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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of light com 11/6/2000 . I . r' Light Commissioners TOWN ~t~~kvlgFF ICE Minutes November 6, 2000 00 DEC - 6 AM": 4 9 Present: Chairman, Brad Wills, Dave McCarter, Dan Donovan, and Lou A~?I?WltlD Town Manager, John D' Agostino, MASSACHUSETTS Jack Beliveau, Director, Light Department Kimberly Stoyle, Accounting Officer, Light Department. Light Department Engineer- Ann Langille 1. The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion: To approve the minutes of the meeting of October 2, 2000. Amoruso/McCarter Passes all in favor (4-0). 2. Questions and Comments - none 3. Department Director's Report 4. A. Financial Report Compliments were given to Kim for her report cover and collage of pictures. Financial Report for September was handed out to all members (see report). Purchase power was up 29%. The department earned a profit in the month of September of $106k before payment in lieu of taxes with a net increase to surplus after payment in lieu of $68k. It was noted that that the primary reason for a positive YTD net income is the Millstone Settlement that was received in September of $415k which has been noted on the statement of income and surplus under miscellaneous credit to surplus. The balance sheet and summary was reviewed. (' A discussion was also held on the increase of accounts receivable. The termination process is ending November 15th but we have been firm and people have been meeting their obligations. B. Project Status - Presented by Ann Langille (memo attached) We have had a lot of projects go out to bid. All bids have been received for equipment and work at Gilbert Street. The rest of the projects are pretty much in line as to the amount we had estimated. One project, which is complete, is the new High Street transformer, which is now in service and supplying. - The bids for Gilbert Street did come in 30-40% higher than estimated. This was due to market conditions and the high demand for construction contractors. Because of the unexpected rise in the bids they will spread out some of the other 11. 1 r Light Commissioners Page Two November 6, 2000 B. Project Status - Ann Langille (Cont) projects for perhaps another year. They are happy with the low bidder. All other projects came in line with the estimates. A brief discussion was held on safety improvements. The Light Department will do the timing and implementation of this. Forty-six items were identified of which many were transformers. Some very nice comments and compliments were given to Ann, which came from someone who works in the North Attleboro Power Department. (" PPCA This has been stable about two months in a row, but had to increase by a tenth of a cent to account for the Seabrook and Stonybrook outage. We are not making money, but are holding. Do not see going up much more at all over the next few months. Oil and natural gas prices will factor in. Increases have been reasonable because 65% of revenue comes from the industrial customers. It is basically the same everywhere else. Projections for 2001 seem to be relatively flat. MMWEC Our power rates have stabilized. That is the best we can say at this point. The Director feels our rates are a little low to support the projects and stay healthy. The Commissioners may have to take a look at the rate within the next few months. Street Light Update Twice a year we survey all the street lights in town and make replacements. They found about 100 streetlights that had failed. About 200 lights a year fail. If in two weeks customers see lights that have failed they should notify the Light Department. Heating Assistance Department This is handled by Social Services and they will pay 50% of heating or electric bill. Residents in need of Social Services should contact them directly. Also available to town residents is the Salvation Army Good Neighbor. Lori Anderson in Jack's office is the contact. They will provide up to $275. Per family. The Light Department Newsletter will have the income limits. This is another resource to those needing assistance. -.... Auditors The Director advised the Commissioners that the contract has expired with Goulet and Assoc. The Commissioners need to select or renew the contract as they work directly for the Commissioners. They have given us a quote which represents a 3% annual increase. They have had the contract for . , . . . ~ . r- Light Commissioners Page three November 6, 2000 Auditors (cont) three years. Discussion was held on the merits of bringing in a new firm versus the firm familiar with the Commissioners. The amount of increase seemed reasonable to the Commissioners. This was compared with the last proposal and this was 10% less than that number. Discussion was held on a three-year contract versus year to year. It was noted that firms of this type are limited in numbers. Each firm might handle 10 accounts as they are specialized. Other firms will be looked at for the next three year review. Motion: To retain the firms of Goulet and Associates as auditors for the Board of Commissioners for three years. Donovan/McCarter 4-0 motion passes 5. Old Business Discussion was held on holiday lights. The only problem is the North Common. The holiday season lighting is temporary wiring and ends staying up so the Light Department is not sure if we have time to rewire this. This all ties in with the train station project. The lighting has been up for three years and could be a safety hazard. (' 6. New Business The light for under the railroad bridge is on order. Lights at tennis courts. Who is responsible? They are on a timer. Does not make much sense to have them on this time of year. Consideration will be given to establishing a policy that states after November 15th that lights that support summer activities should be turned off. Discussion was also held on having a switch that could be turned off and on. There is a light off Court Street C78 that was humming very loud. It may not be burning out just the amount of vibration. The Light Department will check. Next meeting December 4, 2000. 7. Adjournment Motion to adjourn to Executive Session. McCarterlDonovan. Motion passed 4/0. Respectfully submitted. Deborah Button -.. ~/~ ~- /2./lf(oo 1 ]1.