MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC POWER ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
September 27, 2005
HMLD Meeting Room 7:00 p.m.
Members present: Chairman Robert Hamer, and Members David Cotton, Donna Fitch, Peter Liddy, Thomas Runstrom, and John Shepherd.
Also present: Joseph Sullivan, Chairman, Board of Selectmen, Brian Bullock, Town/ Light Manager, Jacquelyn Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Gary Harrington, Superintendent, Diane Mero, Utility Specialist, and Margaret Donaldson, Office Manager.
Public Power Week
Ms. Donaldson reviewed plans for the Senior Luncheon on October 5, during 2005 Public Power Week. This year, the HMLD will be offering $5 gift certificates. The Department will be leasing a new bill stuffer/ postage machine which should save the Department at least $500 per month in postage.
Ms. Mero announced that the Department will begin accepting on-line payments of utility bills in late fall. She also went over a revised bill format (being adjusted because of the new postage machine). Ms. Mero handed out copies of the upcoming newsletter.
PCA Adjustment
Mr. Bullock outlined a proposed adjustment of $.018 to the Power Cost Adjustment factor to cover unanticipated increases in wholesale energy charges. Approximately $500,000 will be returned to the customers over the next six months, from the Department's Rate Stabilization Reserve in the form of a bill credit. Each residential customer will receive a credit of $7.50 per month; this will offset the increase in PCA for many average customers. Commercial and General Services customers will also receive a credit.
The Board agreed with the increase and the proposed credit.
Update on Substation Project
Mr. Harrington went over the status of the substation project. Ms. Kelly reminded the Board that there will be an article on the upcoming special town meeting agenda to allow the town to acquire the property necessary to build the substation.
Streetlights - General Hobbs Neighborhood
Some of the neighbors in the General Hobbs area submitted a petition for streetlights; the Department installed three at key locations. However, many neighbors are opposed to the new streetlights and have submitted counter-petitions. The Department is going to mark out (on the pavement) the proposed locations for additional streetlights. If there is further opposition, the lighting plan may be amended.
CY2006 Budget Preparation
This year, there will be a joint meeting with the Board and the Selectmen to review the draft budget. The proposed date is December 6, 2005.
Minutes
On a motion by Mr. Liddy, second by Mr. Cotton, the minutes from December 13, 2004 were approved as written.
Other Business
Mr. Bullock explained that Mass Highway and the manufacturer have been contacted regarding the manhole problems on Main Street. There will be further meetings and a plan to remedy the sinking manholes will be developed. Mass Highway is responsible for fixing the remaining manholes.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at approximately 8:20 p.m.
Prepared by Jacquelyn Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
Approved 12/6/05
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