HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-30 RMLD Board of Commissioners MinutesReading Municipal Light Board
Regular Session
230 Ash Street, Reading, MA 01867 CLERK
July 30, 2001 A. , ; MASS.
Start Time of Regular Session: 7:30 p.m. OC 0 12 All' O q
End Time of Regular Session: 9:10 P.M.
Attendees:
Commissioners: Messrs. Ames, Hughes, Halloran and Pacino
RMLD Staff: Messrs. Rucker, Cameron, Blomley
Mses. Bernat and Cavagnaro
CAB: Messrs. Bartlett and Lessard
Selectmen Liaison: Mr. Joe Veno
Mr. Ames called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes of July 9, 2001
Mr. Pacino asked that the minutes of July 9, 2001 reflect he was not present due to the death of his mother. The approval
of the minutes was deferred until the next meeting.
Presentations
Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran that the Board authorize the General Manager to transfer
$1,306,920.35 from the MMWEC 2001 Flush of Funds to the Deferred Fuel Reserve on the recommendation of the
General Manager.
Motion carried 4:0:0.
Action Items
RFP and Contract for New Power Supply
Messrs. Rucker and Cameron discussed the plan for replacing RMLD's current power supply. Discussion ensued regarding
the current favorable market.
The Commission recommended the RMLD proceed as quickly as possible as they are concerned about conditions
changing. Mr. Rucker stated the RMLD will ask the CAB to consider this issue and to provide a recommendation to the
Board.
Discussion Regarding Criteria for Commissioner Training
Note: Current Policy #19, Board of Commissioners, Page 3, Item 9 reads as follows: "Approves, in advance, attendance
by Commissioners at any meeting, conference, training session or similar function that requires RMLD expense
compensation or use of RMLD resources. Also approves all related expense compensation for Commissioners that exceeds
the provisions of Policy #5, Revision #4."
Mr. Ames asked the Board what criteria they wanted to use in determining what meetings would be considered appropriate
for Commissioner training with regards to time and expense.
Mr. Ames asked Mr. Hughes to explain why the Board should fund his most recent meeting request. Mr. Hughes stated he
is very interested in the purchasing of power and feels he should be kept abreast in this current market. Mr. Hughes also
stated he thinks this course will give him the education he desires to be able to discuss this subject.
Mr. Rucker stated that this course is designed for experienced energy analysts.
Discussion ensued regarding the appropriateness of this meeting and specific ideas for determining what course/meetings
are appropriate expenditures for Board members. Mr. Rucker offered to provide wording to determine a policy change for
approving appropriate training and education for the Commissioners.
Mr. Hughes made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran that the Board approve Commissioner training expense for
Commissioner Hughes per RMLD Policy #19, Revision #4, dated June 24, 1996 and upon completion of the seminar that
Mr. Hughes make a presentation at the next meeting.
Motion carried 3:0:1, Mr. Pacino abstained.
Regular Session Minutes Page Two
July 30, 2001
NEPPA Annual Conference, August 19-22,2001, Portland, Maine
Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Hughes that the Board approve the training for Commissioners at the NEPPA
Annual Conference.
Motion carried 4:0:0.
General Manager's Report
Town Manager's Approval of Payroll/Bill Role
Mr. Rucker reported on his meeting with the Town Manager regarding the Town Manager's approval process of
Payroll/Bill Role. The only issue in question was how the Town Manager can determine if an expense is fraudulent,
illegal, or excessive.
It was decided that the RMLD would draft a set of practical rules to guide the General Manager and Town Manager in this
approval process. These guidelines will be set up as procedures that will exist regardless of who resides in these positions.
Major FERC Development
The FERC Commissioners put out a ruling saying they want to divide the nation into four quadrants. Mr. Rucker said this
wipes out everything they have discussed for years and could have a significant impact. Mr. Rucker also said FERC and
the Bush Administration are pushing hard for this and it may create a number of legal challenges.
MMWEC Retail Choice Cooperative
Mr. Rucker said he is having the General Counsel look into how they can challenge this issue and expects it to turn into
litigation. It is likely other municipal light departments will also challenge this MMWEC decision.
Delivering of Commissioner Board Books
The Commission decided that the Commission meeting books be picked up at the RMLD offices by Commissioners
instead of being delivered.
Ongoing Discussions
Televise Board Meetings
Mr. Pacino said the subcommittee would have a meeting to discuss televising the Board meetings.
Commissioners' Reports
Mr. Pacino thanked the Board and the Department for their support during the death of his mother.
Date of next meetings - August 13, 2001 and September 10, 2001.
Executive Session
At 9:00 p.m., Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Hughes that the Commission go into Executive Session to
discuss strategy with respect to litigation and to return to Regular Session for the sole purpose of adjournment.
Motion carried 4:0:0 by a poll of the Commissioners:
Mr. Ames - Aye; Mr. Pacino - Aye; Mr. Halloran - Aye; Mr. Hughes - Aye.
Motion to Adjourn
At 9:10 p.m., Mr. Pacino made a motion seconded by Mr. Halloran that the Commission adjourn the Regular Session.
Motion carried 4:0:0.
A true copy of the RMLD Board of Commissioners minutes as
approved by a majority of the Commission.
Mr. Philip B. Pacing
Secretary, Pro Tem
RMLD Board of Commissioners