HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-21 RMLD Board of Commissioners MinutesReading Municipal Light Board
Regular Session
230 Ash Street, Reading, MA 01867
March 21, 2002
Start Time of Regular Session: 7:30 p.m.
End Time of Regular Session: 7:55 p.m.
Attendees
Commissioners:
Messrs. Pacino, Ames, Halloran, and Hughes
RMLD Staff:
Mr. Cameron, Acting General Manager and Mr. Blomley
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Mses. Cavagnaro and Gottwald
Selectmen Liaison:
Mr. Veno
Guests:
Tony Butler, RMLD, Wilmington
Joe Donahoe, RMLD, Woburn
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Robert Turosz, North Reading
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P. Feely, Reading
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R. Soh, Reading
Barbara Webb, North Reading
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Ann Hadley, Wakefield
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Mr. Ames, Chairman of the Board, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Ames gave instructions and introductions.
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Report of the Chairman of the Board
Mr. Ames started the meeting by producing a letter from Mr. Rucker's attorney, which was subsequently handed out
to the Board members and guests. He reviewed the content of the letter, which was a request for an unpaid leave of
absence from March 21, 2002 to April 1, 2002.
Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino that the Board of Commissioners approve an unpaid leave of
absence requested by Leonard D. Rucker in his attorney's letter dated March 21, 2002, on the terms contained in that
letter. That unpaid leave will continue through and including April 1, 2002.
Motion carried 4:0:0.
Mr. Ames apologized for not being able to discuss this in detail as many of the decisions are being handled in
executive session.
Minutes of February 25, 2002
Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran that the minutes of February 25, 2002 be accepted as
presented.
Motion carried 4:0:0.
Action Item
Sinjile Phase Pole Mounted Transformer Bid #2002-1
Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino that bid 2002-1 for Single Phase Pole Mounted Transformers be
awarded to Power Sales for a total cost of $88,182.00 as the lowest qualified bidder on the recommendation of the Acting
General Manager and the staff as detailed in the agenda.
Regular Session Minutes
March 21, 2002
Action Item (Continued)
Single Phase Pole Mounted Transformer Bid #2002-1
Item desc. Qty
Manufacturer
Unit Cost
Total Net Cost
1 (10 Kva) 6
Howard (Alt.)
416.00
2,496.00
2 (15 Kva) 6
Howard (Alt.)
467.00
2,802.00
6 (50 Kva) 1
Howard (Alt.)
2,069.00
2,069.00
7 (50 Kva) 6
Howard (Alt.)
608.00
3,648.00
10 (167 Kva) 6
Howard (Alt.)
2,271.00
13,626.00
11 (250 Kva) 4
Howard (Alt.)
3,008.00
12,032.00
12 (167 Kva) 5
Howard (Alt.)
2,359.00
11,795.00
13 (250 Kva) 6
Howard (Alt.)
2,998.00
17,998.00
17 (333 Kva) 6
Howard (Alt.)
3,621.00
21,726.00
Motion carried 4:0:0.
Page 2
Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino that bid 2002-1 for Single Phase Pole Mounted Transformers be
awarded to:
Yale Electric Supply for a total cost of $74,380.00 as the lowest qualified bidder on the recommendation of the
Acting General Manager and the staff as detailed in the agenda.
Item desc.
Qty
Manufacturer
Unit Cost
Total Net Cost
3 (25 Kva)
30
ERMCO
592.00
17,760.00
4 (37 % Kva)
45
ERMCO
735.00
33 075.00
5 (50 Kva)
"
25
ERMCO
801.00
20,025.00
9 (50 Kva)
4
ERMCO
880.00
3,520.00
Motion carried
4:0:0.
Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino that bid 2002-1 for Single Phase Pole Mounted Transformers be
awarded to:
Graybar for a total cost of $4,440.00 as the lowest qualified bidder on the recommendation of the Acting General
Manager and the staff as detailed in the agenda.
Item desc. Qt_y Manufacturer Unit Cost Total Net Cost
8 (37 '/2 Kva) 6 Cooper (Alt.) 740.00 4,440.00
The budget for this expenditure is $127,080 in the capital budget, items 12G and 12H). This award is $39,918 over
the budget. In the capital budget pad mounted transformers were estimated to cost $40,000. This item will not be
bid, however, they will be purchased per project as needed.
Motion carried 4:0:0.
Acting General Manager's Report
Update on New Policy on Unsigned Letters
Mr. Cameron gave the Board an update on the new policy regarding unsigned letters. Mr. Cameron stated he had
reviewed the first draft prepared by Mr. Ames. Mr. Cameron stated he would return it to Mr. Ames with his
COneCti[ln, nn(i cnmmanfc hAf ro ~0 7: : _
Regular Session Minutes Page 3
March 21, 2002
Update on Base Cost Adiustment Charge
Mr. Cameron stated he would be meeting with Richard La Capra of La Capra Associates next week. Mr. Cameron
stated La Capra has prepared what he was responsible for per their agreement and expected the first presentation to
be brought to the Board at the first meeting in April.
Single Phase Pole Mounted Transformer Bid #2002-1
Mr. Cameron reviewed for those in attendance the RMLD has approximately $14 million in the Rate Stabilization
Fund which is made up of funds that have been collected over the years through purchase power deals that enabled
the RMLD to earn more than their 8% and by settlement of successful litigation the RMLD has engaged in. Mr.
Cameron explained he is looking for a way to get some of money back to the customers; the RMLD has come up
with a base cost adjustment charge.
APPA Report on 2000 Average Revenue per Kilowatt-hour
Mr. Cameron explained APPA stands for American Public Power Association in Washington of which the RMLD is
a member. He further explained that once a year the APPA gather statistics on unit costs. A copy of the Average
Revenue per kWh, 2000 report was distributed to the Board and audience for their review.
Select Ener2y
Mr. Cameron announced he has been in discussions with Select Energy, a power supply company for the RMLD,
reviewing the possibility of restructuring their contract. Mr. Cameron stated there are several sensitive issues such as
Independent System Operator (ISO) rules. Mr. Cameron stated Select Energy would like to close the deal before the
end of the first quarter of this year, however, the CAB needs to review it. Mr. Cameron expressed concern there
would not be enough time. Mr. Cameron stated there would be substantial savings (approximately 2-2.5 million
dollars) if they could get this done by the end of the month. Mr. Cameron stated he thought it would be a good deal
because it would stabilize the rates until 2005. He also noted the Vice-President of Select expressed his desire to get
this deal done.
The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2002.
Motion to Adjourn
At 7:55 p.m. Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino to adjourn the Regular Session.
Motion carried by a show of hands 4:0:0.
A true copy of the RMLD Board of Commissioners minutes as
approved by a majority of the Co ssion.
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Mr. William Hughes 7V
Secretary pro tem, RMLD Board of Commissioners