HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-25 RMLD Board of Commissioners MinutesReading Municipal Light Board
Regular Session
230 Ash Street, Reading, MA 01867
June 25, 2001
Start Time of Regular Session: 7:30 p.m.
End Time of Regular Session: 9:20 p.m.
Attendees:
Commissioners: Messrs. Pacino, Hughes*, Ames, Halloran and Swyter
RMLD Staff: Messrs. Rucker, Cameron, and Blomley
Mses. Bernat and Cavagnaro
Selectman Liaison: Mr. Joe Veno
*Mr. Hughes left the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Mr. Ames, as acting Chair, brought the meeting to order noting Mr. Swyter as acting Secretary.
_C V ED
CLERK
_.j;-G, MASS.
2001 JUL 20 12: 52
Board Reorganization Proceedings and Results
Mr. Swyter made a motion nominating Mr. Ames to the position of Chairman of the Board, seconded by Mr. Pacino.
Mr. Hughes nominated himself for the position of Chair; it was not seconded.
Mr. Ames called for the vote.
Motion carried 4:0:1, Mr. Ames as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Hughes abstained.
Mr. Ames made a motion nominating Mr. Swyter to the position of Secretary, seconded by Mr. Pacino.
Mr. Hughes nominated himself for the position of Secretary; it was not seconded.
Mr. Ames instructed the Board to vote.
Motion carried 4:0:1, Mr. Swyter as Secretary. Mr. Hughes abstained.
Mr. Hughes asked, using personal privilege, why he was not considered for either position.
Mr. Ames said he did not want to answer this question in a public venue and would give him a response at the next
meeting.
Mr. Hughes recounted his version of a personal conversation he had with Mr. Pacino.
Mr. Pacino explained he does not think Mr. Hughes could be Chair considering he is currently in litigation against the
Department and in an adversarial position with the Commission, therefore, he would be in a position of managing both
sides of a legal case against the Commission.
Mr. Hughes said he is unable to withdraw from the litigation.
Mr. Rucker indicated that he has suggested to Mr. Hughes that he consult an attorney.
Mr. Hughes said he consulted Mr. Tine's attorney for legal advice. Mr. Tine's attorney informed him his withdrawal of
his deposition could result in a subpoena.
Mr. Ames asked the Board to review the tentative Subcommittee's assignments and divide the responsibilities amongst
the members.
Regular Session Meeting Minutes Page Two
June 25, 2001
The 2001 Board Subcommittees were tentativelv decided as follows:
Board Subcommittees
Mr. Pacino
Mr. Hughes
Mr. Halloran
Mr. S er
Mr. Ames
G.M. Evaluation
X
X
Audit Subcommittee
X
X
Public Relations
X
Power Contracts, Rate
Setting, Customer Choice
X
X
Pension
X
X
Operating & Capital Bud e
X
X
Pa ables
X (Backup)
X
X
X
CAB/Board Subcommittee
X
X
Minutes of June 4, 2001
Mr. Swyter made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pacino to approve the minutes of June 4, 2001.
Motion carried 3:0:2. Messrs. Halloran and Mr. Hughes abstained.
Commissioners' Reports
APPA Conference "Buying Power in a Competitive Marketplace" - October 29-30, 2001
Mr. Hughes asked if he could attend this meeting in California.
Mr. Ames notified Mr. Hughes if was within the Board approved budget, it was a personal decision as a publicly
elected member.
Board discussion ensued.
The Board asked the Department to update the Commission budget for the next meeting.
Televise Board Meetings via Cable
Mr. Hughes asked what became of the possibility of televising the Board meetings.
Board discussion ensued.
Messrs. Pacino, Hughes and Halloran will form a subcommittee for the purposes of defining the goal of the Board and
to meet with RCTV to see if they and/or their viewers have an interest in viewing the RMLD Board Meetings.
Mr. John Carpenter, a Town Meeting Member from Precinct 7 stated, as a customer would like to see the meetings
televised on cable.
Mr. Joe Veno, as a customer, said he would like to see the meetings televised as well.
Update APPA Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., June 15`n-20"', 2001
Commissioners Ames and Halloran attended this meeting and gave their reports.
It was noted Mr. Ames was appointed to APPA L&R Committee. Mr. Rucker was elected on the APPA Board of
Directors for another three years.
Customer and Selectmen Liaison Comments
Mr. Joe Veno, North Reading Board of Selectman, introduced himself as the liaison with the North Reading Board
stating he wants to keep the good working relationship between Reading and North Reading; he especially wanted to
thank Mrs. Foti for her help.
Mr. Hughes left the meeting at this time without explanation.
Vehicle Locating System Bid #2001-7
Outerlink Corporation as the lowest qualified bidder for a total of $125,473.50 on the recommendation of the
General Manager.
Regular Session Meeting Minutes Page Three
June 25, 2001
Action Items
Vehicle Locating System Bid #2001-7
Mr. Blomley explained the cost difference.
Board discussion ensued.
Motion carried 4:0:0
151(v Aerial Spacer Cable, 556 and 795 KCM Bid #2001-9
Mr. Swyter made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino that 2001-9 for 15Kv Aerial Spacer Cable, 556 and 795 KCM be
awarded to Arthur J. Hurley Co. for a total cost of $162,688.00 as the lowest qualified bidder on the recommendation
of the General Manager.
Motion carried 3:0:1 Mr. Hughes was not present for this vote; Mr. Pacino abstained due to potential conflict
of interest.
Electronic A/P Invoices and Warrants
Mr. Swyter made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino Board authorize electronic signatures for the Accounts Payable
and Payroll Warrants.
Motion carried 4:0:0. Mr. Hughes was not present for this vote.
General Manager's Report
MMWEC Membership
The Board was encouraged to discuss the RMLD's MMWEC Membership. Discussion ensued with no Board
action taken.
Metricom
Metricom and Pole Attachment - Mr. Rucker reported the RMLD wants to stay involved in this issue for the
possibility of keeping control of any pole attachments; Mr. Rucker said the RMLD has taken a position of
intervener.
Web Page Comments
Mr. Rucker reported Web Page Comments from Employees about placing employee pictures on the RMLD's
website. Board discussion ensued. The Board agreed with the General Manager's plan to not include such pictures.
NEPPA Annual Conference - Portland, ME, August 19"'-22nd, 2001
Mr. Rucker asked who would be attending the NEPPA Annual Conference in Portland, ME; August 19`h-22nd, 2001.
Mr. Ames asked that the brochure on NEPPA be provided to Mr. Halloran.
Mr. Pacino said he would be attending.
At 9:00 p.m., Mr. Swyter made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino that 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. Swyter - Aye.
At 9:20 p.m. Mr. Swyter made a motion seconded by Mr. Pacino to adjourn the Regular Session.
Motion carried 4:0:0 by a poll of the Commissioners, Mr. Hughes was not present for this vote.
Mr. Ames - Aye; Mr. Pacino - Aye; Mr. Halloran - 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