VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT
July 16, 2007
MONDAY 6:00 PM
Water and Light Office
The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:07 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair: Bourne
Trustees: Wildes, Sargent, DeBor, Thompson
Staff: Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine
GUESTS PRESENT: None
Note: The Board met at the Cady’s Falls Plant #1 generating station for a tour of that facility at 5 PM. The Board directed staff to prepare a summary of the value the hydro generation provides to the Village, taking into account the cost of the improvements needed at the plants.
1) PUBLIC MEETING
There were no members of the public in attendance.
2) OLD BUSINESS:
Response to Issues raised in letter from ANR – We are still waiting for a written response from the ANR. The Board wants staff to set up a meeting with the ANR once a response is received to explain to them that we have an upgrade coming and do not want to spend a significant amount on preventative maintenance measures which will just be sunk costs once the new plant is on line.
Copley Golf Course – CCC’s
Board had no issues with the draft agreement and had planned to sign it at
their next regular meeting on August 9th.
However, that meeting was canceled due to bad weather. They do plan on signing it at their next
meeting but Craig was not sure when that meeting would be. Craig offered to
follow-up on the matter with Tad Lamell.
Staff prepared a summary of the CCC’s water usage going back to
2000. We are going to have negotiate
something with CCC on the 2006 usage but Craig is not certain what type of data
CCC will have available to tell us what they may have been taking from their
wells. Craig will work with Tad or Paul
to come up with a number and hopes to have a recommendation for the Board at
their August 6th meeting.
3) MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Jim reported we had an electric outage on Sunday that took out Sub. #5. Someone on Frasier Road dropped a tree on the transmission line dropping it down onto the distribution line.
We have reached an agreement with the Town for how paving will proceed on Randolph Road and Cottage Street.
Grinder in pump station is up and running well. We will vac the pump station one more time to make sure we got everything and to determine just how well the grinder is working.
The Chairman asked how access across Alexander’s property was proceeding. Jim stated that we will get good access from our own property by removing a couple of guard rails. He doesn’t believe we will have to disturb a lot because the pin is in the middle of our driveway.
The overspeed problem at Green River is still an issue. We got the unit on line and brought in a consultant. His opinion is that it is not an overspeed problem, it is a governor problem. Staff is also looking at past data to determine if we should retire one unit rather than maintain two units.
Trustee Wildes questioned Stantec’s proposal for a new reservoir. He questioned the statement that “the Gregory property will provide us with sufficient pressure excluding the pump station”? Jim corrected him in that there will be two zones that really creates two separate systems.
We are still trying to get an answer from RDA as to what their final recommendation is going to be for the WWTF upgrade.
Penny found some overlapping insurance. As a result, we have received a credit of approximately $1,200.
Osswegatchie’s offer has been placed in VPPSA’s hands for analysis. Craig needs to get a commitment on a timeframe for their analysis.
VEC has asked for Craig’s assistance on an interim basis until VEC can fill their COO position. VEC indicated they are willing to cover the cost of Craig’s time. The Chairman directed Craig to prepare a letter stating that we are willing to help.
The Lamoille County Project is still floundering. GMP has proposed some reasonable settlement options but Stowe is not willing to consider anything but a target the Board has agreed to.
Trustee Wildes asked if Craig had received any comments from the other WWTF bidders. Craig reported that both of the bidders not selected have asked questions. One asked to look at the bids.
4) APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD JULY 2, 2007:
The numbering of the items needs to be corrected because there are two 9’s. Other Business will become #10 and Adjournment will become #11. On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Thompson and unanimously approved, the Board approved the minutes of the July 2, 2007, meeting as amended.
Trustee Wildes noted that he was listed a Clerk in the minutes. He asked if he was Clerk. Craig will verify how long he has been listed and plan a motion for the next meeting to officially name him as Clerk.
5) AUTHORIZE LIEN OF $1,214.06 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2903 CLEVELAND CORNERS ROAD IN HYDE PARK:
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board authorized a lien of $1,214.06 on property located at 2903 Cleveland Corners Road in Hyde Park.
6) APPROVE APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO LCPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Eileen Toomey is not interested in continuing as a Representative to LCPC Board. The Board provided Craig with the names of several individuals to contact as possible candidates.
7) DISCUSS STATUS OF PRIVATE OWNED SEWER LINES:
Craig received a call Friday from Mr. Howard Manosh. Mr. Manosh wanted to let us know that he had not forgotten the issue and stated that he wanted to get together next week to go over a few matters. He apparently still has a few issues with the Town and is waiting for some information from Dave Crawford.
Craig needs to get a revised agreement back to Murphy Realty. No issues with them, they have been very positive and willing to work with us.
8) REVIEW DRAFT BILL INSERT AND SAFETY POLICIES:
Every organization needs a set of policies covering basic topics that describe how we do things. Jim Fox used to call them Letters of Guidance. Craig recommended that once a year the Trustees should direct the Manager to review the policies so they remain up to date. The current policies are out of date and Craig plans to work with Penny and Jim to get basic policies in place in 2007.
On the Bill Insert policy, Trustee Sargent suggested that #3 read “the stuffer campaign/advertisement must be reasonable and benefit the entire MW&L serving area.”
9) REVIEW NON-SEASONAL RATE IMPACT SUMMARIES:
Craig reported that we are at the end of our discussions with DPS in regards to their comments about our customer charges. We have agreed to increase our residential customer charge from $6.42 to $9.07 in two steps. The changes will take effect on September 1.
10) DISCUSS WWTF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
FA&A asked what role the Board wanted tracking the progress of the WWTF upgrades. The Board stated they wanted to see a timeline, budget updates, and have any problems brought to their attention. They would request FA&A visits in person as required.
11) PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:
Craig has not made much progress yet. Water rights on Bugbee Springs are a question. A lot of interest from National Guard as they want to make it a central repair facility and close some regional armories. Trustee Wildes stated it would be nice to satisfy their needs and still preserve the water.
Jim had a landowner state that he was interested in purchasing MW&L property in Garfield. The Board decided to concentrate on Bugbee Springs for now.
12) OTHER BUSINESS:
We had a break-in over the weekend. Someone broke into a back door and stole a couple of chain saws, a pair of boots, some binoculars, and some scopes. The Trustees discussed security measures to implement. Staff will implement measures discussed.
The Governor came to the most recent VPPSA Board Meeting. An excellent presentation was given extolling the value of public power.
Stowe Electric and Hyde Park Electric are looking at strengthening functional consolidation. They asked if MW&L would consider participating. Craig indicated that we would.
13) ADJOURNMENT:
At 7:55 PM, on a motion by Trustee Sargent, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.
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Dana Wildes, Clerk