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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLC_03_16_2016Light Commission Minutes March 16, 2016 Present: Jess Aptowitz, Chairman; Olivier Kozlowski, Vice Chairman; FrClerk; Doug Annino, George Dentino and William Ross, Town Manager and J-06� -.,�MAlED ,2 1 4- Director. Chairman Aptowitz called the meeting to order at 9 3 7p.m. The Chairman rcmind ed veryone that the meeting is being broadcast live and Wed for future broadcast on,.M- "-.,a �- J"W-T Motion: To approve Board Minutes of October 26, 2015 and January 27, 2016 (DelVecchio/Kozlowski) PASSES 5:0 None. a. Review and Approve 2015 Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Report Mr. Sollecito noted this is an annual calendar year report that all utility companies must file. He has reviewed and found the report to be in order. Motion.* To approve the 2015 Department of Public Utilities Report (Kozlowski/Annino) PASSES 5:0 b. Review and Approve Change of MMWEC Designation of Voting Representative and Alternate from Gary Babin to Joseph M. Sollecito, Esq. and William Ross Motion: To approve the change (DelVecchio/Annino) PASSES 5:0 C. Review and Approve Pole Attachment Agreement for AT&T Mr. Sollecito explained that agreements are in place with several vendors (Comcast, Verizon) where the Town charges a pole fee. The current fee is $.88 per pole for jointly owned poles per quarter and $1.75 per pole for solely owned poles per quarter. The reasoning behind this particular agreement is due to AT&T wanting to attach 56 poles connecting two points in Foxboro that will go through Mansfield. This would just be a formality and the Commission has been provided a map identifying the locations. The fees Will not change. Motion: To approve Pole Attachment Agreement for AT&T (DelVeccho/Kozlowski) PASSES 5:0 d. Review and Discussion of Double Pole Locations in Town of Mansfield Mr. Sollecito reported there to be 12 double pole locations in Town. He noted that the Mass Electric poles (referencing six) would be cleaned up shortly and he will continue the effort to .I. -- communicate with Verizon to do the same. Mr. Sollecito noted there is a State wide liability concern but did not feel the Town's situation to be concerning. Mr. Ross also noted that the Town is in the minority with regards to the number of double poles. Light Commission Meeting March 16, 2016 Page I of 3 e. Review and Discussion of Proposed East Mansfield Substation Conduit and Manhole Work Scheduled for Summer., 2016 Mr. Sollecito reminded this project will connect the Bird Road Substation with the Gilbert Street Substation with underground network. The Phase III portion is on Copeland Road (paper) where the majority of easements are in place. There is about a mile worth of duct work where brush will be cleared creating a path to then bury the work with an estimated cost of $800,000. f. Review and Discussion of Proposed Solar Farm. at Capped Landfill Mr. Sollecito explained this was a solar projected proposed a while ago that fell through due to pricing and since that time, on the same electrical circuit a new solar project (Branch Street Solar) has been approved. He noted the particular circuit involved,- 2W 1, is lightly loaded and from the standpoint of adding more capacity to a circuit that is already lightly loaded could cost problems with relaying and power flow. Mr. Sollecito felt a study is in order and depending on speed of completion felt the Town could have an answer within a couple of months. Mr. Ross explained that this dates back approximately four years where the original project fell through and now the market indicates it is appropriate for the Town to consider taking proposals again on the site (former landfill Mansfield Green). Mr. Ross asked if the Commission would like to pursue taking proposals on the landfill and if the answer is yes a circuit study would then be in order. Chairman Aptowitz, asked if monies would be expended to which Mr. Ross stated the work could be done in house. Mr. Dentino, would like to see the design. Mr. DelVecchio, as he was not a member of the Commission then,, asked if there was a study/analysis for this being the best use for that land. Mr. Ross noted there was not but that in the general scheme of things, due to the previous use, there are limitations as to what it could be used for but referenced that old landfills are good locations for solar farms because there are no trees. The consensus of the Commission was to conduct an in house study. 9. Review and Discussion of Emergency Outage Messaging on NEVED Phone System Mr. Sollecito explained when customers call reporting an outage it is important to have a live person answer the phone. Mr. Sollecito felt the current system to be solid as the customer has the opportunity to speak to staff (four personnel) or during off hours to connect to Mansfield Police Dispatch. To further improve customer service and reduce inquiry time, Mr. Sollecito reviewed the processing of calls during an outage/emergency and with the assistance of MIS and Carousel Industries was able to add functionality to the phone system to allow MMED employees to create an emergency message during lame scale outages. Customers will be able to hear information pertinent to their area and assurances that MMED is aware of the problem and customers with more critical information Will now be able to get to a live person more expediently. Mr. Kozlowski asked how reactive MMED is with regards to information via website and social media. Mr. Ross felt that Twitter would be the more effective route as media outlets pick that up quickly and get the information out there. h. Review and Discussion of Com nercial Deposit Policy and Possible Removal of Autopay In Lieu of Deposit Waiver Light Commission Meeting March 16, 2016 Page 2 of 3 Chairman Aptowitz asked for this discussion explaining the current policy is if a commercial customer is on a direct debit autopay payment the deposit is therefore waived. The Chairman believes this to be a flawed policy as if the company leaves or is bankrupt the Town loses out. Mr. Sollecito noted that residential customers have regulatory protections where when arrears occur there is a waiting period, notices and a short window to terminate services and this does not exist on the commercial side where the Town can terminate services immediately. Mr. Sollecito noted that for commercial businesses since July, 2008 there have been 139 customers taking advantage of the auto pay option with only 4 leaving balances. The Chairman's concern is with past history where there have been smaller businesses that have owed the Town a lot of money which had to be written off. Mr. Sollecito believes it is the job of the Department to ensure collections. Chairman Aptowitz is also concerned about the hardship for residents to come up with such a large deposit. Mr. Sollecito noted that the Department has hired a position to focus solely on collections and suggested continued careful monitoring. He would notify the Commission immediately if a string of delinquencies occurred. The Commission was comfortable with that. i. Review and Discussion of MMED Receiving Exceptional System Reliability Recognition From American Public Power Association (APPA) For 2015 Mr. Sollecito noted this is an outstanding report from the APPA crediting Chris Cox and staff for continued reporting of statistics. Mr. DelVecchio asked that the award be announced via social media. Mr. Kozlowski asked for the percentage of utilities that are awarded. Mr. Sollecito would follow U -D. Mr. Dentino, spoke volumes of the great work done by all of the employees of LIMED. Mr. Sollecito stated that in the three weeks since he has been here the staff and communication amongst departments has been incredible. Mr. Annino felt the Town to be spoiled noting the behind the scenes dedication. Mr. DelVecchio appreciated the amount of work accomplished at this evening's meeting. Chairman Aptowitz would like to hear some ideas from Mr. Sollecito reaardina calculations of the PILOT. None. Motion: To adjourn the Light Commission meeting at 10.-20PM (DelVecchio/Kozlowski) PASSES 5:0 Vti:Gfivw Signature of Clerk /tdw Light Commission Meeting March 16, 2016 Page 3 of 3 `7 Date of Approval