TOWN OF AVON ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES STUDY COMMITTEE
AVON TOWN HALL SELECTMAN'S CHAMBERS
MINUTES
OCTOBER 16, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mark Zacchio called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Avon Town Hall - Selectman's Chambers, Building 1. Members present: Chairman, Town Council member Mark Zacchio, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Kisiel, Board of Education member William Stokesbury, Board of Finance member Thomas Gugliotti, and Town Manager Philip K. Schenck, Jr. Also in attendance was Assistant Town Manager Blythe Robinson and Flo Stahl, resident. Members absent: none.
II. COMMUNICATIONS FROM AUDIENCE
None.
III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
None.
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS: September 29, 2008
October 6, 2008
Mr. William Stokesbury motioned, Mr. Schenck, Jr. seconded, and all agreed to accept the September 29, 2008 minutes as written. None abstained.
Mr. William Stokesbury motioned, Mr. Schenck, Jr. seconded, and all agreed to accept the October 6, 2008 minutes as written. None abstained.
V. OLD BUSINESS 08/09-01 REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: RECOMMENDATION TO THE TOWN COUNCIL
The Committee then discussed their selection of consulting services (Berkshire Advisors, Inc. or Matrix Consulting Group) for recommendation to the Town Council for their November 10, 2008 meeting. Mr. Stokesbury liked Berkshire Advisors' report on the Portsmouth School but felt they could benefit from more experience on school related projects. He said the Matrix Consulting Group's material did not show much in the way of school work but the recommendations were very strong and they would just need a little work to educate them. Mr. Gugliotti found both Matrix and Berkshire Advisors to be professional but liked Matrix better and lower priced. He liked that one of their references noted they went out and did more work and didn't charge for it. Mr. Schenck also preferred Matrix but felt they just needed to be educated to our
needs. Dr. Kisiel liked that Matrix's report was less on rhetoric and more on definitive action steps. Mr. Stokesbury also added that it'd be important to have the president, Richard Brady, involved. Ms. Robinson agreed that Mr. Brady's involvement had been recommended by several references.
Mr. Zacchio also chose Matrix Consulting because of their project plan and that the end product is clear and definitive, and would also want Richard Brady to be involved as well. He added that he found Berkshire to be good but would be more expensive. He'd like to recommend Matrix to the Town Council.
On a motion by Mr. Tom Gugliotti, seconded by Mr. Phil Schenck, Jr., it was voted:
RESOLVED: the Administrative Services Study Committee will recommend Matrix Consulting Group to the Town Council for their next meeting November 10, 2008.
All committee members voted yes. None abstained.
Ms. Robinson can put together a memo for the Council outlining the committee's process and recommendation. She said the Council can then decide if they want to move forward on the project this year or wait. Mr. Zacchio requested that all or most of the committee attend the Town Council meeting.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Stokesbury discussed a steering committee's role in working with Matrix. Mr. Zacchio said to wait and see how the Town Council responds and that they may choose one themselves or take the committee's recommendation. Mr. Schenck suggested adding to the recommendation the committee's willingness to serve in that capacity. Mr. Gugliotti agreed that the committee should wait for the Town Council to choose. Mr. Stokesbury said that maybe Matrix would have some suggestions about this process. Dr. Kisiel asked that the minutes reflect the committee's desire that Richard Brady be a critical component on the Matrix team. Ms. Robinson can discuss this with Matrix and report back to the committee if there would be a problem.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Tom Gugliotti motioned, Mr. William Stokesbury, and all agreed to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 PM. None opposed or abstained.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Zacchio, Chairman
Attest: Susan Gatcomb, Clerk
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