CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

Village board members Monday unanimously approved a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the electric infrastructure owned and operated by Bath Electric Gas and Water Systems. A $7.1 million cap was established and will eventually be financed through the issuance of municipal bonds, according to Mayor David Wallace.

Trustees Monday approved a resolution to adopt the capital project with the understanding BEGWS work crews would handle a share of the labor associated with the project. Matthew Benesh, director of utilities for BEGWS, said local crews would provide as much assistance as possible while also performing regular maintenance work.

Village officials gave the project the go-ahead with the understanding BEGWS workers' participation would help keep overall construction costs in check.

Engineers for BEGWS have warned the current electric infrastructure is vulnerable to spot failures during peak use; Village residents' electricity consumption also is likely to eventually exceed the existing capacity of the system, according to the utility.

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