WILMINGTON, MA — After a recent unanimous vote by the Wilmington Board of Selectmen, the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) will continue to be the town’s electric company through 2040.
Selectmen had until May 31, 2020 to notify RMLD of its desire to extend the town’s current agreement, which runs from 2030, for another 10 years. Exact terms were not discussed at the meeting.
Town Manager Jeff Hull was a staunch proponent of continuing the town’s relationship with RMLD for a number of reasons, including residents’ pocketbooks.
“Now is not the time to be considering an alternative provider of electricity,” wrote Hull in a memo to the Board. “It would appear that the most likely alternatives to RMLD would be National Grid or Eversource. It is my understanding that the customer rates charged by both are higher than rates charged by RMLD.”
“The fact that Wilmington is by far RMLD’s largest customer commands a level of clout that could not be replicated by changing to another provider of electricity,” added Hull, who also praised RMLD’s track record of responsiveness when it comes to power outages.
Selectmen were reminded of recent community projects where RMLD has assisted the town, including the installation of new lighting at the Robert Palmer Park behind Town Hall.
“The company provided the necessary poles to connect the lighting and worked collaboratively with George Hooper and the Public Buildings Department to complete their work in a timely fashion,” recalled Hull.
Wilmington has been a customer of RMLD since 1912.
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