💡 RMLD Board of Commissioners 2-26-25 AI Recap

Below is a summarized version of the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners and Citizens’ Advisory Board (CAB) joint meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.

Meeting Overview

• Date: February 26, 2025
• Location: Remote via Zoom, live-streamed on RCTV
• Purpose: Regular board meeting to discuss liaison reports, public concerns, charter review, policies, GM updates, and performance feedback.
• Chair: Dave Talbot
• Commissioners Present: Ray Porter, Dennis Kelley, Pam Daskalakis, Philip B. Pacino (one temporarily absent, Robert Coulter)
• Key Participants: Gregory Phipps (General Manager), Charlie Protopapas (public), Chris Pollart (counsel, via phone), Erica Morse (board secretary), Susan Inman (HR), Vivek Soni (Reading Representative)
• Start Time: ~6:00 PM (implied)

Opening Remarks

0:00 – 1:05 | by Dave

• Speaker: Dave (Chair)
• Content: Calls meeting to order, notes audio recording, Zoom format, and RCTV livestream. Waives code of conduct.
• Key Outcome: Meeting begins; Chris (counsel) and RCTV confirmed present.

Liaison Reports

1:05 – 5:26 |

• Speakers: Dave, Ray, Dennis
• Content:
  • Dave (1:11-2:53): Attended MBTA public session on a railroad turnback project between Woburn and Willow Streets. Public suggested Causeway Street near Substation 4 as an alternative; MBTA to review. Notes hostile crowd and impact on local properties (e.g., Vine, Hancock Streets).
  • Ray (3:01-4:44): Updates on Killam School (solar panels on roof, not parking lot; future RMLD development TBD), Green Communities (met with Reading, deferred to March), and Town Charter Committee (deferred to later).
  • Dennis (implied): No new updates beyond prior reports.
• Key Outcome: Green Communities discussion postponed to March; Causeway Street proposal noted.

Public Comment

5:26 – 14:59 |

• Speakers: Charlie Protopapas, Greg, Dave
• Content:
  • Charlie (5:46-7:54): Lineman with 20 years’ experience, raises concerns about delayed pole replacement (e.g., Dobson Street pole hit mid-2023, braced but shaky). Questions timelines, insurance funds, and cost recovery.
  • Greg (8:00-11:37): Explains Verizon owns poles in Wilmington (<55 ft); RMLD handles >55 ft and most in Reading/North Reading. Notes intent to assume all pole responsibility from Verizon for responsiveness. Confirms safety priority (recent APA Diamond award) and will follow up with Charlie.
  • Dave (13:07-14:53): Suggests RMLD expedite via Verizon relationship; Greg confirms ongoing efforts (e.g., Dig Safe delays addressed).
• Key Outcome: Greg to investigate and report back to Charlie; RMLD to push Verizon on pole issues.

Meeting Minutes Approval

15:07 – 17:37 |

• Speakers: Dave, Ray, Erica
• Content: Motion to approve minutes from September 11, October 25/28, November 11, 2024, and January 27, 2025. Ray notes January 27 minutes should reflect full board concern on OT, not just Coulter (amended with “and by full board”). Erica explains AI (ChatGPT) aids transcription but requires manual correction.
• Motion: Approved 4-0 (one absent).
• Key Outcome: Minutes approved with amendment; AI transcription process noted.

Charter Review Committee

18:43 – 58:03 | Discussion

• Speakers: Ray, Dave, Dennis, Pam, Phil, Chris P (via phone)
• Content:
  • Ray (19:08-25:09): Proposes CAB recommend adding its advisory role on strategy, programs, and rates to Charter statements 1A and 8. Motion seconded.
  • Dave (19:31-29:02): Frames discussion: Charter Review Committee rejects edits; options are approve, disapprove, or abstain. Explains governance (Charter) vs. operation (MGL Ch. 164). Notes CAB’s role stems from a 20-year agreement, not Charter.
  • Dennis (34:03-37:34): Supports CAB inclusion but notes progress via combined boards; resigning next month, hopes collaboration continues.
  • Pam (37:41-38:06): Seeks intent clarification; Dave wants board input on his vote.
  • Dave (41:12-51:14): Reviews proposed changes: striking GM duties (3), staff appointments (4-5), contract approvals (6), auditor selection (7). Suggests hybrid language unlikely; prefers policy over Charter changes.
  • Phil (52:18-54:41): Notes historical context (e.g., past GM misconduct); suggests feedback via goals, not Charter.
• Motion: CAB recommendation to add CAB role to 1A and 8 approved (vote implied).
• Key Outcome: CAB role recognition favored in policy, not Charter; Dave to vote on Charter (outcome TBD).

Policies and Procedures

1:54:41 – 2:25:43 | Discussion

• Speakers: Greg, Dave, Susan, Phil
• Content:
  • Greg (1:54:41-2:02:11): Presents policy updates (e.g., injury prevention, GM goals as strategy mechanism). Notes annual GM goals vs. 5-year strategic plan.
  • Dave (2:07:34-2:14:04): Suggests separating procedures (e.g., employee handbook) from policies; emphasizes long-term strategy (e.g., substations).
  • Susan (2:25:05-2:25:29): Advocates structure (policy/procedure) for oversight, credits past efforts.
  • Phil (2:23:15-2:23:39): Notes mixed experiences with handbooks elsewhere.
• Key Outcome: Green Communities deferred to March; policy vs. procedure distinction considered.

General Manager

2:26:11 – 2:35:54 | Update

• Speakers: Greg, Dave
• Content:
  • Greg (2:26:18-2:35:34): Updates on hiring (control operator, system engineer, marketing/energy roles), community projects (heat pump loan, battery systems ribbon cuttings March 12/ongoing), email transition by March 31, and power supply (90% hedged, mitigated January price spike).
  • Dave (2:34:41-2:34:55): Asks about hydro variability; Greg explains cold/drought impacts and risk management via diverse contracts.
• Key Outcome: Staffing and projects on track; power supply strategy effective.

GM Performance

2:36:00 – 3:01:22 | Feedback

• Speakers: Dave, Phil, Ray, Greg, Chris P
• Content:
  • Dave (2:36:00-2:37:08): Notes February 12 vote flagged three unsatisfactory areas; Chris’s memo suggested discipline, but contract only requires a written list.
  • Phil (2:37:35-2:39:20): Suggests January 27 minutes suffice; sees no disciplinary clock amid union talks.
  • Ray (2:39:26-2:41:34): Views feedback as strengthening GM’s position; proposes February 12 minutes as feedback.
  • Motion (2:43:08-2:48:12): Ray moves to approve January 27 and February 12 minutes as 2024 GM performance review (seconded, approved 4-0).
  • Phil (2:49:58-2:50:28): Motions to explicitly list three items (no second).
  • Greg (2:52:12-2:53:20): Seeks clock clarity; board unclear.
  • Chris P (2:55:15-2:57:26): Clarifies feedback doesn’t trigger 4.5 unless a 6-month metric is intended (not here).
• Key Outcome: Minutes approved as feedback; no disciplinary intent clarified.

Scheduling and Closing

2:58:09 – 3:10:46 |

• Speakers: Dave, Dennis, Phil
• Content:
  • Dave (2:58:09-3:06:41): Sets next meeting for May 29 (6:00 PM); Ray/Pam to assist with minutes.
  • Dennis (3:06:53-3:09:56): Announces resignation (March 26 likely last), thanks board; may attend 10 minutes early.
• Key Outcome: May 29 meeting set; Dennis honored for service.

Key Outcomes

1. Public Concern: RMLD to expedite Verizon pole replacements; Greg to follow up with Charlie.
2. Minutes: September-November 2024 and January 27, 2025, minutes approved with OT amendment.
3. Charter Review: CAB role favored in policy, not Charter; motion passed.
4. Policies: Strategy via GM goals affirmed; Green Communities deferred.
5. GM Update: Staffing filled, projects advancing, hedging effective.
6. GM Feedback: January 27/February 12 minutes approved as review; no clock triggered.
7. Schedule: Next meeting May 29; Dennis steps down March 26.