HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-27-UTIL-min.pdf Minutes of the
Electric Utility Ad-hoc Committee
February 27, 2002
Attendance
Roger Borghesani
Emily Donovan
David Chamberlain
Paul Chernick
Norman Cohen
Ingrid Klimoff
Peter Enrich
Kelly McKay Zeoli
David Pavlik
(All other members had conflicting schedule or were out of town.)
Introductions
Committee members who did not attend the first meeting (2/13/02) were
introduced and spoke about background and interests in the committee.
Emily Donovan. A long time Lexington resident with experience in
municipal law and deregulation looks forward to making contributions to the
committee's legal issues.
Ingrid Klimoff: Interested in cost reduction of rates, reliability and service
issues.
Minutes of the EUAC Minutes of 2-27
02pc.tloc
by Paul Chernick,via PLC
page 2 of 4
Select a clerk
It was agreed that David Pavlik and Kelly Zeoli would share duties of
minutes for the meetings.
Reviewed Priorities
The committee chair (Paul Chernick) opened the floor for members to follow
up with any items that were left as loose ends or unresolved issues at the previous
meeting.
1. Power Supply
a) Competitive Power Supply for Town loads
i Roger Borghesani summarized this topic, discussed at the previous
meeting.
➢ Action items:
• Kelly will obtain Town of Lexington electric bills (from hard copy
and on-line) and review with Roger.
• Review Town of Lexington's billing information by means of
reviewing current record copies of invoices and or use of the internet
for current billing information.
• Research possible options for power supply service providers,
including Massachusetts Health and Education Facilities Authority
(HEFA)• indicative price, term of contract.
• Work on contract terms (Roger to provide models to Town Counsel).
• Evaluate & compare cost savings presented by the new provider.
• Aim to prepare recommendation (including outline of new service
agreement and determination of which Town loads would be covered)
by the end of April 2002.
• Aim for starting new service contract July 1, 2002.
b) Aggregation
Minutes of the EUAC Minutes of 2-27-02pc.doc
by David Pavlik and Paul Chernick
page 3of4
> This topic was briefly discussed and will be further pursued along
with competitive power supply option.
2. Operational Issues
a) Undergrounding
> No specific action.
b) Double poles
> Patrick has started to organize meetings with Nstar and Verizon.
c) Reliability
> Patrick described his work to date. Norman, Emily and Dave
Chamberlain volunteered for help with contacts.
3 Municipalization
a) Operations
> Paul and Roger outlined issues involved with the operating a
municipal power company
> Discussion of ways to get more detailed information about operations.
• Talking with representatives from municipal utilities in Concord and
Belmont, regarding staffing and other operational requirements.
• Checking with consultants specializing in municipal utilities on
standard assumptions.
b) Peter Enrich presented four major concerns
> What would establishing and operating the utility cost?
> What risks from municipal utility operations would fall on the Town?
> Would service be better or worse with municipal ownership?
> Does the Town of Lexington want to have the responsibility of
involved with a power company?
c) Valuing the NStar system in Lexington
Minutes of the EUAC Minutes of 2-27-02pc.dco
by David Pavlik and Paul Chemick
page 4 of 4
> How will the system be valued?
> What is involved in making the sale happen?
> Have any other communities moved toward municipalization?
> What did the DTE rule in Stow?
> Can we coordinate with other municipalities on valuation and other
issues?
> Is there any other precedent for valuation of distribution equipment?
7 Would NStar be able to charge stranded costs to the Town?
4 The meeting was summarized by Paul who restated our priorities:
a) Move towards assessing and acquiring competitive power supply for
the Town loads, preferably by the start FY03 Short-term goal that
saves money
b) Pursue improvements in operational issues—double poles and
reliability
c) Explore feasibility of municipalization, starting by working with other
municipalities interested in setting up electric utilities.
The next meeting is set for Monday March 25th at 730 am.
Minutes of the EUAC Minutes of 2-27-02pc.dac
by David Pavlik and Paul Chernick