Paris, Tenn.–The Paris Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Thursday honored 40-year employee Louis Clary as he prepares to retire.
President/CEO Terry Wimberley introduced Clary, noting he was hired on at Paris BPU in September 1981 at 20 years old as a right of way laborer. After two years he transitioned to the role of apprentice lineman and then in 1988, he became a journeyman lineman. In 2007 he became working foreman and retires today having served Paris and Henry County for 40 years.
Wimberley added, “I appreciate his (Louis) longevity and loyalty to our utility for four decades.”
Clary said his job “has changed a lot over the last 40 years. When I first started, it was keeping peoples’ lights on, but over the last several years, it has become more about being community partners, and helping educate and build good relationships with our youth, who will one day be our customers…and keeping the lights on.”
Wimberley invited board members, media and community members to join the utility next week as they celebrate Public Utilities Week.
A cookout will be held, Thursday, October 7 at the Main Downtown Office from 11-1 and the utility will hold its second annual Drive Thru Kids Event, Wednesday, October 6 from 3:00 – 5:30. Once again, Paris BPU has teamed up with Commercial Bank and Trust for a community canned food drive that will run Monday-Thursday. Visit the BPU social media pages for a full list of events.
The Board voted to approve the low bid of $219,595 from Birmingham Control Systems for the Relay and Control House at the Puryear Substation. Bids ranged from $219,595 to $245,177.89. This purchase will be fully funded by Silicon Ranch as part of the interconnection agreement for the 6.9 MW solar installation.
“Funds are already on hand and delivery is expect in 16-18 weeks,” said Wimberley.
At the time Paris Utility Authority was formed, the City’s $7,200,000 Water revenue and tax Bond was assigned to PUA but left in the City’s name. As a follow up action to the conversion to PUA, the Board voted to approve a resolution that describes the terms of the USDA Bond and the pledge of water revenues from PUA for repayment of the Bond.
The Board then approved requested changes by Paris BPU Management to the current Aid to Construction fee schedule. Wimberley explained that Aid to Construction fees are common in the public utility industry. The fees are set to align with how the utility incurs cost so that all rate payers do not subsidize costs that are not associated with Paris BPU serving them. The fees are designed to recoup appropriate costs from those creating the costs. The new fees will go into effect November 1, 2021.
Wimberley, Board Chairman-David Flowers and Butch Powers serve as the advisory committee for the Paris BPU Revolving Loan Fund and brought the Board a request to approve a $30,000 loan to North American Caviar Inc. to purchase a blast/flash freezer. The $80,000 loan approved for North American Caviar Inc. in April was never taken out. This is a new request for a similar project at a lower amount. The board approved the motion.