(a) The Board may in its discretion order a prehearing conference of the parties (which may be presided over by any member) for the purpose of considering:
- (1) Simplification or clarification of the issues;
- (2) Serving of interrogatories;
- (3) Stipulations, admissions, agreements on documents, matters already on record, or similar agreements which will avoid the necessity of proving facts or issues not in dispute;
- (4) Identification of witnesses the parties may wish to call and the intended scope of their testimony; limitation on the number of witnesses; and arrangement for the appearance of witnesses;
- (5) Avoidance of irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitive testimony;
- (6) The possibility of disposition of the case through agreement;
- (7) The order of presentation at the hearing and the allocation of the burden of proof; and
- (8) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.