By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Westborough – A new contract with the TransCanada Corporation will save the town of Westborough just over $792,000 in services related to electricity starting in fiscal year (FY) 2014.
Town Manager Jim Malloy told the Board of Selectmen at its Nov. 27 meeting that the town will be ending its current five year contract at the end of FY13. That contract charges $0.124 per KwH.
The TransCanada bid of $0.06535 is approximately 47.3 percent less than the current price the town currently pays, he said.
“During the past few years as natural gas prices have decreased, power plants have been converted from coal and other fuel sources,” he said in a communication to the board. “Prices have dropped and may continue to drop.”
Malloy noted that TransCanada's United States Northeast headquarters are in Westborough. As such, it was eager to be the town's provider, he said.
Malloy recommended that the town sign a three-year contract. Any price increases over that span would most likely be minimal, he said; it was also possible the price would go down further, adding to the town's savings. The $792,000 savings would be realized across all town departments, including the schools and sewer departments, he noted.
The board unanimously agreed with his recommendation.
Leigh Emery, the chair of the board of selectmen, thanked Malloy for his work.
“This will be a tremendous savings,” she added.