VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT

June 19, 2006

                                                                                                       

 

MONDAY                                                                                                                                                 6:00 PM

                                    Water and Light Office

 

The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:00PM.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                  Chair:            Jensvold

                                                                          Trustees:     Wildes, Sargent, Bourne, DeBor

                                                                          Staff:             Jim Fontaine, Allan Arbuckle, Craig Myotte

GUESTS PRESENT: Sharon Rowell

                                       

1)       PUBLIC HEARING – Sharon Rowell was present to speak with the Trustees about low water pressure at her residence.

 

2)       OLD BUSINESS – 

 

Compliance letter from ANR –An update will be provided under item #9 Discussion of Sewer Services.

Gristmill & Creamery buildings –Steve Bousquet was contacted and found out that he completed an “Opinion of Use” Report in April of 2005. The report does break down the value of the property between land and buildings. Craig notified Bob Ross that the Trustees might need to revert back to a lease option due to regulatory oversight of monies received from the sale of electric department assets. The Trustees would like this as an agenda item for next meeting to discuss what they would like to due with the buildings (ie. lease or sell).

Power Line Carrier –The Trustees asked that this item be on hold until a new manager is hired.

Forester Services – The Trustees asked that this item be on hold until a new manager is hired.

 

3)      MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

Operation Report – Jim answered questions the Trustees had on the report. He updated the Trustees on a power outage  that happened today and how they were going the fix the problem.

 

Financial Report – Allan passed out a letter informing the Trustees that the rate increase will be approved without an investigation.

       

        Customer Service Report -

Craig updated the Trustees in reference to the SQRP that continues. There were significant amounts of discussion regarding our filing with other municipals and PSB is asking for a workshop. The workshop is scheduled for July 19th that he plans to attend.

 

Craig received some numbers back from VPPSA in reference to CREW. The analysis shows a benefit of $5,000 to MW&L by shifting 50 kW from on peak to off peak. The number is a lot lower that discussed with CREW last year. The billing benefit for CREW would be about $7,500. The only way to achieve greater benefit would be to consider a rate design change. Craig will continue to work on this and report to Kelly at CREW what the analysis shows.

 

 

4)     APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD June 5, 2006

 

Trustee Wildes made a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Trustee DeBor and unanimously

approved by all.

 

 

 

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June 19, 2006

 

5)       UPDATE ON MANOSH OWNED SEWER LINES PROPOSAL (Hearthstone/TSSA)

Craig and Jim met with Howard Manosh and Craig Nolan on June 9th and 15th. Howard indicated a willingness to revert back to the line extension policy as a mechanism to recover the value he is seeking rather than receiving cash.

 

Trustee Wildes made a motion to approve the line extension policy, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved by all.

 

Howard also mentioned that the cost overrun on Route 100 project was more like $110,000 not $88,000. The Trustees agreed to split the cost of $110,000 with HAMCO.

 

6)       DISCUSS TRANSMISSION LINE EASEMENTS

 

This item will be discussed in Executive session.

 

7)       DISCUSS VPPSA PROJECT 10

 

Allan and Craig had reviewed the material from VPPSA regarding Project 10. In the initial review the project provides benefits with minimal risks. After discussion the Trustees decided they would like Allan to invite James Gibbons from VPPSA to come to the July 5th meeting. Allan will invite him.

 

        A special meeting will be held on August 21st at the Morrisville Water & Light office.

 

8)       DISCUSS PRESSURE ZONE ISSUE

 

After some discussion it was decided to keep this item for next meetings agenda.

 

9)       DISCUSS SEWER SERVICES

 

After discussion, Trustee Wildes made a motion to hire Earth Tech, seconded by Trustee Debor and with a vote of 3 yes to 1 no the motion passed. Jim will notify Earth Tech of the Trustees decision.

 

The Trustees would like to look at all the sewer rates in the next couple of months.

 

10)    OTHER BUSINESS

 

Allan informed the Trustees that the Village General Fund and the Water & Light Department are both paying $540 dues each to the VT League of Cities and Towns. The Town of Morristown is also paying dues. Allan would like to drop the Village membership. Trustee Bourne made a motion to drop the Village membership out of the Health Trust, seconded by Trustee Sargent, and unanimously approved by all.

 

11)    DISCUSS PERSONNEL ISSUES

 

At 7:51 PM Trustee Bourne made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved by all.

 

At 8:15 PM on a motion from Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee DeBor and unanimously approved, the Board came out of Executive Session.

 

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June 19, 2006

 

12)    DISCUSS CONTRACT AND LITIGATION

 

At 8:16 PM on a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board went into Executive Session to discuss contract and litigation.

 

At 8:37 PM on a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee DeBor and unanimously approved, the Board came out of Executive Session.

 

13)    ADJOURNMENT

 

At 8:40 PM on a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

                                                                                                ___________________________________

                Peter Bourne, Clerk