DATA PROCESSING ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting Memorandum
March 10, 2004
Board Members (members not in attendance are denoted by an X):
X Marie Krepelka
Rob Addelson
Kay Donovan
Fred Fantini, designee for John Bilafer
X Corrine Rainville
Ruth Lewis
Alan Jones
Bob Greeley
Nancy Galkowski
Joe Miksis ( non-voting member )
Others in attendance:
Steve Meister
Steve Mazzola
Kevin O’Brien
Cynthia Diminture
Anne La Court
Ruth Lewis, chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:06 AM.
The agenda for this meeting was to review warrant articles 25,46 & 47 and formulate a response.
The discussion began with why the Data Processing Advisory Board (DPAB) was first established. The DPAB was established to assess and unify the technology needs of both school and town departments. The DPAB met at least once a year to discuss capital planning budget needs for next fiscal year.
The discussion continued with the first warrant article to be reviewed. Article 25 submitted by Ms LaCourt modifying Article 5 of town bylaws restructuring the DPAB. Ms. LaCourt was present at meeting and explained the intent of this article was to include citizens on the board in a consult role. MS. LaCourt stated that there are many talented citizens with technology backgrounds willing to assist the town. These citizens would have technical expertise and that could be utilized in an advisory role, such as system analyst or project management.
Ms.LaCourt gave the following example of how the DPAB could be set up to include 7 members who are town employees and 6 members who are private citizens with data processing expertise.
Ms. Donovan question to Ms.LaCourt why she hadn’t approached the DPAB with this concept prior to addressing the board of selectman.
Ms LaCourt’s response was when the staffing of the web position was changed it made many of the citizens in the town question the DPAB. The citizens assumed that the DPAB was responsible for the restructuring of this position. The citizens began searching for current minutes posted on the web site and found that there was no record of current meetings. Therefore the citizens felt the need to approach the selectman regarding, the establishment of a citizens technology committee. This committee would utilize their technology backgrounds and expertise, in an advisory role and give recommendations to the selectman on data processing issues.
Mr. Addleson voiced his concerns regarding citizens acting in a staff capacity and that they could impede the daily responsibilities and duties of staff.
Mrs. Galkowski also stated that she didn’t feel comfortable with citizens involved in the staffing and restructuring of department. She also stated that the bylaws wording should be broader and serve over a long period of time.
Regarding Articles 46 and Article 47 the DPAB recommended no action and that a restructure of Article 25 would be the best solution.
Mrs. Galkowski recommended that a sub-committee of the DPAB should write up a revision of Article 25 and present it to The Board of Selectman on March 29.
A sub committee was formed and they will meet on March 18,2004, to write up a revised proposal of Article 25. This sub-committee is made up of Ms. Lewis, Mr. Addleson and Ms. LaCourt. This sub-committee will present their revision of Article 25 at the next DPAB meeting to be held March 24,2004 at 1:30PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 AM.
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