Bath Mayor: End Public Utility Commission
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - The mayor of Bath last week announced he would continue supporting a controversial push from the village board to dissolve the Public Utility Commission, which oversees the operations of Bath Electric Gas and Water Systems.

The dissolution effort was initiated last month by village trustees in a resolution passed unanimously to disband the more than 70-year-old commission. A public hearing on the matter drew nearly 200 local residents to the meeting room of the Bath fire department's fire station, where a majority of visitors spoke in favor of preserving the commission. In the face of that opposition, village board members voted to table the matter until the board's meeting May 19.

Now, in a guest editorial printed on page five of this week's Courier- Advocate, Mayor David Wallace has announced he will pursue the dissolution of the Commission. "Simply put, I have lost confidence in the judgement of the commission and in their ability to make appropriate business decisions," Wallace wrote.

The mayor cited several areas of concern including:

• An effort by commission members to have Matthew Benesh, director of utilities, appointed to the board of directors of Corning Natural Gas, from which BEGWS purchases its natural gas supplies. Wallace charged the appointment would have created "a clear conflict of interest" for Benesh.

• Unresolved questions over how BEGWS would make payments on a proposed $9 million upgrade to its electric infrastructure. "Questions from the village board about the repayment of this amount were not adequately answered," Wallace wrote.

• Strained labor relations between the management of BEGWS and its labor force. Wallace alleges "a long standing and intense conflict between labor and management" is hindering normal operations within the utility.

Wallace is likely to face serious opposition when the village board convenes May 19, again at the fire station. Residents speaking in favor of preserving the commission have noted the village board has the power to appoint new members when the terms of current members expire.

Residents also questioned whether village board members have the time and expertise to assume the responsibilities of the Public Utility Commission.

The May 19 meeting convenes at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.