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We want, we NEED, to hear from you
By Executive Director Dave White
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to interact with many of our members. Whether it's been over lunch in Lyndonville, at a symposium on fiber in Concord, or over a cup of coffee in Pascoag, I have emphasized that NEPPA is in the business of delivering value to our members.
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Watch email for sign-up details.
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| Team Century Bank members |
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Step Up for Colleen a success
The Step Up for Colleen 5k road race drew thousands of participants on May 1, all there to raise scholarship money in memory of beloved teacher Colleen Ritzer. NEPPA's Colleen Del Signore and Kristin DiGirolamo participated with Team Century Bank, a primary sponsor and NEPPA affiliate member. Kudos to Century Bank for an amazing day.
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Ten graduate from PUMP program this spring
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NEPPA's spring Public Utility Management Program, now in its twenty-fourth year, drew 15 students to the Omni Mount Washington, Bretton Woods, N.H. April 27-29. Attendees covered subject matter in eight categories including Networking, Public Financing, Risk Management, FERC/NERC, Cybersecurity, Mutual Aid, Board Relations and Labor Relations. Ten students graduated and five more will complete the program this fall. The topics are ever-changing and the personal connections are invaluable. Watch our website and your mail for information on our November session.
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Congratulations to PUMP graduates, front, left, Randy Surprenant of Groton, Conn.; Todd Shea of Kennebunk, Maine; Kevin Newton of Morrisville, Vt., and Joe Bracken of Braintree, Mass. Back, left, Larry Sullivan of Norwich, Conn.; Ken Stone of Braintree, Mass.; Ruth Swift of Norwich, Conn.; Jack Warchol of Wakefield, Mass.; Andy Hadden of Marblehead, Mass., and Chris Riley of Norwich, Conn.
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Norwich, Conn. competes in APPA rodeo
Norwich, Conn. Utilities recently became the first NEPPA member to participate in the American Public Power Association's Lineworkers Rodeo, a competition that included some 60 teams from across the country. The annual event was held April 1-2 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Journeyman Lineman Jeff Burgess headed the three-man Norwich team, which also included Linemen Will Maxeiner and Mike Sumner. Chief Lineman Scott Smith served as a judge for the Hurt Man Rescue event in the apprentice competition.
The Norwich team, which took first place in the 2015 NEPPA Lineworkers Rodeo, did very well with a mid-range overall finish, according to General Foreman Bob Pounch.
"We were going against some big utilities," Pounch said. "We're very happy with how things went. It was a great event, and we learned a lot of good things."
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Patty Richards
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Meet one of NEPPA's newest Board members
Patricia H. Richards, General Manager at Vermont's Washington Electric Co-op Inc. (WEC), joined NEPPA's Board of Directors in November 2015. One of NEPPA's newest Board members, she brings a wealth of public power experience to the role.
She started her utility career at Burlington, Vt. Electric Department, where she worked for 17 years in administrative and energy-efficiency positions before becoming Director of Resource Planning.
She then spent three years as Director of Power Supply and Transmission for the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, and later worked for a private consulting company providing related services to WEC and others before being named to head WEC in 2013.
"I'm very excited to join the Board, and to help advance the goals and aspirations of public power," Richards said. "I'm especially interested in helping to facilitate networking among Vermont members and across New England."
Networking is key, she added, particularly when it comes time for mutual aid.
"It's a heck of a lot easier to ask for help when you know each other, " she said.
Richards gives NEPPA high marks for communication on topics such as ISO developments, legislative work, training programs, and power supply.
"Being a small utility, we get a lot of leverage through NEPPA," she said. "It gives us a bigger footprint."
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Chicopee, Mass. General Foreman retires
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Richard Hastings
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Richard Hastings, General Foreman at Chicopee, Mass. Electric Light, retired April 29 after nearly 31 years of service.
"It's hard to find people like him," said General Manager Jeff Cady. "He's one of those guys who volunteers for everything, is the first person to be here, and the last person to leave."
A good example of his dedication, Cady said, happened after a microburst caused widespread damage while Hastings was on vacation. "He was already halfway to the Cape when I called him," Cady recalled. "He turned around immediately, came back, and worked for two straight days."
A lifelong resident of Chicopee, Hastings joined the utility in 1985, moving up through the ranks to Line Supervisor, a post he held for some 17 years. He was named General Foreman in 2013, when he also took charge of NEPPA's mutual aid for the Western Mass. region.
"I've dedicated almost half my life to this company," Hastings said with pride. "I'm going to miss it, but it's time to go."
His post-retirement plans include spending time with family, including his wife Sharon, and sons Ricky, Mike and Greg. He also hopes to spend more time at his vacation home on Cape Cod, and perhaps travel a bit.
"We'll take it easy the first year," he said, adding that a top priority will be to spoil his grandchildren Quinn and Tobin.
Arthur Potter, former Line Foreman at Chicopee Electric, has been promoted to General Foreman.
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Gendron earns Good Samaritan Award
Congratulations to Apprentice Lineman Jordan Gendron of the Ashburnham, Mass. Municipal Light Plant, who was recently honored with Medic First Aid's Good Samaritan Award. The award is given to those who apply skills in real-life situations that they've learned through NEPPA training.
Just one week after Gendron attended NEPPA's Medic First Aid class, he was at a remote campsite where he noticed a choking woman. Thanks to his training and quick thinking, he was able to administer abdominal thrusts and prevent a possible tragedy.
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In Memoriam: Arthur J. Hurley III
Arthur J. Hurley III died April 14 after a battle with cancer. He was president of Arthur J. Hurley Co., an 87-year-old, family-owned distributor of electrical wire and cable founded by his grandfather. Donations in his name may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
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Sample Procurement Conflict of Interest Policy
A Sample Procurement Conflict of Interest Policy has been developed in response to questions about FEMA's increased focus on federal regulations concerning gifts to non-federal entities, such as electric cooperatives, that receive federal grant money.
The sample policy was developed collaboratively by NRECA and Ernie Abbott, former chief counsel to FEMA and current FEMA counsel to many electric cooperatives.
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It's safety first at Rowley, Mass. Light Plant
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E
lementary students in Rowley, Mass. recently learned important lessons about staying safe around electricity, thanks to an educational program sponsored by Rowley Municipal Light Plant.
The annual program features a classroom instructor along with safety demonstrations by Light Plant staff, and a close-up look at a line truck. Shown here are, left, General Manager Dan Folding, and
First Class Lineman Brian Herdman.
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North Haven, Maine: "They are our friends as well."
A letter from a resident of North Haven, Maine, recently expressed deep appreciation for the electric service delivered to their island community by Fox Island Electric Coop.
The resident cited "an exceptional team of lineman...their names are Mike, Mike, Joe and Lauren," and was particularly grateful that they did not lose power during the tough 2016 winter.
"This (attests) to the level of superb care they take, keeping our lines clear of trees, maintaining the health of our poles, lines and transformers," he wrote. "They are our friends as well."
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Happy Birthday, Peabody
Peabody, Mass. Municipal Light Plant will celebrate its 125th anniversary on June 18 with an open house featuring food, music, giveaways and more. Since its 1891 founding, PMLP has grown to the fourth largest municipal utility in the state, serving more than 26,000 customers. For celebration details, call Jennifer Santoro at 978-531-5975.
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Check out Stowe's solar project
The Town of Stowe, Vt. Electric Department has new Facebook page devoted to its ongoing solar project. Take a look.
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