance
committee. Director Beliveau stated that all financial information regarding budgets,
balance sheets and capital projects is contained in our monthly reports presented to the
Board of Light Commissioners. Director Beliveau stated he will provide copies to the
finance committee on a monthly basis and invited members of the finance committee to
visit the Department any time they wished.
The date for the next meeting was set for Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 7:30
immediately prior to the Selectmen's meeting.
Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn the Light Commissioner's meeting at 9:20
Passes 5/0
3