HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-21 RMLD Operating and Capital Budget Pension Legal Services Committee MinutesReading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commission ~ v D
Operating and Capital Budget/Pension/Legal Services Commit4e,) if "1 C L E R K
Thursday, May 21, 2009 R ~ i ' G, i1:~; S S
Start Time: 7:30 2001 JUL P12:4bz
End Time: 9:12 P.M.
Attendees:
Committee Members: E. Kearns, Chair, R. Hahn, P. Pacino
RMLD Board: M.E. O'Neill
Staff: V. Cameron, K. Sullivan, J. Donahoe, M. Uvanni, P. O'Leary
FY10 Capital Budget
Ms. Kearns called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M.
Mr. Uvanni discussed Projects #27 - Hardware and #28 - Software first.
The following questions and/or comments arose followed by the response.
Q. How often are computers replaced, and is there a schedule for replacement? What are the Dell
invoices that are in the accounts payables?
A. There are 14 Dell servers and over the past three to four years many desktop PCs were replaced.
Some of the invoices are for toner cartridges for Dell printers and two new servers have been ordered
to replace five-year old ones.
Q. Could the Board have a list of each piece of computer hardware, i.e., year purchased etc. so that the
Board would know what the invoice is for?
A. Yes.
Q. Explain the second item in Project #27 - wireless access point.
A. Network speeds have increased and the RMLD has wiring in the building that is category 5. In order
to increase the network speed, some areas in the building would have to be re-cabled. Instead of re-
cabling, a wireless access point will be set up. This is a pilot program to see how it works, and
eventually everything will be wireless. The third item, web cameras, was explained: These Web
cameras are in conjunction with a facilities project, which will replace security equipment at the
substations. The MIS side of the project is the actual inside Web cameras (Webcams) and the
equipment that would be plugged into the routers, the hubs, and the switches.
Q. Has Mr. Uvanni talked to the new Energy Efficient Engineer, Jared Carpenter, regarding any
software needs he may have regarding such programs as the energy audits?
A. Yes, MIS is working with Jared on how we can integrate more of a Customer Relationship
Management (CRM) type package with utility billing software. It is our intention to integrate a
program called Microsoft CRM with our current system so that Jared can track everything that can be
done with a customer.
Ms. Kearns had a conversation with Jared and asked him what he was going to try to track. He hopes
to track such things as whether or not a customer is going to implement the recommendations of an
energy audit and whether or not if they did, has their bill decreased.
Mr. Uvanni stated that this would be part of the CRM.
Project #19 - Replace Line Department Vehicles
Q. Will the trend of purchasing two line vehicles a year continue?
A. Yes, to keep the fleet up-to-date.
Project #20 - Cooling Towers
Q. Is this relative to the work Accu-Aire has been doing the last few years?
A. Accu-Aire is no longer the contractor. Alpha is the new company that the RMLD has a one-year
agreement with.
Q. Would we need Alpha anymore?
A. This is just the beginning of many items that will need replacing regarding the building environment
system.
Ms. O'Neill suggested that a Facilities Capital Plan be put together.
Mr. Donahoe hopes to have an engineering firm come in and make a punch list for items to be replaced in
upcoming fiscal years.
Ms. O'Neill wants to make sure that any purchased equipment be as efficient as possible.
Q. Why does the labor have to be done on overtime?
A. The cooling tower replacement will involve a crane that will be disruptive to the neighbors, and some
work will have to be done on the weekend.
Mr. Cameron noted that the OH rate and the OT rate are similar and the cost would be about the same.
Project #21 - Securit Upgrades (outside cameras)
Q. Would the cost exceed the $25,000?
A. No.
Q. Are the cameras checked periodically to make sure they are all in the right direction and working?
A. Yes, and quotes for maintenance are being sought now.
Mr. Sullivan explained Projects 1 through 17 and Projects 22 and 23.
Mr. Sullivan highlighted the following projects that are part of FY09's Routine Construction:
• Carryover from FY08-Martin's Pond- 98% complete.
• Rt. 129 Force Account Project - The state required that more work be done and the additional
funding came to $100,000.
• Maple and Oakdale-North Reading-Upgrade project that the RMLD had to become involved in
because Verizon made the commitment to plant infrastructure, and the RMLD had to replace the
poles and upgrade the area from 4kV to 13.8. The project is 100% complete at a cost of $61,000.
• Wilmington Plaza Rebuild-cost-to-date equals $22,000 and is 95% complete.
• 35kV overhead maintenance work for the two lines that feed Wildwood Station at a cost of
$40,000 and is 100% complete.
• Chestnut Street Upgrade-FY08 carryover- Upgrade from 4kV to 13.8 at a cost of $90,000 and is
98% complete.
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Q. Do we have to wait for Verizon to set the poles?
A. No, that's a mistake. Verizon is not needed.
Project #5 - High Capacity Tie 4W18/3W8 Franklin Street - Reading - carryover from FY09. This is #3
priority because of crew allocation and economies-of-scale. Economies-of-scale because this project
precedes a second replacement project scheduled for FY2011.
Q. Do we get any money from Verizon?
A. No, a set fee is charged.
Mr. Cameron further explained that when the RMLD sets, we charge Verizon. When Verizon sets, they
charge us and then we true up during the year.
Project #6 - Haverhill Street - Reading - Reconductoring - It was pulled out from the FY08 budget and
re-established in 2010.
Note: This project was renamed from "Bay State Road" to "Haverhill Street".
Q. What happened to Project #6-Fordham Road from FY09?
A. This will begin shortly and be completed in FY09.
Q. Was Aldrich Road ever done?
A. It was done, but not yet complete. Just waiting for Verizon to install two poles.
Q. Will porcelain cutouts be continued?
A. Yes, in Routine Construction.
Project #7-URD Completions. - Need a complete loop feed to avoid an extended outage. This is #6
priority and a complete carryover from FY09.
Q. Why is it in Quarter 4, which puts it off another year?
A. It is weather related since it is underground, and the projects scheduled earlier are Gaw related. Also
continuous projects that are already in progress take up Quarter 1 and 2. Quarter 3 is the winter
leaving Quarter 4.
Project #8-Salem Street to Glen Road 13kV Feeder Tie - Wilmington - A #5 priority. This project will
give 3-phase back up capability to Salem Street and balance the load with two additional phases.
Project #9 - Reading Center - Main Street - U/G - Carryover from FY09. It is the Reading Center job and
is 90% complete and will be finished in Quarter 1.
Project #10 - Reading Center - Haven Street - U/G - Carryover from FY09. Same scenario as Project #9--
90% complete and will be finished in Quarter 1.
Project #11 - Transformer Replacement at Gaw Substation - Carryover from FY09. The contractor (Part
1) will begin next week. Part 2 has some carryover--the equipment has been delivered but not installed.
Q. Since Part 1 is significantly less than in FY09, does that mean that the overall project costs will be
lower?
A. Hopefully.
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Project #16 - Transformers and Capacitors. Each category has been reduced from the FY09 budget.
Q. Have Ms. O'Neill's concerns regarding soybean transformers been addressed?
A. Yes, 10 polemount FR3 soybean derived transformers have been ordered.
Project #17 - Meter Purchases.
Q. What is different in A through K from the FY09 budget?
A. The quantity is less in both A and B.
Q. Will people buy more Time-of-Use Meters?
A. Hopefully, since it is the best value.
Motion was made by Mr. Hahn and seconded by Mr. Pacino to approve the First Draft of the FY10
Operating Budget as presented on May 11, 2009.
Motion carried 3:0:0.
Motion was made by Mr. Hahn and seconded by Mr. Pacino to approve the First Draft of the FY10
Capital Budget as presented on May 21, 2009.
Motion carried 3:0:0.
Q. Was Bob Fournier going to replace a couple of pages in the Operating Budget?
A. Yes, and they will be distributed.
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 P.M by Mr. Pacino and seconded by Mr. Hahn.
Motion carried 3:0:0.
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