The meeting opened with the chair expressing strong support for the general manager, emphasizing the importance of backing him during upcoming union negotiations. This sentiment was echoed by another commissioner, who declared their full confidence in Greg’s management of the RMLD. However, the public comment period that followed painted a more complex picture.

Sarah Harrington, a former HR director at RMLD, claimed she was wrongfully terminated in January 2024 due to conflicts with in-house counsel and her efforts to address alleged improper practices and legal violations within the department. Harrington described her termination process as illegal and highlighted difficulties in receiving her final paycheck, which she stated was only resolved after several emails from her attorney. She warned that unchecked leadership could foster a culture of fear and mistreatment.

Robert Galo, an RMLD employee, voiced his disagreement with the board’s positive portrayal of the work environment, criticizing recent treatment of the general manager and calling it an insult to employees’ efforts. Andrew Bara, another former employee, recounted personal grievances, alleging retaliation following a dispute with senior staff and claiming that misrepresentations during legal proceedings led to his unjustified termination.

Contrasting these accounts, several current employees spoke in support of the general manager. John emphasized the positive aspects of working at RMLD and noted significant improvements in morale under Greg’s leadership. Ryan Kylie highlighted Greg’s role in transforming the department’s environment, which had previously been marked by dissatisfaction.

Susan, the current HR director, also expressed full support for Greg and praised Janet Walsh for her intelligence and leadership. Dennis, a long-serving member of the Citizen Advisory Board (CAB), shared his perspective on the reliability of RMLD’s electric systems, noting his positive experiences with Greg over nearly a decade.

As the meeting progressed, the board turned to financial matters, discussing the reallocation of funds from a forestry tree truck to the purchase of a new line truck. This decision followed a presentation explaining the shift from an unnecessary chipper to a more urgently needed line truck, culminating in the board’s unanimous approval of the motion.

Further discussions included the approval of a stake body dump truck purchase from Liberty Chevrolet, with the new vehicle priced below the budgeted amount. This motion also passed without dissent.

The board then reviewed insights from the NEPA 2024 conference, focusing on transmission planning and trends in energy production. The presentation underscored the shift towards renewable energy and the growing importance of transmission infrastructure as electrification increases. The discussion noted delays in offshore wind projects and the evolving role of natural gas in energy generation.

A presentation on small modular reactors highlighted the potential impact of fusion reactor technology, with operational timelines extending to 2040-2050. The board discussed the implications of these developments and the importance of incorporating customer-owned equipment into utility planning.

Legislative updates were provided, noting the dynamic nature of electric utility legislation regarding greenhouse gases and reliability. The upcoming presidential election’s potential impact on these legislative changes was acknowledged, alongside cybersecurity measures to protect the utility’s infrastructure.

The board also discussed hedging strategies and risk assessment related to financial decisions. Concerns were raised about previously presented financial figures, emphasizing the need for transparency and accuracy in calculations. The board debated the appropriate level of risk tolerance and the transition from block analysis to hourly analysis to better understand and manage risks.

Attention turned to ongoing and proposed projects, including infrastructure upgrades and EV charger installations in Wilmington. Supply chain issues, particularly delays in equipment delivery, were addressed, and staffing concerns in the engineering department were highlighted. The board considered categorizing projects into development, upgrades, and maintenance to improve planning and clarity.

The HR director presented workforce demographics and trends, noting the aging workforce and the importance of retaining institutional knowledge. Recruitment challenges were discussed, with a focus on establishing comprehensive training protocols and improving management practices.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the annual report for 2023, with suggestions to include net promoter scores and clearer carbon metrics. The board agreed to amend the report to accurately reflect the organization’s performance and intentions. Plans for future town hall visits and joint meetings were also considered, and the board moved to enter an executive session to discuss personnel matters.