Recording in progress. Hey Paul back. >> Hi Ben. >> How are you? PC. What do you say? >> How's Sarah? >> Good. Yeah, she's um she's moving um she's moving okay but still in a fair
amount of pain. you know, everything kind of all your movements kind of start or have are connected to your core and they got to cut through muscle to get to the hernia area. So, uh >> yeah. >> Yeah. Not easy.
>> Yeah, I've had couple of hernia repairs. >> Oh, >> I've had couple of hernia repairs. It's >> Yeah. Yeah. So, hers was done robotically. So, you know, rather than having the big incision, you know, it's
it's three small ones. Um, >> makes sense. >> Yeah. Yeah. I have my knee replaced robotically as well. Um, it's really kind of amazing that a computer can I guess it makes more sense that they
would be more precise than doing it by hand, but What do you say? Right. >> Hey guys. Hi Ray. Hi Paul. >> Hey Rich. >> Hey Pam. >> Yeah. Hi Rich.
>> Hey VC. Looks like the whole the band is back together. >> Yeah. >> It's been so long. >> I know. >> I forgot what you all look like. Thankfully. Uh though I brought a coin to help make the decision.
>> I thought you were the scientist. >> I am. It's statistical reliability. >> I understand the probabilities of heads and tails. >> Okay. >> Just an FYI, Bob is on his way.
Thank you. >> Is David coming in also? >> Um, yes. I believe he's on his way as well. >> Okay. >> He does know it's remote. And Erica, I may ask you or someone to pull up the uh agenda just so we can uh
follow the appropriate uh posted plan. Struggle to do that on my iPad. Hey, Bob. >> Hi. Sorry. I I I I might be switching devices. I'm >> on my phone. I prefer to be on my computer, but >> Okay. We're still waiting for Dave. So,
>> okay. >> But you can adjust as needed. >> Hey, this is just like how we start started all our subcommittee meetings. About 10 minutes of it. B can't do that. Can't do that. You'd think after six years of Zoom,
we'd all have it figured out, but >> uh I think I think we all get 30 seconds with the years beyond 20. So that you know that updates to the um half an hour it takes us to log in. >> This the magic words. Excuse me.
>> Um, these are the magic words. Yes. I just want to wait till Dave joins before we jump in. Dave's in. >> Okay, great. Gang's all here. All right. Um, let's go ahead and call the meeting to order at 12:04.
Um, thank you so much everybody for joining and thank you again for the many hours spent last night going through our um interview process uh and preparing for that. Um, the way that today is going to go is we're going to start with um the citizens advisory board
representation. So, VC is going to share kind of a consolidated summary of um the CAB's feedback. Um then I'm going to just ask if we have any um input from uh the community um anybody who might have
emailed in uh just to get um any feedback there. Then um we will go around uh to each of the board members uh for them to kind of share some very short thoughts um and uh uh their score
for um each of the uh candidates. Uh and then we will do a um depending on how that discussion goes, we will do a um uh a an initial vote for a primary candidate um from each of the board
members. and then go from there. Um, we can talk after that point if we believe we will need to go into executive to continue any contract discussions. I I don't believe we have anything significant, but Rich, I will
look to you to tell us if we need to have any further discussion there. >> Okay. Are you asking me now or? Uh well, if you have an answer now, sure. But I'll probably check again just in case anything comes up with a discussion that might lend itself to having a executive
session. >> Okay. Yeah, we can touch base at the end, I guess. Yeah. >> Okay, sounds good. Um All right. So, first, uh VC, can you share your >> Oh, yeah. Bob, >> I thought we talked last night. I thought we were That's a little bit
different. So, so you would like us this year, the score or not? Um, >> we said last night was just more of a >> So, okay. So, if it's if it if you'd really prefer to just, you know, share your your feedback um and uh your
selected primary candidate, that that is fine. The the scores were just intended for um each of us to kind of help ourselves with, you know, thinking through the feedback. So, um we certainly don't need to share it if if you'd prefer not to.
>> Yeah. I'm not sure my score being like with a a point apart from each other really is the >> Okay, that's fine. Let So just we'll do feedback first. CAB feedback um in general um and then we'll do uh short
verbal summary of feedback and um uh preferred candidate from each of the board members. >> Okay. So, should I start with CAM feedback? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. So, thanks for including us in the interview process.
Um, all the CAB members scored Jason higher than Mary. So, I looked at the cumulative scores and so, uh, just want at least mention that, uh, Mary is an excellent communicator
and would be very good in dealing with customers. uh and a lot of her prior experience has been in marketing and communications roles uh in some of her you know I mean the last job was obviously as a general
manager but a lot of her work was in marketing and communications Jason's domain knowledge and experience in power operations and distribution was a clear difference for our members
uh we also felt that dealing with and managing a tiny M MLP is very different from RMLD. Uh we can see Jason being in such a role for many years. He seems committed to
the power sector and has training both his MS in electrical and uh computer engineering and the experience in the sector. He's familiar with RMLD from a CAP perspective and is likely to make more informed
decisions than Mary on how RMLD should operate based on his work experience and knowledge of the power sector and the cab experience. So that's so I'm not sharing any of the numbers but that that's just our I think that that's what it boils down to. And in my personal
scores, I clearly scored her at a higher higher than Jason for stakeholder engagement because she's a very good communicator. She's very good at that. >> Okay. Thank you, VC. And and to the cab uh for your input. Appreciate that. Uh
any questions from anybody for VC on any of that feedback? >> Okay. I I guess um did did you guys and I struggle with with of course the the competing things of experience
operationally and then communication but stakeholder engagement and uh being able to do uh demand manage demand side management. you see any difference in the two
candidates on how they might affect that or do you do you see their >> effective in that area? So really I think there's like two I think there's two parts to your question as I read it. uh there's the customer engagement part of it and from a communication point and
then there's the technical side of how to do it and I think when it comes to the communication I think all of us can learn from Mary on how well she communicates and maybe how we use our
uh web system that that's clearly an a way to do things differently but when it comes to the technical aspects. I think you know she would need to lean on others for guidance there. >> Any other questions
for VC? Okay. Thank you, VC. Appreciate it. >> You're welcome. >> Um, so just checking uh Erica, any input come through via email? I I did not see any uh come direct to the board email.
Um but anything that you've seen? >> Nothing that I've seen. >> Okay, got it. Um okay, so we're going to go uh kind of uh in order of seniority, although I am uh going to go last. Um so
I'm going to I'm going to start with um uh the least senior up to the most senior and then I will go last. Um so I'm going to start with Rich. if you can just share a summary um and then share your um if you feel ready um please share your um preferred candidate.
>> Yeah, great. Uh thank you Pam. So I uh appreciated Mary a lot. I agree with VC. Her communication uh skills were excellent. I I thought that she would do a great job of maintaining a solid
relationship with the board um and generating a a degree of transparency. Um I also liked her stories about cost savings and and other creative solutions. um she seemed to have a a a
mind for uh kind of making some of the deals that that would, you know, perhaps help mitigate uh cost escalations. Um that being said, I felt like Jason's overall body of work, uh his passion for
the job, his knowledge of the way a power system works, um you know, sort of edged out those other skills for the other candidate. I sensed in Jason uh you know a a a good degree a healthy
degree of teachability and and eagerness to learn. I felt like he would be a great candidate to grow uh along with RMLD for a long time. I hope and uh so um though it was close in my scoring I
put Jason ahead of Mary. Okay, thanks Rich. Um, any questions for Rich on his feedback. Okay, uh, Ray. >> Yeah, I I think we're all sharing the
same story. Two really good candidates uh, with very different skill sets and, um, I come to solid conclusions about which one I pick, but depending on the moment, I come up with a different answer each time.
Um the some of Jason's experience is exactly what you know we are going through at at RMLD the uh the whole IT infrastructure he's going through or has been through at Danvers and we need to
go through that. Um I think the comment about yes there's there's demand side management and then there how do you do Dan's demand side management and um and I think the comment that he would be able to
implement that is uh uh as opposed to as as as a knowledgeable person as opposed to relying on on others. But but damn, Mary's good. Um and and being able to communicate the future and and and and
stakeholder management is uh is very powerful and and that where she lacks, I think, in her um her operational experience, she'll just lean on the the team. Um I spoke with a lineman this morning. were out on my
street uh doing wires at polls and I said, "You know, do you guys need anyone to tell you what to do?" He says, "No, we we've got that down. I mean, we we we can handle that. We just need someone to communicate." Um so, so damn. Um so, I'm going to flip
the coin three times and um see what happens. But I boy, I it's tough. Um, if I were to make a choice in this round, I'll go I'll go Mary. Um, but it wouldn't take
much to convince me to go the other way. >> Okay, thank you, Ray. Um, any questions for Ray? >> I appreciate you doing field research. >> Excellent. Um, Bob.
Oh, thank you, Pam. Um, I just want to say I I wish we could take them both, right? I wish we had two openings. >> I know. Can we have both? >> Let's collect DNA and grow a joint joint jam. I mean, seriously, >> we're gonna marry the two of them
together, right? That's that's what will happen. But um you know I I again excellent c we we we can't go wrong with either candidate but I'm going to reiterate somewhat what what um VC said
and what Ry said. You know we're transitioning through some very largecale projects. Jason has experience with those largecale projects ongoing. We're going to be we're doing the substation. We're doing and and and Mary was doing AMI as well. We're doing AMI
here. We're going to transition systems. Jason's going through the system stuff. Um the feedback from the employees about understanding the business and uh and having that technical background. I I I think that that was a point that
resonated with my my myself. Um, and so when it comes down to making a choice where we can't go wrong with either candidate, um, I am going to put my vote u by Jason and it would be if we're
doing a point scale, it is 0.001 between the two, but I'm going to put um my name to Jason. >> Right. Thanks, Bob. Any questions for Bob? All right, Dave, you're up.
>> Thanks all. Um, yeah, so with respect to Jason, you know, echoing Vivc and um, Bob, you know, deep relevant utility experience, demonstrated leadership, demonstrated knowledge, understanding of the big strategic moves, understanding of the utility, all solid. I also
actually feel that Jason is a very good communicator. I think his stakeholder engagement in Danvers, his staff engagement speaks to that. U and frankly so do his uh his excellent communications in the various meetings that I've I've seen him uh be in. When
when Jason, you know, he thinks before he speaks, which is a good thing to do. Um, and when he when he pipes in, he's he's always making sense and I respect what he's saying and it makes sense and and he's a good leader and he is very
much my choice for the next general manager of RMLD. And this is nothing on Mary. We do have two great candidates, but Jason Small is is my is my choice. >> Any questions for Dave?
Okay. Um, so echo everything that everyone said, obviously two very different but excellent candidates. Um, I'll just maybe uh since I know everybody kind of focused on strengths, I'll just think about and share my thoughts on um kind of areas that we
would have to watch out for as the board if we chose one or the other just to just think about it kind of from the from the flip side. Um I think you know as we as we look at Mary's experience um you know certainly strong uh in the the leadership and kind of strategic
direction um the the kind of crisis management the operational management the um uh the technical expertise obviously that would be something the organization um would would need to support her with as she clearly recognizes um and so that's an area
where you know I think you know combination of the organization as well as members of the board um and and CAB who have that expertise um would need to lean in there um if we were to go with Mary. I think um from Jason's perspective obviously um some very
strong um uh operational experience I think he had great examples of managing a variety of different challenges from a leadership perspective. you know, both kind of the customer um uh you know, outage challenges and you know, the un unforeseeable uh situations, but also
things like you know, the culture um and and bringing the team together there. I think where he will um you know, where we might want to lean in is um thinking about things like this long-term strategy, kind of setting the direction for the organization. Um really, you
know, helping to define kind of what that strategic vision is. um and the plan to work uh towards that. I think you know there certainly that's an area that that we could you know work closely with him on if we proceeded with Jason. Um so in terms of my my overall vote um
uh I again very difficult decision um but I think the organization uh would be really well suited with with Jason um at the helm. Um I think you know from his you know uh detailed his passion for the the industry itself, his experience
there, um you know some of the the stories he shared about just rolling up his sleeves at 3 in the morning and and jumping in and and being that you know really that servant leader. Um I think you know it resonated really well um with me. So I share your sentiment. It
would be wonderful if we had the budget to and and the resources to have two. Um um but I think uh I I would put my uh support behind Jason. So um at the moment amongst the C uh excuse me a bunch the board of um
commissioners um we have uh four who are um placing Jason as the the front runner and one who's placing Mary. um with all the discussion, any change in folks perspective or additional questions or topics folks
want to uh discuss a little bit more? >> Yeah, being being the odd person out here. Um I'm really not an odd person out. I mean, I agree with all your comments about Jason. Um and uh so if if we were to do a vote, consider it 50. I
mean, it's um he's solid. Um no real critique against him. It was just a tough tough call. >> Yeah. Okay. Um is there any further discussion or would be we be ready to make a motion to nominate a candidate?
>> And um just a point of uh like process that the actual motion is to move to enter negotiations with or uh pending which I'm just wondering what the wording of that motion is. Maybe it's on the agenda and I missed it. >> It It looks like Erica's pulling it up
right now. Um, >> so currently the suggested motion is moved that the RMLD Board of Commissioners appoint blank as general manager of Reading Municipal Light Department subject to the successful completion of employment contract negotiations and required contingencies.
I mean, I thought we had a discussion about this before that really we should be leading with move that the Arnold board commissioners uh enter into employment contract negotiations with uh with the intention of then making the appointment because the appointment
doesn't occur until we the contract is the offer the successful contract is the is the hire. So I just >> Well, but if we if we do do not say a point, then do we have to come back together after uh negotiations to do
another uh motion? I would think the answer would be yes. >> Well, I think the motion could say move the Armald Board of Commissioners uh enter contract negotiations with blank uh uh for general manager of municipal light department. uh the successful
conclusion of which would lead to to uh the appointment of this individual to that position. So that >> I think the motion essentially says the same thing. >> Okay. >> It's it's just a a different order. We're we're saying we're moving to a
point um subject to the success. It just leads with it. It leads with that we've done something that we can't do until we do the negotiations and it just it can lead to a public understanding of something is a done deal when it isn't >> it isn't that's all but
>> yes I mean and and just in terms of I I see your point on the like public disability we aren't our our plan is not to do any sort of formal public communication about this. I understand this is a public meeting obviously. >> Yeah, we're public, right? It's a public meeting, >> but to be clear, we're not going to be
announcing that we are finalized um an appointment until after a negotiation was complete. So, you know, again, the the motion is a point subject to the successful completion. If we do not successfully complete contract
negotiations, then we would need to come back and the appointment is not valid. >> Okay. Would anybody object of simply rearranging the sentence move the orald board of commissioners, subject to the sexual completion of employment contract negotiations and required contingencies,
comma, a point and just move that phrase ahead. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I just we put the cart where it belongs, you know. >> Um I I I understand both points of view. Um and I wasn't here for Greg's hiring.
Um but we lost leverage when we said we appointed the general manager and then we were entered contract negotiations and the leverage was you've already appointed me um and so signed my
contract >> kind of >> instead of >> Is that true? Is that how it went? I mean, we we don't want to go back and >> Yeah. I just want to be I not I'm not trying to relive the phrase and it's the exact same wording.
>> I don't have a problem with with what uh I'm fine with Dave what you proposed. >> Yeah, that's all. We're just changing the ordering of the same exact words. So, >> yeah, move. And if you're if you're okay with it, I will make the motion as with that movement now.
if you're okay with it. >> Fine with me. Does anybody else have uh a question or need discussion on that? >> Um we are we are probably going to have to meet again to accept the contract regardless. So we don't save we don't
save a meeting by by by saying we're simply first entering into contract negotiation. We have to come back to a point. We're going to have to there's going to be negotiations then there's a contract and then we'll have to accept the contract. So there's
there's a contract acceptance piece regardless. Um so I don't see us saving a meeting. >> Yeah. I mean it's it's it's just China be a little bit putting the ordering in the correct order of what we're going to now do.
>> Yeah. Know I I'll just add my two cents for what it's worth. I think I agree with Dave and Ray. I think if you change the order, you're not signaling, you know, you're you're going into it with this more powerful position for the
>> slightly. Yeah. >> Like I said, I'm fine with reordering from my perspective. Um if >> Okay. Okay. Then if and if then if you're okay, Madam Chair, if I could you are you okay with me to make the motion now? >> Sure.
>> Okay. uh move that the RMLD board of commissioners comma subject to the successful completion of employment contract negotiations and required contingencies, appoint Jason Small as general manager
of Reading Municipal Light Department. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? Okay. Uh, all those in favor I I think we have to do a roll call vote. >> Ray Porter I.
>> Dave Talbot I. >> Rich Swanson I. >> Bob Pter I >> and Pam Dascalakis I. Okay. Motion carries 5. Um, looking forward to taking the next step. Um, thank you again to everyone who contributed. I know it was a lot of
work. Um, thank you especially to our two stellar candidates. Um, we really really thank you for your interest and your your participation here. >> Agreed. >> Excellent. Um, we don't have anything on
scheduling, it looks like. Were there any open scheduling questions, Erica? >> No. Okay. >> Um, I don't believe so. I'll circle back on that. I think we just need to get a couple um on the books for actual negotiations. >> Okay. Uh, sounds good. Uh Rich, do we
have anything that requires us to move to executive session regarding the contract? >> No, I don't think so. In my opinion, no. Uh there's a couple actually only one very small line edit uh to the contract which um I I think we can just take care
of. >> Okay. Um and so the next step would be to um communicate that um contract to uh to Jason. And how does that happen? Do you do
that? Do you send that contract to him? >> Great question. Um, so I am assuming that I do on behalf of board, but um, maybe somebody who was involved in the last process can confirm. >> I go ahead.
>> I would have I would have Susan communicate that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And that's good form. It's good form to have Susan HR. Y >> Okay, perfect. Um, so Rich, when would you please forward the uh final version from um the attorney over to Susan when
it's ready? >> Yes, I will. >> Excellent. >> Is is there a need in this meeting to say that um that the contract that's being forwarded represents the formal offer of the Armald Board of Commissioners?
>> No, I think the contract itself means that >> it does. Okay. My assumption also is that when Susan sends that over, that's what the communication that she sends will say. >> I mean, I would say you should send it, Pam. I mean, you're the chair. We're the board. You know, we're the we're the
governing body and you know, we're the ones making the offer. I'm just But >> but we're not we're not um we're not the employer, right? So, that's that's why I mentioned Susan. I believe that. Yeah, I think Susan would probably have some of the contingency
information that needs to be processed, etc. So, I I think she is best positioned to >> the admin administrative point of view. Okay. >> Yes. >> And I'm sure there's other testing and things that she needs to schedule. There's there's other administrative stuff that has to happen. So, she would manage that.
>> Yep. >> Okay. So, we're clear on next steps. Oh, sorry, Paul. Go ahead. while you folks are all together, you want to throw some dates together for negotiations or, you know, I'm thinking a couple of days ahead, it could save a lot of emails
back and forth if we have, you know, a handful of dates that we could then, you know, run by. >> We can still see your screen, Erica, if you want to turn that off. >> Stop sharing. Um, so you do have an November 6 meeting
that you requested last night. Um, I don't know. I don't believe anyone can meet next week. >> Well, we >> can't we meet next week? I mean, we we've made this vote. We should move. And uh just just suggesting that we find
time and not wait two weeks. >> I thought we had something on the books for Monday, did we not? as a as a um for this purpose. Is that not true? >> I was not asked to schedule anything for this purpose on Monday. However, there
is a workshop for Eastern Gateway on Monday. That might be what you're thinking of. >> Yeah, that was what you were thinking. >> But I mean a Zoom meeting Monday or Tuesday and you know because he'll get the contract today. >> Not do Monday because it's Friday. Well, actually you could. You could do Monday. >> Okay.
>> How about Tuesday? Tuesday. >> Sorry, Tuesday. You could do >> Tuesday at 5. >> Uh, let me I I think that's good. Let me just check, please. >> What's Tuesday state? I don't have a calendar for >> the 28th. >> Okay. Yep.
>> 5:00 on the 28th is fine. >> Okay. >> Okay. And the agenda for that is going to be purpose to negotiations >> or negotiate. So obviously we would have to see if Jason is also available, >> right? >> Is that something you'd like me to do or
someone else going to do that? >> Uh Bob, go ahead. >> Question. >> Maybe even book Tuesday, Wednesday, same time. >> Yeah, >> just >> put them both. Yeah, good idea. Put them both in the books. You know, >> need them. Use them. Don't don't need
them. >> Exactly. And I think, you know, speed is of the essence, right? If there's any issues, then we know soon. and do we do whatever we have to do. Right. So, >> so 10:28 10:29 5:00 p.m. purpose number two and then just please confirm who
will be asking Jason. >> Uh can we >> Sorry. >> I would say Susan make it part of the package in communication as to uh what >> I agree. That's what I
>> Yeah. Yeah. And make it all part of that same communication. Do you want to try one more day or keep it to two? >> Uh, >> I can't do the 30th. So, >> yeah, I can't do the 30th either. One one consideration is if for some reason
Jason can't make it at 5, we could push it back into the evening. >> Yeah, I don't know what his hours are like at Dan. Young meetings usually start at six, correct? What? What? Why don't we just
do a wide racket, right? Do five >> five to eight, right? We can deter we can shift the time. >> Yeah, let's prefer. Let's let's say preference is five o'clock just so we can all plan our lives. Um and then if if he comes back and says, "Nope, can't
do five, needs to be six," then we'll adjust from there. and and Susan is going to send him this final offer. Um Rich, you're gonna you're going to send Susan the final offer that she's going to put out,
>> correct? Yeah, I'll I'll do that uh momentarily. >> Okay. And Bob, I see your hand is up. >> Um we'll need regular and executive, right? Open and go into an executive. It's a contract negotiation, >> correct? So, it will be Yep. It will be open. and enter under purpose number two
and then your executive will be negotiating and then did we decide do you want to add a third day even for the following week and I can just post for all the days now >> probably a good idea >> I think it's a good idea >> hopefully yeah and hopefully the
communication is that we really like to have you know have this done next week and know if there's any reason you know if we can Okay. So, >> but you could you could wait. I mean,
you could wait to schedule that that following week meeting until next week, right? I mean, to actually post it because we won't know if we're going to need it till we know, which won't be till Wednesday, right? >> I I Let's air on the side of caution. Let's let's do the same thing. Book the
third and the fourth, >> right? And then that way it's out. It's there. You need them. The time slots are there. You can always cancel them. >> Sure. So yeah, for our calendars, but maybe they don't need to be actually posted at this point. That's all. That's all I'm saying. You have to post next
Tuesday or Wednesday. You don't have to actually post the following ones until we know we need them. But if they're on our calendars, we know we can. >> We can also post senders, cancel, and then remove, >> right? >> But at least if we post, we're set. >> Yeah. Just >> I I need it on my calendar. I
I need that slot there so I know it's potentially a time. >> Yeah. Right. I mean, you you could do that at you could do that no matter what, but yeah, I got you. >> Okay. Well, so Susan will ask for four dates. Two next week, two the following
week. We'll start with 5:00 p.m. We'll find out if there's needs to be flexibility um with that time. Not all four of them may work for him. So, we um we may end up with just two or three dates. So, um but whatever he is
able to confirm works, we'll post. We'll um ask for an invite to come to our RMLD and uh RMLD email addresses and put it all on our calendars. >> And then one more um in person assuming or remote? >> Both.
>> Both. Perfect. >> Yeah, both options might be needed. >> And then would you like me to send these dates to Susan to send to Jason or Rich? Do you want to send those when you send her the contract? >> Uh why don't you send the dates, Erica, if you don't mind? >> Yep.
And I it's probably clear to everybody but me, but I heard 28 and 29. I didn't hear two more dates. >> I have 28 29 113 114. >> Yeah. >> As far as election day. Not that that
would be limiting, but it is. >> So 115. >> No, let's just keep 114. Uh, please. >> All right, that's fine. Just just point of order. That's all. >> Great. And then reminder, you also have
an 116 meeting. Um so if needed, you always could probably tack something onto that as well. >> Okay. Any other questions or loose ends that we need to tie up here?
All right. Thank you everyone. Appreciate it. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Onward. >> Thank you, ma'am. On the nextbody. >> All right. >> All right. Thanks everybody. >> Thank you. Weekend. >> We have to move to a motion to >> Oh, sorry.
>> I'll move to adjourn this meeting. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I reporter I >> and I thanks all. Bye. Bye. See you.