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.
📝 RMLD Board of Commissioners & CAB Joint Meeting Summary
📅 Date: November 19, 2025
📍 Location: RMLD Office + Livestreamed on RCTV
⏰ Start Time: 3:56
⏱️ End Time: ~1:18:56
👥 Attending: Board of Commissioners, Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), Interim GM Paul Heanue, Staff, ENE Representative David Cavanaugh
🚫 Absent: Chair (traveling)
🔹 Public Comment
🕒 4:02–5:08
- No public comments received; meeting proceeded without public input.
🔹 Liaison & Committee Updates
🕒 5:08–5:27
- No liaison reports or committee updates provided.
🔹 ENE Transmission Overview
🕒 5:39–51:26
Presenter: David Cavanaugh, ENE Senior VP Regulatory Affairs & Executive Director of EN Transmission (ENT)
- Purpose of ENT:
- Formed under M.G.L. 164 §47C as a co-op to enable municipal light plants (MLPs) to participate in regional transmission projects.
- Goal: Hedge escalating transmission costs through ownership participation.
- Current Transmission Cost Trends:
- RNS rates rose from $75/kW-year (2012) to $184/kW-year (2024); projected $220/kW-year by 2028.
- Asset condition upgrades (aging infrastructure) drive $1B+ annual costs; 70% of transmission spend.
- Future Projections:
- ISO-NE 2050 study forecasts $6–$9B upgrades by 2035; $11–$13B by 2040; $16–$17B by 2050.
- ENT Participation Model:
- MLPs invest equity; receive 11.07% FERC-approved ROE on equity portion (debt reimbursed at cost + service).
- Projects depreciate over ~40 years; revenue flows monthly post-commercial operation.
- Governance:
- 10 Class A members (e.g., Reading, Braintree, Norwood, Westfield, Hingham, Holden).
- Participation voluntary; members decide project involvement and equity level.
- Competitive Landscape:
- Recent RFP attracted six proposals (AC/DC solutions); $0.96B–$4.04B range.
- Selection based on technical compliance, benefit-cost ratio ≥1, and state policy criteria (carbon reduction, diversity).
- Key Takeaways:
- ENT offers strategic hedge against rising transmission costs.
- Public power cannot compete alone; consortium participation essential.
- Further discussion on financial commitments deferred to executive session or future meeting.
🔹 Operating Budget Approval (CY2026)
🕒 51:26–56:15
- Updates Since Last Review:
- Added $50K for cost of service study (GM outside services).
- Corrected net plant discrepancies; ROE adjusted to 8.84%.
- Health insurance increase projected at 13.5% (budget assumed 14%).
- O\&M decreases explained by labor reallocation to capital projects.
- Motion Passed:
- CAB recommended approval; BOC approved CY2026 operating budget unanimously.
🔹 Capital Budget Approval (CY2026)
🕒 56:23–1:11:36
- Key Discussion:
- $400K allocated for CIS/ERP upgrade; project timeline multi-year (2026–2027).
- Integration challenges with AMI and MDM systems prioritized before CIS implementation.
- New system expected to consolidate financials, billing, outage management, and customer data; reduce manual processes and errors.
- Vendor demos completed; RFP likely in 2026 under new GM leadership.
- Motion Passed:
- CAB recommended approval; BOC approved CY2026 capital budget unanimously.
🔹 Other Updates
🕒 1:11:42–1:12:33
- IBEW Contract:
- Board to receive Adobe packet for signature; secures labor agreement for next three years.
🔹 Scheduling
🕒 1:12:38–1:17:16
- Next Meeting: January 20, 2026 (6:00–7:00 PM).
- Goals setting and housekeeping items planned for January; possible extra meeting in February.
✅ Key Outcomes
- ✅ ENT overview presented; strategic hedge opportunity discussed.
- ✅ CY2026 operating and capital budgets approved.
- ✅ $50K added for cost of service study; CIS upgrade funding confirmed.
- ✅ AMI integration prioritized before ERP overhaul.
- ✅ IBEW contract execution imminent.
- ✅ Next meeting scheduled for January 20, 2026.
