Leave Light Board as is — ‘If something works the way it should, don’t try to fix it’

As a former member of the Light Board, I am very unclear about what problem an elected Light Board would solve. Many decades ago, Acton Municipal Light Plant closed down its own generating station on Keyes Road (the red brick building) and has been purchasing electricity on the wholesale market. During my tenure, we had long-term contracts with Niagara Falls, Hydro Quebec, and other suppliers, both renewable and fossil fuel sources.

Our goal was (and still seems to be) to provide electricity to the town at rates more favorable and more environmentally friendly than commercial for-profit utilities can do. That requires a top-notch staff, a committed volunteer board, and a helpful town manager. We had all three.

In both high tech and the military, there is a fundamental rule: If something works the way it should, don’t try to fix it.

This system worked. It really, really did work very well. The electricity crews seemed to like it, the customers seemed to like it, and the service was (and still is) great.

Hugh C. Lauer

Keyes Road