Marblehead Light Department :: Light Dept. History 1995-2004

OVER A CENTURY OF SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARBLEHEAD MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT'S HISTORY

	1995 After 36 years of service to the Marblehead Municipal Light Department Richard L. Bailey retires from his position as general manager. He is succeeded by Robert V. Jolly Jr., who was formerly the manager of technical operations and has been with the department for 17 years.

	1996 On Monday evening, January 8, with most people at home during the "Blizzard of 96" the Town set a new all-time peak demand for electricity of 21,300 kilowatts. This topped the previous record of 21,175 set in 1989. Restructuring of the electric industry moves forward as legislators and regulators meet to determine what course to follow. Town Meeting voters overwhelmingly adopt a bylaw requiring removal of existing poles and overhead wires in the downtown area.

	1996-1997 Work begins on a $3 million dollar project aimed at upgrading the entire transmission system that brings power to Marblehead. The Lead Mill area at the border of Marblehead and Salem received a dramatic face-lift as two new bridges are constructed to carry three electric conduits from Salem, and landscaping improvements are made. In addition to enhancing system reliability the work has also left the area safe and attractive for hikers and bikers.


	The old railroad bridge at the Lead Mill before improvements.


	After improvements

	1998 As a result of legislation passed last fall, many electric consumers in Massachusetts will be able to choose their power supplier in a competitive market beginning March 1. As a non-profit utility, locally owned and controlled, the Marblehead Municipal Light Department is exempted from the March 1 start date. However, the law requires that municipal utilities that have not offered customer choice by March 1, 2003 conduct studies on it's pros and cons.

	After eight years of planning and construction, the project to upgrade the Town's electric transmission system was completed this summer.The project, which involved replacing some 12,000 feet of older transmission lines between Marblehead and Salem, will result in a more reliable and efficient system capable of serving the Town's needs for the foreseeable future.

	1999 After nearly three years of preliminary work and planning, construction began this spring on the second phase of a project that will place all utility services underground in the heart of Downtown. Work this year will focus on continuing to build the underground duct and manhole system that must be completed before utility equipment can be installed. Through MMLD's Efficient Lighting Rebate program, the Light Department contributed $10,303 towards the cost of upgrading 2,168 existing lamps and/or fixtures at the Marblehead High School and Middle School. Estimated annual cost savings for the two schools total $18,353.


	Installing ductwork downtown

	2000 After much preparation in anticipation of computer related problems at the dawning of the new millennium, the date passed without incident in Marblehead, and most of the world. MMLD establishes a direct debit plan, allowing customers to have payments for their electric bills conveniently deducted from their checking or savings account each month.

	2001 After two years of planning and construction, a new electrical substation off Village Street was energized in July, adding at least a third more capacity to the Town's electric system. Marblehead Light welcomed two new Light Commissioners this spring - Alan Chipman and Wilbur E. Bassett. Chipman, who is Commission Chairman, holds the seat previously occupied by Michael Hercher, while Bassett fills the position vacated by Carl Rohde. The new Commissioners join Charles O. Phillips, Jr., who has served the board since 1996. MMLD institutes an Energy Efficiency Rebate Program to encourage customers to make energy efficient purchases of refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, room and central air conditioners and dehumidifiers.In addition, rebates are available to those wishing to add insulation to their homes or purchase a programmable setback clock thermostat.


	The new Village substation

	2002 The first residences and businesses are connected to the new Downtown underground utility system. As each customer is connected to the underground system, the wires from the pole to the building were removed, gradually eliminating the overhead system.

	2003 At Town Meeting this year voters establish the expansion of the Board of Light Commissioners from three to five members. MMLD completes its share of the Downtown underground utilities project this summer, all customers in the designated area now receive their electricity from an underground service. The next large construction project, a "new" Clifton Substation (replacing the original substation completed in 1954) is begun.


	The new Clifton Substation

	2004 In May voters elect two new members to the Light Department Board of Commissioners. Welcomed to the Board are Calvin Crawford and Philip Sweeney, for a three and two year term, respectively. In the same election Alan Chipman is returned to his seat on the Board for a three year term. The new Clifton Substation is completed, improving reliability and providing for future load growth. Poles and overhead wires are removed downtown, completing the project of burying utilities underground and beautifying the Old Town area.