VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT

October 10, 2006

                                                                                                       

 

MONDAY                                                                                                                                                 5:30 PM

                                    Water and Light Office

 

The special informational meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 5:36 PM.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                  Chair:            Jensvold

                                                                          Trustees:     Wildes, Sargent, Bourne

                                                                          Staff:             Jim Fontaine, Allan Arbuckle, Craig Myotte

 

GUESTS PRESENT:  Scott Corse (VPPSA), Mary Ann Wilson

                               

1)       INFORMATIONAL MEETING

 

A Special Meeting was held as warned to Vote on VPPSA Project 10.  As no members of the public were present yet, Chairman Jensvold took the opportunity to ask questions of former Manager Scott Corse about the Copley Country Club (CCC).  The Chair asked where the files would be found on CCC.  Scott informed him they would be in the General Files under Village Business for the year in question, maybe 2-3 years ago.  Scott remembers that it was determined that the Village owned the land under the golf course but it was never truly determined who owned the buildings.  He does remember that when he attended Village Trustee meetings before the merger of the two Boards and CCC business came up, it was assumed that the Village would own any improvements.  Trustee Sargent asked if he remembered any legal documents about ownership if anything should happen to CCC.  Scott stated that his understanding of Copley’s will was that if the Village stopped utilizing the land for recreational use (park, golf course, or airfield), the land would revert to the hospital.

 

The Chair then asked if anyone had any questions of Scott regarding VPPSA Project 10.  Trustee Debor asked for further elaboration as to what MW&L was buying.  Scott reminded the Board that they were not buying anything yet, just allocation.  The VPPSA Board, prior to Craig’s arrival, had determined allocation would be based 50% on need and 50% pro rata based on loads.  That typically put MW&L in the 13-14% area of VPPSA’s costs.  The modified allocation was based on the recognition that some systems had greater needs than other systems.   This is not an obligation to purchase.  This is merely an authorization by the Village voters for MW&L to sign the power sales agreement for up to 9% of Project 10.  Once all the members have their authorizations, then VPPSA will return and recommend X%.  Does MW&L want X%, 9%, or something in between.  So far three systems have expressed no interest (Readsboro, Hyde Park, and Stowe).  VPPSA sees this as a “build it versus buy it” decision because there will be a on-the-spot demand market in December 2007.   The costs for Project 10 are set because it’s a package deal (like an erector set with jet engines) and most of the costs are already set.  The spot market will, of course, vary greatly depending on that market at that time.  There are really only two ways that this project would fail - if the cost exceeds $15.5 billion or the markets don’t come in as they have been forecasted.

 

Mary Ann pointed out that in the Village minutes, the Board voted to have a Special Village Meeting on November 6th.  What was the purpose of the meeting?   Craig pointed out that was for Substation #5 permitting and Craig would get Mary Ann further information on it.

 

 

2)       PUBLIC MEETING

 

No members of the public attended the meeting.

 

3)       MEETING WITH THE SELECTBOARD (EXECUTIVE SESSION)

 

Trustee Bourne made a motion to go into executive session for purpose of contracts, seconded by Trustee Wildes. The Trustees went into executive session with the Selectboard.

 

4)       OLD BUSINESS

 

Craig stated that he did not have anything to report on the following Old Business items.

 

Response to Issues raised in letter from ANR

Gristmill & Creamery Buildings

Forester Services

 

5)             MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

Operations – Jim answered questions the Trustees asked.

Financial  - Allan answered questions the Trustees asked on the reports.

Other Miscellaneous Items – Craig gave a report on the 115kV Lamoille County Project. The September 6, 2006 hearing scheduled by the PSB was a full house. The scheduled hearing was on the LCP cost increases. None of the entities present asked for the permitting process to be re-opened. The DPS asked the Board to settle the cost allocation dispute. The PSB directed the DPS to file a motion on the matter and the PSB will decide if they want to open a docket.

 

 

6)     APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 5, 2006

 

Trustee Wildes made a motion to approve the minutes of  September 5, 2006, seconded by Chair Jensvold, and unanimously approved by all present.

 

7)       DISCUSS PRIVATE OWNED SEWER LINES

 

Sonny Demars and Richard Sargent were present to discuss their previous knowledge on privately owned sewer lines.

 

8)       DISCUSS FORCIER & ALDRICH REPORT

 

Draft sections of a report were handed out and Jim briefly went through the report and answered any questions. Jim stated that the full report is due this week and F&A staff is available to discuss the report with the Trustees. Trustee Wildes asked that the report be delivered a week before the presentation.

 

9)       OTHER BUSINESS

 

Trustee Bourne made a motion to authorize a Special Meeting to have a Special Village Vote on November 6, 2006 to complete the 248 process for the Substation #5 upgrades. The motion was seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved by all.

 

 

At 8:04 pm Trustee Bourne made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved by all, the meeting ended.

 

 

                                                                                                ___________________________________

                Peter Bourne, Clerk