Commissioners Unanimously Selects Danvers Utility Leader to Guide RMLD into Next Chapter
In a unanimous vote during a special meeting held on October 24th, the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners appointed Jason Small as the new General Manager, pending successful contract negotiations. Small will succeed Interim General Manager Paul Heanue, who has served in the role during the transition period.
Jason Small currently serves as the Engineering and Operations Manager for the Town of Danvers, where he has overseen major infrastructure upgrades and strategic utility initiatives. His appointment follows an extensive interview process that included fellow finalist Mary Usovicz, the current General Manager of Merrimac Light Department.
Vivek Soni, representing the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), shared that all CAB members scored Small higher than Usovicz, citing his deep domain knowledge in power operations and distribution, as well as his familiarity with RMLD’s operations. “Jason’s experience and commitment to the power sector stood out,” Soni noted, highlighting Small’s technical background and long-term potential within the organization.
Board members echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Small’s operational expertise, leadership in utility projects, and strong communication skills. Commissioner Dave Talbot remarked:
Jason is a good leader. He thinks before he speaks, and when he does, he makes sense. He’s my choice for the next General Manager of RMLD.”
While Usovicz was lauded for her exceptional communication skills and stakeholder engagement, several commissioners expressed concern about her limited technical experience in utility operations. Commissioner Ray Porter, who initially leaned toward Usovicz, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating:
We have two really good candidates with very different skill sets. But if I were to make a choice in this round, I’ll go with Mary — though it wouldn’t take much to convince me to go the other way.”
Ultimately, the board voted 5-0 in favor of entering contract negotiations with Small. The motion was carefully worded to reflect that the appointment is contingent upon successful contract negotiations, a point of discussion among commissioners to ensure clarity and maintain negotiation leverage.
Next steps include forwarding the final contract to Small, with Human Resources Director Susan Inman tasked with initiating formal communication. The board has scheduled meetings on October 28th and 29th, with additional dates in early November reserved if needed, to finalize the agreement.
Chair Pam Daskalakis expressed gratitude to both candidates and the board for their dedication throughout the process:
We really thank you for your interest and your participation here,” she said. “Looking forward to taking the next step.”
The appointment marks a new chapter for RMLD as it prepares to tackle major infrastructure projects and strategic initiatives under Small’s leadership. The full meeting can be seen below:
