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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-28 RMLD Board of Commissioners Minutes2 r d' Reading Municipal Light Board Regular Session 230 Ash Street, Reading, MA 01867 January 28, 2002 Start Time of Regular Session: 7:40 p.m. End Time of Regular Session: 9:00 P.M. Attendees Commissioners: Messrs. Ames, Hughes, Halloran, and Swyter RMLD Staff. Mr. Cameron, Acting General Manager and Mr. Blomley Mses. Cavagnaro and Gottwald CAB Member: Mr. Lessard Participating Guests: Mr. Cummings, Reading Board of Selectmen Mr. Veno, North Reading Board of Selectmen 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 a tape). Mr. Ames called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. and noted Mr. Cameron would be the Acting General Manager. Report of the Chairman of the Board Mr. Ames gave a statement regarding the IG's Report and an anonymous letter, which has been circulating. Mr. Ames said since it had been sent to the RMLD. An issue regarding sexual harassment had been referenced, but he couldn't reveal much information in order to avoid trampling on other's rights. Mr. Ames noted employees of the RMLD would continue to keep the power company running which they have historically done. Update on RMLD Oversight Task Force Mr. Ames noted the Board would be provided with the Task Force minutes and agendas. Tine Case Mr. Ames responded to the Daily Times Chronicle headline on the Tine Case reporting the RMLD had lost the Tine case. Mr. Ames said this was not true, but that a motion by the RMLD to dismiss the case had been denied so this would now be going to court. Mr. Cameron said the RMLD legal counsel had started admissions in the case and he would update the Board on the case when it was appropriate. Minutes Mr. Ames announced that the minutes were posted on the Web at www.rrnld.com. Mr. Ames also noted the following minutes were not enclosed, however, would be available on Monday before the next RMLD Board meeting: December 17, 2001 January 7, 2002 January 9, 2002 Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran to defer the approval of these minutes to the next meeting. Regular Session Meeting Minutes January 28, 2002 Page 2 Acting General Manager's Report Mr. Cameron brought forth a letter from Walter R. McGrath, General Manager BELD in support of Leonard D. Rucker for the Board's information and review. Purchase Power Adjustment/Rate Structure Mr. Cameron discussed how the purchase power adjustment/rate structure would help the Department follow their costs more closely and was consulting with La Capra & Associates. Mr. Cameron said the Energy Services Division has looked into this in the past and would like to explore it again. He said having recently signed a purchase power deal, specifically, the Calpine Power deal, this will offer rate stabilization for some time. Mr. Cameron said the Rate Stabilization Fund currently has 12.5 million dollars in this fund, but 8-10 million dollars makes more sense. Mr. Cameron said he would make a presentation to Board and the CAB for their review and comment. He also mentioned a Cost of Service Study should be performed which would take a while to do, in order to do it correctly. Mr. Cameron said if he gets an okay to the purchase power adjustment rate, then he could offer recommendations in February 2002. Audits/Investigation Update Mr. Cameron announced Melanson Heath & Company had collected quite a bit of data and was taking it back to their offices for review. Mr. Cameron said Melanson Heath & Company was pleased with the data they had received. Mr. Cameron further announced the RMLD's auditors; PriceWaterhouseCoopers had been in earlier in the day. Mr. Cameron also noted Choate, Hall & Stewart had started their investigation of the letter. Mr. Cameron noted during the investigation and audit, Ms. Bernat and Mr. Boyan had been put on paid administrative leave. Mr. Cameron said they could be contacted through him. Commissioners' Reports Mr. Hughes asked about the discussion appointing Mr. Cameron as acting General Manager. Mr. Hughes thought they had been in Executive Session. Mr. Ames replied the discussion relative to this was held in Open Session. Mr. Hughes offered his confidence and cooperation to Mr. Cameron during this trying time. Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran that the decision to give the General Manager paid leave of absence be rescinded and that he revert back to personal vacation time as originally requested and that the RMLD Car #1 be returned to the Department property pending the outcome of the IG report. Mr. Ames said it is playing with fire by making this motion without legal counsel and strongly urged this motion not be passed at this time. Mr. Swyter asked what the outcome of this motion would be. Motion did not pass 2:2:0. Messrs. Ames and Swyter opposed this motion. Comments Mr. Veno, North Reading Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, told the Board the posting was unclear as to whether the meeting of January 18`h was to be in Open or Executive Session. Mr. Veno said he thought the meeting was to be in Executive Session, so he didn't attend, but would have attended had he known it was held in Open Session. Regular Session Meeting Minutes January 28, 2002 Page 3 Meeting Minutes Transcriptions Mr. Swyter announced they would not have verbatim transcriptions of the videotapes because it was too expensive and the results were not satisfactory. Mr. Cummings said he thought they were required and the Board should get clarification from the Secretary of State's office on the requirements. The Board asked to have the Town Counsel supply the requirement. Street Light Business Mr. Hughes asked Mr. Cameron about the Cape Light Pact bid situation and why the Department withdrew their bid. Mr. Cameron said he wanted to look into the street light business before the Department replies to invitations to bid. He said the streetlight business currently has a net operating loss of $220,000 through November, 2001. The next meeting was scheduled for February 11, 2002. Mr. Ames announced to the Board that the Reading Selectmen had requested the RMLD Board's attendance at the next Selectmen's meeting, dated February 5s'. Mr. Swyter Retirement Mr. Swyter informed the Board this would be his last meeting. Mr. Ames thanked Mr. Swyter for his service. Mr. Swyter commented on how well the Board has run, and thanked the public for giving him the opportunity to serve. Motion to Adjourn At 9:00 p.m. Mr. Halloran made a motion seconded by Mr. Hughes 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. David Swyter Secretary, RMLD Board of Commissioners