and from today's TGN

Department remains successful, effective operation To the Editor: 3/1/2013

Dana F. Blais Chairman, Templeton Light and Water Plant Commission To the Editor: Looking back on my 23 years as a commissioner of the Templeton Light and Water Department, I feel a great sense of accomplishment for what the management team has done to uphold the over 100-year tradition of dedicated service and stable rates for the people of Templeton. The Light Plant has been able to move forward with capital improvements, modern facilities, and safe equipment. Furthermore, we have kept up with the Green Energy Program (solar, hydro, and wind). When it comes to power outages and service, the department really shines. We have been able to spend millions of dollars in capital improvements without having to raise our rates. To me, that is good management. Another area I feel a major source of accomplishment, is the way that all of us — the commission, past and present managers, and all the employees of the Templeton Light and Water Department, have been able to move the water department forward. At a town meeting, the citizens of Templeton voted to have the light commission take over the management of the water department from the Board of Selectmen because of the way it was being operated. For example, there were 700 meters in the town that didn’t work. Also, 43 percent of the water that was being pumped was unaccounted for. Customers had not been billed for 14 months, so there was no money coming into the department. There was water that residents could not drink, and multiple water main breaks every month. The first thing the commission did was to work with the manager to hire a water superintendent. Ron Davan was hired. He brought a wealth of experience to the department. The commission had $3.8 million that was voted on at a town meeting to spend on the water system. With this money, we installed all new meters that would allow the electric meter reader to read the meters more efficiently. Water mains were also installed, along with a new tank for fire protection. The water department also had to build a water filtration system in E. Templeton, at a cost of over $2 million to improve the water quality in that area of the town. The commission was approached by residents of South Road in Templeton asking for a water main extension because their wells were not producing quality water. Again, we provided quality water and fire protection to these residents in Templeton. So as you can understand, we took over a department that was in desperate need of new management and repair. After years of hard work and the spending of considerable revenue, the water department is now an efficient and well-run department. So now the question is, why would anyone want to change the effective management of two of the most efficiently-run departments in town? The reasons stated by Mr. Smart, the petitioner, are totally unfounded. Mr. Smart states that the rates are too high. Which rates? Water rates or electric rates? Are the people who backed the petition taking issue with the fact that their property tax rates have increased by about 70 percent since FY08? First of all, there are other central Massachusetts communities with higher water rates than the TMLWP (Ashburnham, Barre, Paxton, and Spencer to name a few). This information has already been disseminated at least twice at recent water department meetings, as well as in a May 2012 Gardner News article. There are also petition supporters who have frequently brought up the fact that their water rates have increased since the 2000 management change. Of course the rates have increased. Prior to 2000, residents did not even receive water bills for 14 months. With the millions of dollars that has been spent on improvements and the revenue required for daily operations, it is common sense that water rates would increase. The water department is a true enterprise system. It operates only on revenue it receives from water-users. It is not subsidized by real estate taxes like the Sewer Department’s is. Second, Mr. Smart’s assertion that our electric rates are among the highest in the state, is totally false. The manager’s electric rate comparisons show that Templeton’s electric rates are in the middle for most rate classifications, particularly, residential. In recent weeks, the rates have actually gone down. Beginning in March, our rates will be less expensive than those of National Grid. Our rates also reflect the millions of dollars spent on system improvements. With the way rates have been structured over the years, the department does not have to borrow money every time we want to launch a new project. To me, this is another example of effective management. Mr. Smart also indicates that we have not begun the Wind Turbine Cost Certification process, even though the manager began it in February 2011, at the commissioners’ direction. Mr. Smart also stated that we have not initiated a department website, which in fact, began in July 2012, and is days away from completion and being online. Another major issue that Mr. Smart and his group are addressing is the Pilot (payment in lieu of taxes). The light department has returned an average of $125,000 to the town of Templeton to help set the tax rate. Some communities do not even give a Pilot payment. With the way the town has been governed the last few years, and the fact that taxpayers are reluctant to pass an over-ride to help the town survive, some people feel that it should be the responsibility of the TMLWP to increase the Pilot payment. The amount of Pilot payment that Mr. Smart and his group suggest, is unheard of in the municipal industry. Lastly, another issue that Mr. Smart stated was that the department is not “transparent.” The department has in fact been extremely forthcoming with information and has given Mr. Smart and his group answers to all of their questions. The TMLWP has over a 100-year history of successful and effective operation with its current team of three commissioners, a manager, and staff, all working for the rate payers of Templeton. Dana F. Blais Chairman, Templeton Light and Water Plant Commission