Below is a summarized version of the RMLD Board of Commissioners and the Citizens Advisory Board 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.
Contents
📝 RMLD Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary
📅 Date: November 12, 2025
📍 Location: North Reading Town Hall + Livestreamed on RCTV
⏰ Start Time: 6:00 PM
⏱️ End Time: ~2:04:10
👥 Attending: Board of Commissioners, Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), Staff
🚫 Absent: None noted
🔹 Public Comment
🕒 6:00–6:38
- No live public comments; email received from Rebecca Lieberman regarding resource definitions.
- Response will be formulated and shared later.
🔹 Liaison Updates
🕒 6:38–8:49
- Charter Committee met; minor wording changes (gender-neutral language) approved.
- No substantive changes to commissioner definitions; likely no discussion at town meeting.
🔹 CAB Secretary Appointment
🕒 10:09–10:58
- Motion Passed: Charlie Regusa appointed as CAB Secretary.
🔹 Operating Budget Presentation
🕒 11:04–24:04
Presenter: Patty
- Process & Timeline: Budget development began in June; two drafts circulated (Oct 1 & Oct 23).
- Key Revisions:
- Paused/eliminated 10 positions (net change).
- Corrected rollover formulas for depreciation, town payments, and rent.
- Rent adjusted to $300,275 due to increase.
- Staffing Table: Shows reductions across GM/HR, Grid, and IRD departments.
- Budget Impact:
- Overall operating budget down 4.57% vs. prior year.
- Drivers: headcount reduction, labor shift to capital projects (AMI & Substation 6), rent increase, legal cost adjustments.
- Interest Income: Revised projection to $775K for CY26 (previously $300K).
- Fixed Costs: Power supply remains ~75% of total expenses ($165.37M).
- Net Income:
- CY25 projected: $13M
- CY26 projected: $10M (due to G\&A increase of $2.8M, primarily rebates and electrification programs).
🔹 Cost of Service Study Discussion
🕒 50:50–1:08:13
- Recommendation: No immediate rate adjustment; prioritize cost of service study before revising rates.
- Last study conducted ~4 years ago; estimated cost $10K–$15K if outsourced.
- Debate on timing:
- Some argued to wait for AMI data (2026–2027) for better load insights.
- Others stressed need for early study to inform rate decisions and capital allocation.
- Consensus: Include budget provision for study in CY26; new GM to lead process.
🔹 Rate Structure & TOU Discussion
🕒 1:08:13–1:18:00
- Proposal to shift peak period from 12–7 PM to 4–8 PM to align with ISO peak trends.
- Concerns raised about fairness for families and opt-in vs. opt-out models.
- Belmont’s recent TOU study cited as reference; potential future customer study recommended.
🔹 Capital Budget Highlights
🕒 1:11:17–1:28:41
- Major Changes:
- Reduced allocations for in-territory generation and battery storage due to land constraints.
- Continued investment in:
- Substation 6 ($16M carryover; major payments to National Grid, Distran, State Electric in CY26).
- Grid modernization & automation.
- EV charging infrastructure.
- IT upgrades and cybersecurity ($50K for security initiatives; $400K for CIS replacement).
- Fleet: Planned purchases include bucket trucks, trailers, and SUVs; storage constraints noted.
🔹 AMI Deployment Update
🕒 1:31:10–1:39:35
- Pilot phase underway with 500 meters; full rollout planned for early CY26.
- Total: 31,000 meters; ~75% targeted for installation in 2026.
- Integration challenges with billing and MDM systems; vendor training ongoing.
- Communications plan: door hangers for customer notification.
🔹 Asset Management Discussion
🕒 1:41:01–1:51:48
- Transformer portfolio review:
- Current inventory strong; lead times improved.
- Age alone not primary risk factor; condition, load, and environment considered.
- Suggestion to provide more granular risk representation (age + criticality) for transparency.
- Pole replacement program continues; ~1,000 poles tested annually.
✅ Key Outcomes
- ✅ Operating budget revised; final version to be shared before Nov 19 meeting.
- ✅ Capital budget priorities confirmed (Substation 6, AMI, CIS upgrade, cybersecurity).
- ✅ Cost of service study to be budgeted for CY26; timing TBD.
- ✅ No immediate rate changes; TOU adjustments under consideration for future.
- ✅ AMI rollout progressing; integration and customer communication plans in place.
- ✅ Follow-ups: health insurance impact, legal cost breakdown, cost of service study estimate.
🔹 Next Steps
- Nov 19 Meeting: Review updated budget and address follow-up questions.
- Future: Cost of service study planning; AMI deployment acceleration; CIS vendor selection.
