HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-24 RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Minutes �y Oi"NE♦O
Town of Reading
a Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
,1 �r TOWN CLERK N
READING. MASS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
RMLD Citizens Advisory Board lYl6 NOV -� A I b
i
Date: 2016-02-24 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Reading Municipal Light Building Location: Winfred Spurr Audio Visual Room
Address: 230 Ash Street
Purpose: General Business Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Mr. George Hooper, Chair (Wilmington); Mr. David Nelson, Vice Chair
(Lynnfield); Mr. David Mancuso, Secretary (Reading); Mr. Mark Chrisos
(North Reading); Mr. Dennis Kelley (Wilmington)
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Mr. Phil Pacino, Board of Commissioners
Ms. Coleen O'Brien, Mr. Hamid Jaffari, Ms. Michelle Lamson, Ms. Ka
Rybak, Mr. William Seldon
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Mr. George Hooper, Chair h�
s
Topics of Discussion:
1. Call Meeting to Order - G. Hooper, Chair
Chair Hooper called the meeting of the Citizens' Advisory Board to order at 6:30 pmI,
and noted that the meeting was being audio recorded.
2. Recent Storm, Related Outages and Communication
to the Public - C. O'Brien, General Manager
Ms. O'Brien reported on recent storm related outages and noted that during that event
RMLD implemented the use of Twitter (through a free mobile app) as a means to notify
the public regarding key outage information, I.e., what area is out, what caused the
outage, and an estimated time of restoration (ETR). The Twitter feed will also appear
on the RMLD website. Ms. O'Brien noted the purpose Is not only to keep customers
informed about outages, but also to mitigate the number of calls that go to the Control
Center. The mobile app can also be used to report an outage. Additional
enhancements to the app such as "pay my bill" are being developed. Ms. O'Brien noted
that there is a larger communication plan in the works.
The group discussed the functionality of the app and Twitter, and the plans to
communicate the availability of this new feature to the public.
3. Home Electrical Safety Update - C. O'Brien, General Manager
Ms. O'Brien reported that RMLD will be working with a local electrician and RCN to
produce a YouTube video that talks about home electrical safety. The intent will be to
explain what equipment the customer owns and recommended maintenance, and what
equipment RMLD owns (the two meet where the service connects to the house at the
Page I 1
weatherhead). The video will cover different scenarios such as Flickering lights (what
causes it; what the customer should do; and what RMLD will do), proper grounding,
etc. The electrician will represent the National Electric Code and RMLD the National
Electric Safety Code. Ms. O'Brien noted that (once completed) we will post the video on
the RMLD website for customers to view and reference.
Mr. Mancuso asked if RMLD has a disclaimer anywhere about who is responsible for
what. Ms. O'Brien responded that it is part of the Terms and Conditions, which are
currently being re-written and will be included in a full service handbook that is being
developed.
4. Proposed Distributed Generator - H. Jaffarl, Director of Engineering &Operations
Materials Included: Presentation Slides
Mr. Jaffar) provided an update on the progress with the distributed generator unit,
which is part of a pilot program aimed at off-setting some of the anticipated increases
to capacity and transmission costs. RMLD is planning to install a 2 to 2.5 megawatt gas
generator at Station 3 in North Reading, which will run primarily during the summer
months to shave the peak. The credit received from running the unit will be spread
across the board to all rate-payers. An RFP was issued for this unit previously, but it is
being re-bid and the RFP should be published by the second week in March. An in-
service date for the generator is anticipated for May or June 2017.
Mr. Jaffari and Mr. 011ila are working to address any potential zoning or permitting
requirements. They have been in touch with Town representatives in North Reading.
Mr. Chrisos asked about any potential noise generated from the unit. Mr. Jaffari noted
that a noise study has been completed, and the addition of this unit should not have a
significant impact on the noise level.
Chair Hooper asked about the gas supply. Mr. Jaffari confirmed that it was natural gas.
National Grid will be upgrading the supply to the area to eight Inch pipes to
accommodate the unit(s).
Mr. Jaffari continue with a description of potential unit as depicted in Slide 4. Mr.
Mancuso asked about the budget. The initial budget was somewhere In the
neighborhood of$2m in expense; we are now looking at possibly$2.8. Mr. Jaffari
responded that the revised (higher) estimate includes a differential to move from 2 to
2.5 megawatts. Slide 5 outlined installation, benefits and the expected return on
Investment. A single unit or smaller module units may be utilized depending on the
cost analysis. The ISO credits in 2015 and 2016 are $138,000 per megawatt-year.
After 2017, it is estimated to go up to approximately $290,000 per megawatt-year.
Therefore, a return on Investment of five years is expected. Anything after five years
will basically be a credit to the ratepayers. Mr. Jaffari noted that the capacity and
transmission charges are passed through to the customers. If the pilot is successful
and we see the expected benefits (off-sets to capacity and transmission costs), we will
then expand the program to other sites. Mr. Seldon added this is a two-pronged cost
savings. Transmission costs (that we are billed on) are based on peaks that happen
monthly, and the capacity costs (that we are going to be saving on) are based on the
annual peak. The 600-hour estimate assumes that we are going to hit the overall
system peak and that will be the capacity reduction. We are also assuming that we are
going to hit approximately 75% of the monthly peaks.
The group discussed the mechanics of how the peak will be monitored and the unit
operated. Mr. Chrisos noted that he had asked (via email) for an update about the
forward capacity market. Mr. Seldon responded that the number does change a little
bit in 2017 because the capacity market came in lower (at $8.00 vs. $10.55 as
expected). The price is going up - its just not going up to where they thought it would.
Page 1 2
Mr. Chrlsos noted, we were all in favor of the project. However, it is Increasing our
carbon footprint, and it is Important to offset that with what we are doing with demand
side so that we become more neutral. Ms. O'Brien responded that RMLD is developing
community solar and other programs aimed at the 15% renewables requirement. A
solar system was just turned on in Wilmington, and we continue to work on programs
that can help to offset the footprint. There are barriers to such initiatives, but RMLD
continues to work with the communities.
Mr. Jaffari added that another option is the potential of installing battery storage
in the service area. RMLD is monitoring the availability of grants for such
initiatives.
5. Status Update: Reliability Study - H. Jaffari, Director of Engineering &Operations
Materials: Booth and Associates - 2015 Reliability Study Recommendations
Mr. Jaffari reviewed the progress on the projects identified by Booth and Associates,
and UPG. As noted on the report, we have complete some of the items in-house and
the rest are in progress. Items that needed to be taken care of immediately have been
addressed and the rest are in progress (as noted in the status column).
Mr. Nelson asked about item 13. Mr. Jaffari responded that this Item is near
completion. Mr. Nelson noted that this was one of the safety issues brought up by
Booth. Mr. Jaffari responded that the fence has been repaired and the middle section of
the grounding grid (that was damaged) is going to be replaced. Special clamps were
needed and they have just been received.
Status Update - Organizational Study: Coleen O'Brien, General Manager
Materials: Leidos - 2015 Organizational Study
Ms. O'Brien provided a worksheet in the same format provided by Leidos, which
Illustrates the progress on each of the items identified in the Organizational Study. Ms.
O'Brien noted that some of the items such as "establish a planning culture" are ongoing
processes. Everything that we do with strategic planning, career development,
succession planning, procedures and policies, accountability - speak to moving the
culture from reactive to proactive. These items are ongoing.
In Phase II, Leidos is triangulating the wage scale with the job descriptions and the
career development plans to make sure that they all speak to each other and
everything is consistent. Phase III includes Leidos coming in and helping with the
employee satisfaction surveys, team leadership/culture Initiatives, and writing the new
strategic plan.
Ms. O'Brien highlighted some other accomplishments. Item 1.4 (Updated Six-year
Plan) is completed and is updated annually with the Budget. Item 3.3, the Integrated
Resources Division's (IRD) re-organization is complete. Item 7.3 (develop a
succession plan for the Manager of Account and Business): That group has been
redesigned, reconfigured and restructured.
Ms. O'Brien noted that much work has been accomplished and spoke about some of the
challenges with implementing change. It is challenging for everyone, but it's moving in
the right direction.
Mr. Chrisos asked about Items 8 and 8.2 and the timeline for both of those items. Ms.
O'Brien responded that we are an electric utility and safety is our number one priority.
We are adding components to our Safety Program including formalizing and adding
policies and procedures, and staff training. We have adopted the APPA (American
Public Power Association) Safety Manual. An audit of all the buildings will be scheduled
and any issues Identified will be fixed. On 8.1 Board Safety Policies - we are going
through all the policies with the Board. The Board Policy on Safety Is more of an
operational issue. Mr. Jaffari highlighted some additional initiatives, including quarterly
Page 1 3
safety meetings, the Arc Flash Study, tailboard reviews to include the arc Flash level
and protective gear requirements, the purchase of Category 4 arc Flash suits, and pole
testing. Ms. O'Brien added that we will also be sponsoring some employee health
programs.
Mr. Nelson asked if RMLD has an existing manual - Injury and Illness Prevention
Program (as noted in 8.2). Ms. O'Brien responded yes, the APPA manual, which
governs not only OSHA, but also utility workers, is adopted as our safety manual.
There are about 13 other safety components that make up our Safety Program
including the quarterly safety meetings (of the Utility Committee and a general sub-
committee.)
6. Next Meeting - G. Hooper, Chair
Ms. O'Brien presented a recommendation from the Business Finance Group relative to
financial reporting. The monthly MMWEC billing Is received approximately the 20th of
each month, which does not provide ample time to carefully review the monthly
financials (budget to actual) before presentation to the CAB and Board. If the CAB
were to meet the first week of each month and the Commission the second week of
each month, this would allow staff one week to process the MMWEC Information, vet it,
and meet with the senior managers to go through the financials prior to distribution.
The CAB will then have an opportunity to review the financials and comment before the
Commissioners meeting/review. The CAB agreed (once the FY17 Budget review in
April is completed) to adjust the schedule moving forward. The next meeting of the
CAB was scheduled for March 23.
Chair Hooper asked Commissioner Pacino if he had anything to add.
Mr. Pacino noted that he and Mr. Talbot are both up for re-election. Mr. Pacino
commented on how thorough the discussion was for the generator.
7. Adjournment - G. Hooper, Chair
Mr. Nelson made a motion to adjourn the Citizens'Advisory Board meeting, seconded
by Mr. Kelley. Hearing no further discussion, Motion carried 5:0:0.
The Citizens'Advisory Board Meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.
As approved on October 12, 2016.
Page 1 4
h
c
0
a
v
a
O
as
rn
c
� w
v
NW
rII O
� O
U
+- N
m
w, O o
a
v E
D U _
m �
QA, a
W
c
VLLM
CL.
c
0
O -
� 2 §
$ ® « -
G2 - a
D-
u
< D
\ -5'd
/ ) ® { ) \
E a / s90
O { � ) ƒ
/ o & / \ a ) ± R
_ * e ! § ! 0
co
y / § { \ u
D � 0. f \ � ) 0
CL � \ \ ) § k ( k $ \ § k }
\ | \ ) IE ] l2J / \
o . . . . . . . . . /
� ■ . . ■
0
CL
«
N
in ,m
Q
CL
h
. c �
■
VIP• 10
I��
} _ *mo�i;;
8
N
C O
� y v
h
� o
U y a N
o
U a
o a . Ya ` a
c
N N L O Li
C
2c,. H
p O O
} ya • . ' EE a c:C > > c 0 $ - Ono
C: y
O) � O
O C: N Y C O Q •
CO EhaO �d_ a 'U O
O C = 3 C 0 ^ O y C
N O O N t? � Q Q7
fno
= O m 1'L
X
N
X
vi
C
O
C
C
N
E
E
O
O
N
CL
CL
0
O
m
^ 0
CL
} � c
m
UlL
L
x
N
x
vi
C
O
' � O
a
L O
CL
N O
(�
O
10H
} o
N
co
= O co
L �
O
•
Y ��
} !
. 13
E
! o
: | - - - - - -
� ] ;
� n }
( \ \ {
§ § ;
2 § ,
_ � § . „ ! - , le : � = . , k \ ■ . ! )
{ §
) ; l , . I . l . : ; ; . , _ ` � ! �
� ° l � - ; � � § . , # | ; _ • . � ! ! ° � - �
• � , ! ! ! ! ! , � ! ! _ � z : i � , ! ) = : � � � . \
� � r
-
I #
!
jo IL§ ;
§ � ;
K ) \
� ®
§
e �
-
� - k � ` \ k
\
\ ) . | � | .
t| | § § ! !
\
§ ; : ! § | ! | ■ l ; � I § ! ! ! ! ! „ ■ ! /
§ -
■
! �
-
§ f � -
� § n �
§ ,
) � \
| § a
B
sWO
l � EE | � � ! ! § : 7 ! ( � ` ! ■ ( | i
! |
� \ \ § / � \ ƒ \ \ | ! ! � ! ■ ! , | „ !
] ; � ; : ; ; ; a • ; ; ; ; � ; ; • ; � E )