Below is a summarized version of the newly created GM (General Manager) Search Committee meeting consisting of 2 RMLD Board of Commissioners, 1 Citizens Advisory Board member and 1 non-voting member, 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.
🔎 RMLD General Manager Search Committee Meeting Summary
📅 Date: August 6, 2025
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
⏰ Start Time: 11:00 AM
⏱️ End Time: ~11:55 AM
👥 Attending: Robert Coulter, Ray Porter, Vivek Soni, Patty Molino (non-voting member) Susan Inman (HR), Erica (Legal/Process Support)
🚫 Absent: None noted
🔹 Interview Question Development
🕒 7:50–53:20
- Discussion Highlights:
- Reviewed legal guidance on public vs. non-public interview questions.
- Agreed to use a mix of publicly shared questions and optional non-public questions assigned by category.
- Follow-up questions are allowed and do not need to be standardized across candidates.
- Reviewed and revised the 2022 question set, with several updates:
- Question 1: Retained – asks about a major accomplishment and how it was achieved.
- Question 2: Revised – broadened to address challenges facing municipal utilities, not just RMLD.
- Question 3: Replaced – new question focuses on union contract negotiation experience and philosophy.
- Question 4: Refined – now emphasizes team building and employee value rather than recruitment.
- Question 5: Revised – clarified to focus on influencing company culture and relationship with Board and CAB.
- Question 6: Retained – asks about difficult decisions and how they were handled (wording softened from “terrible” to “difficult”).
- Question 7: Retained – asks candidates to explain why they are the best fit for the role.
- New Question Added: How do you manage operations and budgets in a dynamic energy environment?
- Opening Statement: Added – “Tell us about yourself and your experience in public power.”
- Action:
- ✅ Committee finalized a revised set of 7 core questions plus an opening prompt.
- ✅ Susan to distribute editable Word version of the question set for final review.
- ⏸️ Optional non-public questions may be developed by individual members based on assigned categories.
🔹 Scheduling Next Meeting
🕒 51:14–53:15
- Discussion Highlights:
- Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 13 at 5:00 PM (virtual).
- Will precede the regular Board meeting at 6:00 PM.
- Action:
- ✅ Meeting time confirmed.
✅ Key Outcomes
- ✅ Finalized revised interview question set for GM candidates.
- ✅ Added new questions on union negotiations and operational/budget management.
- ✅ Clarified legal guidance on public vs. non-public questions and follow-ups.
- ✅ Scheduled next meeting for August 13 at 5:00 PM.
- ⏸️ Optional non-public questions may be developed individually.
