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Board - Committee - Commission - council:
RMLD Citizens Advisory Board
Date: 2020-05-21 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: General Business Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Mr. Jason Small, Vice Chair (North Reading); Mr. George Hooper, Secretary
(Wilmington); Mr. Vivek Soni (Reading); Mr. Joseph Markey (Lynnfield)
Members- Not Present:
Mr. Dennis Kelley, Chair (Wilmington)
Others Present:
Mr. John Stempeck, Board of Commissioners
Ms. Coleen O'Brien, Mr. Hamid Jaffari, Ms. Wendy Marklewicz, Ms. Kathleen
Rybak, Mr. Charles Underhill
Public: Mr. James Satterthwaite, B Hunt Street, Reading
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Mr. George Hooper, Secretaryp-rA+-
Topics of Discussion:
PER GOVERNOR BAKER'S MARCH 10, 2020, ORDER SUSPENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
THE OPEN MEETING LAW, G.L. c. 30A, §20 THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM.
1. Call Meeting to Order and Introductions - J. Small, Vice Chair
Vice Chair Small called the meeting of the Citizens'Advisory Board to order at 6:30 PM
and noted the meeting was being audio recorded.
2. General Manager's Update - C. O'Brien, General Manager
Materials: Infections Disease Outbreak Plan (EOP-20-03 HR)
COVID-19: Ms. O'Brien reported that the RMLD has developed a comprehensive
Infectious Disease Outbreak Plan (EOP 20-03 HR), which is being shared with the Town's
incident command as it is updated. The Plan is stamped a"living document"due to the
regularity of the updates (as information Is received from the Board of Health, Governor's
office, etc.). The emergency response team comprised of senior management has been
meeting dally at 10:00 AM since March 3r0 working diligently to ensure that all matters
related to COVID 19 and its Impact on RMLD as an essential energy provider align with
employee and customer safety. RMLD is currently under remobilization toward normal
operations and approaching back to Phase A. Ms. O'Brien reviewed some of the safety
measures in place to accommodate public opening of the Ash Street offices once allowed,
as well as some of the ongoing practices in place to accommodate business under current
conditions. Ms. O'Brien reported that the RMLD remains in full business and electric
continuity. Everyone's diligence in following the strict safety protocols, which are
mandated and monitored in accordance with EOP 20-03 HR, continues to result in no
illnesses. Ms. O'Brien thanked the staff who have been working on-site or remotely for
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this essential business, and especially during the two storms since COVID began - RMLD
customers were restored In record time. Ms. O'Brien wished all RMLD staff, as well as all
RMLD customers, continued good health.
20-Year Agreement Extension: Ms. O'Brien reported that Reading and North Reading
have voted through their boards of selectmen; a certified letter from each town is pending
receipt. Wilmington voted through their board of selectmen. Ms. O'Brien noted that
Wilmington changed from town meeting to a board of selectmen vote; their certified letter
has been received. Lynnfield is still listed as using their town meeting for the vote.
However, they have reported that they are trying to go to a board of selectmen vote; they
will keep us Informed of their progress. Mr. Stempeck asked when the Town Meeting
would take place. Mr. Markey responded that Mr. Dolan had reported (to him) that the
Board of Selectmen had approved the extension, and they just had to send a letter. Mr.
Markey agreed to follow-up with Mr. Dolan. If it does need approval at town meeting, it
will be Saturday, lune 20th.
3. Integrated Resources Report - C. Underhill, Director of Integrated Resources
Materials: Revised IRD Monthly Report and Variance Analysis Report for March 2020
IRD Monthly Report and Variance Analysis: Mr. Underhill began his report with a review of
the 2020 RMLD Total System Loads (Slide 3), which shows the actual 2019 results,
forecasted loads for 2020, and YTD through the first four months of the year. RMLD
experienced the warmest January on record, and our loads came In a bit below what was
projected (January-March). Mr. Underhill noted the February (2020) load is -3% higher
than normal because 2020 is a leap year. In April, the loads are down a bit; social
isolation protocols in Massachusetts began in late March. Mr. Underhill noted that we had
anticipated a baseline reduction of about 8% due to COVID 19; however, that estimate for
the magnitude of the COVID impact were high (YTD).
Mr. Underhill then reviewed the Heating Degree Day (HDD)Analysis (Slide 4). The top line
is the average or normalized heating degree days-it is either a 15 or a 20-year average for RMLD.
Mr. Underhill noted that for a swing month like April, the percentage (variance) is a bit
misleading because it is over a much smaller base, and the temperature swings do not
always result in additional heating or cooling because the thermal mass of the buildings do
not change as dramatically when the temperatures are closer to the balance point - not
quite a direct correlation for heating degree days and heating requirements. For
comparison purpose heating degree days for 2019 were included. Looking at the
variance, this shows how weather can impact the (load) forecast. Mr. Underhill noted that
he would be running the forecasting model to normalize the data in the next few days.
Mr. Underhill reviewed RMLD Non-Power Supply Revenue (Slide 5). There is a bubble in
February because the load data is for a calendar month basis, but the billing revenue is
based on billing cycles throughout the month; you could have two weeks'worth of data
from one month appearing with a revenue adjustment in the next month. Mr. Underhill
reported that RMLD is billing better than 95% of what we did a year ago. RMLD Aging of
Accounts (slide 6) shows that for this period this year, as opposed to this period last year,
we had a higher percentage of money actually come in the first 30 days and we've been
holding our own with the aging of accounts. Slide 5 and Slide 6 tell us that our revenue
position is better than we expected it to be at this point In the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr.
Hooper asked if the load reflected an increase in residential use. Mr. Underhill noted that
he had not been able to complete a class disaggregate assessment (due to staffing), but
that will be completed soon. Mr. Underhill reviewed Actual kWh Purchase by Resource
(Slide 7). Because the loads were down (through March), RMLD had sales into the
wholesale market; our power costs remain stable.
EV Impact Assessment: Mr. Underhill stated that he was asked to look at the impact of
electric vehicles (EV) on the RMLD system overtime. RMLD EV Impact Assessment(Slide
8) illustrates this expected Impact (with some assumptions on usage, number of EV units,
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charging location, etc.). Mr. Underhill noted RMLD has an indeterminate number of EVs in
the system. The estimate provided last year shows RMLD has -250-400 EVs in the
territory; 250 units was used for this analysis. Ms. O'Brien added that Energy New
England (ENE) is trying to see if we can retrieve data on location of EVs from the RMV.
Additionally, we are working with a couple of companies on the data that comes off of the
meter to determine if there is an EV at the home. We continue to try to get better data
on the number of EVs in our territory. Mr. Underhill stated we will be tracking those
numbers as the program develops, but we have a way to go to reach 1% load impact on
our system (2,260 vehicles).
IRD Program Activity: Mr. Underhill completed his presentation with a reviewed IRD
Program Activity(slide 9) and progress on customer opt-In for the Customer Notification
System (slide 10). Mr. Underhill noted some Issues with the link for customers with
Gmail accounts. Staff is working to correct the problem. Mr. Small and Mr. Hooper
noted that they had signed up and found it very user-friendly, no problems.
4. CAB Input on Town of Reading Payment - J. Small, Vice Chair
Materials: RMLD Payments to the Town of Reading(document)and Revised Motions
Mr. Stempeck noted that there was alternate language put forth for the second suggested
motion. What will be discussed is If that second motion is appropriate or not as an add-
on or change to the original motion. Mr. Stempeck suggested we address the first
motion, and then the second motion.
Mr. Hooper stated, as the most senior member on the CAB, that he had been following
this issue for some time. Through the CPI they tried to develop something that was fair
to all. Mr. Hooper noted that he and the Town of Wilmington are always concerned with
what is best for the RMLD, the service they provide, and the way everything is operating
in the community. Mr. Hooper noted that everybody has looked through this - the CAB
has cooperated; from what he had seen, this Is probably what is most fair for all
involved. Mr. Hooper stated that he was ready to make the motion. Vice Chair Small
asked If there was any additional feedback; there was none.
Mr. Hooper made a motion that the Citizens' Advisory Board recommend to the Board of
Commissioners that the current annual Town of Reading, below-the-line, payment of
$2,480,506, be extended for payment dates of 6/30/2021 and 12/31/2021, in the
amount of$1,240,253 each, seconded by Mr. Markey. Motion carried 4:0:1 (4 in
favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent). Chair Kelley was not present.
Vice Chair Small asked if there was any other feedback or discussion regarding the
second motion. Mr. Soni asked if Mr. Stempeck could explain the difference in the
revised second motion. Mr. Stempeck reported that Mr. Pacino had suggested a revision
to the motion. The top part of the motion is identical to the previous second suggested
motion. The difference on the"revised"second motion is the addition of three
sentences: "The annual result of the calculation formula will be annually presented to the
RMLD Board of Commissioners 60 days in advance of the June 30 payment. In the event
of any catastrophic event or events, as declared by the Department's General Manager,
the RMLD's Board of Commissioners and the Department can adjust the payment to
address the emergency. Catastrophic event or events will be defined by the General
Manager of RMLD." Mr. Stempeck noted the Board of Commissioners would be looking
at the motion at their meeting later in the evening. Mr. Stempeck stated that his
comment would be that we do not need those three sentences because the 60 days in
advance does not really do anything; we see what it is anyway - it is part of our function.
As far as a catastrophic event, Mr. Stempeck stated he did not think that we should be
prescriptive in terms of what the General Manager's job is already. She (or he) would
already tell us if there is a catastrophic event, or assessed it as such. Mr. Stempeck
noted his recommendation was to use the previous motion. Mr. Soni asked if Ms. O'Brien
had any thoughts. Ms. O'Brien noted she agreed with Mr. Stempeck; you are just
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reiterating what the law is and the General Manager's responsibilities under Chapter 164.
However, whatever pleases the boards would be fine.
Vice Chair Small asked if anyone from the CAB had any comments. Mr. Soni responded
that (as Mr. Hooper had said), he thought the CAB was pretty much in agreement with
the first version as written. Vice Chair Small agreed, stating the first version and the
plan that is laid out is very representative of being fair to both sides. The second half of
the revised motion does seem a little redundant.
Vice Chair Small stated if everyone was in agreement, he would take the original motion
from the Agenda unless anyone felt strongly enough to change it.
Mr. Markey made a motion that the Citizens'Advisory Board recommend to the Board of
Commissioners that the annual Town of Reading, below-the-line, payment calculation,
continue as two half payments on 6/30 and 12/31, and become that of 3.875 mils/kWh
sale of the previous 3-year average of kWh sales from audited financial statements,
starting with payment date 6/30/2022, seconded by Mr. Soni. Motion carried 3:0:2;
(three in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent). Chair Kelley was not present; Mr. Hooper had left
the meeting prior to the vote.
5. Scheduling: CAB Meetings & Commissioners Meetings Coverage - J. Small, Vice Chair
The next CAB meeting was scheduled for June 18th at 6:30 pm, prior to the Board of
Commissioners meeting. Mr. Small will cover the June BOC meeting.
The July meeting was tentatively set for July 16th at 6:30 pm
6. Adjournment - J. Small, Vice Chair
Mr. Soni made a motion to adjourn the Citizens'Advisory Board meeting, seconded by
Mr. Small. Motion carried 3:0:2 (3 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent).
The CAB meeting adjourned 7:27 PM.
As approved on April 22, 2021
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