PRINCETON MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
P O BOX 247
168 WORCESTER RD
PRINCETON MA 01541
TEL: 978-464-2815
FAX: 978-464-5377
BOARD OF LIGHT COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 20, 2013
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
Present were: Scott Bigelow – Chairman, Chris Conway – Commissioner, Jim Whitman – Commissioner and Brian Allen –
General Manager. Also present Selectman - Stan Moss, Selectman - Edith Morgan, Selectman – Neil Sulmasy (at 6:24 PM),
Town Administrator - John Lebeaux, Don Steadman, Advisory Board Chairman - David Cruise, Advisory Board Member Jon Fudeman, Broadband Committee Chairman - Stephen Cullen, Broadband Committee Member - John Kowaleski and
PMLD Lineman - Ed Roberts.
Agenda:
The Board voted unanimously in favor (3-0) to accept the Agenda as presented.
Joint Meeting – Board of Light Commissioners & Board of Selectmen:
Selectman Moss and Selectman Morgan thanked the Board of Light Commissioners for meeting with the Board of Selectmen to
discuss current issues and shared their appreciation to Brian Allen for updating each Selectman as needed throughout the year on
important topics and for keeping the lights on.
Commissioner Bigelow summarized for the Board the list of significant events associated with the wind farm and the 4-year old
turbines and confirmed that the wind farm is operational and producing wind energy. Mr. Allen shared that PMLD has signed two,
separate 10-year wind energy contracts with the Sterling Municipal Light and the West Boylston Light Plant for the resale of our wind
energy production (one-quarter megawatt to each); which is new revenue for the department beginning in October/November 2013.
Improvements to the monitoring and SCADA systems have been put in place through American Super Conductor & Bachmann Co.
Most of the maintenance is performed by PMLD staff and has helped saved time and money; the weekly inspections and proactive
measures PMLD has implemented address issues quickly and reduce the amount of time the turbines are offline. The turbines do have
automatic restarts; however there are times where a manual restart is necessary. Details were provided on the 487 monitoring sensors
that send alarm and text messaging back to the office, general foreman and general manager regularly. Mr. Allen explained that
conversations with investors to purchase some/all of the turbines for sale of the turbines have not been favorable due to the small size
of our wind farm.
Mr. Allen and Commissioner Bigelow shared that PMLD has entered into a 10-year energy contract with NextEra Energy to purchase
electricity effective January 1, 2014 at fixed rates for the first 5 years (the second 5 years will be negotiated annually). This contract
will stabilize the rates and allow PMLD to avoid the financial stress of paying for a variable market rate each month.
Mr. Allen shared that he and the Board are exploring the idea of securing a municipal loan through town approval to refinance the
balance of the wind farm loan currently through People’s Bank. PMLD has already refinanced the loan once to reduce the interest rate
from 5.5% to 4.25%. Once it is determined whether or not it makes financial sense it will be presented to the Board of Selectmen for
their review before requesting town meeting for a vote.
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Mr. Moss briefed PMLD on the Broadband Committee work. Mr. Allen thanked the Committee for the GPS pole survey mapping that
was required field work needed to generate a plan for installation of fiber throughout town. Committee members were present and
Chairman Stephen Cullen shared the Committee’s plan to solicit proposals from cable companies who would be willing to build their
network and service the town by providing cable TV, phone and internet service as an alternative to a town-owned internet business.
Donald Steadman of Wheeler Rd spoke against a town-owned internet business. Chairman Cullen explained that the Committee is
exploring all options and funding would still require a town meeting, 2/3’s vote and likely a ballot question for debt exclusion.
Selectman Sulmasy left the meeting at 6:57 PM. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor (2-0) to adjourn.
Unfinished/New Business:

2014 Energy Contracts – Commissioner Bigelow made a motion to affirm that the Board of Light Commissioners & the General
Manager, Brian Allen, entered into a Full Requirement Service Agreement with NextEra Energy on behalf of the Princeton
Municipal Light Department, effective 10/31/2013 for a delivery term of ten (10) years – January 1, 2014 through December 31,
2023 with energy base prices locked in the first 5 years and the second 5 years to be negotiated at least 6 months prior to each
new year as allowed in the provisions of the agreement. Commissioner Whitman seconded the motion. All were in favor (3-0).
A copy of the agreement was placed on file.

Solar Interconnect Policy Amendment – Mr. Allen presented the Board with a copy of the policy with recommendations for
changes to third party generation and the application fee. The Board asked Mr. Allen to research the state/federal laws regarding
fees to insure compliance. The Board agreed to table the topic for discussion at a future meeting.

Wind RECs Proposal – Mr. Allen confirmed that he is waiting for Nils Bolgen of the CEC to complete the approval process so
that a final proposal is available for review.
Commissioner Whitman left the meeting at 7:15 PM.
Meeting Minutes:

The Board voted unanimously in favor (2-0) to accept the 09/11/13 regular meeting minutes as presented.

The Board voted unanimously in favor (2-0) to accept the 10/09/13 regular meeting minutes as presented.
PMLD Financial Update:
The Board received the revised copy of the actuals vs. proposed operating budget, dated 11/6/2013. The bank balances are in
good standing and all expenses have been paid in a timely manner. The Board acknowledged that only $14,000 has been spent on
stock this year. The rebuilding of the Delta system has put stock back into the storage room, which lends to the reduced spending
in stock purchases. PMLD has a good supply of transformers in stock, so no purchases are needed at this time. PMLD is
managing within the proposed budget. Mr. Allen confirmed that the request for transfer of the MMDT New Bay Account balance
($525.65) to the Operating Cash Account is still pending with the Town Treasurer.
At 7:25 PM the Board voted unanimously in favor (2-0) to adjourn.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christine Trudeau
Recording Secretary
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