Westfield Gas + Electric

The meeting commenced with a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. A required statement regarding the electronic recording of the meeting was read aloud. Key discussions included the approval of the October 1st regular and executive session minutes. Public participation involved an update on preparations for anticipated high winds, including staffing levels for customer service and line repair. An unscheduled item addressed the distribution of a legitimate compliance survey from Great Blue Research to municipal officials and first responders regarding gas awareness. Updates were provided on the "Be Green EFT" program, which is being sunset due to diminishing cost-benefit, affecting commercial and industrial customers previously receiving discounts for electronic payments. Furthermore, detailed updates were given on the athletic fields construction progress, noting the softball field is nearly complete and the track work is on schedule for an August completion. The quarterly gas and electric rate comparison indicated the entity remains significantly below the state average, despite regulatory directives affecting investor-owned utilities. There was also a discussion concerning rate disparities for customers who have installed high-efficiency air source heat pumps.

The meeting commenced with the roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. The board voted to accept the minutes from the previous regular session and executive session held on November 5th. A motion to suspend the three-minute public participation time limit was discussed and approved. The meeting included acknowledgments and citations presented to Commissioner Kevin Kellaher for his retirement after 22 years of service. The Sales Team provided an end-of-year presentation focused on Whip City Fiber Business growth, detailing the addition of 270 commercial accounts in Westfield, the importance of UMA telephone services for securing internet sales, and average bill breakdowns. Technical discussions covered data integrity improvements, including cleaning up over 600 erroneous addresses in the system and prioritizing Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) build-outs. Future growth potential in West Springfield and ongoing work in communities like Southwick and East Long Meadow were also highlighted.

The meeting included discussions on various topics such as Westfield State University Foundation fundraising, acknowledgements to Bradley Brown, quarterly release of executive session minutes, the power line, summer rate comparisons, and winter gas rewards. The board also discussed the lifeline program, views of the meeting, human resources quarterly status report, coordination with city departments, FIMSA update, and monthly energy supply update.

The meeting included a roll call of commissioners and the Pledge of Allegiance. The board approved the minutes from the July 2nd and July 15th regular sessions, with specific commissioners abstaining from certain votes. Public participation was invited, followed by acknowledgments from various organizations for the department's support. Compliments were given to Alex Guerrero and Bradley Brownman. A presentation was given on the highlights of the 2024 audited financial statements, covering operating results, balance sheet items, restricted designated assets, liabilities, and net position.