VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT
November 19, 2007
MONDAY 6:00 PM
Water and Light Office
The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:06 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trustees: Sargent, Thompson, Wildes
Trustee DeBor attended via phone at 7 pm
Staff: Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, Penny Jones, Linda Osgood
ABSENT: Chairman Bourne
1) PUBLIC MEETING:
No members of the public were in attendance.
2) OLD BUSINESS:
Response to issues raised in letter from ANR:
The Board agreed they were probably not going to receive a written response from ANR and have decided to close the issue.
Copley Golf Course:
Staff met with Mr. Reynolds to discuss options for resolving the water usage dispute on November 14. Staff is having difficulties collecting historical precipitation data to use in developing a settlement offer. CCC’s Board is willing to work on a settlement but are insisting some contribution from their well be factored into the past usage in dispute. Trustee Thompson offered that it might be more productive if we could try to reach agreement with CCC on a value rather than taking additional time to calculate a value. The Trustees directed Craig to try to reach settlement based upon the discussion at the meeting.
CCC has planted approximately $6,000 in trees. They would like to harvest some timber to try to offset some of that cost. The Trustees asked several questions to be answered regarding who they planned to use for a logger, what the clean-up plans are and the need to avoid erosion on the steeper slopes. The Trustees were not opposed to the concept since CCC has harvested lumber in the past.
3) MANAGEMENT REPORT:
The upper section of Cottage Street passed the chlorination and pressurization tests. AC Paving has paved ½ of Randolph Road down to Cottage Street intersection. The asphalt plant will remain open one week past Thanksgiving which will allow them to pave Cottage Street next week.
Green River is off line until we can get the flashboards back on Dam #2. The Boards were never on Dam #1 but we are trying to get them installed before winter. The flashboards increase production at the lower plants significantly. Trustee Wildes asked if it was time to revisit a rubber dam. Jim replied the cost was prohibitive at the time of the original study but it could be revisited.
Trustee Wildes was alarmed at a possible increase in Blue Cross rates of 30%. Penny replied this was after a large increase last year. She is currently looking at CIGNA and other options.
There was a technical hearing on our rate design case on Friday. VPPSA represented MW&L. The Hearing Officer may suggest only the Phase 1 rate increase. We should have an answer by 12/19.
Penny reported that two vehicle loans were renewed at 3.95%.
Acting Chairman Wildes asked if MW&L had a lien in place for the business mentioned at the last meeting as going into bankruptcy. No lien in place as it was a rental. MW&L does have the legal means of placing a lien for water and sewer only.
Craig informed the Trustees that he cannot justify allocating any further time to VEC with the current workload at MWL. Craig informed VEC that there would not be any further assistance provided until 2008.
The News & Citizen had a thorough article on the drowning at Plant#2. FERC has been notified of the incident. Staff currently working on more warning signs and camera coverage in this area.
“Morrisville” needed to be changed to “Morristown” but agreement on sewer lines with Murphy Realty only needs signatures. Mr. Manosh stated he will sign our easement and is interested in wrapping up the Route 100 matter. Trustee Wildes asked that a copy of the signed agreement be delivered to LEDC.
In regards to the Bradley lawsuit, Penny informed the Board that our insurance carrier has suggested that we have no further communications with Bradley or his lawyers. This is an issue between our insurance carrier and the logger’s insurance carrier. If we get involved, our insurance company will make it our liability, not the logger’s. Trustee Wildes suggested having our insurance company write a letter to Bradley’s lawyers stating our position.
Craig stated that there is a new group formed in Massachusetts for financing wind turbine projects. In addition, capacity is still available in the Sheffield project.
4) APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 5, 2007:
On Page Two, Chairman Wildes needs to be changed to Trustee Wildes. On a motion by Trustee Sargent, seconded by Trustee Wildes, the Board approved the minutes of the meeting held November 5, 2007. Trustee Thompson abstained.
5) APPROVE LIEN FOR 103 MAPLE STREET PROPERTY OWNED BY REBECCA LEBOVICH:
On a motion by Trustee Thompson, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board approved the lien for the 103 Maple Street property owned by Rebecca Lebovich.
6) APPROVE LIEN FOR 4634 WORCESTER ROAD, ELMORE, PROPERTY OWNED BY SHAUN GRIFFITH AND JESSICA MCLANE:
On a motion by Trustee Thompson, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board approved the lien for the 4634 Worcester Road, Elmore, property owned by Shaun Griffith and Jessica McLane.
7) APPROVE 1-YEAR TRUCK LOANS:
On a motion by Trustee Thompson, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board approved 1-year truck loans.
8) APPROVE SIGNAGE APPLICATION FOR SEWER PLANT ROAD:
As the application was not prepared at this time, this item was tabled until the next regular meeting.
9) DISCUSS CALENDAR:
Trustee Wildes feels that MW&L’s Strategic Plan needed to be reviewed at least once a year. Craig would like to leave that discussion for their August retreat. Trustee Sargent asked if we advertised when we initiate the Amy Wade process. Policy currently posted at www.mwlvt.com. Craig asked if the Board wants to see operations results, hydro production, power supply costs, and payroll expenses. Trustee Wildes pointed out he would like to see the cash flow and the uses of the cash, power supply costs, margins, operational costs, and rate analysis (here’s where the rates were, here’s where they are now…). Trustee Thompson asked if they should plan discussions on property owned by MW&L or only handle them as they come up. Craig replied there is no policy as such. Property stays on the informational schedule but does the Board want it as part of the Strategic Plan discussions. Jim suggested a line-item be added to the strategic plan which Craig will draft.
10) REVIEW NOVEMBER 5TH STATUS REPORT OF WWTF PROJECT FROM FA&A:
The Trustees reviewed and discussed the latest status report from FA&A. The Trustees discussed soil borings yet, fuel source and construction material for the outside of the new buildings. Fuel source is now oil and propane. Trustee Wildes pointed out that we wanted longevity and low costs. Trustee Sargent suggested moving away from oil towards propane. Trustee DeBor stated it would be nice to have multi-fuel choices as a 30-year facility needs options. Trustee Wildes agreed.
11) REVIEW DRAFT 2008 CAPITAL BUDGET:
The Trustees discussed the draft 2008 capital budgets for electric, wastewater and water. Trustee Wildes asked if the purchase of water meters could be moved out of the Sewer Department into water, as they benefit the Water Department. Penny replied it was in the Water Department originally but was moved for the RDA loan. It was a requirement of RDA funding to have water meters. Trustees Wildes suggested that we look at converging the Sewer Department and the Water Department. Trustee DeBor pointed out that the merger of the Water Department and the Sewer Department was inevitable. The Trustees asked questions about other budgeted items. Staff will revise and provide another draft at the next meeting.
12) PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:
Craig spoke with Hank of Chuck’s Bikes and informed him that MW&L was not interested in leasing space due to liability. Hank wasn’t happy but accepted it.
Tim Sullivan is still working on the Bugbee Springs appraisal. The National Guard is still interested in Bugbee Springs. Trustee Sargent stated he received a call from Brad Gregory that he is feeling forgotten. Craig stated he would contact Mr. Sullivan to keep the appraisal moving.
Craig reported that Chairman Bourne had suggested to Craig to relocate one, or both, of the Grist Mill and Creamery for historical purposes. He is interested in getting a plan together for the Village voters to decide on. Trustee Sargent stated he was in favor of the Board getting a game plan set then going to the voters for approval. Trustee Wildes pointed out that the Board still needed to get on the same page, even if it was just to shore up the buildings and make them safe. Trustee DeBor stated the Grist Mill and Creamery should be moved off the Village books and become private property to generate tax income.
13) OTHER BUSINESS:
The VPPSA Christmas party will be on Friday, December 7th. MW&L’s Christmas party will be Friday, December 14th.
The Chairman sent Craig an e-mail suggesting each Trustee take a lead on a project. Suggested Trustee Sargent may want to tackle wind, the Chairman would tackle biodiesel at Plant #1, Trustee DeBor may want to tackle the WWTF expansion, Trustee Thompson may want to tackle the Grist Mill and Creamery, and Trustee Wildes may want to tackle the proposed high-head water reservoir. The Trustees agreed the Chairman’s suggestion was a good one.
Jim informed the Trustees the Pope Meadow development is proposing their own water system. They have drilled a well on Greaves’ property and are getting 100 gpm. They would need to install about 4,000’ of pipe and a treatment station. Jim estimated this could cost up to $400,000. Jim agreed to contact the engineer to discuss any options of connecting to the Municipal system that could meet ANR approval. The development is located in an area that does not meet State pressure requirements. Jim recommended that Stantec come in and talk with the Board regarding the High level reservoir.
11) ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:06 PM, on a motion by Trustee Thompson, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.
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Timothy Sargent, Acting Clerk