HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-13 RMLD Community Relations Subcommittee MinutesMinutes of Public/Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting uj
RMLD Board of Commissioners
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DATE: January 13, 2004
TIME: 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: RMLD Cafeteria
ATTENDEES: PR Subcommittee Chair Commissioner Bill Hughes, Commissioner
Andrew Herlihy; PR Subcommittee members Priscilla Gottwald,
Bobbi Maillett; GM Vinnie Cameron, Elaine O'Neill (NEPPA)
Items Discussed:
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the 2003 Annual Report. At Commissioner
Herlihy's suggestion, the RMLD Board would like to have input on the content of the
Report. GM Vinnie Cameron, the PR Department and Elaine O'Neill, who writes the
text, are in agreement that Board input is welcomed. Mr. Herlihy and Subcommittee
Chairman Hughes would like to see progress at midpoint in the production process and
see the draft. Commissioner Hughes will report on today's meeting at the next Board
meeting on January 28 where he will seek other Board members' comments about the
annual report process.
All attendees agreed they would like to see the 2003 Annual Report ready for Town
Meeting in April. This meeting attracts an audience where the Report is widely read by
town meeting members and interested voters. If ENE financials are timely this year, it
may be possible to have the Report ready for this spring meeting. Mr. Cameron reported
that RMLD's new auditor, Melanson & Heath, is already looking at the 2003 financials.
The commissioners and Vinnie Cameron suggest a low key design and print job, focusing
on fiscal conservatism. Commissioner Herlihy would like to feature new construction
jobs such as the Reading Business Park and potentially include field photos of RMLD
crews.
Mr. Cameron discussed including in the 2003 Annual Report the success RMLD has had
in the competitive market and how RMLD has met the challenges of deregulation in the
private sector. The GM would like to see the text concentrate on lowered rates, the
elimination of seasonal rates, refunds to customers and the purchase power adjustment.
In addition to Cameron's suggestions, Subcommittee Board members would like the
content to reflect effective new management and new construction highlights.
A letter from the General Manager (with signature) or frequently asked questions (FAQs)
was suggested to introduce the Report. Mr. Herlihy suggested comparing school rates
from 2002 to 2003 showing the savings in highlighted boxes or other attention-grabbing
text.
Subcommittee Recommendation:
Elaine O'Neill will work to have to have the 2003 Annual Report ready for April,
pending financials.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Priscilla Gottwald
Bobbi Maillett
1-26-04
with input from GM
Addendum to meeting: I checked with Peter Hechenbliekner's office for town meeting
dates, which are as follows:
April 26
April 29
May 3
May 6