The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 13

i- JO'i K- HuuC Ok Beautiful Lake CkamptaiK SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1974 Page 13 Veco Calls for Leasing of Georgia Unit Vermont Electric Power Company Inc. (Velco) Thursday announced two revisions in plans for an electric generating plant to be built in the town of Georgia. Burlington voters March 4 approved a Burlington Electric Department bond issue for $5.5 million dollars to acquire joint ownership of the plant with Central Vermont Public Service Corp. and Green Mountain Power Corp. Under the new plans, the electric utilities would jointly lease the new-generating plant rather than own it outright; In addition, the maximum capacity of the plant would be raised from 286 megawatts to 330 megawatts.

Burlington Electric Department Superintendent William Stebbins would not comment on the revisions Friday evening. City Atty. Joseph E. McNeil met with Velco's financial consultants Friday to discuss the proposed revisions. McNeil said under the new-arrangement Burlington would still be a joint partner in the venture, and could take part in the leasing arrangement, even though the bond issue passed by voters, specified the $5.5 million would be used for "joint ownership." McNeil emphasized the financing plans are preliminary and the city has not committed itself to any particular financial arrangements.

The plant, known as the Georgia station, would be built by an independent financial concern which would lease it to the electric utilities. According to a project report released this week by Velco. Burlington's contribution would be "purchase of the required land and payment of certain intangible costs incurred in the construction of the Georgia Station." designed unit, according to the Velco report. The report said Westinghouse Electric which holds the contract to build the facility, offered a more advanced design plant with a 15 per cent greater capacity, using only six percent more fuel The report said because the larger unit is more efficient, only a minimal increase in emission of pollutants would result. The advanced design also will cut the amount of cooling water needed by the plant.

Both changes must be approved by the participating utilities and by the Vermont Public Serv ice Board Velco hopes to begin operation of the $58 7 million plant in 1977 An estimated 25 per cent of the plant's output will be offered to non-Vermont members of the New England Power Pool through Velco The other participating utilities would contribute by paying the leasing costs. McNeil said he only discussed land purchase with the financial consultants on Friday, and there was no talk of the "intangible costs." McNeil said the new financial arrangement was suggested because it will be cheaper for the power companies. He emphasized that under the new arrangement Burlington still would obtain power more cheaply from the plant than if it were not a joint partner. "Burlington would share in the output of the plant in proportion to its investment in it," McNeil said The decision to modify the plant design to increase its generating capacity was based on the improved economics and efficiency of a newly- hr3 ft A Velco To Undergo Major Changes in Management Sprng 7onc ti-' If' Some 75 art students at Edmunds Junior High School are this week finishing 80 feet of flower murals which will be displayed at Memorial Auditorium during the annual Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Lawn and Garden Show, April 5-6-7. Following the show, the murals will be mounted on walls at the school.

Project is headed by art instructor Nancy Mulick. (Free Press Photo by Stuart Perry) Si Union Protests Reduction Of Air Guard Technicians By STEPHEN CARLSON Free Press Capitol Bureau MONTPELIER Public Service Commissioner William Gilbert said Friday major changes will be made in the management of the Vermont Electric Power Co. I Velco) this year. Gilbert has been negotiating for the changes tor some time with Velco President James Griffin of Rutland. He said Friday the negotiations are virtually complete and the changes will be made this fall at the latest.

He said changes which have been definitely agreed to include a promise that Griffin will step down and be replaced by a new president, and opening of a new Velco office in Montpelier. Velco is controlled by the Central Vermont Public Service and now operates out of Central Vermont's Rutland office. It handles transmission, planning of new generating facilities and arranging of wholesale power contracts for all the retail electric utilities in Vermont. Griffin, besides his position with Velco. is also president of Central Vermont, and of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power the state's biggest generating company.

Critics have charged this gives Central Vermont too much control over the entire electric utility industry. Legislation which would increase the state's control over Velco was proposed several months ago by Rep. Brian Burns, D-Burlington. However, with only a week left in the session, Burns' bill is still sitting in the House Commerce Committee and stands no chance of legislative passage this year. By hiring a new Velco president, Gilbert said at least the day-to-day operations of Velco and Central Vermont would be separated.

Velco would retain its present Rutland office, to coordinate activities with Central Vermont, but the new Montpelier office would handle all power planning and coordination of activities with state agencies. The new president would also be located in the Montpelier office. A third provision of the agreement, which Gilbert said is still somewhat tentative, calls for expansion of the Velco board to include more members of the public and at least one representative of a cooperative utility. The cooperative representative, according to reliable sources, would be Sailey Ennis, manager of Washington Electric Cooperative. Gilbert said Griffin has agreed to that change, but it must remain indefinite for the time as it would require a change in Velco's articles of association.

He said the agreement, coupled with the announcement this week of a new president of the Green Mountain Power would "change the complexion of the utility industry." He described the new GMP president, Peter McTague, as a "tough, aggressive spokesman for the power industry, who will help bring a balance between Rutland and Burlington." GMP's home offices are in Burlington. Ai Long Losf Skill, Conduct Of BHS Band Wins Praise The Burlington High School Band has received high praise from the principal of a Long Island, N.Y. high school where BHSers played an exchange concert March 10. "I wish to congratulate you, your staff and your students for making the weekend an outstanding musical and social success. We have made a number of band exchanges over a period of years.

Everybody agreed that your youngsters were the best behaved and the best musicians we have had." Principal Joseph H. Goergen wrote to BHS Principal Albert Ellis. Robert Levis, band director and chairman of the BHS music department, said the 92 Burlington musicians "really, really came through" and the concert "was just super." Their hosts, the Wellington C. Mepham High School Band from the Bellmore- Merrick Center High School District. N.Y., will be in Burlington March 30 to play the second half of the exchange at 8 p.m.

in the BHS auditorium. While in New York the BHS band went to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan where they saw the Easter show and the new movie version of the musical "Mame," with Lucille Ball. Thomas Anderson of Gladstone. N.J.. takes advantage of the new snow as he skis the spillway at Bolton Valley Ski area.

The mountains have received over 50 inches of snow since Saturday, making it the best skiing of the season. Burlington May Alter Night Parking Bon Essex Voters To Decide Dec. 1 0 on Merger Plan By FREDERICK STETSON The American Federation of Government Employes has asked Gov. Salmon to review procedures followed by the Adjutant General in a 19-man reduction of Air National Guard technicians. The union has also told the Adjutant General, Maj.

Gen. Reginald Cram, it will file an unfair labor practice charge if communication problems and other issues related to the procedures are not resolved within 30 days. The reduction, to be completed by June 30, 1975, is the result of a change in the Air Guard's mission and aircraft. The change was ordered two months ago by the Aero Space Defense Command. AFGE's Local 3002, representing baout 200 Air Guard technicians at Burlington International Airport, claims the Adjutant General has disregarded seniority when selecting personnel to be dropped from the Guard.

But, the adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Reginald Cram, told a hearing Friday seniority is not a primary criteria, according to directives he received from the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. "Tenure or service date is to be used only if all other aspects of the job and individual qualifications are equal," the general said, reading from a Guard Bureau message. Cram replied to the union's charges at a crowded hearing held in the iaw offices of Atty.

Thomas L. Hayes Friday afternoon in Burlington. Hayes, who says he spends about 25 per cent of his time on labor issues, was appointed by Salmon to hear testimony in the Air Guard dispute, and make recommendations to. the governor. Hayes designated Cram and the union's local president, Edward Flavin, as members of a panel; the three men will formulate their recommendations to Salmon.

Hayes said he could not estimate when their report would be completed. There is a possibility that additional hearings will be required. At the session Friday afternoon, opening statements were presented by representatives of the union and the Adjutant General's office, as well as the National Guard Bureau. Testimony was tape recorded, but witnesses were not sworn in, as in judicial proceedings. About a dozen men, from the guard, the union and the news media, jammed into Hayes" offices at 200 Main St.

to hear the proceedings. Speaking for the union were Flavin and Guy F. Coletti, an AFGE national representative from the union's regional office in Boston. Coletti said Cram was the final authority for reduction in force procedures and he need not follow a National Guard Bureau policy document which gave seniority a secondary emphasis as a reduction criteria. Coletti described the document (Technical Personnel Pamphlet 910) as nothing but a "pamphlet" containing "ambiguous language." And Flavin said the Adjutant General has the authority to "deviate" from the pamphlet or amend it, according to public laws and regulations.

Nonetheless, these assertions were challenged by Cram and Bernard Hurlock, deputy director of personnel, National Guard Bureau. Hurlock said the pamphlet is "regulatory in nature." And, he also produced a letter from a high-level AFGE official in Washington, saying the pamphlet represented an improvement over past reduction in force procedures. Cram said a message he received from the National Guard Bureau indicated he had no other alternative but to follow the procedures outlined in the pamphlet. "States are required to develop their specific RIF (reduction in force) procedures within the guidelines provided in TPP910," the bureau's message said. "I have no latitude; this is the directive," the general added.

Cram also denied union charges that his office had not communicated with Local 3002 to fully advise them of the reduction in force. "I think the allegations that we did not communicate with the union are false," he said. Some discussions were limited for security reasons, Cram acknowledged, while adding that Col. Randall Nye, the technical personnel officer, and Col. Roland Cater, the base commander, did discuss the probable effects of the reduction with the union.

"It is my opinion that we have indeed tried to keep them abreast of all developments," Cram said. The union representatives said their comments were invited, but they also believed the reduction in force procedures should have been negotiated with Local 3002. machines in all elections last year. Ketcham said Buckley, speaking for both boards, said he felt it was important to have both votes at the same time but it should be done before the end of the year. Based on the Dec.

10 date, the committee set up a schedule of public hearings. The week of Nov 18-21 there will be joint school hearings on Monday and Wednesday, and municipal hearings Tuesday and Thursday The week of Dec. 2-5, the municipal hearings will be held Monday and Wednesday, the joint school hearings Tuesday and Thursday. By CANDACE PAGE Thursday's snowstorm, the winter's second heaviest, had city officials wondering Friday about a possible change in the city's all-night parking ban ordinance. Seven inches of snow fell on the city Thursday, creating a "messy" cleanup job.

according to Street Supt. James Ogden. Part of the problem. Ogden said, was that city plows had to go around cars parked overnight. This meant another cleanup run Friday in an attempt to clear parking spaces.

Late Friday there still were places where snow-clogged parking areas. The city winter all-night street parking ban goes into effect Dec. 1 each year and is lifted March 1. This year, however, 20 per ESSEX JUNCTION A vote on the merger of the school boards and municipal governments of Essex Junction and Essex Town was set for Tuesday. Dec.

10. when the charter committee met with a representative from each of the school boards Thursday nitiht. An earlier date of Oct 8. proposed by James Buckley, chairman of the Prudential Committee, and approved by both the Town and Village School boards, had to be ruled out due to the use of voting machines. Charles Ketcham.

a charter committee member, pointed out that it was impossible to hold a vote between Aug. 10 and Dec. 6 because a 30-day waiting period is needed after each vote. Primary elections -re set for Sept. 10, general elections for Nov.

6. The town approved the use of voting Colchester Lions Set Snowmobile Race The Colchester Lions Club will sponsor snowmobile races Sunday at 1 p.m. Registration will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Kellogg and Mill Pond Road. There will be 10 classes of races and trophies will be awarded.

cent of the season's total snowfall so far, arrived after March 1. Thursday's seven inches of snow in a single day were topped only on Dec. 17. when 12 5 inches fell. Mayor Paquette said Friday he feels it might be a good idea for the city to pass an ordinance allowing officials to order an emergency one-night parking ban to allow cleanup after a heavy snowfall.

"I think an announcement during the evening on the radio and television stations would reach most people and have them get their cars off the streets," the mayor said. City Traffic Engineer Donald Morley said he had asked local TV and radio stations Thursday to read an announcement requesting residents to move their cars off the streets voluntarily. Morley said it was hard to tell what kind of response there was. He said an ordinance such as the one the mayor suggested might help, but said he thought it might be unenforceable. "I don't think you can punish someone for not owning a radio," Morley said.

Street Supt. James Ogden said he'd like to do some research on how often March storms create a problem before endorsing such an ordinance. Ogden and Morley both said they would not want a total all-night parking ban in March, because as the ground thaws it is difficult for people to park on their lawns. Essex Police Seek Mediation in Pay Dispute NOTICE The FIRST SESSION THE REAL ESTATE SCHOOL APRIL 1st NOT MARCH 25th Practicing Real Estate Institute Windsor, Vermont LADY is your family grown up and you are bored? We are looking for a personable, ambitious sales lady. Permanent position.

No night work. Please call for interview. A.E. Simays McAuliffe Office Products Center. 658-4444 Sister Asselin Sister Asselin Appointed Dean At St.

Michael's W1NOOSKI PARK Sister Jeannette M. Asselin, Holy Union of the Sacred Hearts (SUSC). has been appointed assistant dean of students at St. Michael's College. She will assume her new post July 1.

according to Dean Donald R. Sutton. Sister Jeannette succeeds Catherine A. Canepa who will be returning to the University of Vermont to continue her graduate education. Sister Jeannette is a 1963 graduate of Catholic Teacher's College and has attended St.

Michael's summer religious studies program where she is completing her requirements for the A T. religion degree. During these summer programs. Sister Jeannette led a variety of cocurricular activities for students, including the recording of a successful record albun. "Pass It On," by a group of students called Leaven.

She was a grade school teacher in her native Rhode Island for 17 years prior to becoming a religious education coordinator. She has worked in this latter function for eight years, the last three on a regional basis in four Rhode Island parishes. She was also music director in this education program. She studied at the Rhode Island School of Design from 1964 to 1965 and is a certified teacher of art. She was professed July 2, 1951, in Groton, Mass.

by the late Cardinal Richard J. Cushing. Both sides have termed the other's requests as "unreasonable," and the village walked out on the negotiations earlier this month forcing the police to go to mediation. The police want at least a cost of living raise, while the village is willing to give only five and a half per cent. During the last six months of 1973 the cost of living went up almost nine per cent.

ESSEX JUNCTION -Claiming the Village of Essex Junction has failed to bargain in good faith, the Village Police Department has requested the state to appoint a mediator in the pay dispute for the 1974 contract. Patrolman Roger R. Barber, chief of the negotiations for Local 404 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, confirmed Friday that a letter has been sent to Commissioner of Labor and Indstry Louis Lavin. Barber's letter states the IBPO Local 404 and the village have reached an impasse and requests a mediator be named for wage negotiations. Under state law, the commissioner or his appointee can mediate the case.

A person selected must be of high standing and in no way connected with labor or management. SELLING or BUYING an AUTOMOBILE? YORK "We don't want to lose ground," the police bargaining team of Barber and fellow Patrolmen Rodney Mills and Harold Barrett said Friday. The remainder of the contract, which is retroactive to Jan. 1, 1974 is reportedly acceptable to both sides. The village has reportedly set a ceiling of five and a half per cent on raises for all village employes.

Village Manager Kenneth G. Greer, Business Manager James Ticehurst, and Trustee John Smith are representing the village. When negotiations began the village offered only two per cent, while the police asked for 12 per cent. Both termed each other's request as unreasonable. Greer reduced that offer to one per cent while conducting one- on- one negotiations with Barber.

The patrolman told Greer this was even more unacceptable. During a seven minute negotiation session March 6, the three village representatives offered four per cent, while the three patrolmen asked for 11 and a half per cent. The village termed the request unreasonable and walked out on the negotiations. As the three village officials exited, the police reduced their request to 10 and a half per cent, but the officials said "This is it no more negotiations no more counterproposals." The six Essex Junction Patrolmen currently earn between $7,680 and $8,794 a year. The negotiations do not include raises for the two sergeants, two lieutenants, the chief or civilian dispatchers.

The patrolmen said they have researched the raise question and believe their request is extremely reasonable. Checks have been made with the cost of living council in Washington, the league of cities atid towns in Montpelier and with the national consumer price index committee. The patrolmen joined the IBPO April 23, 1972, and were the second department to join in Vermont. South Burlington joined during 1971. DAILY To Activities Calendar Free Press Classified category No.

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