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June 22. 2012 12:26AM
iPads to replace notebooks for Derry Town council
DERRY — After discussing the issue over the course of several meetings, the Town Council has authorized the purchase of up to 10 iPads for council use.
Councilors Michael Fairbanks and Phyllis Katsakiores voted against the authorization, with Fairbanks stating he was hesitant to spend taxpayer money on the purchase and Katsakiores saying she was comfortable with the current procedure of councilors receiving information for their meeting in a notebook.
The majority of the councilors stated they see the switch to iPads as a way to cut down on paperwork for the administrative staff and as a cost neutral move that will give the council quicker and more in-depth access to information.
Katsakiores asked if there was a way the council could keep both paper packets and the proposed electronic access for its meetings.
“The whole intention is not to make the books and not to have the paper,” said Council Chairman Brad Benson. Using a dual system would not be a good use of taxpayer money, he added.
Benson said there would be training on the iPad and the system used to convey town information to make sure all the councilors are comfortable with the switch.
The iPads will cost the town $378 each, according to town administrator John Anderson. The authorization was for iPads for each councilor, as well as for Anderson, assistant town administrator Larry Budreau and Sheila Bodenrader, the executive assistant to the town administrator.
Anderson said there is money available in the town administrator’s contingency line in the current budget for the purchase.
The council also tasked Anderson with gathering more information on the ability of councilors who already own iPads to use their devices for town business.
“I’d like to use my own,” said Fairbanks. “Besides the cost, I don’t want to be carrying two of them around.”
If the iPad use by the council is deemed a success, councilor David Milz said the town may also consider purchasing iPads to be shared among other boards and commissions in town.
Former town councilor Janet Fairbanks said she had concerns about the councilors using the iPads for personal reasons.
“I think that all councilors should sign a waiver that they will not use them personally, and if they are used personally (the councilor) will forfeit his position on the board,” she said.
Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
Councilors Michael Fairbanks and Phyllis Katsakiores voted against the authorization, with Fairbanks stating he was hesitant to spend taxpayer money on the purchase and Katsakiores saying she was comfortable with the current procedure of councilors receiving information for their meeting in a notebook.
The majority of the councilors stated they see the switch to iPads as a way to cut down on paperwork for the administrative staff and as a cost neutral move that will give the council quicker and more in-depth access to information.
Katsakiores asked if there was a way the council could keep both paper packets and the proposed electronic access for its meetings.
“The whole intention is not to make the books and not to have the paper,” said Council Chairman Brad Benson. Using a dual system would not be a good use of taxpayer money, he added.
Benson said there would be training on the iPad and the system used to convey town information to make sure all the councilors are comfortable with the switch.
The iPads will cost the town $378 each, according to town administrator John Anderson. The authorization was for iPads for each councilor, as well as for Anderson, assistant town administrator Larry Budreau and Sheila Bodenrader, the executive assistant to the town administrator.
Anderson said there is money available in the town administrator’s contingency line in the current budget for the purchase.
The council also tasked Anderson with gathering more information on the ability of councilors who already own iPads to use their devices for town business.
“I’d like to use my own,” said Fairbanks. “Besides the cost, I don’t want to be carrying two of them around.”
If the iPad use by the council is deemed a success, councilor David Milz said the town may also consider purchasing iPads to be shared among other boards and commissions in town.
Former town councilor Janet Fairbanks said she had concerns about the councilors using the iPads for personal reasons.
“I think that all councilors should sign a waiver that they will not use them personally, and if they are used personally (the councilor) will forfeit his position on the board,” she said.
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Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
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