The past year was a year of great progress for many of our departments as we transitioned from planning for the future to beginning the implementation of those plans we crafted as part of our ongoing Strategic Planning Initiative. It was a year in which TMLP upgraded transformers and switches at two major substations, increased the bandwidth to internet customers through upgrades to the network core and infrastructure, increased participation in the net metering residential solar program, and implemented an interruptible rate for our industrial customers that reduces the electric demand at peak times and thus reduces TMLP and customer costs.

2012 was eventful in other areas including large scale solar development, planning a major overhaul at the power plant, examining distributed generation, continued strategic planning, conservation programs including LED lighting, Myles Standish Industrial Park expansion and planning for possible casino development.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy visited New England and wreaked havoc on trees and power lines. We were indeed fortunate at TMLP that our electrical and internet systems were restored within a few days. The planning, development of the emergency operations plans and personal training, coupled with employee expertise and dedication clearly contributed to the superior response.

And while no one can predict the future, Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant is positioned for the future - or better yet -- for what we think the future will be. That means that we continue to keep our eyes forward, our ears to the ground, and our heads in the game. We'll be ready whatever comes our way.

All with an eye to the future.

And that future looks bright for TMLP and its customers. Our solar power agreements are rapidly increasing and we are finding better ways to reduce our load and increase efficiency... our line crews are out in the service area, maintaining the systems, making repairs and upgrades as needed, and scanning the system to avert any future interruptions of service... and the West Water Street station is being prepared to house TMLP's telecommunications system and our internet services group under one roof.

Yet while it was a year of forward progress and setting new goals for the future, it was also a year of great sadness at TMLP.

Longtime TMLP employee Bill Nickerson passed away on November 1, 2012, leaving a tremendous void at TMLP and in the community. Bill started his career with TMLP in 1973 as a cooperative engineering student from Northeastern University in the Transmission and Distribution Engineering Department. After leaving for a few years, Bill returned to us in 1987 as a Principal Electrical Engineer. He became the Power Production Manager just three years later, in 1990.

Bill was a good friend and caring individual with a great heart that truly loved TMLP. Professionally, he always took care of business, whether it was by trying to solve a problem or mediate an issue, and would never take no for an answer.

It is Bill's spirit that will help lead us into the future, a future that we have planned for, invested in, and embraced throughout the past 116 years.