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.
- 📋 Summary
- 📑 Agenda Overview
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- 🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Procurement: Mailing Services for Electric Bills
- 🏢 Administrator / Manager Report – Finance Update (FY2025)
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Union Agreement (AFSCME Clerical Technical Unit)
- ✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Training & Travel (NEPA Rodeo Conference)
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – General Manager 2026 Goals
- 🏢 Administrator / Manager Report – General Manager Update
- 🔑 Key Summary
📅 March 24, 2026 Reading Municipal Light Department Board of Commissioners Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:01:59
⏰ Meeting End: 00:50:10
💻 Format: Hybrid (In-person and Remote via Zoom; livestreamed on RCTV)
👤 Chair: Pamela Daskalakis
👥 Attendees: Pamela Daskalakis (Chair), Raymond Porter (Commissioner), Richard Swanson (Commissioner), David Talbot (Commissioner)
👥 Staff: Erica Oliver (Staff), Jason Smalls (General Manager)
📋 Summary
The Board convened to address routine governance matters, including procurement approvals, financial updates, labor agreements, and strategic planning. Key actions included approval of a three-year mailing services contract, acceptance of a supplemental union agreement, approval of travel for professional training, and adoption of the General Manager’s 2026 goals.
The meeting also featured an extensive year-end 2025 finance update, discussion of reserve funds and fuel cost stabilization, updates on major capital projects such as the Wilmington substation, and confirmation of the utility’s maintained S&P credit rating. The Board concluded by entering executive session to review and release older executive session minutes.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:01:59 | Call to Order & Meeting Protocol |
| 00:02:35 | Public Comment |
| 00:02:46 | Liaison Updates |
| 00:03:15 | Policy Committee Update |
| 00:04:36 | Procurement Request – Mailing Services |
| 00:08:46 | Finance Update (FY2025) |
| 00:29:06 | Union Negotiations & Vote |
| 00:30:07 | Meeting Minutes Approval |
| 00:32:24 | Training & Travel Approval |
| 00:33:59 | GM 2026 Goals Discussion & Vote |
| 00:39:54 | General Manager Update |
| 00:46:17 | Operating Cadence & Scheduling |
| 00:49:14 | Adjournment & Executive Session |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:02:35 – 00:02:46
👤 Presenter(s): None
No in-person or remote public comment.
🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
⏰ 00:02:46 – 00:03:15
👤 Presenter(s): Ray Porter
- Update that the Reading Charter is included on the upcoming election warrant.
- No changes proposed affecting governance of commissioners.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Procurement: Mailing Services for Electric Bills
⏰ 00:04:36 – 00:08:46
👤 Presenter(s): Erica Oliver (Staff)
Overview
Approval of a three-year contract for printing and mailing RMLD electric bills.
Key Discussion Points
- IFB issued February 4, 2026, under Chapter 30B.
- Approximately 20,000 bills mailed monthly.
- Two bids received; Data Integrators selected as lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
- Vendor has served RMLD since 2016; pricing unchanged since 2019.
- Postage treated as a pass-through cost.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: Unanimous (voice vote)
🏢 Administrator / Manager Report – Finance Update (FY2025)
⏰ 00:08:46 – 00:28:54
👤 Presenter(s): Jason Smalls (General Manager)
💼 Financial Highlights
- Audit by CBIZ scheduled for April 6; Audit Committee meeting set for May 19.
- Net plant increased by ~$21 million, largely due to Wilmington substation investment.
- Operating revenue up 9.4% year-over-year; kWh sales flat.
- Fuel reserve drawn down to avoid rate spikes; balance at ~\$2.6 million in December.
- Rate stabilization fund maintained at approximately \$6 million.
🏗 Capital & Reserves
- Significant carryover explained by long-lead-time equipment and deferred projects.
- Distribution transformer lead times improving but costs remain elevated.
🚆 Energy & Market Conditions
- RMLD largely hedged through spring; potential exposure beginning in summer.
- Cost of service study proposal under review; estimated 12-week completion timeline.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Union Agreement (AFSCME Clerical Technical Unit)
⏰ 00:29:06 – 00:30:07
👤 Presenter(s): Jason Smalls (General Manager)
Overview
Approval of a supplemental memorandum of agreement aligning buyback language with prior union agreements.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: Unanimous (voice vote)
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 00:30:07 – 00:31:10
👤 Presenter(s): Pamela Daskalakis (Chair)
- February 17, 2026 Open Session Minutes: Approved as presented.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Training & Travel (NEPA Rodeo Conference)
⏰ 00:32:24 – 00:33:53
👤 Presenter(s): Jason Smalls (General Manager)
Overview
Approval for General Manager attendance at the NEPA Rodeo and Engineering Conference.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: Unanimous (voice vote)
🗳 Discussion & Vote – General Manager 2026 Goals
⏰ 00:33:59 – 00:39:54
👤 Presenter(s): Jason Smalls (General Manager)
Key Discussion Points
- Goals refined based on prior Board feedback.
- Several goals designated as “stretch goals.”
- Added independent third-party safety audit.
- Ongoing review of non-carbon portfolio strategy.
- Recognition that RMLD achieved APPA Diamond Safety Award for 2025.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: Unanimous (voice vote)
🏢 Administrator / Manager Report – General Manager Update
⏰ 00:39:54 – 00:46:17
👤 Presenter(s): Jason Smalls (General Manager)
🚨 Public Safety / Operations
- Two March storm events managed; windstorm caused over 50 outage events.
- All outages restored; no injuries reported.
🏗 Infrastructure
- Wilmington substation switchgear delivered and installed; project progressing toward year-end completion.
💼 Finance / Credit
- S&P Global credit rating reaffirmed at AA-.
🔑 Key Summary
- Approved a three-year mailing services contract for electric bills under Chapter 30B.
- Reviewed FY2025 financial performance, reserve balances, and upcoming audit schedule.
- Approved a supplemental union agreement aligning buyback provisions.
- Authorized GM travel to the 2026 NEPA Rodeo and Conference.
- Adopted the General Manager’s 2026 goals, including new safety and non-carbon strategy initiatives.
- Noted successful storm response and progress on the Wilmington substation project.
- Entered executive session to approve and release older executive session minutes.
