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Czaplicki creates commission of councilors to meet with Solvay Electric.
Town of Geddes Supervisor E. Robert Czaplicki last week created an exploratory committee to research the possibility of municipal power for the Westvale area.
He appointed councilors Manny Falcone, Joe Ranieri and Tom Venturini to set a meeting with Solvay Electric to look at the option of power with the village of Solvay or an alternate means.
"Municipal power may mean reduced power rates for residents," Falcone said. "There's potential for lower electricity costs in Westvale and we're having the preliminary discussions on that."
The cost of electricity, which in Solvay is supplied by the village electric department, is roughly one-third that of National Grid customers.
Realistically, if chosen, the municipal power would take a couple of years before it was up and running.
Other factors include how much it would cost to negotiate with New York State Electric & Gas about purchasing the private utility's distribution system and the initial costs associated with a possible change.
Solvay Electrical services the village of Solvay and the Lakeland neighborhood, where residential customers pay about 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. It was established in 1896 and is considered the third-largest power system in New York state with 5,300 customers.
The councilors will meet, speak with Electric Department Superintendent John Montone and report their initial findings to the board.
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