MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC POWER ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
January 21, 2009
HMLD 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Peter Liddy, Chair, David Cotton, Donna Fitch, Gary Harrington, Tom Runstrom and John Shepherd
Also Present: Brian Bullock, Town/Light Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Michael Flagg, General Foreman, Margaret Donaldson, Office Manager, Jim Robinson
2008 Ice Storm Follow-Up
Chairman Liddy explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the events of the December 2008 Ice Storm. Mr. Bullock gave an overview of the response to the storm and the timetable of when various parts of the town were restored with power.
After the storm, Mr. Liddy had suggested that all the service connections receive a safety inspection for possible damage. Mr. Flagg and Ms. Kelly had put a plan in action to have a team of inspectors progress throughout the town to visually inspect each service connection. The results would be categorized by 1) whether the work needed to be done by a private electrician, 2) whether the town needed to complete the work, or 3) whether there were problems with Cable TV or telephone which would be forwarded to Verizon or Charter.
The inspectors were nearing completion of the two-week survey. Mr. Flagg estimated that ten percent (10%) of all services would need work done by the homeowner with a licensed electrician and another ten percent would require Light Department follow-up.
Brush Pick-Up and Disposal
The Town is planning to pick-up and dispose of storm brush and debris. Mr. Bullock reported that a specification is being developed that would include picking up the debris and transporting it to an appropriate disposal site. The brush would then be chipped and possibly sold to a power plant.
Because about one-third of the town lies with the Asian Longhorn Beetle quarantine area, the Department of Conservation and Recreation would possibly handle the brush program within the area. Details and dates are still being worked out.
FEMA Reimbursement
Mr. Bullock said that seventy-five percent (75%) of the town's costs for the storm including the brush pick-up program, would be reimbursed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Town would still have to pay the remaining 25%. There had been some early discussions about the State paying one-half the town's share (12.5%) but that scenario might not be forthcoming due to economic problems. The town's share might be paid using the Light Department's Rate Stabilization Fund (RSF) initially; there would be a surcharge added to customer bills to recover the costs and replenish the RSF. Mr. Shepherd said that some individuals may have already paid to have their yard cleared of debris so it would not be fair to charge them for the town-wide brush removal program. Mr. Cotton agreed and suggested that the portion of costs related
to the brush pick-up program be borne by the Light Department. After further discussion of the brush pick-up costs, there was consensus that the Rate Stabilization Fund be charged for the town share of brush removal and clean-up.
Slide Show
Staff showed the Board a slide presentation of photos taken during the Ice Storm and provided a summary of the mutal aid and private contractors who responded.
2009 Operating and Captial Budget
On a motion by Chairman Liddy, seconded by Mr. Harrington, the board voted to accept the 2009 Operating and Capital Budget as presented.
Various Observations and Recommendations Concerning Storm Response
Mr. Liddy, who had participated in restoring power during the storm, provided some recommendations on future storm response.
Damage Assessment - there should be a better and earlier plan to assess damage and classify areas of Town. A foreman should be assigned to each area to review the damage and supervise response. These foreman should be relieved by foreman from mutual aid companies.
Maps - an up-to-date map of the distribution system needs to be developed and provided to all emergency response personnel. The map should include the distribution system, transformers, single phase, etc. If possible, this map should be put on the Web site and foreman given lap tops to access it.
Customer Relations - customers deserve more information whether that be information on the Web site or more frequent and substantive updates. The Board should also be kept updated on progress.
Communications - a better communications system between crews is needed. Portable radios should be considered. Also, when work is completed, there needs to be a central clearing house for information that all the crews and the office people can access.
Customer data base - crews were running into false house numbers on the lists which did not cross-check with actual addresses in the field. Service addresses should be checked and updated to maintain a more accurate data base.
Tree Crews - the many tree crews working had very little supervision. More manpower should be devoted to supervising these private crews and monitoring their work.
NEPPA - the dispatching through NEPPA took too long; mobilization in some cases was a result of our staff calling other departments directly. The NEPPA dispatching function needs to be looked at and possibly re-organized.
The Board would like to meet again in April and on a quarterly basis in the future.
Adjournment
There being no further business, on a motion by Mr. Cotton, second by Mr. Runstrom it was voted to adjourn the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board meeting at approximately 8:50 p.m.
Prepared by: Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
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