April 19, 2010
MONDAY 6:00 PM
Water and Light Office
The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:00 PM.
PRESENT: Trustees: Ed DeBor, Wally Reeve, Peter Bourne, and Dana Wildes, Tim Sargent
Staff: Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, and Linda Osgood
ABSENT: Staff: Penny Jones
GUESTS: Peter Lezorak, Darrow Mansfield
Michael Wickenden, Bob Donnis, and George Twigg of Efficiency Vermont
Pat Persico
4) Elect Village Board Chairman for 2010-2011 Term:
On a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board elected Edward DeBor to serve as Village Board Chairman for the 2010-2011 term.
On a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board elected Wally Reeve as Village Board Secretary for the 2010-2011 term.
1) PUBLIC MEETING:
Mr. Darrow Mansfield and Mr. Peter Lezorak were in attendance. Mr. Mansfield is developing eight lots off Cottage Street. Two of the lots are on Cottage Street and will connect to sewer. The other six lots will require a pump station to a forced sewer main. MW&L’s current policy is if more than one customer connects to a sewer line then MW&L must own that line and the pumping station. However, MW&L doesn’t really want to own pumping stations and is in the process of revising its sewer ordinances. The cost difference between the one designed for Mr. Mansfield vs. one designed to meet MW&L’s specification is significant and could impact the financial viability of the development project. Mansfield has organized a Homeowners’ Association that wants to maintain ownership of the pump station and the forced main. There would be no further development beyond these eight lots and the entire system would be privately owned.
The Trustees discussed several issues. We would have to meter the wells for billing purposes. The first house is almost ready to be occupied and the Homeowners’ Association would own and be responsible for grinder stations. There are no issues from the State either way. It is not in the current sewer ordinances that a pump station must be owned by MW&L. Trustee Bourne would like to see the covenants for the next generation of owners and any guidelines for current owners. He does not want the Village to end up owning the system by default. He would also like to have MW&L notified on a regular basis as to who is in charge of the Homeowners’ Association, who’s in charge of annual maintenance, and MW&L would like a copy of annual inspection reports. The Homeowners’ Association will be formed June 1st and will be in charge of the sewer system, a few lingering storm-water issues, and the roads as they will not initially be owned by the Town. Mansfield pointed out that if the system fails, the only ones it affects are those homeowners. The Board asked Jim to modify the proposed sewer ordinances to reflect this discussion. The Board stated it had no problem with a private septic system attaching to the Village sewer and thanked Mansfield for eight new customers.
Michael Wickenden, Bob Donnis, and George Twigg of Efficiency Vermont were present to discuss new programs at EV and geo-targeting. Mr. Donnis provided an overview of new programs. Jim verified there is now a $300 incentive for installing qualified LED security lights. Trustee Wildes wondered if we could get incentives for changing-out existing residential security lights. EV stated they would try to find a way to work with MW&L.
Mr. Wickenden discussed geo-targeting with the Trustees. Thirty-four cents of every dollar our customers send to the EEU goes to geo-targeting but there are no geo-targeted projects on our system currently. Any projects put before the PSB must go through and be approved by the Vermont System Planning Committee (VSPC) first. Morrisville, like other electric distribution companies, is part of the VSPC and can put projects to be considered for geo-targeting funding in front of the VSPC. Trustee Wildes verified that 90% of geo-targeted funds went to two investor-owned utilities, CVPS and GMP. Was this what EV envisioned? If we want to try to change that, do we start with the DPS or the Legislature? EV suggested MW&L meet with David O’Brien at DPS to open dialogue.
MW&L asked EEU to determine if we could use EEU dollars to fund hydro improvements. As the law currently reads, EEU funds cannot be used for hydro generation upgrades. EV also suggested that MW&L would be better off finding a project that fits geo-targeting instead of trying to get EEU funds for hydro upgrades. Trustee Bourne countered that if MW&L increases our hydro generation, we decrease our demand on the transmission system. EV agreed but the law as written states – increasing supply is not defined as efficiency and therefore EEU cannot fund it. If we want to change the law, start with the DPS.
Pat Persico was in attendance to discuss the sale of the Zackwood property. Mr. Persico stated he was interested in the total sales price and was frustrated it was not available at the Annual Meeting. The Trustee reiterated that the deal with Trust for Public Land (TPL) is not final. We are only signing an option agreement. In addition, we had not completed negotiations with TPL regarding the level of professional services fee prior to the Annual Meeting. TPL was pressing the Village for significant considerations and the Village was under a deadline to sign a purchasing option for TPL to get their funding. Even though the Board already had voter approval to sell this property, the proceeds from this sale have been dedicated to hydro improvements. This will hold us accountable to where the money is spent and it will not be drained by the DPS’s desire to lower rates in the short-term.
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board approved the execution of the Option Agreement as approved by Village voters at the Annual Village Meeting to sell the Zackwoods property for $1,275,000 less a donation of 8% ($102,000) to satisfy professional services fees with MW&L to be reimbursed 100% for the cost of the 2/10/10 appraisal at closing.
2) CURRENT PRIORITY PROJECTS:
Tabled.
3) MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Tabled.
5) APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD APRIL 5, 2010:
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board approved the minutes of the April 5, 2010, regular meeting.
6) APPROVE PAYING MACC ELECTRIC (HOLIDAY LIGHTS) BILL FROM AMY WADE FUND:
On a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board approved paying the MACC electric bill of $133.26 from the Amy Wade Fund.
7) APPROVE LCPC BOARD MEMBER FOR VILLAGE FOR 2010-2011 TERM:
On a motion by Trustee Reeve, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board approved Brice Simon as LCPC Board Member for the Village for 2010-2011 term.
10) OTHER BUSINESS:
On a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board approved a lien in the amount of $1,845.07 on the 177 Summer Street property owned by Todd Yando.
8) DISCUSS POWER SUPPLY ISSUES:
The Board reviewed power cost summaries for January and February 2010. MW&L’s costs are down for the first two months but Craig stated he doesn’t believe enough to cancel the need for a rate increase in 2010. In addition, the Trustees reviewed a chart showing the amount of energy from various sources contracted for by MW&L for the next 5 years. Overall our portfolio is pretty green.
9) DISCUSS SEWER ORDINANCES:
Jim wanted clarification on whether the Town or the Village is in control of septic systems inside the TSSA. The Board feels that the Village governing body is governing all of these ordinances. Trustee Bourne asked how the Village would find out about a failed septic system inside the TSSA. The homeowner would have to get State approval to replace a septic system and a permit from the Village. Between the two, someone would inform the homeowner that they are inside the TSSA and must attach to Village sewer. Trustee Wildes asked if we want to encourage the Town to adopt language for the capability to expand the TSSA i.e. failed system outside TSSA but within 300’ of Village sewer line. They also discussed incentives to disconnect roof drains and sump pumps from Village sewer.
10) OTHER BUSINESS (continued):
The Board discussed four subcommittees that have been formed and who was on them. These subcommittees will be dealing with the TSSA, IBEW negotiations, sale of the Gristmill/Creamery, and Lamoille County Functional Consolidation.
The Board briefly reviewed proposed rules for the Amy Wade Tree Planting program. The Board asked that we add “a reasonable number of grants will be considered each year”.
MACC is looking at installing LED lights on Portland Street and in the Municipal Parking Lot and would like MW&L to contribute labor.
The Board asked why the Bridge Street bridge had lights on both side plus a street light. Jim informed them the street light predated the lights on the bridge but could be removed if requested.
9) ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:12 PM, on a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.
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Wallace Reeve, Clerk