HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-13 RMLD Community Relations Subcommittee MinutesMinutes of Public/Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting
RMLD Board of Commissioners
DATE: December 13, 2004
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TIME: 6:00 p.m.
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PLACE: RMLD Cafeteria
ATTENDEES: Commissioners Andrew Herlihy and Ellen Kearns -
Community Relations, Priscilla Gottwald and Bobbi Maillett _
Items Discussed:
The purpose of this meeting was to acquaint Commissioner Kearns with the Community elations
programs, which include the Annual Electrical Safety T-shirt Contest, the Halloween Party and the
historical calendars.
Commissioner Kearns asked about RMLD's Communication Plan.
Ms. Gottwald would screen questions and get answers from proper personnel. Discussion followed about
getting a formal plan to encompass procedure.
Both Commissioners Herlihy and Kearns would like to see a Customer Survey conducted and would like
the opportunity to offer suggestions on what material should be included in the questions. Some
preliminary suggestions were:
1. Do customers feel they have information about how to report an outage; what to do in the case of
an outage; information on the cause of outages?
2. How do customers feel about RMLD rates - too high or to low?
3. Would customers be willing to pay more for green power?
4. How do customers feel about Board oversight responsibility?
5. Are customers aware of RMLD method of payment options?
Ms. Gottwald will provide the Commissioners with copies of previous customer surveys. Ms. Gottwald
explained a survey has not been conducted since March, 2001. In light of the crisis in December of that
year, she felt it would not be wise to conduct a survey, knowing that bad publicity would influence
customers' replies. All agreed it was time to conduct one soon. Ms. Gottwald explained that Satisfaction
Development Systems had conducted the most recent survey and that the Massachusetts Electric
Municipals of Massachusetts (MEAM) Communications Group, of which Ms. Gottwald is a member, had
cooperatively conducted one generic survey - but had the option of adding individual municipal questions.
MEAM is due to conduct another survey in 2005-2006.
The Commissioners discussed involvement with RCTV, taking part in a monthly show. A suggestion of
producing a video of RMLD facilities, tour was also suggested.
2004 Annual Report timeframe discussed. Ms. Gottwald will contact Elaine O'Neill to set up a preliminary
meeting.
The redesign of RMLD's website was discussed.
RMLD newsletters were discussed. Commissioner Herlihy wanted to know if it could be done in house.
Commissioner Kearns felt that it needed to be done outside. Mr. Herlihy would like to see the subject of
residential time of use brought up. Mr. Herlihy felt ratepayers did not know what it was about.
Commissioner Kearns would like us to sit with her bi-annually to discuss new ideas