HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-13 RMLD Board of Commissioners MinutesReading Municipal Light Board
230 Ash Street
Reading, MA 01867
August 13, 2001
Start time of Regular Session: 7:38 pm.
End Time of Regular Session: 9:19 P.M.
Attendees:
Commissioners: Messrs. Ames, Hughes, Swyter, Pacino and Halloran
RMLD Staff: Messrs. Rucker, Cameron and Blomley
Mses. Bernat and Cavagnaro
CAB Member: Mr. Stevenin
Selectmen Liaision: Messrs. Cummings and Veno
Guests: Messrs. Cavanior and Bansal
Mr. Ames called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.
Minutes of July 9, 2001
Mr. Swyter made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran to approve the minutes of July 9`h.
Motion carried 5:0:0.
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Minutes of July 30, 2001
Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino to table the minutes of July 30a' until the next meeting.
Mr. Hughes will submit a written amendment to be reviewed by the Board.
Motion carried 5:0:0.
Citizens' Advisory Board, Selectmen Liaison and Customer Comments
Mr. Veno offered thanks for local support during the recent storm outages. He also thanked the Board for their
sponsorship for the Ipswich River Park functions.
Mr. Dan Barisal of 30 Gray Coach Road in Reading offered comments regarding a recent power failure complaining he
could not get through via telephone; the telephone was either busy or no one answered. He has been experienced power
outages almost once a month for approximately 3-6 hours each time and suggested the RMLD at least have a recording
when people call during outages.
Mr. Rucker recognized Mr. Bansal's complaint regarding the telephone problems during power outages. Mr. Rucker
reviewed options chosen to improve this situation. Mr. Rucker also offered to review the computer logs for Mr.
Bansal's address and provide him with a trouble report which will give him detailed information on dates and times of
outages, etc. Mr. Bansal agreed.
Action Items
RFP and Contract for New Power Supply
Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Swyter that the Board authorize the Reading Municipal Light
Department to enter into one or more Firm Entitlement Strips Agreements for a duration not to extend beyond
December 31, 2007 and at a weighted average price not to exceed 7.45 cents per kilowatt-hour in a form similar to
the Agreements attached to Reading Municipal 'Light Department Request for Proposals of July 31, 2001 and that
the Board delegates to the Reading Municipal Light Department General Manager the authority to finalize the
negotiations and execution of the above-described Agreements.
Motion carried 5:0:0.
Mr. Ames asked what criteria the Department uses to ensure that bidders are financially capable of meeting their
commitments. Mr. Rucker, briefly, reviewed the process and said he would -make -a--presentation on--"credit
worthiness" at the next Board meeting.
Regular Session Minutes
August 13, 2001
Page Two
Action Items (continued)
RMLD Policy 19, Revision No. 5, Board of Commissioners
Mr. Rucker will bring this motion back with additional wording that would required the Commissioner(s) who
attends a training seminar to make a full public presentation on the training received.
General Manager's Report
Land Swap Agreement Among the Towns of Reading, North Reading and Reading Municipal Light
Department.
Mr. Rucker noted a small problem has come up in regards to this agreement; the town of North Reading says the
cement slab is supposed to be removed, however, the RMLD says that is not part of the deal. Therefore, they have
put this matter in the hands of the lawyers to decide. It is expected that the cost to remove the cement would be
approximately $25,000.00 at the most.
APPA Letter - Invitation to serve on "PP in 21st Century" Task Force
Mr. Rucker informed the Board that he has been invited to serve on the National APPA Task Force. The Board
expressed no objections.
Board Discussion
Electronic Board Books
Mr. Swyter would like to see electronic Board Books. Mr. Rucker explained the difficulty with Board Books is
having multiple systems of creating and distributing them.
Board discussion ensued.
Televising Board Meetings - Subcommittee Follow-up
Mr. Hughes said the Subcommittee met last Monday night with Mr. Hughes as Chairman. They determined that the
next step would be to have an evaluation done of existing equipment at the RMLD to determine what new
equipment, if any, would be needed.
Update Commission Budget
This issue was completed during last meeting of July 30, 2001.
Signatures for Payroll & AIP
Board discussion ensued about requiring signatures on Payroll and A/P warrants. Mr. Ames suggested that they
have a formal review of this issue at the next meeting.
The Board set their next meeting for Monday, August 27`x'.
Commissioners' Reports
Report of Cable Television Subcommittee- The Subcommittee, (Halloran, Pacino; and Hughes, Chairman) met with
RCTV prior to tonight's meeting. All members are in favor of televising Board meetings. All members agree no editing
should be done Concerned with ratepayer's cost for capital improvements, all members suggest we return to the
practice of alternating every other meeting between a business focus and a discussion focus. The Subcommittee will
continue their discussions.
Motion to Adjourn
At 9:19 p.m., Mr. Swyter made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried 5:0:0 by a poll of the Commissioners:
Mr. Ames - Aye; Mr. Pacino - Aye; Mr. Halloron - Aye; Mr. Hughes - Aye; Mr. Swyter - Aye.
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