I was looking for information about area towns and what the
light companies contribute to their communities. Davis is right, not all give
their towns money towards pilot, but most do. The most interesting town I found
was Shrewsbury. Yes, I know you cannot compare Shrewsbury to Templeton, but
this gives you an idea of what a municipal light company can do, if it chooses.
Shrewsbury buys electric from Mass wholesale Electric. In
the year 2011 this is what Shrewsbury Electric did for their town.
$198,116. Direct Cash payment in lieu of taxes (pilot).
Because Selco is tax exempt, the light commissioners vote annually to make a
payment to the town.
$138,490. Estimated interest income, from operating cash and
depreciation funds. Selco elects to give interest income from depreciation
funds to the town.
$207,890. Reduced street lighting rates. Selco charges the
town for street lighting. These rates are below those charged by neighboring
investor owned electric companies.
$423,742. Reduced electric rates for all town buildings. When
compared to neighboring investor owned electric companies.
$223,848 Selco labor used for other town departments.
Total $1,192,086. Value of Selco to the town in 2011.
These are things this light company does for the community
of Shrewbury. I do not think the Light Commissioners had to be pressured by the
people in their community. Selco is no different than our light company. They are
a municipally owned light company.
Our town is in trouble! Do I want to see our workers lose
more hours, or even jobs, because our light commissioners do not want to
contribute to the town any more than they are forced to. It is like our light
commissioners eating steak while the rest of the town exists on bread and
water. This is not ok. Credit can be given for the good job the linemen do. It is
a lot easier to work with brand new equipment, then it is for Bud to try to
keep the roads clear with second hand or old trucks. Sorry guys, it is time for
you to share. It will not kill you.
Bev
I think the issue to start a negotiation with Light and Water to come up with a mutually agreed upon formula. A formula that won't bankrupt the light department, but is agreed upon and put into writing.
ReplyDeleteThe assessors, the BOS, treasurer and accountant should all have input into this agreement. It will take time to negotiate. But you can't negotiate if the commissioners won't come to the table.
This is what is wrong with this picture? I do not think any of us, expect the light and water to triple their PILOT payment overnight. There are too many questions that need to be answered, by these guys. Maybe a court order will do. The second line of my blog, it should have said Dana was right about not all towns receiving money for a PILOT. It does not matter, what some towns do. The DOR told us to work with the commissioners to get a PILOT in writing. That is what we need to do. Bev.
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