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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-17 RMLD Board of Commissioners Policy Committee MinutesReading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners Policy Committee July 17, 2012 Start Time: 7.02 p.m. End Time: 7:29 p.m. Attendees: Committee Members: Mr. Soli and Ms. Snyder Board Members: Mr. Stempeck Mr. Soli brought the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Mr. Soli said that, according to the agenda, the Policy Committee is meeting to discuss RMLD Policy 19 in light of possible changes related to the approval of payroll and account payable warrants. The committee has seen two legal opinions concerning the approval process for payroll and the account payable warrant. One is from Rubin and Rudman performed in 2000 and the other is from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue done in 1997 in response to a request from the West Boylston Municipal Light Department. Mr. Soli summarized the material related to the payroll and account payable warrant in Board Policy 19. Mr. Soli provided some background, on the rareness of errors found and even historically, when there was a problem in the late 1990's where payments were investigated, how small a percent of the budget they represented. Three reviewers had not caught the problem at that time. In addition, the town accountant is the final check and balance, and the town accountant can come to the Board as well. In an analogous situation, the Reading Town Manager signs the bills for Town Hall without sign -off by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Soli noted that since it concerns an interpretation of the M.G.L., he thought that a ruling on this issue should come from the Attorney General or some judiciary agency. Discussion followed. Ms. Snyder made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli to recommend to the RMLD Board of Commissioners to request an opinion from the Massachusetts Attorney General to clarify the need for the number of signatures on the accounts payable warrant. Motion carried 2:0:0. Mr. Soli said that he would come up with wording for Policy 19 for one RMLD Board signature on the Account Payable Warrant if the RMLD receives an opinion that one signature is sufficient. Ms. Snyder also said that there might be other wording related to the committees that might need changing. Discussion followed. Motion to Adjourn At 7:29 p.m. Ms. Snyder made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli to adjourn the Policy Committee meeting. Motion carried 2:0:0.