Two New England Utility Managers Receive APPA Seven Hats Award

Jonathan Elwell, village manager of Enosburg Falls, Vt., and Jonathan Fitch, general manager of Princeton (Mass.) Municipal Light Department, received the American Public Power Association's Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award at the association's national conference in Orlando, Fla. The award recognizes managers who perform a variety of duties in communities of 2,500 or fewer electric meters. Award recipients have demonstrated accomplishments in seven areas: planning and design, administration, public relations, field supervision, accounting, human resources and community leadership.

Elwell played a major role in the development of the community's capital improvement plan for 2005 to 2012, which includes substantial upgrades to the electric distribution system's poles, conductors, substations and vehicles. To finance some of the capital expenses, Elwell negotiated private financing terms with local banks and successfully procured federal stimulus funds. Enosburg Falls Electric Light Department serves 1,600 customers.

Fitch, general manager of Princeton Municipal Light Department, was a vital force in overseeing rebuilding of the town's electric distribution system after an ice storm in December 2008. He single-handedly processed all the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency project worksheets to obtain disaster relief funds for both the light department and the town. Fitch is a familiar figure in the town of Princeton, where he volunteers for many school and recreational programs. Each year the utility sponsors an electrical safety program for local children. Princeton serves 1,500 electricity customers.

Fitch also accepted honors on behalf of Princeton Municipal Light - which is a co-recipient of the 2010 Public Power Wind Award fromthe U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Wind Program. This eighth annual award honors two American Public Power Association member organizations for their outstanding leadership, innovation and project creativity through the use of wind energy technologies. The consumer-owned utilities were selected among 13 others nominated from across the United States.

Princeton Municipal Light Department introduced wind power into its energy portfolio in 1984 and continues to invest in renewable energy. It frequently surveys and responds to customer interest in wind power and has used creative membership marketing strategies to lower the cost of additional wind power investments.

On left, Marc Gerken, 2009-2010 Chair of APPA's Board of Directors and President/CEO, American Municipal Power, Columbus, Ohio, presents Elwell with his award at APPA's National Conference in Orlando, Fla.

On right, Jonathan Fitch accepts a Department of Energy Power Wind Award.