HomeMy WebLinkAboutLC_10_26_2015Mansfield Municipal Electric Department
Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting
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October 26, 2015
Present: Chairman Jess Aptowitz, Vice Chairman Olivier Kozk�� dierk'
DelVecchio, Commissioner George Dentino, Director Gary Babin, Financiat- rAssistant
Jacqueline Lee, Staff Accountant Kenneth Thomson, Town Accountant John,'tnroo kLL d
Town Manager William Ross
The meeting was held at the Mansfield Town Hall Room 3AB and called to order at 7:00 PM
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A complete copy of the Board packet containing all
documents that are referenced in the minutes is on file at the Mansfield Electric Department
office.
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Motion: To enter into executive session for the following purposes.
aQ Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch.164, Section 47D and M.G.L. Ch. 30A, Section 21,
Exception 10, to discuss trade secrets or confidential, competitively sensitive
or other proprietary information related to Massachusetts Municipal
wholesale Electric Company (MMwEC) proposal for the purchase of energy
and capacity output the disclosure of which will adversely affect the
Commission's ability to conduct business in relation to other entities.
b. To approve minutes of the January 21, 2015 Executive Session at which the
Commission invoked Exception No. 3 (Discuss Strategy with Respect To
Collective Bargaining) related to MMED IBEW Local 104 Financial
Assistants and Professional Units, as an Open Meeting May Have a
Detrimental Effect on Bargaining and the Chair So Declared*
(DelVecchio/Kozlowski) DelVecchio (AYE), Dentino (AYE), Kozlowski (AYE), Aptowitz
(AYE) PASSES 4/0
Open Session resumed at 8:10
FY15 MMED Audit- Michael Nelligan from Powers & Sullivan, LLC reviewed the FY15
MMED audit. He told the Board that the audit went smoothly and MMED Accountant Ken
Thomson had a good package ready for them. He stated that there were no issues and
everything was balanced. Aside from the pension information, which was beyond their
control, they got everything they needed in a timely manner.
Mr. Nelligan then highlighted the changes in the audit report. He explained that the
document, which used to be an unqualified report, is now an unmodified report. Revenue and
expense categories are broken into more detail than they were before. There was good
positive cash flow through operating activities. There was a positive change in cash of $1.7
million. There is also a category for deferred inflows and outflows which is a new category
and is related to pensions. Mr. Nelligan explained the inflows and outflows are not
considered assets or liabilities and really are their own category.
Director Babin questioned whether the Bristol County Retirement Board will hold them up
every year going forward. Mr. Nelligan answered no; he does not expect this to be a problem
in the future.
Mr. Nelligan said that the biggest thing that happened with the pension disclosures was the
$2.9 million dollar liability that came on the books. In the past it was just simply recorded as
a footnote disclosure. Now it is a real liability recorded on the books.
Motion: To accept the FY15 MMED Audit
(DelVecchio/Kozlowski) Passes 4/0
Chairman Aptowitz thanked Mr. Nelligan and MMED Accountant Ken Thomson for all of
their hard work, saying that he appreciated it.
There was a discussion about the PILOT payment. Mr. Nelligan was asked if he has a policy
on how to calculate the PILOT payment. He explained that if the amount of the payment is
based on a methodology of services provided then it is an above the line expense. If the Town
just sets a number then it gets recorded below the line. He also noted that it does not factor
into rates. He thinks that most of his clients use the dart board method when determi '
their PILOT amount. Commissioner Dentino believes in using actual costs as they are doing
in other areas of the Town. Chairman Aptowitz thinks there should be a methodology for
calculating the PILOT and asked the Board to think about this for the upcoming budget
season.
Branch Street Solar Project- Town Manager Ross told the Board that although they had
hoped to discuss and approve the final Development Agreement, Purchased Power Agreement
and Interconnection Agreement for the Branch Street Solar Project, the agreements were not
yet ready. He told them they would be unable to take a vote this evening.
Director Babin said they were at the 95% point with the agreements and that the meetings
have been going well. He feels they are close to being completed and bringing the
agreements to the Board. Town Manager Ross added that he would like to give the Board at
least a week to read over the documents before they are asked to vote on them..
Director's Report -Director Babin announced that the Annual Senior Luncheon would be
held on Friday, October 3 0, 2015 at 11:3 0 at the Council on Aging.
Motion: To approve the minutes from the September 30, 2015 Light Commissioners
meeting
(Kozlowski/DelVecchio) Passes 4/0
Citizens Comments- none
Comments from Commissioners- Vice Chairman Kozlowski thanked Director Babin for the
information he had requested on the Town fiber network.
Chairman Aptowitz questioned whether everyone was squared away with the banners.
Director Babin answered that they are all set.
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Town Manager Ross mentioned that Commissioner DelVecchio attended the Strategic
Planning Session. One of the strengths of Mansfield that every group in attendance
emphasized was the reliability and the low cost of the Light Department. It was a matter of
pride to everyone there. Chairman Aptowitz said that MMED's rates are among the lowest in
the state. Town Manager Ross added that the service level is among the best too. Director
Babin stated that he was very proud of the job MMED does.
There was a discussion about customers notifying the Light Department about streetlights that
are in need of repair. Director Babin said that residents can either call the office or go on the
MMED website and send an e-mail. Lisa Chalifoux of 49 Jakes Way voiced her concern
about the lack of lighting on East Street near the bike path. She said she watched a couple of
people out walking almost get hit by the car in front of her because it failed to stop for them.
She thinks there needs to be more lighting in that area. Chairman Aptowitz said they would
have the Public Works people look into that.
Motion: To adjourn at 9:00pm
(Kozlowski/Dentino) Passes 4/0
Respectfully submitted: Jacqueline Lee
Signature of Clerk Date of A_pprovial
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