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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-29 RMLD Board of Commissioners Minutes - Executive SessionReading Municipal Light Board of Commissioners Chairman Hahn brought the meeting to order and asked Mr. Cameron to make his reports. Mr. Cameron said that in a recent question by the commissioners on the payables, there was a request made to explain the legal billings for both Rubin and Rudman billings, including Power Supply activities, and the Choate, Hall, Stewart Professional Billing Services. Mr. Cameron said that the recent Rubin and Rudman bills over the past few months had some MMWEC Audit activity on them, but there was also power supply activity. The power supply billings were for the Solar Energy Hub solar contract, which is being finalized presently, as well as some work on contracts for the power supply request for bids that the RMLD will be going out for in the nem future. Mr. Cameron then said there was also a question from the commissioners on the Choate, Hall, and Stewart bills in the recent payables. Mr. Cameron explained that there were several arbitrations the RMLD was dealing with and hearings on these arbitrations start in Much and are expected to end in August, so further bills are expected. Ms. Snyder asked about the nature of the arbitrations and Ms. Antonio gave a brief description of each of the arbitrations. Discussion followed. Mr. Cameron said that there were also charges on the Choate, Hall, and Stewart bills that were related to a restmcttuing effort at the RMLD. Mr. Cameron said that due to the Meter Upgrade project and other technology upgrades, the RMLD proposed to restructure the Technical Services Division. Mr. Cameron gave a brief overview of the restructuring plan and said that collective bargaining occurred to work with the union to put the restructuring proposal in place. Mr. Cameron said that it did not present a large savings for the RMLD, but involved a redeployment of personnel into positions that made more sense given upgrades in technology, and that also offered advancement to union personnel. Mr. Cameron said that after about five negotiating sessions with the union, he could not gel the union to agree to terms and stopped the process. Mr. Cameron went on to say that management's offer in this process was generous and afforded opportunities to employees to move into higher paying positions. Mr. Cameron said that he still thinks it's a good idea, but he may have to approach it in a different manner. Discussion followed. Motion to Adjourn At 9:34 p.m. Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli that the Board adjourn the Executive Session and return to Regular Session for the sole purpose of adjournment. Chairman Hahn called for a poll of the vote: Chairman Hahn, Aye; Mr. Pacino, Aye; Mr. Soli, Aye; Ms. Snyder, Aye; and Ms. O'Neill, Aye. Motion carried 5:0:0. A true copy of the RMLD Board of Commissioners minutes as approved by a majority of the Commission. Gina Snyder, Secretary, RMLD Board of Commissioners Executive Session RECEIVED 230 Ash Street TOWN CLERK Reading, MA 01867 READING, MASS. February 29, 2012 Start Time of Executive Session: 9:20 p.m. 1013 APR — I A (� Q, End Time of Executive Session: 9:34 p.m. Commissioners: Richard Hahn, Chairman Philip Pacino, Vice Chairman Mary Ellen O'Neill Gina Snyder, Secretary Robert Soli Attendees: Vincent Cameron, General Manager BethEBen Antonio, Human Resources Manager Chairman Hahn brought the meeting to order and asked Mr. Cameron to make his reports. Mr. Cameron said that in a recent question by the commissioners on the payables, there was a request made to explain the legal billings for both Rubin and Rudman billings, including Power Supply activities, and the Choate, Hall, Stewart Professional Billing Services. Mr. Cameron said that the recent Rubin and Rudman bills over the past few months had some MMWEC Audit activity on them, but there was also power supply activity. The power supply billings were for the Solar Energy Hub solar contract, which is being finalized presently, as well as some work on contracts for the power supply request for bids that the RMLD will be going out for in the nem future. Mr. Cameron then said there was also a question from the commissioners on the Choate, Hall, and Stewart bills in the recent payables. Mr. Cameron explained that there were several arbitrations the RMLD was dealing with and hearings on these arbitrations start in Much and are expected to end in August, so further bills are expected. Ms. Snyder asked about the nature of the arbitrations and Ms. Antonio gave a brief description of each of the arbitrations. Discussion followed. Mr. Cameron said that there were also charges on the Choate, Hall, and Stewart bills that were related to a restmcttuing effort at the RMLD. Mr. Cameron said that due to the Meter Upgrade project and other technology upgrades, the RMLD proposed to restructure the Technical Services Division. Mr. Cameron gave a brief overview of the restructuring plan and said that collective bargaining occurred to work with the union to put the restructuring proposal in place. Mr. Cameron said that it did not present a large savings for the RMLD, but involved a redeployment of personnel into positions that made more sense given upgrades in technology, and that also offered advancement to union personnel. Mr. Cameron said that after about five negotiating sessions with the union, he could not gel the union to agree to terms and stopped the process. Mr. Cameron went on to say that management's offer in this process was generous and afforded opportunities to employees to move into higher paying positions. Mr. Cameron said that he still thinks it's a good idea, but he may have to approach it in a different manner. Discussion followed. Motion to Adjourn At 9:34 p.m. Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli that the Board adjourn the Executive Session and return to Regular Session for the sole purpose of adjournment. Chairman Hahn called for a poll of the vote: Chairman Hahn, Aye; Mr. Pacino, Aye; Mr. Soli, Aye; Ms. Snyder, Aye; and Ms. O'Neill, Aye. Motion carried 5:0:0. A true copy of the RMLD Board of Commissioners minutes as approved by a majority of the Commission. Gina Snyder, Secretary, RMLD Board of Commissioners