Coordinator report January 30, 2014

The result of the hearing on the final permit needed for completing the
fiber lateral to Mt Grace H tower is that the permit is issued and
recorded at the Registry of Deeds.  Weather and possibly capacity at MBI
is now the limiting factor.  We are still working to implement the
second and additional backhaul connection. I have engaged a consultant
to assist us with configuration of a multi WAN router.  I expect
provisioning of the 123 Network sometime in the spring. I am continuing
to work on provisioning Internet from the NH fiber network.

I hosted a meeting with Soltas, the solar energy company who are the
assign of the Quabog project and are supposed to by our solar electric
supplier.  They oversold the Adams Farm project and expect to begin to
deliver power to us from another source in April or May.  My
understanding of the signed deal is that the net metering credits would
obtain on our side of the meter removing transmission and distribution
charges. The new scenario proposed doesn't do this. To compensate at
this point they are offering a 20% discount which gets us some of the
way to the previous deal.  The meeting was attended by Geoff and Eric
from our current supplier, the HCOG; by Janice from or Building Energy
Committee; her counterpart Linda from Petersham; and by Hal Gilum of
Quabog.  We need a traditional supplier in case the solar project goes
down and need to avoid making any agreement with a minimum buy. We are
currently on the HCOG profit sharing plan which gives us the National
Grid standard offer for price but is causing them to lose money because
they buy on the spot market.

Larry contacted Mass DOT / Mass Works who confirmed we are getting a
STRAP grant award and that the letters have not been mailed. Perhaps
they are waiting for passage of the bond bill. 

I met with Tennessee Gas Co's land agent.  About 20 something properties
are involved in the proposal including a great deal of state land. If it
gets built it will be a few years. They will walk and flag the route
this spring and then if the project is going anywhere the next step will
be test borings. It would be two or three years before construction. The
route is Albany to Boston.
We are signed up again this year for a half page congratulatory ad in
the PVRS high school yearbook.  This year again we will have photos of
our graduating seniors.

Assistant Superintendent Healy is working on our behalf with MSBA to
submit our third or fourth try for financial help on the school roof.
Based on the questions they have been asked I'd say our chances are very
slim. The BEC may advise us to hold off on the gym roof.  I am going to
put together a meeting with the District and our committee soon.

The governor's proposed budget for FY15 makes small cuts to payments for
state land, and holds local aid to us fairly level compared to last
year.  The slight apparent increase is due to reimbursements for
Veterans' benefits, so not a gain.