Board of Trustees Meeting 09.01.2026

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[0:01] Okay, so far so good. All right. Hey. Call state of New Hampshire please.
[0:07] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
[0:11] and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
[0:15] indivisible, with liberty and justice for
[0:22] » You are? >> It's like I want to switch again or
[0:24] something like that. >> Oh, okay.
[0:26] » Right. >> I should put the microphone up.
[0:30] I'm going to put my cables up. >> He's going to take it.
[0:33] » Oh. >> That's good. And a little budget
[0:36] » Question >> little budget, little microphone too.
[0:41] » Oh >> I feel
[0:46] That's correct.
[0:49] It's a long day. Uh uh
[0:53] Okay. Any new additions to the agenda? >> [clears throat]
[0:58] » Just just this uh approve the purchase of the sewer.
[1:02] Okay. >> We're going to add the last voting item.
[1:06] » That'll be the last voting item.
[1:10] What you'll be I. >> Mhm.
[1:20] » Okay, so we'll move right along. Jim Stokes has a presentation for us from
[1:25] the MBUA
[1:27] advisory committee. Step right up here.
[1:31] » I'm there. Please.
[1:35] I am voted Jim Stokes
[1:39] executive director for the MUA and uh I've spent the summer a good part
[1:44] of the summer at least trying to get around and visit some of our members and
[1:47] so I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here in Waterville
[1:51] beautiful night.
[1:54] Um you know, I just wanted to you know, for those that haven't met me at a
[1:58] conference or whatever, you know, give you that chance to say hello and
[2:03] talk a little bit about what we've been doing at NYPA the last couple of years.
[2:07] You may know we've got a new website. We've got a lot of new information on
[2:11] the website as far as coming out and we're able to post
[2:15] recordings of the presentations from the various conferences and workshops.
[2:21] We bring somebody sponsor, Niagara
[2:24] the overhead training association conference in Verona was
[2:29] very well received by all the linemen. We're
[2:35] also working hand-in-hand with NYPA and I'd also like to promote our annual
[2:42] conference that's coming up later this month in Schenectady, New York.
[2:46] One of the issues of course last year, the big issue with
[2:49] NYPA was the rates for the hydro. We negotiated that agreement. Um this year
[2:56] um what we're working on currently is Everyone remembers last winter,
[3:00] unfortunately, the price spikes that occurred
[3:04] in January and February. And so what happened at the Niagara
[3:08] facility because of the cold weather, there was what we heard of as
[3:12] curtailments or reduction in production
[3:16] at the Niagara facility. Water that was not able to be diverted through the
[3:20] facility. And so when that happens, NYPA goes out
[3:25] and purchases market rate power to replace the hydro power that they
[3:30] didn't generate but had committed to supply to all the other members.
[3:35] The problem with that this winter, it happens every few years,
[3:39] but this winter was particularly
[3:42] problematic because the curtailment happened during that
[3:46] cold spell the last of January and part of February.
[3:50] So everybody's meters are spinning. So, everybody's needing more electricity.
[3:55] So, demand was up, but also at the same time, prices skyrocketed.
[4:01] So, market power they went out and purchased.
[4:04] Which is not 2 and 1/2 cents hydro power at least
[4:08] compared to market power. So, it ended up being
[4:11] quite a large sum of money. So, we negotiated
[4:16] a reduction of that sort and kind of spread it out over time. We're going to
[4:20] talk about it in the conference, but at least kind of
[4:23] kind of showing up on everyone's bills.
[4:30] That's one of the things we're going to cover at the conference to explain it in
[4:33] more depth how families have been
[4:37] So, So, that that's going to affect the NYPA people or NYSEG people?
[4:43] It will affect all all of you. Everybody has to pay.
[4:49] Because it's anyone who is a preference customer, which all you are. You know, I
[4:54] can do it on the other end of the number.
[4:57] Anyone who purchases this hydro power from
[5:00] NYPA So, all 40 systems are going to be affected
[5:04] by it.
[5:07] And it's going to be spread out. So, hopefully
[5:10] there will be an impact on the customers, but
[5:12] there will be some impact. This winter
[5:16] predicted to be a milder winter. We'll see when we get there.
[5:20] But, hopefully we don't have to do anything the last one this year.
[5:24] I E P, you know, if you're familiar with that's our independent energy efficiency
[5:29] program. That's our equivalent of NYSERDA.
[5:33] Although, we think we're run more efficiently.
[5:38] Every dollar we collect from customers goes
[5:41] right back into your system. Your customers are walking
[5:45] into it. So, approximately 5% of the funds go to the
[5:49] administration. Tommy and staff did a really good job of
[5:55] utilizing that that money here in Martinsburg and
[5:58] Washington you're definitely in the top tier in
[6:02] terms of getting that money utilized. So, that's
[6:05] good. It's a really good program that we can be offered.
[6:08] And then obviously we're involved in all the training and safety programs
[6:15] The other thing I wanted to do tonight, I'm going
[6:18] to leave some things. I'll just leave them on the table here, but
[6:21] um we had some These are plaques. They're
[6:25] They're hard. They can They can be mounted directly on
[6:28] a wall. Pick an office or a vestibule where your customers will see them.
[6:33] Uh notes that your municipal electric utility has existed since 1918.
[6:37] Um got a couple of flags here. You can
[6:42] fly underneath the American flag or whatever
[6:46] utility district in Martinsburg. It notes
[6:49] the public power community. That's the annual report that we want to
[6:53] And then
[6:58] These are some metal road signs that can be posted
[7:03] wherever you feel appropriate.
[7:15] It's "Welcome to the Village of Washington Square and Municipal Electric
[7:18] Community since 19 Very nice.
[7:22] Something that you can
[7:25] use to promote the fact that you are a public power community.
[7:30] Largely not entirely carbon free.
[7:35] And beyond that, just do you have any questions for me
[7:38] MUA power supply
[7:42] What do you >> Whatever.
[7:45] » Oh, I'm just getting asked about Good. The news right now is
[7:49] with the staggered board of the territory of all
[7:52] and um
[7:53] you know, there's I guess in control of or maybe that total control, but a lot
[7:59] of total that you know, the falls and the hydro power
[8:02] whatever and he's saying that they're going to
[8:05] uh put tariffs on it. >> Well, so
[8:09] keep in mind so that your your base power comes from
[8:14] the Niagara near power authorities Niagara facility.
[8:17] So, that comes out of Niagara River, but it goes back to the curtailment and
[8:22] that's controlled by a bilateral commission
[8:25] um Canadians and Americans. So, that flow
[8:29] to the Niagara generating facility to the
[8:32] iPhones and Apple that can't be cut off by Ontario.
[8:36] » Oh, okay. >> Don't worry about that part.
[8:39] What what I read and I think what you're
[8:41] referring to, so New York is obviously situated south of Ontario, north of
[8:47] Pennsylvania. All of that. So,
[8:51] even though the New York independent system operator is the control
[8:56] operator for New York State, we're connected with all of the adjoining
[8:59] states and probably from the territory of Quebec.
[9:03] So, from time to time we do we meaning the whole state in New York not in the
[9:08] way state New York to import power from
[9:11] Ontario. Um also going to import power from
[9:14] Quebec. Which times of the day we import power
[9:16] from Ontario, Quebec. Um because they had a drought and their
[9:21] hydro facilities were not operating. So, it's a two-way street. I think it's
[9:25] a lot of bluster personally, my personal opinion.
[9:28] » I hear that. >> pretty often those despite the base
[9:30] because Quebec particularly needs us. It's why
[9:33] we import from them. So, it's
[9:36] Yeah, I I just think it's a lot of them once they're
[9:39] you know, if they were to put tariffs on on the their electricity then
[9:43] » Yeah, it would have an effect. >> On days when we need to import
[9:48] power from them, which is not every day. If we had three, four days in a row of
[9:52] 90 plus degree weather, yeah, we might be importing power from them, but on
[9:56] days like today, probably not. Um
[9:59] but I wouldn't be too worried about it.
[10:04] Good question. >> Yeah.
[10:07] Do you have anything to do with the hydro plants that are on the canal by
[10:11] chance? There's two hydro plants that are on the
[10:15] » I believe those are privately owned. >> Right.
[10:17] » Um so, no, we're not. They sell their
[10:20] power. So, the way the NYISO works, New York
[10:24] Independent System Operator, any generator
[10:26] that qualifies to participate in the system, they bid in the price that they
[10:30] want to sell electricity as a generator. And
[10:35] but and then if you're a taker, which we
[10:38] are, we bid in to buy power. So,
[10:42] no, I I don't have any familiarity with them.
[10:45] They would operate under the NYISO rules and make their power go into the grid.
[10:52] » During the night, lake >> Pardon?
[10:54] » They pump it back >> Oh.
[10:56] » That's what I was wondering. Just curious where that's coming
[11:01] » I would think there'd be some limits on that, but I really don't know.
[11:03] » Well, supposedly they they have a one of the pumps is down, and they can't stop
[11:08] it from taking water. That's what they're
[11:11] they're saying. So, the lake keeps dropping and dropping
[11:14] and dropping. Yeah.
[11:18] Just was curious. >> That's cuz he can't get his boat out of
[11:21] the >> That's right.
[11:22] » Can't get my freaking boat out of the lake.
[11:25] » Folks not that good at the >> Just trying to figure where it is,
[11:27] that's all. >> Great.
[11:30] » I don't have any questions, but thank you very much for the information.
[11:33] » Okay, we'll see you. I'll see you at the conference or the
[11:36] future conference. You know, if you have any questions,
[11:39] call me at my cell number. I'll give it to you later.
[11:45] » Great. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
[11:52] All right. So, we'll open the floor to public be heard.
[11:56] And now we'll move right along to Okay, so we can't approve the minutes
[12:02] due to what? Pardon me?
[12:04] » We'll just table it. >> Yeah. We'll just table the minutes for
[12:09] the next meeting. All right. So, we'll move on to
[12:12] department reports. If any of you have anything to add to your reports,
[12:17] anybody who has any questions for anyone?
[12:21] » I just real quick, I have the We got that sign in with the lights around the
[12:25] 30 mph signs back >> I'm so excited.
[12:29] » I don't know >> It was a second.
[12:30] » But, you know, when we ordered out of our long portion tech grant, we ended up
[12:34] ordering a lit 30 mph speed sign that has lighting all
[12:39] around it that operates off solar, so it'll permanently be lit up for like an
[12:42] extra, you know, here's the speed limit.
[12:44] The idea is to put it up on the road where there's a lot of
[12:48] complaints about speed. >> Okay. And she yeah.
[12:49] » And it can be moved. Um it's a matter of just attaching it, I
[12:53] believe, to a
[12:55] pole. So, I think it can be moved in general.
[12:57] » Yes. >> And that's where it's going to start is
[12:59] up there on the >> We'll try it for a while.
[13:00] » I'll be happy with that. >> Do you guys have any input on whether
[13:03] it's It's set up coming into town or out of town?
[13:06] Or would you like me to ask a few residents up there what they see as
[13:10] speeders and what in town? >> I thought his complaint was more the
[13:13] people coming into town. >> Coming into the town.
[13:15] » coming down that hill. >> Yeah. [clears throat]
[13:18] Going up the hill. >> That's right. That's right. What I
[13:20] remember, but I I don't >> I don't think so, too.
[13:22] » I don't All right. I'll work with Scotty to
[13:27] get that put up there when we can when we find a spot.
[13:29] » I'll ask didn't love to help you.
[13:39] Yeah, and and please make sure you you will inform Peter.
[13:44] » Yes, I plan to. >> Because he might have he might have all
[13:47] laid out. Right exactly where you want your foot.
[13:51] » And his yard is next door.
[14:10] » So, Tony we have all of our
[14:14] additional banners all set up. Um >> We need two more spots, two more five
[14:18] locations though. >> We have five locations. Beautiful.
[14:23] » They look great.
[14:27] » We have five five five locations for banners.
[14:36] Okay. Um anybody have anything else?
[14:42] Okay, so I'll take a motion to approve the
[14:47] department reports. >> [clears throat]
[14:49] » I'll make a motion to approve all departments.
[14:52] » I'll second. >> Okay, any discussions? All in favor?
[14:56] » Aye. >> Aye.
[14:58] » Opposed? Carried.
[15:01] All right. Now, I'll need a motion for voting item 6A.
[15:07] » Motion to adopt resolution 06-0901-2026
[15:14] authorizing the purchase of a truck for the sewer department through Onondaga
[15:17] County bid number 00111423.
[15:22] » I'll second. >> Any
[15:29] We're all set with all this?
[15:32] Okay, all in favor? >> Aye.
[15:35] » Opposed? Carried.
[15:40] All right, I need a motion for voting item 6B.
[15:44] » I'll make a motion to adopt resolution 07
[15:48] - 0902026
[15:52] authorizing a budget amendment to appropriate sewer fund balance
[15:56] to purchase a 2026 Ford F-350. >> I'll second.
[16:03] » Discussion?
[16:05] It all looks pretty good, I guess. Yeah.
[16:09] » Any questions, Terry? >> No.
[16:11] » No. I was writing this down in case you >> Okay.
[16:15] » You got it? >> Yeah.
[16:18] » All in favor? >> Aye.
[16:19] » Aye. >> Opposed? Carried.
[16:22] Voting item 6C.
[16:25] » I'll make a motion to approve procurement request by Supervisor Terry
[16:29] Wilcox to purchase a 2026 F-350 Ford in the amount of $75,106.50
[16:38] from Davis Davidson Ford
[16:41] under the Onondaga County Comprehensive Bid Contract number 0011142.
[16:51] » Discussions? So, this was a little bit more expensive
[16:55] than the water truck, and that's simply because
[16:58] of the transmission, right?
[17:02] They have a bigger transmission to be able to haul that.
[17:09] » That's the setup It's just the straight price of that.
[17:17] I don't know what they did for the water truck,
[17:21] » Yeah, that's a little bit less, but but you got a heavy duty transmission here.
[17:26] If I remember right, it's couple tons. Quite a few tons you're going to be
[17:29] hauling around.
[17:33] Beautiful. All in favor?
[17:35] » Aye. >> Opposed? Carried.
[17:39] Voting item six D.
[17:43] » I motion to approve the procure mat request by service provider Stacy Harris
[17:47] to purchase roller skates by RC Supplies for up to $5,000.
[17:51] An estimate of 40 states this expense will be reimbursed through a Skylar
[17:55] County uh Bureau grant up to $5,000.
[17:59] » I'll second. >> Any discussions?
[18:06] Yeah, nice looking skates, too, by the way.
[18:14] Uh I'll probably end up like Chopper. I
[18:17] don't think so.
[18:21] All in favor? >> Aye.
[18:23] » Opposed? Carried. Voting item six E.
[18:29] » Uh I'll make a motion to approve approve procure mat request
[18:35] by supervisor Scott Taylor to contract with Finger Lakes Excavation and
[18:39] Concrete LLC for the repair to the sidewalk on the
[18:43] Decatur Street bridge. The expense to be applied to chips or EWR funds.
[18:49] » I'll second. >> Discussions?
[18:54] I think that's long time coming for that bridge.
[18:57] And we did Did we ever get the state inspection yet?
[19:00] » No, actually I just talked to them. They haven't done it yet. So, they're they're
[19:03] they're they're they're behind in paying for August. It didn't happen yet, but
[19:07] so we don't have it yet. >> But they're on it.
[19:09] » They're on track. >> Okay.
[19:13] All in favor? >> Aye.
[19:15] » Opposed? Carried.
[19:18] Voting item six F.
[19:21] » I'll make a motion to approve the procurement request by Supervisor Scott
[19:25] Taylor to contract with Victory Driveway
[19:28] Sealcoating to sealcoat the state park lot for $2,597.
[19:36] » Discussions.
[19:39] That's all the cracks, everything, right, Scott?
[19:41] » Yeah.
[19:45] » So, they they don't have to move any of that stuff, they just go around it.
[19:48] » They go around it. >> Okay.
[19:54] Very nice. Are they going to do the psychedelic
[19:56] coating or just black? >> No, psychedelic.
[19:59] » Yeah, I think I think I think the kids would like that. Colorful.
[20:03] » Christmas lights. Christmas lights.
[20:08] » Oh, boy.
[20:12] All in favor? >> Aye.
[20:14] » Opposed? Carried.
[20:17] All right, voting item six G. >> A motion to adopt a resolution
[20:22] standardizing water and wastewater control equipment utilizing Aqualogic
[20:26] system equipment. >> I'll second.
[20:31] » So, this is for both water and sewer? >> Water and sewer for the city's system.
[20:38] » It's something that we actually really need
[20:40] » Do you remember all the Aqualogic discussions
[20:42] » Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Everything is online.
[20:44] » All the associated equipment with the city and actually what the new rates
[20:50] coming down, the less hands that are in the equipment, the more secure it's
[20:54] going
[20:57] » So, this is to switch everything to one unit.
[21:00] » Well, this They are We use them anyways, this is just
[21:05] so that every time we do go to bid for something, like we keep, you know, not
[21:09] being able to get through bids. >> It's securing them as a sole source, so
[21:13] we don't have to keep going back and asking for it.
[21:16] » Secure the sole source. Okay, very good. Any more discussion?
[21:20] All in favor? >> I.
[21:22] » Opposed? Carried.
[21:29] Okay, voting item six H.
[21:33] » I'll make a motion to approve the 2017 club park rates.
[21:39] » Any questions? I think you did a good job.
[21:43] » Yeah.
[21:45] So too. >> I think it's all very reasonable.
[21:49] Not a lot changed, so I think that's they should be happy with that.
[21:56] It's always going to be someone.
[22:00] All in favor? >> I.
[22:02] » Opposed? Carried.
[22:06] Okay, voting item six >> I.
[22:11] » What's y'all got on the paper? >> to approve the purchase of two
[22:15] A R I air valves from sewer equipment for a total of $3,310.
[22:25] » Second. >> We're good.
[22:26] » Did I say it wrong? >> No, it's it's for waste water.
[22:29] » [clears throat] >> Okay, let's second it.
[22:33] Discussions?
[22:37] So this came in late, so this is something that just happened?
[22:40] » No, we were working on the air valves. We don't have
[22:44] the ones in the main lift stations are 250 PSI
[22:50] valves or air releases. The ones throughout the system on the
[22:55] force main and all the bends on the force main are 150 PSI.
[23:01] Uh so what we're doing is ordering two so
[23:04] we can do a swap and rebuild. There's three in each legislation, so that's six
[23:09] total. This way like I said, we we can rebuild
[23:13] two. Swap them with the new ones so then we
[23:17] can rebuild and swap and then eventually we're going to have
[23:20] two rebuilt ones and save one shelf. They have to be rebuilt which we didn't
[23:27] know when we had the reps in every four to
[23:30] five years. >> For real?
[23:32] » Yeah, and we're six years past which then when they tore them apart they
[23:36] showed us what to look for and you can see where the
[23:40] I don't know what you call it. It's a black
[23:42] I call it a black It's the rubber's broke so they're
[23:48] they're not doing what they're supposed to.
[23:51] Yeah. But now we know what we can get them on
[23:56] a cycle of every four to five years just to rebuild and swap them apart or if we
[24:01] have problems with one we can rebuild. Like I said, there's just the two
[24:06] different sizes. We have two extra 150s. We have another
[24:12] two sets. >> Okay.
[24:14] Very good. All in favor?
[24:17] » All in favor. >> Opposed?
[24:19] Carried.
[24:22] Okay, I need a motion to approve the audit.
[24:27] » I'll make a motion to approve the general audit dated August 27th, 2026
[24:31] for the total amount of $122,000.
[24:36] But $122,936.96.
[24:44] » All in favor? >> All in favor.
[24:46] » Opposed? Carried. Thank you.
[24:49] All right, board concerns and new business. Um
[24:54] we're going to have to change our our date for the next meeting
[25:00] um which was originally scheduled for
[25:05] the 15th, yes. So, we can't do it the 22nd cuz we have a
[25:10] court date. Um but we're looking at
[25:15] the 23rd.
[25:19] Which is a Wednesday.
[25:23] You all good? >> It's fine. Good.
[25:27] It'll work. >> Okay.
[25:29] We'll make sure we could fit it all. So, the next board meeting will be Wednesday
[25:34] Wednesday, September 23rd.
[25:46] Okay, I don't have anything. Anybody got anything else?
[25:51] You all good? >> Yeah.
[25:55] » I need a motion to adjourn. >> I motion to adjourn.
[25:58] » I second. >> We're good.
[26:06] Yeah. I'll tell you. Good night.