TOWN OF AVON ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES STUDY COMMITTEE
AVON TOWN HALL SELECTMEN’S CHAMBER BUILDING I
MINUTES
JUNE 11, 2009
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 AM by Chairperson Mark Zacchio in the Avon Town Hall Selectmen’s Chamber Building I. Members present: Chairperson Mark Zacchio, Board of Education member William Stokesbury, Board of Finance member Thomas Gugliotti and Town Manager Philip K. Schenck, Jr. Members absent: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Kisiel. Also in attendance were Assistant Town Manager Blythe Robinson.
II. COMMUNICATIONS FROM AUDIENCE
None.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
None.
IV. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING: April 15, 2009
Mr. Gugliotti motioned, Mr. Schenck seconded and all agreed to accept the April 15, 2009 minutes as written. The motion passed unanimously.
V. OLD BUSINESS: REVIEW & APPROVAL FINAL REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee discussed the final report. They asked Ms. Robinson to send copies of the report to the Library and to post it on the Town’s website.
Mr. Stokesbury commented that he wasn’t sure that Mr. Pennington delved into the Board of Education’s attempts at outsourcing custodial services as deeply as he should have. He believes the BOE was ahead of the curve on what they’d attempted to do with this in the past. Mr. Zacchio responded that the report gives us the framework to look again at our practices with a new vision and decide what is right for Avon. Mr. Gugliotti pointed out that the report highlights what we do well and that it is a tool to assist us in looking harder at some aspects of the organization.
Mr. Stokesbury motioned and Mr. Gugliotti seconded to vote to approve the report and send it to the three boards for review on June 15th, and to the Town Council for acceptance at their July 6th meeting.
VI. NEW BUSINESS: REVIEW & DISCUSS – JUNE 15th THREE BOARD MEETING
Mr. Zacchio asked the Committee members what points they think should be covered in the presentation at the meeting on June 15th. Mr. Stokesbury said that we should highlight that Avon’s methods of performing our work were measured against local government and private sector best practices. Mr. Gugliotti agreed, and that the consultant found that tax dollars are well spent in these areas. Mr. Schenck pointed out that the report is a vehicle to float ideas for further consideration, acknowledging that collective bargaining agreements will impact what we do. Mr. Zacchio also pointed out that the dollar savings in the report are estimates only.
Mr. Schenck suggested that the Boards consider a procedure and process to take the next step and look at the report priorities. Mr. Zacchio agreed, adding that perhaps a staff committee should be formed by the Town Council to work on this and take a deeper dive into these issues.
In other matters Ms. Robinson told the Committee there were some remaining expenditures to close the project out that needed to be made. She asked for approval to process those as long as they did not exceed the appropriation. Mr. Zacchio motioned and Mr. Schenck seconded to give her approval to do so. The motion passed unanimously.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Zacchio motioned, Mr. Schenck seconded and all agreed to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 AM. None abstained.
Respectfully submitted:
Chairperson Mark Zacchio
Attest: Blythe Robinson, Clerk
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