Shedding Some Light…2013

Attendance was up at the Light and Water meeting last night. At some points it was Standing Room Only. Best opening quote was from Virginia Wilder as she entered the meeting with Bob Columbus : “Why don’t you shut up, Pete” In reference to Pete Kasper commenting: “Here come the stooges”

WATER MEETING – The FY 12 water audit indicates a surplus of $41,000. (The water main breaks in July are FY 13).

The Zone II delineation, years in the making, is finally ready for approval. There are maps of the completed re-drawn Zone II water delineation.  There is a conflict between the BOH regulations and the planning board by-laws that will need to be rectified at Town meeting. No meeting date has been set for discussion between the BOH, Planning board and water department. Hopefully, these issues will be ready resolved for the Town meeting in May. A final cost for the Zone II should be ready shortly.

2011 Fluoride Award – was not received by the water department but by the BOH. Maybe the  BOH will have a ceremony marking this momentous occasion.

Pete Farrell provided the commissioners with information from the Harvard School of Public Health that indicates water fluoridation lowers IQ.

Customer comments and questions –

Will Spring asked when the budget forms for the Water department will be completed and sent to the Town coordinator. There seemed to be some confusion on the part of the Light and Water manager about the deadline for the Annual Report (Feb 1 2013) and the budget forms ( December 2012?)

There was no answer to my question: Where does Templeton’s Water enterprise figures get reported to the DOR? These figures were once (2004, 2008?) reported on the Recap Sheet, but have gone missing. The chairman stated it was probably ok since the DOR hadn’t fined them yet.

LIGHT MEETING –

Good News! The Templeton Wind Turbine Cost Certification (aka wind turbine audit) might possibly, someday be completed at a future date. This long standing agenda item will surely re-appear in the near future, when again we will be informed that it might almost be ready for the next meeting. This audit is being performed by Braver and another firm Goulet; not quite sure how much has been expended to date for this audit but it is at least $8,000. Exact figures on the expenditure of the audit of the turbine will surely be forthcoming in the same near future as the audit itself…Something about making the audit agree with the 3.83 million figure. MMLLDWECC (Massachusetts Municipal Light Department Wind Energy Cooperative Corporation) is making payments on the 3.83 million figure for our turbine so the audit needs to tie out to that figure.

More Good News! The website is coming along and promises to be treasure trove of Light and Water information. It is hoped that within 6 weeks, this website will be operational. Like expectant parents waiting for an overdue baby, many in the audience were grateful to hear the “due date” of this website.

Rates- There was a long discussion of rates. Next year a rate study will be conducted. Good news! The service fee of $4.00/month/customer will be reduced to $3.00/month /customer. The exact cost analysis of light department billing will be provided in the near future. (I can hardly wait!) My calculations indicate a revenue stream of $168,000 at the $4.00 service charge figure and a revenue stream of $126,000 at the $3.00 service fee. Bill Trust is the firm that provides the Light bills for a total cost of $26,000/year.  The service also includes the cost of the meter reader’s time and vehicle and miscellaneous expenses, which probably accounts for the additional $100,000 figure. In my next life, I’m coming back as a meter reader.

Business Manager Position- after much discussion, the commissioners voted to create a Business Manager’s position. The position will be salary and exempt. The office manager position will be eliminated. It was unclear if there is a job description for the position or if a clothing allowance will be included.

One commissioner asked if this could be discussed in executive session. Guess again! Hey commissioners! You are elected to a PUBLIC body. You must follow the Open Meeting Law and abide by the rules and regulations of the Ethics commission… just like every other elected or appointed PUBLIC official. Surprise!

After I inquired if the newly created Business manager position will be posted, a brief recess was called about 7:10 p.m. The manager left to make a phone call. Bob Columbus and Ron Davan left the meeting room to go to the offices a few seconds later. Later in the meeting, I asked who was called and was informed by the manager that he had called the attorney Doucette & Larose (the law firm that no longer submits an itemized invoice)

It was decided that the Business manager position will be posted for two weeks …internally. Last time a position was open at the light department, it was posted internally and very difficult to find. 

Lifeline – After discussion, it was decided to look into ways to provide a discount to our residents who may qualify by income or disability. This is a long-term project that deserves study. Hopefully, it will not be another epic adventure like the turbine cost certification.

Customer Comments & Questions –

Will Spring mentioned a situation with voltage fluctuation at his home. He also asked about reconfiguring the department’s energy portfolio to take advantage of the lower cost of natural gas. Unfortunately, over 80% of the light department’s energy portfolio is locked into long-term contracts.

Dave Smart made inquiries about RECs (renewable energy credits), which generated about $300,000 for the light dept. last year. We were informed that the RECs are used against the debt incurred to construct the turbine.

Dave also asked about the commissioner’s stipend ( $1,500/yr) and flicker complaints from a resident (on-going discussions).

Bev and I asked about formalizing the PILOT payment to the town. I guess we’ll just keep asking that question over and over. Oh! Wait! How about a by-law to formalize the PILOT payment? That might work.

My opinions… supported by FACTS ! ! !

Julie Farrell