HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-26 RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Minutes RECEIVED
CITIZENS' ADVISORY BOARD (CAT3J)WN CLERK,
MEETING MINUTES READING, AIA.
Regular Session
2119 JUL 30 AM 9- 56
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
DATE: Tuesday,April 26, 2011
PLACE: Reading Municipal Light Department(RMLD)230 Ash Street, Reading, MA Spurr/AV Room
PRESENT: CAB: A. Carakatsane, Chairman, (Lynnfield),J. Norton,Secretary, (North Reading),
G. Hooper(Wilmington),T. 011ila(Wilmington),T.Capobianco (Reading)
RMLD Board: R. Soli, P. Pacino
RMLD Staff: V.Cameron, P. O'Leary, K. Sullivan, R. Fournier,J. Donahoe, Bill Seldon,
B.Antonio
1. Call Meeting to Order-A.Carakatsane, Chairman
Chairman Carakatsane called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
2. Minutes of Meeting-January 19,2011 -A.Carakasane
Mr. Norton made a motion seconded by Mr. Hooper to approve the January 19,2011 minutes as written.
Motion carried unanimously 5:0:0.
3. FY12 Operating Budget-V.Cameron, R. Fournier
Mr. Cameron introduced the staff present.
Mr. Fournier distributed his condensed (one page)summary of the Operating Budget and reiterated that R is
not a line Rem budget His summary outlines the total operating expenses,and then deducts the fixed costs
and semi variable costs. He noted that two full tree crews are proposed for FYI 2,the head count will be at
76, and expected revenue projections are$84.6 million. He also described the new format for the budget that
no longer contains detail sheets, only Budget/Actual Comparison Summary sheets.
Each staff person present described his/her department's budget followed by questions from the CAB and
responses from the staff.
Mr. Carakatsane asked if anything unusual was being projected for Outside Services, and Mr. Cameron
replied,"No."
Mr. 011ila asked R any additional renewable projects are coming, and Mr. Seldon stated that the Energy
Services Division will continue using its power supply strategy and continue to add renewable projects when
the project fits into the strategy.
Discussion ensued.
Mr.Sullivan noted that the Meter Supervisor and a Sr.Technician retired in FYI 1,and an Operational
Assistant in the Meter Department transferred to Materials Management, which reduces the labor amount.
Mr.011ila referenced the Six Year Plan and the possibility of adding a substation in 2016.
Mr.Cameron stated that Ballardvale Street,an industrial area of Wilmington, could present a voltage
problem in the future. He noted that Mr. Sullivan plans to have a study done, and Mr. Cameron thinks there
may be a way to solve the problem more cost effectively such as looking at the size of the feeders and
distribution generation.
Mr. Soli asked Mr. Fournier where the residential audits are in the budget, and Mr. Fournier responded that
... they are in Energy Services under Energy Conservation.
Citizens'Advisory Board Meeting Minutes 2
April 26,2011
Mr. Fournier noted a new position in the MIS budget, a GIS Coordinator.
Mr.Carakatsane questioned the unfunded pension liability, and suggested the possibility of budgeting more
for the pension contribution.
Mr. Cameron explained the pension trust and the increase in the expense. He stated that$1.1 to$1.4 million
per year should be budgeted for the expense.
Mr. Norton thanked the staff who put the operating budget together. He liked the new format,and expressed
that 8 was much easier to read and to follow.
Mr. Norton made the following motion seconded by Mr. Hooper:
MOVE that the CAB recommend to the RMLD Board of Commissioners the acceptance of the first
draft of the FY12 Operating Budget based on a Net Income Amount of$4,366,041 as presented.
Any significant changes are to be submitted to the CAB for review and recommendation.
Motion carried unanimously 5:0:0.
4. FY12 Capital Budget—V. Cameron
Mr. Norton made the following motion seconded by Mr. Hooper:
MOVE that the CAB recommend to the RMLD Board of Commissioners the first draft of the
FY12 Capital Budget in the amount of$5,910,048 dated March 31, 2011 as presented. Any
significant changes are to be submitted to the CAB for review and recommendation.
Motion carried unanimously 5:0:0.
5. Other Items for Discussion
None
6. Schedule Next Meeting
May 18, 2010, 7:00 P.M., at RMLD
7. Executive Session
Deferred to next meeting.
S. Adjournment
A motion was made at 8:15 P.M. by Mr. Norton and seconded by Mr. Hooper to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried unanimously 5:0:0.
Respectfully submitted,
JohryNorton,Secretary
/pmo Minutes approved on: 1e)11W Jo f/