VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT

September 17, 2007

                                                                             

MONDAY                                                                                                6:00 PM

                  Water and Light Office

 

The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:05 PM.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                Chair:       Bourne

                                                        Trustees:  Sargent, DeBor, Wildes

                                                        Staff:       Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, Linda Osgood

 

ABSENT:                                       Trustee Thompson

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:                     Allan Vananda.

                             

1)      PUBLIC MEETING:

 

Allan Vananda of Wolcott was present to ask the Board what their long-term plans were for the Gristmill and Creamery Building. Mr. Vananda offered a couple of possible uses for the buildings. The Trustees stated that they would discuss his ideas for the buildings and provide a response to him.

 

2)        OLD BUSINESS:

 

Response to issues in letter from ANR: Nothing new to report. We are still waiting for a response from ANR on materials provided to them.

 

Copley Golf Course: Craig has spoken with Red Reynolds.   Everyone is still trying to work out the numbers.  The Chairman pointed out that CCC was possibly looking at a loan to repair/upgrade their buildings.  As the Village owns the land, any loan would need to be approved by the Board.  This issue will need to be settled before the Village would sign off the loan.

 

3)      MANAGEMENT REPORT:

 

Jim’s crews are moving transmission poles on Route 15 so AOT can repair the slide in Route 15.  This work opens up the vista to the Lamoille River.

 

Substation #5 project moving ahead.  A temporary, portable substation was arranged through GMP along with all mandated fencing.  Our transformers will ship 10/6/07.  All preparation work that can be done has been.

 

Fairbanks Mills will be onsite tomorrow.  The headgates at Plant #2 have been closed awaiting inspection.  They will also be looking for a large hole in the Plant #1 trash rack.  If they have time, they will inspect the sewer river crossing.

 

Jim reported that the total cost to-date for rebuilding unit at Cady’s Falls is about $50,000.

 

Jim reported that MWL’s second net metering customer will be Ted Keith for a wind generator.  He just received a certificate of public good.  B&B Nurseries has not gotten a certificate yet.  The Chairman asked if the monthly charges change with net metering.  They do not.

 

Trustee Wildes asked if Tenney Bridge had been closed yet.  Jim replied not yet but CCS was awarded the job.  A temporary replacement bridge will be put in place at the same location.

 

There will be a public hearing on the customer charge change for the proposed deseasonalized rate change.  We expect interventions from AARP and other organizations. Trustee Wildes thought these rates were supposed to go into effect September 1st.  They were but VPPSA filed documents later than planned.  The Board expressed their disappointment with VPPSA’s handing of this rate case.

 

A review of purchased power shows the increases attributable to budgeting CVPS losses at their OATT rates rather than the actual higher loss rate they are billing. In addition, lower hydro generation has increased purchased power costs.

 

Craig reported that he and the other LCS managers are being deposed and recommended that any further discussions on the Lamoille County Project (115 KV line) be under Executive Session.

 

The Trustees quickly reviewed the status of pending issues from past meetings with staff.

 

4)      APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 4, 2007:

 

On a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board approved the minutes of the meeting held September 4, 2007.

 

5)      APPROVE MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 10, 2007:

 

On a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board approved the minutes of the special meeting held September 10, 2007.

 

6)      APPROVE VILLAGE TAX RATE FOR 2007:

 

Mary Ann Wilson informed the Board that after a review of the voter-approved budget and the town-wide reappraisal, the Village tax rate will go down.

 

On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board approved the new Village tax rate for 2007 as presented.

 

7)      DISCUSS STATUS OF PRIVATE OWNED SEWER LINES:

 

Craig included copies of both the signed agreements with H.A. Manosh.  Craig’s focus will now turn to Murphy Realty.  Jim reported he is drafting up criteria to define what constitutes a private sewer line versus a public sewer line.  He wants to put it in writing for the Board to review and approve as policy.

 

8)      DISCUSS PATNOE PROPERTY ISSUE:

 

The Trustees reviewed and discussed the letter that Craig and Jim sent to the Patnoes. In addition Craig reported that he received several additional questions via voice mail from Ernie Patnoe.  It was not clear to Craig what he is asking so Craig is trying to connect up with him.

 

9)      REVIEW SEPTEMBER 10TH STATUS REPORT OF WWTF PROJECT FROM FA&A:

 

The Trustees discussed the latest bi-weekly project status report from FA&A. The 30% design meeting is scheduled for September 27th. FA&A would like to attend the Board’s October 15th meeting. Craig stated that he will include FA&A information in their packets for the October 15th meeting.

 

10)    PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:

 

Tim Sullivan wants someone from MW&L to meet with him on-site at Bugbee Springs.  Jim is thinking either Steve Cutler or Frank Ferrante.  The Chairman suggested the County Forester.  Craig will ask him.

 

As far as the Gristmill and Creamery buildings, Trustee Wildes suggested creating a list of priorities/guidelines that would be acceptable to the Board.  In addition, the Trustees asked Craig to add an action item for the meeting to examine how to transfer property to the Village.

 

Craig received a call from the owner of Chuck’s Bikes also looking for new space to rent. He expressed interest in the Gristmill and Creamery buildings. The Chairman suggested that if Chuck’s wanted to rent the Creamery without making changes to the structure, the Board might want to consider a month-to-month lease.

 

11)    OTHER BUSINESS:

 

The Board of Commissioners of the Stowe Electric Department have expressed a desire to have a joint meeting with the Morrisville Village Trustees.  The Trustees were open to the idea but stated they would like to see a meeting agenda before committing to meet with them.

 

Craig reported that Hardwick Electric has called a meeting with Stowe, Morrisville, Senator Bartlett, and John Morley to try to put political leverage on several issues that are currently at a stalemate with other Vermont utilities.

 

         Craig reported on VPPSA’s second planned (2009 and July 2009 thru Jun 2011 on behalf of MW&L. Craig recommends that MWL participate in these small incremental purchases.

 

         Craig reported that Oswegatchie is looking for an answer to their proposal. Craig informed Mr. Wymess that MW&L plans to conduct our own assessment of the value of the units and we will not be ready to answer them for several months.

 

         The Board completed a survey from VPPSA on power supply purchases for the IRP.

 

12)    EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

At 7:30 PM, on a motion by Trustee Sargent, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session to discuss legal matters. The Trustees came out of executive session at 8:05 PM

 

13)    ADJOURNMENT:

 

At 8:05 PM, on a motion by Trustee Sargent, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________________

Dana Wildes, Clerk