Article 49 - Light Plant Expenditures and Payment in Lieu of Taxes

ARTICLE 49. To determine whether the Town will authorize that the income from sales of electricity and from servicing and jobbing during the ensuing fiscal year, together with the balance of operating cash in the Light Plant Fund, be expended without further appropriation under the direction and control of the Town Manager for the expenses of the Light Plant for that fiscal year, as defined in Mass. Gen. Laws c. 164, § 57, or for other plant extensions, enlargements, additions, renewals and reconstruction; and further, to authorize a transfer of $459,000 or any other sum, from the Operating Fund of the Light Plant to be used by the Board of Assessors to reduce the tax levy for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; or take any other action relative thereto.

Article Explanation

This article authorizes the Town Manager, as manager of the Light Plant, to expend the income received by the Light Plant from the sale of electricity long with other departmental income to be used for the purposes of operating the department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. This is a routine annual action. Further, this article authorizes the transfer of $459,000 from the operating fund of the Light Plant to the General Fund, an amount consistent with past years and designed to represent what a private utility would pay in property taxes.

Article Motion

Mr. Leon moves that the Town authorize the income from sales of electricity and broadband and from servicing and jobbing during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, together with the balance of operating cash in the Light Plant Fund, to be expended under the direction and control of the Town Manager, without further appropriation, for the expenses of the Light Plant for the fiscal year, as defined in Mass. Gen. Laws c. 164, § 57, and/or for other plant extensions, enlargements, additions, renewals, and reconstruction; and further to authorize a transfer of $451,000 from the Operating Fund of the Light Plant to be used by the Board of Assessors to reduce the tax levy for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.