Kudos To The Middleboro Finance Committee!

Wicked Local:


Middleboro takes step toward outsourcing IT department
By Eileen Reece

MIDDLEBORO - The Finance Committee is recommending that the selectmen hire HUB Technical of South Easton to conduct an audit and assessment of the town’s information technology services.

The unanimous vote came after HUB Technical offered to perform the task for $10,200 to $11,700, depending on the number of servers in the town’s network.

The committee will ask for money for the audit from the Peirce Trustees, which oversee the will of Thomas S. Peirce who left money to the town.

Before the vote, Finance Committee Vice Chairman Joseph Thomas said he contacted the towns of East Bridgewater, Bourne and Chatham, all of which had employed HUB Technical, and they all reported they were happy with Hub Technical and had saved a substantial amount of money.

HUB Tech has contracts with up to 150 Massachusetts towns for IT support.

Currently, the town’s IT Department has a proposed budget for the fiscal year starting in July of $316,000, including a $84,326 salary for Director Roger Brunelle Sr.

It is estimated the contract with HUB Tech would be nearly half the town’s IT budget.

Middleboro proposes ......

Because of the comments received, below is the pertinent article. The proposed cuts are items that the Middleboro Board of Selectmen, were they competent, could and should have proposed in the past.

Recently, the Town Manager commented on town-owned and insured vehicles that sat snow-covered all winter and escaped the Selectmen's notice and the need for him to conduct an audit.

There is much else and many other areas where money could and should be saved, but this is a beginning, heralded by the Finance Committee.

Of those people who have commented around Town, the prospect of having an actual professional manage the IT Department has been greeted with cheers!

Middleboro proposes outsourcing IT dept. to save $150K
By Alice C. Elwell


MIDDLEBORO - The Finance Committee is considering outsourcing the computer support department, potentially cutting the department’s $316,000 proposed budget in half.

Vice Chairman Joseph Thomas last week proposed hiring an outside company to run the town’s technology department.

“They would do everything, all IT needs,” Thomas said, including upgrades and Web design. Thomas said outsourcing would slash the IT budget by at least 50 percent, while at the same time provide two on-site engineers for $150,000 a year.

Thomas said hiring an outside company would eliminate the $84,326 salary of IT Director Roger Brunelle Sr. Finance Committee member Glenn S. MacPherson estimated his benefit package costs taxpayers another $40,000 a year.

Brunelle is married to Selectwoman Marsha L. Brunelle, who has excused herself from discussions of the IT department in the past.

Thomas said selectmen would have to authorize the company to perform a site plan and network analysis in order to present an accurate proposal and scope of work.

The committee voted to meet with the company for a presentation before recommending the plan to selectmen.

In a further move to reduce personnel, the committee discussed reducing the hours of several full-time secretaries.

“Can we ask selectmen why they need a full-time secretary?” MacPherson asked.

“Why not one secretary for police and fire?” added Tarsi Velantzas.

Chairman Richard J. Pavadore suggested hiring a full-time mechanic to service the town’s fleet of 212 vehicles. Pavadore said town departments are budgeting $162,550 for routine maintenance, such as oil changes and brake jobs. He said hiring a certified mechanic to do the same work would cost the town approximately $90,000 with benefits.

“You realize that is completely contrary to everything we believe in,” said MacPherson.

Another cost-cutting proposal was put forward by member Stephen McKinnon, who questioned the town’s insurance deductible on motor vehicle policies, saying in most cases it was $500.

McKinnon said there would be a savings if the deductibles were adjusted, pointing out a 1967 trailer didn’t need a $500 deductible.

Pavadore said the town’s fiscal year 2010 budget is $70 million, with a deficit of more than $1 million.

wickedlocal

Prop 2 1/2 Override #1

The following questions were recently posed for candidates in Middleboro's April election to address on the nemasket forum:

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At a recent Board of Selectmen meeting the School Department presented their budget. It looks like they are looking for a Prop 2½ override. What is your position? And why?

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While the questions appear simple to answer, a consideration of Middleboro's fiscal history is appropriate.

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When Prop 2 1/2 was passed overwhelmingly by voters, it alerted municipalities of their revenue limits. It set the cap at 2 1/2% plus new growth.

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Each city and town had choices that were made to live within those limits.

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A few made wise choices, lived within their budgets, stashed a little for emergencies, saved for known future projects and learned to say NO.

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Middleboro instead employed the *Fuzzy Math method of juggle and spend, selling assets to pay current expenses, exhausting the piggy bank and spending next year's funds. The BOS and former Town Manager excluded the Finance Committee, denied them information, condemned their recommendations and created a hostile relationship.

(Credit to Middleboro Gazette Editor Jane Lopes for coining the phrase.)

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Middleboro voters failed to attend Town Meeting. Those who did and attempted to opppose the quorum filled with Town Employees and Town Retirees were intimidated. No action has ever been taken to address or correct the intimidation on Town Meeting floor.

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Budget information has never been made available to voters in a digestible fashion.

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The BOS recently played a charade of transparency, holding public meetings to discuss departmental budgets that were not publicly revealed, except for the School Department.

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School Superintendent Robert Sullivan offered commentary about the growth of General Government versus that of the School Department. Did anyone notice?

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Those budgets presented at the BOS meetings are not included in the Selectmen's Meeting Minutes posted on the Town's Web Site, nor are they available elsewhere. To review the contents, one must submit a Public Records Request and pay the cost.

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Why are we suddenly praising the BOS for their TRANSPARENCY when we don't have the detailed budgets to review? Do you, as a voter and taxpayer know what the line items are? Some are praising a selectman for pointing out the nominal cost savings of law books from the Town Clerk's budget. What if there are other items that just pop out at you?

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But the surrounding issues go far deeper, some of which will be addressed in subsequent posts.

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Recommendations were made in the last 2 auditors' reports presented to the BOS. Not one single recommendation has been implemented.

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The BOS is charged with the duties of AUDITORS by Town Charter. Have you read it?

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So what did the BOS do to resolve the issues?

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They changed auditing firms.

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The last available Auditors' Report is posted along with much else: LINK

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While you might dismiss that issue as trivial, those reports are reviewed to determine the Town's Bond Rating, which in turn determines what interest rate your tax dollars will pay.

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So, like your credit cards, max them out and ZIPPO! You're paying 30% and wondering why.

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It's like a hidden cost on your tax bill based on the fiscal mismanagement of the Town.

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Maybe you don't have the time to review the Auditors' Report, but the bond market does.
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When the Finance Committee requested a Department of Revenue review (because the Town lacked the funds for other than a FREE service), the DOR informed that the BOS would have to request the service.

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While Selectman Perkins would lead you to believe he championed the report, NOT SO!

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The Finance Committee, to their credit, forced the BOS to initiate the report.

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And the BOS has yet to implement the recommendations contained within that report.

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Merely the basics were included in the report, but it's worthy of consideration because of the suggestions that were offered.

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That report should be posted on the Town's Web Site, but is not.

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Unless you printed a copy of the DOR Report, you just might be inclined to believe Selectman Perkins each time he tells you that ALL of the recommendations have been inplemented. He seems to believe it.

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Middleboro voters have twice rejected Prop 2 1/2 Overrides. To their credit, when asked for a Debt Exclusion to construct the new Nichols Middle School, it was supported by voters.

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This Debt Exclusion still remains on your tax bill.

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Middleboro voters, in my opinion, are reasonable people willing to support what they believe makes sense, like a new school.

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But until voters are convinced that the Town has exercised responsible fiscal management, any override attempt will be defeated much as the flawed Menu Override attempted in the spring 2007.

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With fuel prices in excess of $3.00 for gas and home heating fuel, families already stressed are unlikely to continue to contribute additional funds.

Invisible Middleboro Finance Committee and Web Site

Congratulations are offered to the long invisible Middleboro Finance Committee that lacked an icon on the OFFICIAL TOWN WEB SITE!

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Not only has the Finance Committee achieved OFFICIAL recognition, Town Charter aside, but meeting minutes have been posted.

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This is the Committee we need to heed for their input on the BUDGET. It's their responsibility by law and Town Charter.

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Check it out: LINK The Finance Committee is on the list on the left side of the site.

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The Town Charter has also been listed. Impressive! Of course, it's in adobe format and nothing is offered to allow you to download the program like all other sites. Try Mr Middleboro for a usable format of the Charter -- link on the right of this screen.

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Speakng of which, what happened to the Charter Commission that the BOS proposed? Remember the recommendations contained in the DOR Report? If that's posted on the Town Web Site, I haven't found it, but Mr Middleboro has. It's worth a review.

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Not only were there Charter changes included in the DOR Report, but there were lengthy comments that addressed technology, which surely includes the Town's Web Site.

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And your elected officials on the Town's Web Site: LINK Maybe someday, Selectman Spataro will even get a listed phone number. When you're in the Big Leagues, aren't you supposed to have one? Will someone please tell him that for $15 a month, you can get a phone?

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The Board of Selectmen discussed the Zoning Regulations and the Planning Board Regulations in 2003.

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They presently exist as the old regulations with a mishmash of approved amendments approved by Town Meeting and the State.

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They're totally inappropriate, difficult to sort through and represent the Town as a Mickey Mouse organization.

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Isn't it time to correct the mishmash and post it on the Town's web site as other towns do?

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Maybe it would avoid confusion such as the 'sign' issues.

New Candidates in Middleboro Town Election

Effective this afternoon, the following candidates have taken out nomination papers for the Annual Town Election:

Judy M. MacDonald - Treasurer/Collector 3 yrs.
Stephen J. McKinnon - Finance Committee 2 yrs.
Joseph A. Masi, Jr. - School Committee 3 yrs.
Buddy D. Chilcot - Housing 5 yrs.
Frederick E. Eayrs - Assessor 3 yrs.
Robert M. Sullivan - Park 3 yrs.
Frederick E. Eayrs - BOS 3 yrs.
Cheryl Leonard - Park 3 yrs.
Marsha L. Brunelle - BOS 3 yrs.
Richard Pavadore - Finance Committee 3 yrs.
Walter A. Glendye, Jr. - BOS 3 yrs.
Helen M. Belmont - BOS 3 yrs.
Charles B. Shea - Assessor 3 yrs.
Judith Bigelow-Costa - BOS 3 yrs.
Muriel C. Duphily - BOS 3 yrs.
Jason F. Reith - Finance Committee 3 yrs.
Roger D. Haber - School Committee 3 yrs.
Donald E. Swarce - Planning Bd. 2 yrs.
Leonard Ruprecht - BOS 3 yrs.
Jessie A. Powell - BOS 3 yrs.
Michael O'Shaughnessy - BOS 3 yrs.

My Goodness! How'd That Happen?

After years of denying the existence of the Middleboro Finance Committee, they finally have a spot on the Town's Official Web Site.

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Check it out LINK

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Welcome Finance Committee!

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Hope to see all those meeting minutes and departmental budgets widely circulated.

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Ooops! Did anyone tell THEM?