Belmont Municipal Light Department Hires James F. Palmer as General Manager/CEO

The new mission statement of the Belmont Municipal Light Department is to sustain low-priced, high-quality electrical services for the community of Belmont by embracing new technology and providing superior customer service.

In order to reach these goals, the Belmont Municipal Light Department (BMLD) has hired James F. Palmer as its new general manager/CEO. Palmer comes to the position with more than twenty years of experience in the power industry, including management of private utilities delivery facilities. He was previously with NSTAR for 20 years, including four years on Martha’s Vineyard. He was formerly director of operations at BMLD and served as acting general manager/CEO since October 2010 before officially being appointed manager in February 2011.

Palmer says he is "looking forward to being able to make strategic decisions that need to be made to ensure value for the light department."

Among the challenges facing BMLD is the need to address an antiquated delivery structure as well as projected capacity shortfalls expected to occur within the next decade. He is also involved in restructuring his staff and building teamwork.

While in an ‘acting’ capacity, Palmer ordered an extensive internal review of accounting procedures, business operations, staffing and use of current technological tools.

"As a result of this review," Palmer said, "we have already announced that we will be able to cut electric rates for BMLD customers by two cents per kilowatt hour, which was approved by the Light Board. Next we need to address our looming capacity and delivery efficiency issues and I look forward to working with the community, the BMLD Board and other Town Departments to meet this challenge."

Palmer is quick to note the heavy workload ahead. "The most important thing I can bring to this position initially is to restore an atmosphere of transparency and in the process create a more efficient delivery system and a more appealing customer service experience," he said.

BMLD Advisory Board Chairman Ashley Brown praised his appointment. "Jim Palmer has demonstrated throughout his career a strong understanding of the details associated with the transmission and distribution of electric power," he said. "Additionally, the leadership and management skills Jim has demonstrated in his role as acting general manager/CEO have made the Board extremely comfortable that he is the right person to be leading BMLD as we address efficiency and sustainability issues into the future."

BMLD is a municipally owned utility provider operating since 1898 serving more than 11,000 customers in Belmont.