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Home My WebLink About2022-05-16 RMLD Board of Commissioners Minutesew. oratda RECElVtU e Town of Reading TOWN CLERK ,.?Meeting Minutes READ "!C, rAA, ap=•IM1,ppWP or 2023 APR 21 AH 10: 09 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: RMLD Board of Commissioners Date: 2022-05-16 Time: 6:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Joint Meeting Purpose: Joint Meeting with Reading Select Version: Final Board Attendees: Members - Present: Marlena Bita, Chair; Philip Pacino, Vice Chair; David Talbot, Commissioner; Robert Coulter, Commissioner. Members - Not Present: John Stempeck, Commissioner. Others Present: RMLD Staff: Coleen O'Brien, General Manager; Gregory Phipps, Interim General Manager and Director of Integrated Resources Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Philip B. Pacino, Secretary Pro Tem Topics of Discussion: RMLD Board of Commissioners joint meeting with the Town of Reading Select Board. Please refer to the Town of Reading Select Board meeting minutes on the Town of Reading website. A true copy of the RMLD Board of Commissioners minutes As approved by a majority the Commission. Apr 20, 2023 Philip B. Pacino, Secretary Pro Tem RMLD Board of Commissioners Page I 1 10 H Town of Reading �cMeeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: RMLD Board of Commissioners Date: 2022-11-03 Building: Reading Municipal Light Building Address: 230 Ash Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, GA. 2623 APR 21 AH 10: 09 Time: 5:00 PM Location: Winfred Spurr Audio Visual Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Philip Pacino, Vice Chair; John Stempeck, Commissioner; David Talbot, Commissioner; Robert Coulter, Commissioner; Marlena Blta, Chair. Members - Not Present: Others Present: Citizens' Advisory Board: Jason Small, North Reading Representative. RMLD Liasons: Karen Herrick, Reading Select Board. RMLD Staff: Gregory Phipps, Interim General Manager & Director of Integrated Resources; Erica Morse, Executive Assistant; Ben Bloomenthal, Director of Accounting & Finance; Robert Weider, Credit and Collections Manager; Julie Blackley, Communications Manager; Janet Walsh, Director of Labor Relations. Public: Mary Ellen O'Neill, 125 Summer Ave, Reading, MA; Martin K. Goldenblatt, 20 Cider Mill Road Stow, MA 01775. Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Philip B. Pacino, Secretary Pro Tem Topics of Discussion: The meeting agenda and materials can be found on the RMLD website. The recording of this meeting can be viewed on the RMLD website and RCN YouTube page. Call Meetina to Order • Chair Bita called the RMLD Board of Commissioner's (BoC) meeting to order at 5:00 PM and announced that the meeting would be held in person, remotely on zoom, and streamed live on RCN and YouTube. Ooenina Remarks and Introductions • Chair Bita read the RMLD BoC Code of Conduct and noted that there were no remote attendees. Vice Chair Pacino served as Secretary at the meeting. Public Comment There was no comment from the public during the meeting. Approval of General Manager Search Committee Minutes Page 1 1 • Vice Chair Pacino expressed his uncertainty about voting since he did not attend the General Manager Search Committee meetings. • Morse clarified that the voting will only Involve Jason Small, Bob Coulter, and Dave Talbot • Commissioner Talbot asked If they need to call themselves to order, Morse said no. • Commissioner Talbot made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter, that the RMLD General Manager Search Committee approve the regular session minutes of the October 4, 2022, and October 12, 2022, meetings. Motion Carried: 3:0:0 (3 in favor, 0 absent, 0 abstained). Roll Call: Chair Small, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye; • Commissioner Talbot made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter, that the RMLD General Manager Search Committee approve the executive session minutes of the August 4, 2022; August 10, 2022; September 7, 2022; September 12, 2022; September 13, 2022; September 14, 2022; September 19, 2022; September 20,2022; and October 4, 2022, meetings. Motion Carried; 3:0:0 (3 in favor, 0 absent, 0 abstained). Roll Call: Chair Small, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. • Commissioner Talbot explained that there were many executive session minutes because the Committee had several finalists to Interview, and each one had their own executive session. • Commissioner Coulter acknowledged the help of Janet Walsh in facilitating the process. • Commissioner Talbot thanked Jason Small and everyone who contributed to the process. Discussion of the General Manager Candidates Nominations for the position of General Manager. • Chair Bita asked if there were any discussions among the Commissioners before proceeding with the nominations. • Vice Chair Pacino confirmed that the vote is going in order of seniority. • Chair Bite explained the nomination and voting process, noting that each commissioner would state their first choice of candidate with a brief explanation, and there would be no discussion from the other Commissioners. • Vice Chair Pacino stated that all three candidates were extremely capable and thanked the General Manager Search Committee for bringing these candidates forward. • Vice Chair Pacino nominated Gregory Phipps, highlighting his leadership skills especially in relation to union contracts, securing new substation land, and fostering a different workplace at RMLD. • Vice Chair Pacino referenced David Zeek's public comment letter which commended Phipps for his personal energy and vision to lead the RMLD into a changing and Page 12 dynamic future of the electrical power industry. • Vice Chair Pacino referenced John Pelletier's public comment letter, which recognized Phipps for his hard -to -find mix of technical and people skills, understanding that without the team there is no RMLD. • Commissioner Stempeck nominated Gregory Phipps, and highlighted Phipps' business analysis skills, his background, and his excellent leadership qualities. • Commissioner Talbot nominated Gregory Phipps, echoing Commissioners Pacino and Stempeck's comments and added that Phipps fosters a positive atmosphere and lets people succeed. • Commissioner Talbot briefly mentioned the other two candidates, Jared Carpenter and John Blair, and their Impressive qualifications. • Commissioner Coulter expressed how difficult the selection process was and that all candidates had strong skill sets. • Commissioner Coulter nominated Gregory Phipps due to his vision, leadership, and skill set. • Chair Bita congratulated Gregory Phipps, as he received four out of five nominations. • Chair Bite nominated Jared Carpenter to show faith in his talent with her nomination. • Commissioner Talbot suggested adding "subject to the successful completion of employment contract negotiations" to the motion. This was accepted and added to the main motion. • Vice Chair Pacino made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stempeck, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners appoint Gregory Phipps as General Manager of Reading Municipal Ught Department subject to the successful completion of employment contract negotiations. Motion Carried: 5:0:0 (5 in favor, 0 absent, 0 abstained) Roll Call: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye; Chair Bita, Aye. • Vice Chair Pacino mentioned the other two candidates and expressed interest In finding a way to bring them on board as well. • The Commissioners discussed the possibility of hiring the other two candidates and forming a "Dream Team." Adjournment • At 5:17 PM, Vice Chair Pacino made a motion, seconded by Chair Bita, that the Board of Commissioners adjourn regular session. Motion Carried: 5:0:0 (5 in favor, 0 absent, 0 abstained) Roll Call: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye; Chair Bite, Aye. Documents • Public Comment - David Zeek • Public Comment - John Pelletier • Public Comment -Tyler Abegg Page 1 3 A true copy of the RMLD Board of Commissioners minutes As approved by a majority the Commission. ",S�auxo0.o Apr20,2023 Philip B. Pacino, Secretary Pro Tem RMLD Board of Commissioners Page 14