VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT

September 28, 2009

 

MONDAY                                                                                                6:00 PM

                  Water and Light Office

 

The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:00 PM.

 

PRESENT: Trustees: Tim Sargent, Ed DeBor, Wally Reeve, Peter Bourne, and Dana Wildes

                   Staff:       Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, Penny Jones and Linda Osgood

 

GUESTS:        George Twigg and Michael Wickenden

 

1)         PUBLIC MEETING:

 

            No members of the public were in attendance.

 

2)         VERMONT ENERGY INVESTMENT CORP. PRESENTATION:

 

            George Twigg of Vermont Energy Investment Corp. (VEIC) and Michael Wickenden of Efficiency Vermont (EV) were in attendance to walk the Trustees through how EV was created, how VEIC became involved and operates, and the cost/benefits to MW&L’s customers.  Mr. Wickenden also explained how “geo-targeting” was created and its purpose of finding a specific area to get the most savings for the dollars.  The Trustees are not pleased that geo-targeting means that $109,000 of MW&L’s $235,000 EEU funds paid in 2008 were distributed outside of Lamoille County. Trustee Wildes then asked about the budgeting process as MW&L sees 23% increases each year when our system growth is relatively flat.  Budgets are set through public meetings and workshops to which VPPSA sent legal counsel to represent the municipals.  Because the EEU was created through all-binding contracts with all utilities, if a utility wants out they must get the approval of all other participants and be able to prove to the State that they can provide equal service, either through in-house personnel or by hiring their own subcontractors.

 

3)         APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 8, 2009:

 

            Trustee Sargent asked for a minor modification to Section #8.

 

            On a motion by Trustee Debor, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board approved the amended minutes of the September 8, 2009, regular meeting.

 

4)         APPROVE LIENS:

 

            Penny verified with counsel that MW&L has the authority to send a property to tax sale for any unpaid electric, water, or sewer bills.  However a lien need to be in place before we can send a property to tax sale for unpaid utilities.  On a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board authorized a lien in the amount of $420.00 on the 115 Wabun Avenue property owned by Donald Sawyer and a lien in the amount of $420.09 on the 110 Portland Street property owned by Valcich Enterprises, Ltd.

 

5)         CURRENT PRIORITY PROJECTS:

 

            The Board quickly reviewed the status of the current priority projects.  We have received an electronic version but are still waiting for the final written report from HL Turner.  Trustee Wildes stated that next time we enter into a contract, final payment will not be made until all final reports are in hand.  Craig believes we have reached the final wording on the IBEW contract.  It now must be ratified by Union members.  The Bradley lawsuit has gone to settlement.  The State made its submittal to the Economic Stimulus package so now we just have to wait.

 

6)         MANAGEMENT REPORT:

 

            Finally had enough rain the last few days to allow generation again.  Green River is finally back up to the minimum drawdown.  At the WWTF they are working on the piping to the centrifuge unit.

 

            We are down to about five water meters left to be installed and they are all difficult installations that will require holes to be cut in either walls or floors to accommodate a meter.  All pits have been installed and they were able to avoid installing a couple.  There is an issue with some of the meters not working that will be addressed by Ti-Sales.  They also need to double-check all work done by the first plumber with whom we had problems.

 

            The construction road to the new reservoir has been cut.  They are blasting at the base of the reservoir today.  The ROW for the new transmission pipe has been cut.

 

            Tatro has completed their sewer project with a final inspection scheduled for Friday.  They are trying to find a crew for next week’s water line project on Portland Street.  Penny reminded the Board of next week’s public vote to bond for the entire project cost in order to get reimbursed for ˝ of the cost.

 

            Belanger has filed a complaint with DPS but DPS has sided with us.  Therefore we issued a disconnect notice.  Penny is also reviewing zero-usage accounts for possible failed meters.  The Pritchard residence has now been connected to the sanitary sewer system.  We’re still working on the driveway issue.

 

7)         DISCUSS HYDRO REPORT AND FUTURE POWER SUPPLY STRATEGIES:

 

            This discussion was postponed until next week.

 

8)         RATE MITIGATION STRATEGIES:

 

            Nothing new to report other than Penny will be working with VPPSA to look at our after-hour charges and visit charges.

 

9)         OTHER BUSINESS:

 

            Penny has been shopping around to all local banks to refinance the mortgage on our office.  Community National has come in highest offering 4.85% for 20 years.  Trustee DeBor asked for the quotes in writing along with all document requirements.  The balloon payment on our existing mortgage is not until 2011 so now is the time to act.

 

            The task force for the TSSA had its first meeting.  The Selectboard approved adding Max Paine to the task force to represent Planning.  The Planning Commission invited the Trustees to their next regular meeting on October 6th.

 

            An issue is brewing with a customer who recently purchased a duplex in the Village and is being billed two flat rate water and sewer charges each month.  He feels as a single house it should only have one charge.  In numerous e-mails we have explained that owners can request water/sewer vacancies but as soon as we see electric usage in the unoccupied unit, we will begin billing water and sewer again.  Of course this will be a mute point when we switch over to metered billing.  The customer is looking for someone in either management or on the Board who will bend the rules for him.  One of his arguments was he had someone living rent free in ˝ of the duplex so he shouldn’t be charged water and sewer for him because he is not collecting any rent.  The Trustees directed Staff to invite this customer to a Board meeting to discuss his issue.  This gives the customer his right to meet with the Trustees and gives the Trustees their right to defend their staff’s decisions.

 

            Trustee Bourne again requested what VEC is paying their subcontractors working in Grand Isle as compare to what they are paying MW&L for our linemen. Craig stated he would have information to Peter on September 29.

 

10)       EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

            At 8:05 PM, on a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board went into Executive Session to discuss legal issues and personnel.

 

            At 8:20 PM, on a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Bourne and unanimously approved, the Board came out of Executive Session.

 

11)       ADJOURNMENT:

 

            At 8:21 PM, on a motion by Trustee Bourne, seconded by Trustee DeBor and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________________

                                                                        Edward DeBor, Clerk