HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-04 RMLD Strategic Planning Subcommittee MinutesReading Municipal Light Board of Commissioners
Strategic Planning Subcommittee Minutes F
230 Ash Street , ~
Reading, MA 01867 r.,.;
May 4, 2007 G = ~ ~ ASS
Start Time of Regular Session: 8:10 a.m.~ 2 P 3:
End Time of Regular Session: 10:01 a.m.
Attendees:
Commissioners: Mses. Kearns and O'Neill
RMLD Staff: Mr. Cameron
Chair Kearns called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.
The minutes of January 23, 2007 were distributed for comment.
The Subcommittee discussed the issues taken up at the last meeting. Mr. Cameron pointed out
that he had polled the New England Municipal Electric utilities and found that Westfield and
Chicopee had performed Strategic Plans and were following them. Westfield sent their strategic
plan for the subcommittee to review.
Ms. O'Neill commented on the growth seen in the Capital and Operating budgets.
Ms. Kearns mentioned that the Strategic Planning process needs to involve a Committee of not
only the RMLD Board, General Manger and Staff but also Selectmen in the four towns and other
officials at different levels. She then said that the Strategic Planning process has to have results.
Mr. Cameron commented that the Strategic Planning Committee should include Board Members,
the General Manager and Staff and that it should not include individuals outside the RMLD. The
Board directs the General Manager and the General Manager directs the staff therefore the
Committee should be internal to the RMLD. However, he went onto to say that he is in favor of
the Committee going out to the four towns and find out how the public perceives the RMLD and
how it can improve its service to the customer.
After lengthy discussion the Subcommittee asked the General Manger if he would get the RFPs
used by Westfield and Chicopee and ask them how long it took to do the strategic plan and how
much it costs?
Mr. Cameron said that he would look into this.
Ms. Kearns then commented that American Public Power Association conducted a Strategic
Planning conference earlier this year, which the main speaker was Brain Singletary from Practical
Energies in Tampa, Florida, and asked if the RMLD would get information passed out at the
conference.
Mr. Cameron said that he would look into this.
Ms. O'Neill stated that the Subcommittee should find consultants that know the strategic
planning process and can facilitate it.
Ms. Kearns said that the consultant needs facilitator skills and will follow up with a draft and
final document that is workable.
Strategic Planning Subcommittee Meeting 2
May 4, 2007
The Subcommittee directed the General Manager to find three local consultants that could
perform that strategic planning process for the RMLD.
The Subcommittee asked about acquiring the consultant services. Mr. Cameron replied that it
probably should be bid, but he will look into Chapter 30B to ascertain this.
The Subcommittee agreed that the General Manager respond to the subcommittee in two weeks
with the following information; the Westfield and Chicopee RFP, how much they spent and how
long the strategic planning process took, find three local consultants, and information form the
APPA Strategic Planning conference.
Motion to Adjourn
At 10:01 a.m. Ms. O'Neill made a motion to adjourn seconded by Ms. Kearns to adjourn the
Strategic Planning Subcommittee meeting.
Motion carried 2:0:0.