HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-09 RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Minutes READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPAR'��1�E I v, C D
CITIZENS'ADVISORYBOARD(CAB)TO CLERK
MINUTES READING, AIA.
Regular Session
2113 SEP 23 AM 101 11
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday,April 9,2014
Place: RMLD,230 Ash Sneet,Reading,MA,Winfred Spur/Audio Visual Room
CAB Members Present
Mr.George Hooper,Vice Chairman (Wilmington);Mr.Tony Capobianco(Reading);Mr. Dennis Kelley
(Wdmington);Mr.David Nelson(Lynnfield)
CAB Members Absent-
Mr.
bsentMr.John Norton,Chairman(North Reading)
RMLD Commissioners)/Guests Present
Mr.Robert Soli,Board of Commissioners
Mr.Tom 011ila
RMLD Stuff Present
Ms. Coleen O'Brien,Mr.Hamid Jaffari,Mr. David Polson,Mr.Mark Uvanni,Ms. Kathleen Rybak
1. Call Meeting to Order—G. Hooper,Vice Chairman
Vice Chairman Hooper called the meeting of the Citizens'Advisory Board to order at 6:30 p.m. and noted
that the meeting was being audio recorded
2. Presentation of Meter Lamp—C.O'Brien,RMLD General Manager
Ms.O'Brien presented Mr.Tom 011ila with an RMLD meter lamp and thanked him for his service
on the Citizens'Advisory Board
3. FY15 CAPITAL BUDGET—C. O'Brien,General Manager
Matmo6: FY15 Capital Bedgat
Ms.O'Brien reported that the Reading Town Manager has asked for support for an electric vehicle
charging station. RMLD does not currently have a formal program for this,but it is something that
RMLD will consider supporting for all towns provided charging doesn't take place during peak hours.
Ms.O'Brien began the budget discussion by acknowledging the efforts of staff in preparing the Capital
Budget. The focus of discussion at this meeting will be the FY15 budget,however,FY14 year-end
projections are provided,as well projects being planned for FY16 through FY19. A brief description of
each project is included on the"Planned Projects"spreadsheet
Ms. O'Brien noted that she and Mr.Jaffari have done a system assessment and the focus items for FY15
include:building of the GIS,which is the mapping system which produces a geographically correct map of
our system assets. Once updated the GIS is used as a basis for engineering modeling software that works
to determine the accuracy of our system coordination and protection as well as future reliability planning,
addressing capacity and flexibility to meet the challenges of the future. The second area is system
maintenance. We are developing a predictive asset management system that is included in the budget,that
we will tie into the GIS and will serve as a basis for assessing the current condition of our assets. The
appropriate data loaded will support predictive maintenance to extend the fife of the equipment and also
to schedule replacements prior to any equipment failure. Ms.OBrien reported that the LED streetlight
RMLD Citizens'Advisory Board Regular Session Minutes:April 9,2D14 Page 1 of 3
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conversion is scheduled beginning in FY16 once the(FY15) Pilot is completed. Approximately 8,000
lights will be replaced at approximately E3m. This will be a significant energy savings to each of the towns,
and a decrease in maintenance to RM-LD. Engineering is finalizing the piloS which targets a number of
areas within each town for piloting the lights.
Plant Value and Depredation Expense is included on Page 2 of the"Planned Programs"spreadsheet.
Ms.O'Brien noted that this six-year plan does not reflect any additional reliability issues which may be
identified with the planned Reliability Study.
Ms.O'Brien referred to staff for project-specific presentations.
Facilities Management:
Mr.Polson presented Facilities department projects including those Continuing Project: the HVAC
System Upgrade at 230 Ash Street and the Master Facilities Site Plan. New Projects scheduled for FY15
includes Oil Containment Facility Construction and Security Upgrades. Mr.Hooper asked if RMLD was
in compliance with regulatory measures for oil storage. Mr.Polson noted that RMLD is in compliance;
these are precautionary measures to enhance some facilities and mittirnize exposure. Moving on to Annual
Projects,Mr.Polson reviewed the rolling stock replacement.Staff has conducted a review and assessment
of the vehicles to ensure we are using our vehicles effectively and make some efforts to reduce the fleet.
The fleet has been reduced by 6 (including trailers and vehicles). An 8 to 10-year plan has been developed
for replacing vehicles. The group discussed the utilization and maintenance of the vehicles,as well as the
process for evaluating vehicles for replacement.
MIS:
Mr.Uvanni reviewed the Capital Budget items for the MIS department. An upgrade to the Great
Plains/Cogsdale system,is planned for FY15. This is RMLD's main business management software used
for customer service management,billing,meter management functions,credit and collections,and service
orders.The is a major project which will include a business-process review,system testing,and specialized
staff training.
Mr.Uvanni presented the Annual Projects (Hardware Upgrades,and Software and Licensing Upgrades).
Hardware Upgrades include a focus to create more virtuaked machines in order to consolidate servers.
RMI.D will also be purchasing a new GIS server. Software and Licensing includes custom programming
for various systems. RMLD will be moving in Office 365,which is subscription based. Mr. Uvanni noted
that a SharePoint(intranet)site will be developed.
System:
Mr.Jaff tti reviewed the progress on the Continuing Projects which will carry over into FYI (included on
pages 27-39 in the Budget). Mr.Hooper asked what the Department considers when planning for future
(load)growth. Mr.Jaffari responded that the Reliability Study will identify the load growth and load
centers in various areas. That will provide a good idea of how RMLD should re-route circuits and create
more ties,transfer load,or maybe build more substations that will support the system into the next 20
years. Mt.Jaffari noted that based on his preliminary assessment,RMLD will likely need to build another
substation in Wilmington to accommodate anticipated load growth. The group discussed the
methodology for predicting load and distribution.
Mr.Jaffari then continued his presentation with review of the New Projects for FY15(included on pages
42-61). System Annual Projects that are items budgeted annually(included on pages 63-78)were then
reviewed.
In conclusion,Ms. O'Brien noted that staff will continue to work to get the road map and the GIS
completed in order to be more comfortable with the status of the system,and to stay ahead of the curve
(on maintenance) and to plan in anticipation of fume load growth.
RMLD Citizens'Advisory Board Regular Session Minutes:April 9,2014 Page 2 of 3
Mr.Nelson made a Motion that the Citizens'Advisory Board recommend to the RMID Board of
Commissions the FY15 Capital Budget,dated March 28,2014,in the amount of$5,949,673,000,as
presented and any significant changes are to be submitted to the CAB for reviewed and recommendation.
Motion carried 4..07(4 in favor, 0 opposed,l absent).
4. Election of Secretary—G.Hooper,Vice Chairman
Mr.Hooper accepted nominations for the office of Secretary which was vacated by Mr.011ila.
Mr.Kelley made a motion to nominated Mr.Nelson as Secretary,seconded by Mr. Capobianco. Mr.
Nelson accepted the nomination. Motion carried 4.•0.1(4 in fasvy 0 opposed I absent).
5. Coverage for Board of Commissioners Meetings— G.Hooper,Vice Chairman
Mr. Kelley will replace Mr.011ila on the schedule for coverage of the Commissioners Meetings (April and
October meetings).
6. Next Meeting—G.Hooper,Vice Chairman
Next meeting of the CAB was scheduled for May 8th at 5:30 pm at the RMID building. The Agenda
for that meeting will be presentation of the Cost of Service Study. An additional CAB meeting will be
scheduled after the presentation to consider any rate changes.
7. Motion to Adjoum—G.Hooper,Vice Chairman
Mr. Nelson made a Motion to Adjourn the Citizens'Advisory Board meeting, seconded by Mr.Kelley.
Hearing no further discussion,Motion carred 4:01(4 in faror, 0 opposed I absent).
The Citizens'Advisory Board Meeting adjourned at 8:34 pm.
Respe y nutted,
G oper,Vice Chairman
As approved on: q
RMLD Citizens'Advisory Board Regular Session Minutes:April 9,2014 Page 3 of 3
