VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT
May 19, 2008
MONDAY 6:00 PM
Water and Light Office
The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:03 PM.
PRESENT:
Trustees: Dana Wildes, Tim Sargent, Ed DeBor (by phone), Keith Thompson, Peter Bourne
Staff: Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, Penny Jones, Linda Osgood.
Guests: Dave Yacovone, Darrow Mansfield, Brad Aldrich (FA&A), Joe Duncan (FA&A)
1) PUBLIC MEETING:
Darrow Mansfield was present to ask for a release of covenant on the Edwyn Rybak property he recently purchased on Cottage Street. When the house was built in 1982, the deed was written with a covenant stating that if the house was sold or if the property was subdivided then the owner would hook up to the public sewer main. Mansfield is looking at a possible service line of at least 650’ through a gully that would require a pump station or 800’ to come down the driveway. The Chairman informed him that the Board will discuss the issue, review our own policies, and that Craig would inform him of their decision.
Dave Yacovone informed the Trustees the Selectboard elected Dave Yacovone to act as liason between the two Boards in regards to economic development. The Selectboard received a recommendation that Morrisville could use more industrial park space. Morrisville owns several parcels of land that might be considered. The Selectboard are interested in partnering with the Trustees for a cooperative joint venture. Overall, the Trustees generally support the concept of a cooperative joint venture. Mr. Yacovone will get back in touch with the Trustees.
2) UPDATE OF CONSTRUCTION COST MITIGATION OPTIONS:
Brad Aldrich and Joe Duncan of Forcier Aldrich & Associates (FA&A) entered for this portion of the meeting. Mr. Aldrich stated FA&A has several construction cost mitigation initiatives underway. The initiatives involve a combination of securing additional grant money and reducing project costs.
Mr. Aldrich reported they got word from RDA that they are willing to give an additional $1 million grant as long as FA&A does all value engineering to see where we can save money.
Mr. Duncan discussed the list of value engineer items. The list is broken into three tiers: 1) Do not compromise intent of original design, 2) Compromise intent of original design, and 3) Change original design. He is getting a detailed list of items from the engineers to get a better idea of what components costs. He hasn’t gotten pricing from the contractors yet although the biggest costs are rebar and concrete. They need to completely study the trade-offs. FA&A will come back to the Trustees with a laundry list and RDA will be the impartial watchdog. The Chairman asked what level of savings could be achieved from the first tier. Mr. Aldrich stated that they hope to have $200,000 trimmed by the end of this week. Trustee Sargent verified that the quality of the “product” would not be compromised. FA&A replied it would not because they are looking at using PVC instead of ductile iron, for instance. FA&A will still have to make the argument to RDA as to why any changes are made. They plan on reusing as much material as possible, such as railings. The blowers that were to be upgraded in the original design may now be used as is. There are not many pieces of equipment being removed but there is definitely a resale market to any WWTF with the same equipment looking for spare parts. Also looking at asphalt shingles instead of a metal roof. Mr. Aldrich stated FA&A would return in two weeks to provide the Trustees with another update.
3) DISCUSS JOINT BOARD MAY 21, 2008, MEETING MATERIAL:
Craig handed out a draft of the minutes from the April 22nd joint meeting, along with an agenda for this meeting. He plans to start the meeting with Ed Stanek (DEC) and has received questions from Bill Rossmassler and Chip Sawyer. In addition Craig and Jim have developed questions. The questions will be forwarded to Mr. Stanak tomorrow. The Trustees briefly discussed the letter from Mr. Franko. Jim stated that he thinks DEC doesn’t want to do this because they have enough to do already. However, there was enough precedent (Stowe and Milton) to require more process to get Act 250 out of the loop. DEC recognized the need for the plant and they are letting us build it. Craig stated the remaining item is a grid showing tasks and responsibilities. The Chairman replied the only real task remaining was defining the SSMA. The Chairman also stated that for future press releases, statements such as “huge increases” should go through Craig. Any comments, even if asked directly, should also go through Craig.
Craig introduced Penny’s rate stabilization analysis and noted that the analysis assumes that all revenues would be used to stabilize rates, including sewer allocation dollars. Penny stated the 2008 budget has been adjusted for known issues and sewer connection fees were thrown into operations. Penny produced three cases. The worst case based on zero % growth shows a 65% rate increase from 2009 – 2013. The middle case using 1% growth shows a 56% rate increase from 2009 – 2013. The best case using a 1.7% growth shows a 46% rate increase from 2009 – 2013.The Trustees discussed the inflation factor used of 3% and asked Penny to run a 4% case to check rate impact.
4) APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD MAY 5, 2008:
On a motion by Trustee Thompson, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board approved the minutes of the May 5, 2008, regular meeting.
5) AUTHORIZE LIEN FOR $1,600.94 ON THE 41 BROOKLYN STREET PROPERTY OWNED BY JEAN E. WICKART REVOCABLE TRUST:
On a motion by Trustee Sargent, seconded by Trustee Thompson and unanimously approved, the Board approved the lien for $1,600.94 on the 41 Brooklyn Street property owned by Jean E. Wickart Revocable Trust.
6) AUTHORIZE LIEN FOR $107.32 ON THE 208 BRIDGE STREET PROPERTY OWNED BY RANDY & LORI TOWNS:
On a motion by Trustee Sargent, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board approved the lien for $107.32 on the 208 Bridge Street property owned by Randy & Lori Towns.
7) APPROVE AMY WADE FUNDING PROJECTS FOR 2008:
Available fund are $2,645.00. Trustees received four requests totaling $5,500.00. MACC requested $2,000 for larger flower pots, soil, and plants. River Arts requested $1,000 for landscaping around their facility on Pleasant Street. Jim Pease requested $1,500 to finish planting from 2007 and continue planting salt tolerant trees along Brooklyn Street. Marci Young requested $1,000 for recycling containers throughout the village.
Trustee Bourne made a motion of $800 to Marci Young, $300 to Jim Pease, $500 to River Arts, and $1,000 to MACC. Trustee Sargent seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved to award $800 to Marci Young, $300 to Jim Pease, $500 to River Arts, and $1,000 to MACC from the 2008 Amy Wade Fund. Trustee DeBor asked Craig to issue a press release to that effect.
8) DISCUSS FUTURE POWER SUPPLY OPTIONS:
VPPSA is currently looking at three future power supply options: 1) peaker project (Swanton), 2) wind turbines on East Mountain, and 3) woodchip plant at Ludlow. VPPSA has offered to attend the next Trustee meeting and provide a presentation on the Ludlow project. The Trustees asked Craig to line up VPPSA for their June 2nd meeting.
9) OTHER BUSINESS:
The Board recently authorized a lien on the Ernest Menard property of $700+ but the lien has not been recorded yet. Alan Cusson indicated he was hiring a lawyer in regards to the water back billing issue. He also wants a copy of the Village By-Laws and Statutes. He and Penny have discussed a repayment plan. He is willing to pay the water bill going forward. The Chairman stated that Alan told him he simply could not afford to pay the back bill. Jim informed the Board that we can legally treat the unpaid water bill the same as a delinquent tax bill which results in a tax sale. Penny informed the Board that we cannot deny future water services at that location because of a back billing issue but Ernie Menard has indicated it is possible to turn off the water to that part of the building from his part of the building. Trustee Bourne stated that we know we can lien and we know we have to be paid. It’s not going away so we have to work it out. The Trustees asked staff to initiate a legal review and develop a policy for back billing (how far back can we go).
The State has requested a donation of time or equipment to install a solar panel at the Green River State Park. They need a couple of 60’ poles to support the solar panel. However, you need a permit to deliver a pole over 50’. Trustee Bourne suggested donating our time to install the poles. If they want 60’ poles, they will have to find them. If they will settle for two 50’ poles, we’ll plant them for them.
Going back to Darrow Mansfield request, the Chairman saw no reason not to release the covenant. Craig pointed out that he was not sure it was our job to release a covenant. Trustee Sargent confirmed that just because MW&L said it was okay doesn’t release his covenant. On a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board authorized Craig to send a letter to Darrow Mansfield explaining our current policy and informing him to proceed legally to have the covenant removed, if possible.
10) OLD BUSINESS – ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND GREEN RESOURCE INVESTMENT:
Tabled for a future meeting.
11) MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Tabled for a future meeting.
12) EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Tabled for a future meeting.
13) ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:20 PM, on a motion by Chairman Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.
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Tim Sargent, Clerk