On June 30, the Public Service Board launched an investigation into Readsboro Electric Utility. The PSB wanted to know why Readsboro Electric billed customers at unusually low rates. When the town began the investigation, they discovered a major discrepancy in the electric department’s billing system.
According to a letter submitted to the PSB, town attorney Eli Emerson wrote that a billing problem occurred from September 2002 to July 2009. During that time “the town sewer department was overcharged for electric service.” Emerson wrote the problem occurred when one of the town’s electric meters “was calculated incorrectly.” The town has six electric meters that measure consumer demand.
During the overcharge period, Emerson wrote that the sewer department was charged $38,424.73, but it was supposed to be charged $3,437.75, a $34,986.98 discrepancy. “The demand meter for the sewer department is read in tenths of kilowatts, but the software was programmed to read the meter in full kilowatts. Thus, the sewer department was overcharged by a factor of ten,” wrote Emerson.
Readsboro’s computer services contractor, the New England Municipal Resource Center, was responsible for the error. Emerson wrote that NEMRC rectified the software problem and the sewer department is now billing for the correct amount. Emerson added the town is currently investigating how the overcharge was dealt with within the the sewer department, and the town will report to the PSB as soon as the investigation is complete.
Deb Kelly was shocked at the length of time it took to find the billing discrepancy. “They didn’t check their own numbers that whole time?” asked Kelly. Selectboard member Craig Bartosewcz said they had no idea “they were chasing kilowatt hours.” He assured Kelly the software is now reading the meter in tenths of kilowatts. “We’re going to do it the fairest way possible now,”
In other news, the selectboard continued their previous discussion with the town listers. At the last selectboard meeting, selectboard chair Raymond Eilers raised a concern about the town listers working overtime. The town listers’ salary budget was set at $16,770 for 2009. According to Eilers’ numbers, the town has spent over $21,516.48 on listers’ salaries. The selectboard asked the listers to cut back on hours, but lister Holly Caruso said that state law does not permit the selectboard to cut listers’ hours.
Eilers explained to Caruso again that the town does not have the money to cover overtime. But due to the recent reappraisal, Caruso said she and town lister Arlene Lefebvre fell behind in their work. Caruso presented the selectboard with a list of all the things the listers need to complete by April 1, 2010. The list includes water and sewer, powerline, and land inspections; updating all computer work in the NEMRC program; fixing errors in the grand list; inputing updated information regarding 2009 land transfers; sorting grievances, record cards, and cost sheets; and transcribing tapes during grievances. “If we don’t do this, we’re derelict in our duties. If we don’t get paid, we can’t do our job,” said Caruso.
The selectboard said they did not know how they would pay the listers. Eilers said all they could do is review the situation. “We still need to tighten our money belts,” said Eilers.
Caruso understood the selectboard “has a budget to protect” but argued “someone has to give.” As of now, Caruso won’t let up. “If you cut back our hours, I’ll need the selectboard to submit a written letter to the state. If the grand list fails, they will shut us down and it will come back (to the selectboard),” said Caruso.
Eilers said the selectboard will respond to Caruso’s concerns at a later date.
1) This payment has to be approved by the Public Service Board.....The Electric Co had to rebate about $10,000 to its users last year, so do you think the PSB will allow this repayment to the Sewer Dept under these conditions? Under this plan, the users get no cash back but the Sewer Fund grows....we should be rebated in the same manner as the Electric rebate was mandated.
2) I feel the Electric Co should take out a $35,000 loan, repay the Sewer Dept and the Sewer Dept then rebate its users for any overcharges paid.
3) Who will be responsible to make sure the Selectboards plan is executed fully and accurately?.....I have my doubts.
For instance, look at surrounding town reports who do not use the NEMRC system and compare it to the mess we have to decipher here in Readsboro every March before Town Meeting.
I dont believe for one second NEMRC is at fault, but their system is not user friendly, not easy to understand and consequently, no good for Readsboro and we should change to another sytem ASAP......oh wait, maybe thats why we dont want it?
Do you really think the Selctboard will "handle disciplinary actions "? Look at the Board's makeup and personnel that may be involved or accountable and ask yourself if that would ever become a reality?
We also must step aside and let the elected Select board handle disciplinary actions that may result from this newly discovered information. However, our voice as taxpayers must be heard. We must present our questions and concerns. I hope to see many more residents at the next Select Board Meeting. The mismanagement of our tax dollars is escalating and more participation is required to encourage our elected officials to act.