MADISON TOWNSHIP — Madison Township trustees approved a motion Monday to enter an electric aggregation contract with the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) beginning in March 2025.
The township is currently in a 12-month aggregation contract with Energy Harbor at a price of 4.67 cents/kWh, which will end in March 2025 when NOPEC will pick up the aggregation contract.
Trustees voted Monday to enroll in a 14-month contract beginning March 2025 at an aggregate price of 6.499 cents/ kWh.
“That’s about the longest (contract) we could get,” said trustee chair Tom Craft. “Most other places were quoting between 7.25 and 8.25 for three months.
“Some people are paying Ohio Edison 10.99 a kilowatt hour for the same services we have on aggregate.”
According to its website, all eligible residents and businesses are automatically enrolled in NOPEC’s standard program price, but letters sent to customers will have opt-out forms if a customer doesn’t want to enroll in the aggregation program.
Have questions?
NOPEC representatives plan to be at the Madison Township Hall at 817 Expressview Drive for an afternoon and early evening meeting Dec. 16 to answer any questions from residents. They plan to host meetings at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. before the regular township trustees meeting.
NOPEC buys electricity in bulk from NextEra Energy Services Ohio, LLC to deliver aggregate rates to customers.
The local electric utility Ohio Edison/ FirstEnergy is still responsible for delivering services to residences and businesses, as well as reading meters, sending customers bills and restoring power after outages.
Trustees also read a resolution to accept a $10,000 “early membership grant” from NOPEC to be paid as a lump sum for the general fund, available for use on energy-efficient projects.
Also in Monday’s meeting, trustees:
- Approved $40,300 of ARPA funds to purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado for the road department and $69,590 to purchase a GMC one-ton dump truck. Road superintendent Larry Weirich said the Silverado has an estimated wait time of 6 to 8 weeks and the dump truck can be picked up from Louisville. Both purchases will replace vehicles that are about 24 years old.
- Approved an appropriation increase of $45,000 for fire department salaries in 2024. They also approved reallocations from the motor vehicle license tax fund toward the fire department.
- Read the official vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections regarding the fire department replacement levy that failed in November. Nearly 5,000 residents voted on the levy replacement in total, with 2,634 against it and 2,314 for it.
- Trustee Dan Fletcher reported the Richland County commissioners approved a $50,000 subaward to help with the Manner Drive culvert replacement, and approved the trustees’ request to vacate properties on Annfield Drive and Walker Road.
- Craft reported he is working with Richland Public Health to stay updated on the mosquito spraying program.
- Craft reported his is also working on updates to septic and sewage rules and regulations.
- Fiscal officer Leanna Rhodes said she has asked for a revised quote on Spectrum fiber internet and voiceover IP for the road department office on Brace Avenue.
