The Bath Village Board conducted a joint meeting March 5 with the board of directors of Bath Electric, Gas and Water Systems. Despite initially saying they would not pass any resolutions at the meeting, they eventually adopted the following resolutions:
• Approval for BEGWS to submit a case request to the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) for a gas rate increase.
• Approval for BEGWS to submit a case request to PSC for an electric rate case increase; Phase 2 of a 3 step rate increase process adopted by the Village Board in 2007 for the $7.1 million Electrical Upgrade Project.
• Approval to Amend Bond Resolution of Electrical Upgrade Project from $7.1 million to $7.4 million.
• Approval for BEGWS to initiate a public referendum to create a Water Unit Tax for debt and capital payments and a Water Rate Increase study by BEGWS. The Water Unit Tax contemplates the existing public referendum passed for the Waste Water Treatment Facility.
Two special guests attended to explain New York state law and PSC regulatory requirements for allowable expenses allocable to rate determination, Village Board Trustees & Utility Commission Board of Director’s financial responsibilities, and good utility management practices. A second presentation is planned for an unspecified future date.
The guests were:
• Kevin R. Brocks of Albany, NY Municipal Power Authority (NYMPA) & Municipal Electric Utility Authority (MEUA) counsel and BEGWS counsel and liaison with the Public Service Commission (PSC).
• Tony Modafferi of Syracuse, NYMPA & MEUA Executive Director traveled from Syracuse to attend. Modafferi is uniquely positioned to offer credible perspective as a former longtime Mayor of Solvay, N.Y., with municipal utilities experience.
The Bath Village Board conducted a joint meeting March 5 with the board of directors of Bath Electric, Gas and Water Systems. Despite initially saying they would not pass any resolutions at the meeting, they eventually adopted the following resolutions:
• Approval for BEGWS to submit a case request to the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) for a gas rate increase.
• Approval for BEGWS to submit a case request to PSC for an electric rate case increase; Phase 2 of a 3 step rate increase process adopted by the Village Board in 2007 for the $7.1 million Electrical Upgrade Project.
• Approval to Amend Bond Resolution of Electrical Upgrade Project from $7.1 million to $7.4 million.
• Approval for BEGWS to initiate a public referendum to create a Water Unit Tax for debt and capital payments and a Water Rate Increase study by BEGWS. The Water Unit Tax contemplates the existing public referendum passed for the Waste Water Treatment Facility.
Two special guests attended to explain New York state law and PSC regulatory requirements for allowable expenses allocable to rate determination, Village Board Trustees & Utility Commission Board of Director’s financial responsibilities, and good utility management practices. A second presentation is planned for an unspecified future date.
The guests were:
• Kevin R. Brocks of Albany, NY Municipal Power Authority (NYMPA) & Municipal Electric Utility Authority (MEUA) counsel and BEGWS counsel and liaison with the Public Service Commission (PSC).
• Tony Modafferi of Syracuse, NYMPA & MEUA Executive Director traveled from Syracuse to attend. Modafferi is uniquely positioned to offer credible perspective as a former longtime Mayor of Solvay, N.Y., with municipal utilities experience.
