Table of Contents
LWVM Observer: Maggie Smist
Members in Attendance:
Jean Jacques Yarmoff, Michael Hull, Simon Frechette, Matt Harrington and Adam Smith
John Blair, general manager
Call to Order at 4:02 p.m.
Land acknowledgment read.
There was one question from the public about an issue in Revere where there was an accident at a substation. Chairman Jean Jacques Yarmoff said they are aware of the issue and that general managers in the area are learning and sharing information.
Board Meetings: Calendar of next meetings; next meeting on April 28.
Prior GM Legal Complaint Defense Organization, Vote
At the March 9 meeting, it was decided to hire an attorney. An attorney has been secured, Atty. Eckard, and next steps are to reply to the complaint. There has been a request for an extension of the deadline to reply. It is time-consuming to gather the board every time there is a request on this issue.
The chair asked for a vote for either the general manager or the chair of the commission to respond to requests from the attorney so that the entire board does not have to meet each time a response is needed. The vote passed. There was a request for actions to be reported to the full commission as responses are made by the representative.
Voluntary Payment to Town, Vote
There was a calculation for kWh sold of 102,469 because there was a surplus in the account; this happens each year. Approximately $368,88 will be given to the town after a vote was made to pass this amount on to the town.
There was a question as to why it goes back to the general fund in the town and why it cannot be designated for a specific fund. Chairman Michael Hull has asked and will continue to pursue this question, as the board feels it has not received a satisfactory answer from the town.
Updated Public Charging Policy/Rates, Vote
EV charging update: The board discussed the current rate structure and the changes proposed at the last meeting. There is a different rate for public and municipal customers, and there is a time-of-use charge.
Response to question from prior meeting:
It would be a large administrative burden to have a different rate for out-of-town use.
It is also difficult to have a tiered structure.
No overstay fees for overnight charging will be implemented.
A question was raised about readjusting the policy at a future time if the motion passes today, and the answer is yes, it is possible to do that. The vote passed.
Go Green Rate Review, Vote
Marblehead’s power portfolio is 75% noncarbon. The general manager spoke about the Go Green Now rate rider and the new rates for the Go Green rates in 2026. These rates fluctuate quarterly. A motion was proposed and passed on the new Go Green rate.
General Manager Goals and Objectives to September 2026: Update Based on Strategic Plan
Old general manager goals were carried forward for John Blair, and new goals have been drafted and reviewed by the general manager, but the board has not had the chance to review them. It will be discussed at the April meeting.
General Manager Updates
A safety minute was discussed around Dig Safe.
The utility corridor near Lead Mills down to Bessom Street needs paving, and the proposal and phases were discussed. This will affect the rail trail and the water and sewer department. There will be ongoing coordination between the two departments. No approval is needed, but the general manager wanted to bring it to the attention of the board.
There were questions about who is responsible for various parts of the project, such as excavation and securing the tracks. The general manager referenced a town law and conversations he has had with the water and sewer department. There will be further discussions among the various departments involved.
There is a parcel of land on Tioga Way that has been surveyed for use as a battery storage facility. Some of it is marshy and cannot be used, but a northern area of the parcel, 100 by 300 feet, could be developed as a warehouse. The general manager asked for approval to clear the area and start using it for auxiliary storage in the short term. This would be an interim step so the Marblehead Municipal Light Department can educate itself on how to use the space.
Further questions were raised about how this would be done, specifically regarding working with neighbors. Chairman Michael Hull said the biggest issue is keeping the noise down. Next steps would be land clearing. The general manager is in touch with the town about doing it this summer, and a bid will also be presented to the board.
Aerial Thermal Insulation Survey
Thermal imaging will be done by an insured, licensed drone operator to identify poor insulation in various areas of Old Town. The contractor was found through the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company. The survey will occur for about 2-3 weeks starting April 6, 2026.
This is a better process than homeowners having to allow people into their homes. No personal images will be collected. There is a possibility that a grant will be received, which would expand the program to other areas of Marblehead. Notices will be sent to homeowners in the Old Town area, and the police department has been notified. If someone wants to opt out, the information will be removed from the database.
Overdue Customer Bill Collections
There are several hundred customers with overdue amounts over 60 days, and collections will commence. Up until now, the Marblehead Municipal Light Department has complied with state regulations not to shut off electricity during the winter months. The department is encouraging households to set up payment plans or arrange for financial support.
The department has donated two Kill-A-Watt meters to the library. They can be borrowed and used to track how much electricity is consumed by various devices.
There were also multiple other updates on Village 13, replacement of utility poles, the union dissolving its relationship with Local 8214, results due from a survey in April, work with recreation and parks on various projects, and monitoring political developments at the federal and state levels.
At the federal level, this includes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s order to cut New England transmission owners’ return on equity. At the state level, it includes an order to have an energy supply plan that drives affordability and reliability.
Motion and vote to meet in executive session at 5:25 p.m.
