SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
120 FIRST
STREET
SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013
7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Ronald Kilburn, Village President; Chris Leach,
Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau,
Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; and Dianne Day,
Village Clerk.
Ronald Kilburn, Village
President, welcomed all to the Special Board of Trustees Meeting and called the
meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Ron asked Reg to explain why he needed a Special
Meeting. Reg explained that he received information regarding an electric rate
increase that needed to be addressed by the Board before their Informational
Meeting next week. Chris Leach stated that when they had their last rate
increase they knowingly anticipated another one.
Unless otherwise noted, all
motions carried unanimously.
1. Approve and
Accept the Minutes from Monday, February 11, 2013:
Chris Leach made the motion
to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, February 11, 2013 as presented. Eugene
LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Chris stated the presentation given by Wayne
Elliott at their last meeting was very informative. Motion carried.
2. Approve Village
Warrants Through February 15, 2013:
Eugene LaBombard made the
motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#526-#528) through February 8,
2013 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.
3. Electric Rate Discussion:
Reg
Beliveau and Lynn Paradis explained to the Board that they have met with VPPSA
and have discussed going forward with a rate case to study increasing the
electric rates. They stated that VPPSA has recommended they ask for a 10.69%
rate increase. They talked about the extremely dry weather last year and how
that affects generation. They also discussed the market conditions and how they
are not getting paid what they were in past years for the generation at the
Hydro Facility.
Reg
provided the Board with a handout explaining the Village filed for a rate
increase in 2010, a 16.45% increase was filed and approved and it had been 16
years since their last increase. The Village Bond payments are $1.25 million
dollars per year with $608,000 in interest for a total of $1.84 million dollars
per year. Net monthly income for 2012 was $7892; retail revenue for 2012 -
$548,177 a month billed. The OM for 2012 - $610,869 a month, today the Village
is $100,000 short each month to pay bond payments. He showed the Village Total
Debt Load is $11,272,416 all at the Hydro Plant.
This
handout showed a residential service would see an increase of $7.53 per month
and commercial service accounts would see an increase of $11.62 per month.
Industrial and Large Commercial accounts would see an increase of $290.67 per month.
Chris
Leach made the motion to authorize the Village of Swanton’s Electric Department
to file a rate increase not to exceed 11.5%. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion
carried. The Village of Swanton will file their rate increase on February 28,
2013. Rates will go into effect 45 days from filing. Rate increase will take
effect in April 2013.
Lynn
advised the Board she would put inserts in with the utility billing explaining
the rate increase.
4. Water Rate Discussion:
Eugene LaBombard made the
motion to enter into a Water Commissioner’s Meeting to discuss Water Rates.
Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
Lynn Paradis informed the
Board the Village of Swanton is anticipating an increase in the Water
Department. She presented the projected rates for 2013 through 2017. She
requested from the Board permission to increase the water rates effective April
2013.
Eugene LaBombard made the
motion to authorize the Village of Swanton’s Water Department to increase the
water rates effective April 15, 2013 by 12.52%. Adam Paxman seconded.
Eugene LaBombard made the
motion to exit Water Commissioner’s meeting at 8:50 p.m. Chris Leach seconded.
5. Any Other Necessary Business:
Eugene LaBombard stated that
a citizen brought to his attention that it is very dark between Cody’s Café and
Dupre’s Store on Canada Street. He said he checked it and the lights are
pointing straight down and it is dark from the Post Office to Dupre’s Store. We
advised him a work order would be done and the Electric Department would check
it out.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board that the Village has made an
amendment to the Village Employee’s Handbook regarding Overtime Hours worked.
He read the addendum to the Board. The Board suggested a minor change in the wording.
Adam Paxman made the motion to authorize the Village of Swanton to amend the
Employee Handbook regarding Overtime Hours. Chris Leach seconded. Motion
carried.
Any Other Business: Lynn Paradis informed the Board that she attended a meeting last week
regarding the new health care plan for 2014. She said the rates will go up but
they couldn’t say how much at this time. She said the plan coverage will be
less and the rates will be more. The rates will be filed in March and she
thinks a decision will need to be made by October. She stated the Village
employees remain loyal to the Village because of our benefits and stated her
frustrations over this. She will keep the Board informed.
Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn stated Article #13 on the Town Ballot will be asking for
$30,000 to rebuild the front steps of the Swanton Public Library. He said there
is water leaking into the basement and said it is critical that they refurbish
this historic building. He urged everyone to support this article. He said they
want to also restore the historical lanterns to put on the light posts there.
He said they have them in the basement and they are the old frosted globes.
Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn stated that the woodchip trucks are speeding down Grand
Avenue between 3 and 4 p.m. Reg Beliveau stated he would let the Chief of
Police know. The Board stated they would like speed stations set up around the
Village.
6. Executive Session (if necessary):
None
ADJOURN: Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Special Board
of the Trustees meeting at 9:20 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. There being no
further business at hand Ronald Kilburn, Village President, adjourned the
meeting at 9:20 p.m.
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Ronald Kilburn, Village
President Date
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