I can think of few things that pass through the Public Service Commission, coming in or going out, that aren’t touched by the executive secretary’s office.
This office handles all of our mail, whether coming in or going out.
If a utility files a case with the Commission, that must be made through the executive secretary and must be addressed to the executive secretary.
Those filing documents are processed in her office.
From that office, new cases are disbursed through the building. In fact, a case cannot get started without the executive secretary giving it a formal tracking number by which the case is known in the future.
We accept all our filings electronically these days, and that comes through the executive secretary.
If a town or small public service district needs assistance with adjusting its rates, then that goes through the executive secretary.
When our staff makes recommendations in cases, such as comments from our engineers or finance people, those come through the legal division, but all must be filed with that office.
Likewise, when we issue opinions or orders in cases, all of that is signed, sealed, and delivered by the executive secretary.
If a point is raised in a case, that issue must be filed with the executive secretary, and the response must come through her office.
This office is also responsible for posting on our open docket for public review all documents that come to the PSC.
This is a daunting task. Not only are numerous separate cases filed with us every day, but we also receive updates or additions to pending cases. The executive secretary posts electronically staff memoranda and recommendations in cases.
The office publishes our opinions for all to read.
They also post electronically hundreds of pages of official transcripts of hearings and other material that comes with the various cases.
They handle annual filings from public service districts and municipal governments across the state. The office receives and posts comments in cases and protests.
When you come into the headquarters building or call us, it is someone in the executive secretary’s office who will greet you, take your information, point you in the right direction, and find a notary for you if you need to file a complaint.
When there is a holiday or an emergency, when only essential staff have to turn up, guess what? There is always someone from the executive secretary’s office on duty then.
We often call this office the beating heart of the Commission, and that’s a good thought for what these folks do.
And with all of that, you would think there would be an army in this office.
That’s not so. They do all of this incredible amount of work with only 15 people, top to bottom.
It is an office that has proven its worth, always.
