February 22, 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: Tim Sargent, Ed DeBor, Wally Reeve Peter Bourne, and Dana Wildes
Staff: Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, and Penny Jones, Linda Osgood
1) PUBLIC MEETING:
Kate Warner and Rodger Krussman of the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) were in attendance.
10) EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 6:02 PM, on a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Reeve, and unanimously approved, the Board went into Executive Session to discuss the contract issues.
At 7:02 PM, on a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Reeve, and unanimously approved, the Board came out of Executive Session.
2) CURRENT PRIORITY PROJECTS:
Tabled.
3) MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Tabled.
4) APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 1, 2010:
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Bourne and approved by all present, the Board approved the minutes of the regular meeting held February 1, 2010. Trustee Reeve abstained.
5) APPROVE LIENS:
On a
motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved,
the Board approved a lien in the amount of $214.31 on the 313 Sun Valley Road
property owned by Kathryn M. Wheelwright for unpaid electric services and a
lien in the amount of $459.73 on the 611 Elmore Street property owned by Derek
& Christa Schnee for unpaid electric, water and sewer services.
6) APPROVE 2010 EXPENSE AND CAPITAL BUDGETS FOR ELECTRIC, WATER & SEWER:
The Board reviewed the electric expense budget for 2010. It appears a rate case may be needed in 2010.
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board approved the 2010 Electric Expense Budget.
Trustees verified the debt service for the Water Department was the final payment on the Gregory property and that 15 years was being used for depreciation of the new water meters.
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board approved the 2010 Water Expense Budget.
The Trustees reviewed the Sewer Department expense budget for 2010. Penny stated the only way to get a neutral cash flow was to include a 20% rate increase in 2010 and use a portion of the sewer allocation fees. The Trustees discussed options to reduce the 2010 rate increase. When Jim informed the Board that we still needed approximately $500,000 to $800,000 to rebuild the headworks, the Trustees proposed sticking to the 20% rate increase.
On a motion by Trustee Reeve, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board approved the 2010 Sewer Expense Budget which includes a 20% rate increase. The Board still feels that in the long run, this new WWTF will prove to be a good fiscal deal for this community.
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board approved using the VtTransco and VELCO dividends to offset 2010 operating expenses.
The Board verified our crews are working for VEC for six months at a new rate. Jim did point out that if our crews were working for VEC for six months, we would not have time to complete all the capital projects proposed.
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee DeBor and unanimously approved, the Board approved the 2010 Capital Budgets for Electric, Water, and Sewer.
Trustee Reeve verified that the Union Street sewer line replacement would be put on hold if the headworks project was approved. FA&A did mention that it might be beneficial for someone from MW&L to talk to Rhonda of RD. Trustee DeBor suggested inviting her to the next Board meeting.
The Trustees reviewed proposed water and sewer rates. The Trustees asked staff to determine the impact of the new rates on sample customers.
7) Discuss Hydro Report and Future Power Supply
Strategies:
Tabled.
8) RATE MITIGATION STRATEGIES:
Tabled.
9) OTHER BUSINESS:
The Trustees discussed annual report and annual meeting items. Draft letters for the Trustees and Manager have been completed. Craig will modify the warning to include the discussion with TPL. Craig informed the Trustees a new moderator would need to be elected and Brice Simon has volunteered to be Moderator at the next Annual Village Meeting. Also, Craig will modify warning for the confirmation of Trustee Reeve to complete Trustee Thompson’s term.
Trustee verified that one of the generating units at Highgate was damaged. Craig stated one unit has been damaged. The other is operating. Negotiations are underway with the insurance carrier.
11) ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:32 PM, on a motion by Trustee Reeve, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.
___________________________________
Edward DeBor, Clerk