The Town of Wallingford Electric Division has rejoined NEPPA after an absence of eight years.
George Adair, director of public utilities for the town, and Richard Hendershot, general manager of the electric division, expressed their enthusiasm for becoming involved with NEPPA.

Wallingford's wholesale power supplier, CMEEC, has commissioned an additional 2-MW diesel generator at the Electric Division's John Street site. This new generator helps the New England Independent System Operator, ISO-NE, support Connecticut's power grid by providing quick-start backup generation at times of high demand or when other generating assets are off line.

One of the major 20th century developments in the business world was the creation of "consultants," hired hands that companies paid to provide a service or expertise that they could not provide themselves. For many organizations, the use of consultants is an essential part of their business and can add a major expense to their operating budgets.

Washington Electric Co-op (WEC) and the entire central Vermont community lost a uniquely gifted man with the unexpected death of Wendell Cilley, 56, of West Topsham, on Sept.1, 2008.

The Vermont Public Service Board has issued a Certificate of Public Good approving Washington Electric Co-op's proposed expansion of its landfill methane generating facility at the state's largest landfill in Coventry.

Paul Yatcko has been named director of utilities for Groton Utilities in Connecticut. The City Council formally appointed Yatcko at a special meeting on July 14. He officially assumed his new duties Aug. 4.

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) Gas Division Superintendent Charles C. (Chuck) Curran, Jr., recently retired from the WMGLD after 36 years of service. He is succeeded by Acting Gas Superintendent Kenneth Luciani.

One of the most important educational terms in use today - not only in schools but in industry as well - is "collaborative learning," an approach to problem-solving and performance enhancement that emphasizes the power of individuals gathering together to share their ideas, listen to each other, think creatively and incorporate a variety of insights.

The Massachusetts Insurance Commission recently issued assurances that AIG Insurance companies are solvent and have the capability to pay claims. That same message is being delivered throughout the nation by each of other state insurance commissions and also by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Steven Mark Socoby of Houlton, Maine, has joined NEPPA as a safety and technical trainer. He recently retired from the Houlton Water Company in Houlton, Maine, after 35 years of service.

New NEPPA Board officers were elected during NEPPA's 2008 Annual Conference in New Hampshire.

Gary Babin, director of the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department, is the new president of the NEPPA Board of Directors. He was elected during NEPPA's 2008 Annual Conference in Bretton Woods, N.H., in August.

The newly-formed NEPPA Human Resources group met in Chicopee in early September, and discussed a number of different company policies and practices in the area of personnel management.

R. F. Gouley Company of Perrone Office Park, 103 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA, has joined NEPPA as an associate member.

The main contact is Raymond Gouley, Owner. He may be reached at (508) 831-1155. R. F. Gouley is a provider of educational safety/conservation programs for children and seniors.

October 2
Board of Directors Meeting
Chocksett Inn
Sterling, Mass.

October 3
Annual Membership Meeting
Chocksett Inn
Sterling, Mass.

October 9
Education & Training Committee
NEPPA Office

October 16
Public Communications Committee
10:30 AM
NEPPA Office

November 6
Regional Power Supply Committee
Location TBA

November 19-21
Public Utility
Management Program
New England Center
Durham N.H.

Cooper Power Systems, an associate member of NEPPA, recently introduced the UltraSIL polymer-housed evolution distribution-class surge arrester, an arrester that enables electric utilities to upgrade the efficiency of the power grid and reduce environmental impact.

This is an update on the areas Hometown Connections will be focusing on in 2009 as we continue helping public power navigate today's unprecedented period of industry upheaval and opportunity.