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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-25 RMLD Board of Commissioners Minutesvim` Reading Municipal Light Board s Regular Session I I f 230 Ash Street, Reading, MA 01867 February 25, 2002 -2 P 3: 28 Start Time of Regular Session: 7:30 p.m. End Time of Regular Session: 8:15 p.m. Attendees Commissioners: Messrs. Pacino, Ames, Halloran, and Hughes RMLD Staff: Mr. Cameron, Acting General Manager, and Mr. Blomley Mses. Cavagnaro and Gottwald CAB: Mr. Roger Stevenin Selectmen Liaison: Mr. Joe Veno Guests: Ms. Ann Hadley Mr. Bob Turosz, NR Transcript Mr. Andrew Herlihy This meeting is being video taped, as a public record, for distribution to the community television stations in Reading North Reading, Wilmington and Lynnfield. Tapes of this meeting can be purchased from RCTV ($2 tape). Mr. Ames called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Ames noted the agenda for these meetings could be found on the RMLD website, www.mAd.com. Report of the Chairman of the Board Mr. Ames asked Mr. Cameron to give a status update of the audits and investigations being performed at the RMLD. Mr. Cameron reported Price Waterhouse Coopers, the forensic auditors for the RMLD, had completed the data collection and is now in the interviewing stage. Mr. Cameron noted Choate, Hall, & Stewart, who are doing the investigation on the anonymous allegations, has only a few interviews left to perform. RMLD Policy on Anonymous Letters It was noted there have been several anonymous letters circulating since the IG report. Mr. Cameron said there has been no set policy or procedures for these events. Mr. Ames wrote a draft policy on Anonymous Letters for the Board to review. He also reported the Commissioners received a Federal Express package that contained a letter which he would be referring to Counsel and upon Counsel's recommendations would acknowledge the package. Minutes of February 11, 2002 Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino to approve the minutes of February 11, 2002 as submitted. Motion carried 4:0:0. Ms. Cavagnaro noted she had attended the meeting but was not included as an attendee. Mr. Pacino recommended a voluntary sign-in sheet be made available for all future meetings. Citizens' Advisory Board, Selectmen Liaison, and Customer Comments Mr. Veno, Board of Selectmen, North Reading, asked about the Federal Express letter. Mr. Ames said he would acknowledge it upon Counsel's recommendation. RMLD Board Meeting Minutes Page Two February 25, 2002 Citizens' Advisory Board, Selectmen Liaison, and Customer Comments (continued) Mr. Veno asked what was being investigated. Mr. Ames said he was reluctant to answer his question for fear of disclosing too much information saying much of the information belonged in Executive Session. Action Items Indemnification of Mr. Cameron Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino the Reading Municipal Light Board vote to indemnify Vincent Cameron for all costs, including, but not limited to, all attorneys fees and expenses, judgments or damage awards, settlements or compromises incurred as a result of any claim, suit or action under any theory of law that may be brought against Mr. Cameron as a result of Mr. Cameron exercising responsibilities as Acting General Manager effective January 21, 2002, which responsibilities include, but are not limited to, serving as the Mass. General Laws Chapter 164, Section 56, Manager. Mr. Pacino said the subcommittee met prior to this meeting and recommended this motion. Motion carried 4:0:0. Approval of the 2002 RMLD Capital and Operating Budgets Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran that the Reading Municipal Light Department Board of Commissioners approve the 2002 Reading Municipal Light Department Operating Budget on the recommendations of the Acting General Manager, the Citizen's Advisory Board, and the RMLD Board Operating and Capital Budget Joint Subcommittee. Budget total = $67,906,482. Motion carried 4:0:0. Mr. Ames noted this would be the most important vote/decision the Board would make throughout the year explaining their responsibility is to make sure the rates are set via the budget being covered by income. Mr. Cameron confirmed they would be using the Rate Stabilization Fund to avoid a rate increase which could have been approximately a one and a half to two percent (1.5% to 2%) increase. Mr. Pacino again asked that the Rate Stabilization Fund be reviewed. Mr. Ames said the last meeting's minutes noted the Purchased Power Adjustment data had been given to La Capra for their review. Mr. Halloran asked about the March deadline. Mr. Cameron said he would be coming to the Board in March with a recommendation about the Purchased Power Adjustment and would be meeting with La Capra on Wednesday, February 27, 2002. Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran that the Reading Municipal Light Department Board of Commissioners approve the 2002 Reading Municipal Light Department Capital Budget on the recommendations of the Acting General Manager, the Citizen's Advisory Board, and the RMLD Board Operating and Capital Budget Joint Subcommittee. Mr. Hughes noted that Mr. Halloran and he had met with the CAB to review this budget in detail saying this seven (7) million dollar_budget_was down from eleven (-1-1) million dollars. Mr. Hughes as well as Mr. Ames recognized the CAB for their work on this budget. Motion carried 4:0:0. RMLD Board Meeting Minutes Page Three February 25, 2002 Review of Bill Processing Procedures and Petty Cash It was noted current bill payable warrants require three (3) signatures before going to Town Hall and payables are ready every Friday afternoon between two and three o'clock for the weekend. It was also noted the Payroll requires three (3) signatures as well. The Board was informed that if they voted in public session to designate one person to sign the payroll as well as select an alternate, then the payroll could be signed by one person. Mr. Pacino recommended the rotation include all members so the burden does not fall on the same people all the time. Mr. Hughes was initially against signing anything due to events surrounding the Tine case but later changed his mind and agreed to be a signor noting that he would be the last person in the world to want to prevent the staff from receiving their pay. He went so far as to agree to be the first volunteer. Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino that the Commission designate Mr. Hughes as the primary signer of the payroll and Mr. Pacino be designated as the alternate with the understanding these positions will continue until the reorganization of the Board. Motion carried 4:0:0. The next meeting was scheduled for March 11, 2002. Mr. Hughes asked for clarification of the Task Force Meeting on Thursday, February 28, 2002. Ms. Gottwald said the four Town's Selectmen (Reading, Wilmington, North Reading and Lynnfield) would be meeting relative to the RMLD expenditures and the Town/Task Force. It would be an open meeting on March 14, 2002, at the Reading Town Hall. Motion to Adjourn At 8:15 p.m., Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran 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 Commission. Mr. William J. Hughes, Jr" Pro Tem,AMLD B and of Corrifnissioners