January 4, 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 (via telephone)
Staff: Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, Penny Jones, and Linda Osgood
1) PUBLIC MEETING:
No members of the public were in attendance.
11) EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 6:02 PM, on a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board went into Executive Session to discuss a conflict of interests and contractual matters.
At 6:25 PM, on a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Reeve and unanimously approved, the Board came out of Executive Session.
7) DISCUSS HYDRO REPORT AND FUTURE POWER SUPPLY STRATEGIES:
The Trustees discussed the five-year budget for purchased power from VPPSA. Staff responded to questions on sales forecast and transmission expenses. Staff explained the transmission cost increase is driven by a large number of Pool Transmission projects underway in New England of which we pay a portion of the cost. The Trustees asked how we could control or reduce these costs. Staff responded more generation on our system would help to control these expenses.
9) REVIEW 2010 DRAFT GOALS & BUDGET:
The Trustees discussed the VPPSA budget for 2010 and the VPPSA presentation of the value they provide. Trustee Wildes stated VPPSA’s presentation adequately describes services provided but doesn’t do a good job explaining the value or benefit Morrisville receives from each service they provide. Trustee DeBor verified that VPPSA is looking for just 0.9% increase due to a 2009 surplus. He stated we need to evaluate the service provided by this vendor just like any other vendor.
Craig asked the Board how aggressively they wanted MW&L to pursue a cogeneration project at Copley Hospital. It will costs $4,750 to update the Bonhag report from 2004. Craig feels strongly about MW&L pursuing this project on its own or as a joint venture with other utilities. Service reliability is important to Copley Hospital and a co-generation project will provide a redundant source of power for the hospital. Craig reminded the Trustees he made a commitment to Copley Hospital to do a Reliability Assessment in 2010.
The turbines were started at the Swanton Peaker Unit and should be fully operational by the end of January or early February. East Mountain costs are still coming in at a very attractive rate. Trustee DeBor asked if anyone followed up with the original developer of East Mountain to see why he did not develop? Although VPPSA has already provided those reasons, Craig will get that information.
The Trustees would like to break up the goal of completing the sale of Zackwoods and Bugbee Springs to completing the sale of Bugbee Springs and the Gristmill/Creamery and to work on selling Zackwoods.
The Board asked if the Audit should go out to bid again. It was supposed to be done last year but KBS agreed to hold to the same rate for this year. Trustee Reeve verified that it was a 2010 goal to put the y/e 2010 audit out to bid.
4) APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD DECEMBER 21, 2009:
On a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Bourne and approved by majority, the Board approved the amended minutes of the December 21, 2009, regular meeting. Trustee Reeve and the Chairman abstained due to absence.
5) APPROVAL OF LOAN APPLICATION FOR CWSRF ARRA LOAN:
On a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Bourne
and approved by all present, the Board signed the loan application for CWSRF
ARRA loan for the Congress Street sewer rehabilitation project.
6) APPROVE LIEN:
On a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Reeve
and approved by all present, the Board authorized a lien in the amount of
$154.95 to be placed on the 99 Brooklyn Heights condominium owned by Saundra
Shaffer.
3) MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Line crews installed the new lights for the Bridge Street
bridge. We are now waiting for an
energizing permit.
Working the hydro study into the 2010 Capital budget was tabled until the next meeting. Penny has been working on all other budgets and should have some drafts at the next meeting. We are still shooting for March to implement the new water and sewer rates based on the actual usage as recorded by the new meters that were installed this summer.
Craig recently finished a Reliability Assessment for the
Union Bank. He is currently working on
one for the Copley Hospital.
The State is proposing setting up an Energy Efficiency
Savings Account for customer who pay more than $5000/year to the EEU. This would allow a customer to invest in
their own facilities instead of just sending the money to Montpelier. The Trustees would like to see how much Price
Chopper pays in EEU charges/year. They
also wonder if a company with multiple accounts such as Copley Hospital can
combine their EEU payments to see if they qualify.
2) CURRENT PRIORITY PROJECTS:
Tabled.
8) RATE MITIGATION STRATEGIES:
Tabled.
10) OTHER BUSINESS:
At the Trustees request, Craig has invited the entire Board of Trustees for Hyde Park Electric to our next regular meeting. Hyde Park is looking at options to reduce costs and rates. The Board suggested that we share the residential rate comparison information from VPPSA and our SQRP reports.
The Board reviewed a copy of the letter Craig sent to the Trust for Public Lands (TPL). They will be here Thursday to discuss questions needed to complete the appraisal and MW&L has agreed to pay for the $3,500 for the restricted appraisal.
12) ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:05 PM, on a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Debor and approved by all present, the Board adjourned the meeting.
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Edward DeBor, Clerk