VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT

October 2, 2006

                                                                                                       

 

MONDAY                                                                                                                                                 5:30 PM

                                    Water and Light Office

 

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

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                  Chair:            Jensvold

                                                                          Trustees:     Bourne, Wildes, Sargent, DeBor,

                                                                          Staff:             Jim Fontaine, Allan Arbuckle, Craig Myotte

 

GUESTS PRESENT: Mary Ann Wilson, Scott Corse, Amy Noyes, Pat Persico, Chris Ransom,

                                    Don Phillips, Joe Duncan

                                       

1)       INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR PROJECT 10 –

 

The informational meeting for Project 10 (gas turbine generator) began at 5:36. Scott Corse from VPPSA provided an electronic presentation and answered questions from the Trustees and members of the public.

 

2)      SPECIAL MEETING & VOTE FOR PROJECT 10 –

 

          A motion was made by Dana Wildes and seconded by Tim Sargent to authorize its Board of Trustees to enter into a Power Sales Agreement with Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (“VPPSA”), in accordance with Section 5013 of the Act, (a) for the purchase, sale, exchange or transmission of electric energy and other services related thereto, and the payment of unconditional obligations for, up to 9% of capability (currently anticipated to be  approximately 3497kW based on an ISO-NE UCAP rating of 38.8 MW from the natural gas fired peaking facility known as VPPSA Project 10 to be constructed in Swanton, Vermont, and (b) for planning, engineering and expenses incidental to determining the feasibility of the foregoing Project, including the Project Development Agreement between the Village and VPPSA dated as of January 26, 2006; all such contracts to be on such terms as the Board of Trustees shall approve, provided that the obligations of the Village under any Power Sales Agreement shall be payable solely from the revenues and moneys of the electric department. The motion was unanimously approved by all present.

 

          Peter Bourne made a motion to adjourn the Special meeting. The motion was seconded by Dana Wildes and unanimously approved by all present. The Special meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm.

 

3)      PUBLIC MEETING –

                  

          No members of the community attended the public meeting.

 

4)      FORCIER & ALDRICH REPORT FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES –

 

Forcier & Aldrich staff (Don Phillips, Joe Duncan) provided an overview of the draft report for wastewater treatment facilities. Forcier & Aldrich staff reviewed recommendations and listened to comments from the Trustees on the draft report. Forcier and Aldrich agreed to incorporate comments from the Trustees and reissue the report next week.

 

5)      OLD BUSINESS – 

 

Response to Issues raised in letter from ANR –Most of the issues that were raised by ANR are going to be addressed by Earth Tech. They came on board September 11th.

 

Gristmill & Creamery Buildings –  Bob Ross is pushing for an agreement on the Grist Mill/Creamery property and has basically made his final offer for the property.  Ross has reached the point where he is ready to walk away from this project.  The Trustees indicated that the existing offer is not acceptable.  The Trustees stated that they would still be interested in leasing if Craig wanted to revisit that with Ross. 

 

Forester Services –Craig had not had a chance to make any progress on this item, but will continue and keep the Trustees updated.

 

6)      MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

Operations – There were no questions for Jim.

Financial – There were no questions for Allan.

New Business Development – Craig reported that work is being wrapped up with the Fire District #1.

Other Miscellaneous – Craig provided an update on the Lamoille County 115 kV project. Stowe wants to do a FERC filing on the Lamoille County Project (LCP) and was looking to Morrisville to contribute approximately 30% ($7500-8000).  Craig is not certain if that is the route that Stowe will actually take but we need to be prepared if that happens over the next week or two before the Board meets again. There has been some frustration in the lack of communications with Stowe regarding the project. Craig will try to sort through things and give the Trustees a recommendation at the next meeting.

 

7)     APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 18, 2006

 

On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent, the Board approved the minutes of the meeting held September 18, 2006.  Trustee DeBor abstained due to his absence at that meeting.

 

8)     Approve letter response to Selectboard regarding meeting on September 18, 2006

 

Trustee Wildes stated that one statement limits our activities when you don’t have to vote to limit our activities – we have regulations that states everyone pays.  Chair Jensvold pointed out he was trying to convey that we could not contribute seed-money for their industrial expansion.  Trustee Wildes agreed it was fine in that context but maybe a second paragraph was needed, talking about available allocation and selling it to a willing buyer.  Craig will incorporate Trustee Wildes’ comments.  The Board agreed Craig could just send the letter after the changes and they did not need to review it again.

 

9)     DISCUSS PRIVATE OWNED SEWER LINES

 

Chairman Jensvold recommended moving this discussion to the next regular meeting.

 

10)   UPDATE ON PATNOE’S ISSUE

 

Craig is still trying to set up a meeting with gunner McCain so a postponement to the next meeting would help.  Jim pointed out that Hardwick has signs right on Route 15 stating a Wellhead Protection Area.  He felt we could do the same at a minimum cost.

 

11)   OTHER BUSINESS

 

On Wabun & Wilkins Streets, Jim had a meeting with Tatro.  The area is so gravelly that, from a compaction standpoint, they were having a hard time getting anyone into the trench.  Saving the pavement will be extremely difficult.  Tatro suggests putting 2” base pavement with 1” top pavement down ($75,000).  Tatro has budgeted $63,000 for repaving which means the Town would have to come up with the difference. Tatro needs to know because right now they are cutting the pavement.  Jim would like to get the Town to pay the $12,000 but he was looking for authorization to tell Tatro to go ahead and we will work it out with the Town later.  The Trustees gave Jim the authorization to give Tatro the okay to repave and we would work out the details with the Town later.

 

On a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee Debor and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned at 8:15 PM.

 

 

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                Peter Bourne, Clerk