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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-19 RMLD Board of Commissioners MinutesV i - c U Reading Municipal Light Board of Commissioners Regular Session 230 Ash Street Reading, MA 01867 April 19, 2006 Start Time of Regular Session: 7:36 p.m. End Time of Regular Session: 8:50 p.m. Attendees: Commissioners: Messrs. Pacino, Soli, Hahn and Ms. O'Neill RMLD Staff: Mr. Cameron Mses. Antonio, Cavagnaro, and O'Leary W Citizens' Advisory Board: Mr. Lessard Vice Chair Soli called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Vice Chair Soli read the following statement into the record, "This meeting of the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners April 19, 2006 is being broadcast at the RMLD's office at 230 Ash Street, Reading, MA. Live broadcasts are available only in Reading due to technology constraints. This meeting is being video taped for distribution to the community television stations in North Reading, Wilmington and Lynnfield." Vice Chair Soli said that Mr. Cameron has some good news to share relative to the Calpine bankruptcy. Mr. Cameron stated that the RMLD heard from its legal counsel yesterday, and the stipulation agreement reached with Calpine a few weeks ago, has been approved and signed off by the judge in south Manhattan Bankruptcy Court. Mr. Cameron explained that yesterday started a ten-day appeal period on that stipulation agreement. Mr. Cameron said that if the Department receives the moneys before May 1, the plan is to use the money as an offset in the Fuel Charge calculation that will represent the difference in May of not having the Calpine contract and having the Constellation and Dominion contracts. Report of the Chairman of the Board Vice Chair Soli said that at the recent election, RMLD Board Commissioner Hahn was re-elected and he welcomed new RMLD Board Commissioner Mary Ellen O'Neill. RMLD Board of Commissioners Reorganization Vice Chair Soli then addressed the RMLD Board reorganization. Chairman Mr. Hahn made a motion seconded by Ms. O'Neill to nominate Mr. Pacino for Chairman. Motion carried 4:0:0. Mr. Hahn made a motion seconded by Ms. O'Neill that the nominations be closed. Motion carried 4:0:0. Mr. Hahn made a motion seconded by Ms. O'Neill to vote for Mr. Pacino for Chairman. Motion carried 4:0:0. CAB Chair Lessard congratulated Mary Ellen O'Neill on her election to the RMLD Board as well as the re-election of Richard Hahn. Mr. Lessard stated that it was a pleasure to work with Ms. ONeill for the short time she was a CAB member. Mr. Lessard said that Ms. O'Neill provided a great deal of input to the CAB and she will do well as a RMLD Board Commissioner. Vice Chair Chairman Pacino opened the nominations for Vice Chair. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn to nominate Ms. Kearns for Vice Chair. Motion carried 4:0:0. Regular Session Minutes April 19, 2006 RMLD Board of Commissioners Reorganization Vice Chair Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn that the nominations be closed. Motion carried 4:0:0. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn to vote for Ms. Kearns for Vice Chair. Motion carried 4:0:0. Secretary Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn to nominate Mr. Soli for Secretary. Motion carried 4:0:0. Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn that the nominations be closed. Motion carried 4:0:0. Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn to vote for Mr. Soli for Secretary. Motion carried 4:0:0. RMLD Board of Commissioners Subcommittee Assignments Policy Subcommittee Vice Chair Kearns Secreta Soli Audit Subcommittee Chairman Pacino Secreta Soli GM Subcommittee Secretary Soli Commissioner Hahn Community Relations Subcommittee Vice Chair Kearns Commissioner ONeill Power Contracts, Rate Setting, Customer Choice Secretary Soli Commissioner Hahn Pension Chairman Pacino Vice Chair Kearns Operating and Capital Budget Commissioner Hahn Commissioner ONeill Accounts Payables Vice Chair Kearns Commissioner Hahn Commissioner ONeill First Back Up Secretary Soh Second Back Up Chairman Pacino Payroll Secretary Soli Back Up Commissioner Hahn CAB/Board Subcommittee Chairman Pacino Secretary Soli Town of Reading Audit Committee Chairman Pacino Term expires June 30, 2006. Green Power Commissioner Hahn Commissioner ONeill Legal Services Chairman Pacino Vice Chair Kearns Mr. Hahn made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli to accept the RMLD Board Subcommittee assignments and the deletion of the Telecommunications Broadband Over Power Lines Subcommittee. Motion carried 4:0:0. Minutes February 15 Mr. Hahn made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli to approve the Regular Session meeting minutes of February 15, 2006 as presented. Motion carried 3:0:1. Ms. O'Neill abstained. Minutes Ms. O'Neill said that it is imperative to catch up with the minutes and the minutes of the previous meetings should be on the subsequent agenda. Ms. O'Neill stated that this is according to Robert's Rules of Order. Ms. Foti stated that meeting minutes for March are completed and are out for review. Ms. Foti stated she endeavors to get the minutes finished within three to five days after the meeting, even the more lengthy minutes. Selectmen Liaison, Citizens' Advisory Board and Customer Comments There were no comments from those in attendance. Mr. Cameron said that the wife of Stephen Goldy, Town of Reading Selectmen liaison to the RMLD Board, called before the meeting to inform him that Mr. Goldy would be unable to attend the meeting this evening and extends his apologies. Regular Session Minutes April 19, 2006 Action Item Bid Award Automatic Meter Reading System Mr. Dion said that this bid is for hardware for the metering system that is not new, but is a continuation of the products the Department uses. Mr. Dion stated that the two handhelds are replacements and upgrades to the existing equipment. Mr. Dion pointed out that a mobile reader can be mounted in a vehicle. Discussion followed. Mr. Hahn made a suggestion that on future bids, that exception(s) to the bids could be captured in the bid spreadsheet. Mr. Hahn also suggested that any internal RMLD internal implementation costs considered in comparing and evaluating bids be included on the bid comparison sheets. Chairman Pacino stated that he would like contained in the bid write up, "the budgeted capital budget amount". Mr. Cameron replied that this information will be contained in upcoming bids. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn that bid 2006-9 for Automatic Meter Reading System be awarded to Avcom for a total cost of $67,225, as the lowest qualified bidder on the recommendation of the General Manager. Motion carried 4:0:0. General Manager's Report Report to Town of Reading, Town Meeting, May 1, 2006 Mr. Cameron said that he spoke to the Town of Reading. Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner and the best time for the RMLD to make its report is in the fall at Subsequent Town Meeting, in which the fiscal year results can be presented. Mr. Cameron said that the RMLD will give a report at the May 1, Town Meeting on the Calpine issue. Ms. O'Neill asked if the Chairman of the RMLD Board would be making this presentation? Chairman Pacino stated that he will give the report to. Town Meeting with staff present in the event any technical questions arise. American Public Power Association (APPA) National Conference June 10-14, Chicago, Illinois Mr. Cameron stated that at the last meeting he said he would come back to the Board on attending the APPA National Conference because he had to check his budget. Mr. Cameron has spent $2,800 year to date out of a budget of $8,000. Mr. Cameron said this conference is geared to Board members and General Managers. The conference has such topics as compensation issues, policy implementation, RP3, and customer retention. Mr. Cameron said that RP3 stands for Reliable Public Power Provider for which the RMLD received a platinum award that he picked up at the APPA E&O Conference in Sacramento. The rating is based on safety, training, system betterment and reliability. Discussion followed. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn that the RMLD Board of Commissioners authorize the General Manager to travel to the APPA National Conference in Chicago, Illinois from June 10 to June 14, 2006. Motion carried 4:0:0. Scheduling of RMLD Board Meetings Discussion ensued on the scheduling of the Board meetings and it was decided to keep it at the third Wednesday for the next two meetings then try the first Wednesday from that point forward. Ms. O'Neill stated that her concern in the rescheduling of the meetings is that she wants to receive the Financial Statement prior to the meetings. Regular Session Minutes 4 April 19, 2006 Dan Cummings Passing Mr. Cameron said that a long term, retired employee of the RMLD passed away recently, Dan Cummings. Mr. Cameron stated that Mr. Cummings was a Station Operator who was a very well respected employee and he will be missed. Budget Meetings Ms. O`Neill asked how the discussion of the Operating and Capital Budgets will be handled at the May 17, RMLD Board meeting? Mr. Cameron replied that the Board has interim meetings for the Operating and Capital Budget Subcommittee. Mr. Cameron explained that once the Citizens' Advisory Board does their review and approves the Operating and Capital Budget then the RMLD Board meetings will follow. Mr. Cameron said that the CAB will be meeting next week on the Operating Budget. Mr. Cameron explained that the CAB has until the end of April to review and make recommendations on both the Operating and Capital Budget. Mr. Pacino added that there will be more Board Subcommittee and potentially more Board meetings based on the budget process timelines. CAB Chair Lessard said that the CAB met last evening on the Capital Budget and approved it. CAB Chair Lessard stated that there will be a recommendation forthcoming to the Board on the Capital Budget. Mr. Pacino said that the RMLD is over recovering at the present time, and there may need to be discussion to refund moneys to the ratepayers. Board Discussion Rate Comparisons, April 2006 Mr. Cameron said that based on Secretary Soli's suggestion there will be a wrap up sheet for the Rate Comparisons instead of the backup information. The sense of the Board is to proceed with the wrap up sheet only for the Rate Comparisons. Ms ONeill has asked the General Manager for a progress on the capital plan and a manpower report showing FTE's. Mr. Hahn pointed out that atone point Mr. Fournier had a report of total labor expenditure by Department which reported the budget versus actual which broke out capital and expenses. Mr. Hahn finds that report valuable with respect to labor costs. Next Meeting Dates Monday, May 1, 2006, Attend Town of Reading, Annual Town Meeting Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Wednesday, May 31, 2006 (Tentative) Wednesday, June 21, 2006 RMLD Board of Commissioners Subcommittee Meetings Subcommittee meetings will be posted once the Commissioners get back to the Department. Executive Session (General Manager's Conference Room) At 8:20 p.m. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn that the Board go into Executive Session, to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, and to return to Regular Session for the sole purpose of adjournment. Chairman Pacino called for a poll of the Board: Mr. Hahn, Aye; Mr. Soli, Aye; Mr. Pacino, Aye; and Ms. O'Neill, Aye. Motion carried 4:0:0. Motion to Adjourn At 8:50 p.m. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn to adjourn the Regular Session. Motion carried 4:0:0.