HARDWICK – The February 18 Hardwick Electric Department (HED) Board of Commissioners meeting was relatively uneventful, with commissioners asking for a better look at customer issues. A rare social media post, several days later, February 21, offered information about weather events affecting customer electric bills and suggestions to help reduce energy usage.
At the meeting Vermont Public Power Supply Authority’s manager of planning and support services, Steve Farman explained the Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process regularly required of Vermont’s electric utilities.
HED is a member utility of VPPSA, along with other locally-owned and democratically-run municipal electric utilities in Vermont. VPPSA provides its members with a broad spectrum of services that include aggregating the needs of its members to contract for power, support with finances, IT, rate planning and legislative and regulatory representation.
General Manager Sarah Braese’s report noted work is proceeding on office renovations, with new cabinetry soon to come for the back break room. She brought up policies and procedures involving reporting for the commissioners that may need to be updated as the IRP planning process proceeds. Commissioners suggested she prepare a customer report with measurable data on customer activity and satisfaction.
The department’s social media post said, “It’s Cold Outside!” It went on to suggest some customers may have seen higher electric bills than normal in January because of colder than normal temperatures, being eight degrees colder on average than December 2024.
The post said, “We still read meters monthly. Depending on weather factors, holidays and month length, the days of service on your monthly bill can vary from 28 to 33 days. Bills with usage for 32-33 days tend to be a little higher.”
The post offered helpful energy saving tips, including checking seals on all doors and windows, unplugging electronics when not in use, cleaning dryer ducts and letting the sun in during the day, then closing curtains at night.
Customers were asked to contact the office with questions or concerns by calling (802) 472-5201, ext 1 or at customerservice@hardwickelectric.com.
Meeting discussion included conversation about mapping HED poles, developing a full inventory and managing their replacement.
Commissioners approved revised personnel policies and a loan with the Vermont Bond Bank was approved to refinance $956,153. Financial reports and a draft budget were reviewed, with increased costs for clearing brush on lines likely due to deferred maintenance. Revisions were made to the budget, but no action was taken.
The meeting is available to be viewed at HCTV.us
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
