VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE WATER AND LIGHT DEPARTMENT
September 4, 2007
TUESDAY 6:00 PM
Water and Light Office
The meeting duly noticed and warned was called to order at 6:00 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair: Bourne
Trustees: Sargent, DeBor, Thompson, Wildes
Staff: Craig Myotte, Jim Fontaine, Penny Jones, Linda Osgood
1) PUBLIC MEETING
No members of the public were in attendance.
2) OLD BUSINESS:
Response to Issues raised in letter from ANR – We are still waiting for a written response from the ANR.
Copley Golf Course – Staff reported that we have not resolved the water billing issue for CCC nor have they signed the lease agreement.
3) MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Jim discussed the Cady’s Falls generator repairs.
Jim discussed the contract award for the Cottage Street and Randolph Street project.
Penny responded to questions from the Trustees regarding the purchased power budget variance for 2007. The Trustees asked for additional details regarding the variance. Craig stated that staff would look into the variance further with VPPSA staff.
Craig reported he is still working on the loss dispute with CVPS on behalf of Stowe, Hardwick and Morrisville.
The DPS is making an effort to solve the 115 KV line dispute in Vermont, not federal court. Chairman O’Brien has set a very aggressive schedule. The most recent request for information was very time consuming for MWL staff.
Craig updated the Trustees on the status of the GMP line purchase. Craig stated that the he needs to do further analysis on the cost with and without the line purchase and has scheduled a meeting with GMP to try to finalize the purchase.
4) APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AUGUST 20, 2007:
Clerk needs to be changed to Tim Sargent as Trustee Wildes was absent.
On a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Thompson, the Board approved the minutes of the August 20, 2007, meeting as amended. Trustee Wildes abstained due to his absence.
5) APPROVE RDA LOAN AMOUNT OF $4,825,000:
On a motion by Trustee Thompson, seconded by Trustee Wildes and unanimously approved, the Board approved the RDA Loan for the amount of $4,825,000.
6) DISCUSS STATUS OF PRIVATE OWNED SEWER LINES:
Craig reported that he had received information indicating that Mr. Manosh is ready to sign the Agreement with the Village to take over ownership of his sewer lines. Craig will make contact with Mr. Manosh to schedule a time to sign the Agreement with him.
Jim took the opportunity to seek clarification from the Board. With eight apartment units proposed in two different locations, does the common sewer line running down the driveway serving multiple buildings need to be publicly owned? The Trustees stated it was important to develop a policy covering this topic. Jim stated he would draft a policy for the Trustees to discuss at a future meeting.
Jim also reported that Johnson Electric had a sanitary survey done on their system and found pumps that were not air-gapped and needed to be taken offline.
7) DISCUSS PATNOE PROPERTY ISSUE:
The Trustees had a lengthy discussion on the Patnoe property issues. Trustee Debor summarized the Patnoe issues for the Trustees. The Trustees agreed that they are committed to opposing any new development in the wellhead protection area. The Trustees will not oppose the expansion of your daycare facilities utilizing your existing septic system provided ANR approves it for handling the increased wastewater from the expanded daycare facility. However, the Trustees will oppose all additional development within the wellhead protection area. The Trustees are willing to consider either purchasing the development rights of the property or the property in the wellhead protection area after reviewing an appraisal completed by a certified appraiser. The Trustees directed Craig to prepare a letter to the Patnoes.
8) DISCUSS TOWN (PEASE) REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SWIRL SEPARATOR PROJECT:
The Trustees stated that they do not support providing additional assistance to the project. Craig will respond to Mr. Pease the Village’s position.
9) REVIEW AUGUST 27 STATUS REPORT OF WWTF PROJECT FROM FA&A:
Staff reviewed the FA&A responses to questions raised during the bidding process and the August 27th status report. Craig reminded them that the 30% engineering review would be held in late September and FA&A would like to meet with the Trustees in October. Trustee Wildes asked Craig to write a letter asking about the grant shortfall of $1 million from Federal government.
10) OTHER BUSINESS:
In regards to property management, Craig has contacted Tim Sullivan and he is interesting in helping. He does not feel comfortable about tackling the water resources issues, gravel reserves and timber rights but will think about it.
Trustee Wildes asked how big Zackwoods was. It is approximately 100 acres of which ˝ is water. He then asked why we couldn’t lease use of the primitive camping to Umiak or the State? Trustee Wildes also said it could generate revenue from a non-performing asset.
The DPS asked us to include a bill insert. The Board had no issues with insert.
Trustee Sargent suggested we erect a wind generator somewhere to show we support wind.
Craig spoke to someone regarding walking trails on Clark Park (behind Plant #2).
On a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board approved a lien in the amount of $813.32 on the property located at 1990 Vermont Route 12, Lake Elmore, owned by Steve & Nancy Berry.
Jim informed the Board that the Heanue’s have appealled the DRB’s decision with a hearing scheduled for September 13th.
11) EXECUTIVE SESSION:
On a motion by Trustee DeBor, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board went into Executive Session at 7:53 PM to discuss legal issues. The Trustees came out of Executive session at 8:05 PM.
12) ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:05 PM, on a motion by Trustee Wildes, seconded by Trustee Sargent and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting.
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Dana Wildes, Clerk