Terenzini said. “I’m not convinced that this kind of work fits the bidding process,”...
“I understand Carter’s requesting that we not go out to bid, but for that amount of money, we should go out to bid,” said Selectman Betsey Patten.
Click here for more on this issue
The Meredith News April 9, 2009
SARAH SCHMIDT
SSCHMIDT@SALMONPRESS.COM
MOULTONBORO — The town will be moving forward with a compensation and personnel
system evaluation for town employees this year, but the selectmen decided last week not to put the comparison study out to bid. Town Administrator Carter Terenzini introduced Thornton Associates as the prospective company to perform the evaluation on Moultonboro. Thornton Associates performed similar evaluations, comparing towns, salaries, benefit packages, and policies for Meredith and Wolfeboro. The final price for the evaluation comes to $11,950 and would be complete in three months.Terenzini said that it was cheaper than the offer from the Local Government Center and would take less time. “I understand Carter’s requesting that we not go out to bid, but for that amount of money, we should go out to bid,” said Selectman Betsey Patten. “It’s also a company based in Maine - perhaps we should look for something closer to home.” Selectman Karel Crawford noted that the town had attempted to do an in-house evaluation several years ago. The process was “daunting,” and did not compare benefit packages, which she said she was interested in comparing. Terenzini noted that the company would also compare Moultonboro salaries and benefit packages with private sector companies. “By going out to a third party, it lends some credibility,” said Advisory Budget Committee Chair Jean Beadle. Crawford said that she was comfortable with going with Thornton Associates. Terenzini suggested that this work could use a bid waiver. Thornton Associates was already familiar with the Lakes Region after performing comparisons in Wolfeboro and Meredith, Terenzini said. He noted that in finding towns to compare with Moultonboro was difficult, since the company would be looking for towns that compare in terms of complexity, rather than size. Among other factors, Moultonboro’s seasonal populations are a consideration to take into account, Terenzini said. “I’m not convinced that this kind of work fits the bidding process,” said Terenzini. “They (Thornton Associates) have a good knowledge of the area, and they’re able to do it in a fairly quick timeframe. We can put it out to bid, but that would spend another six weeks doing it. I’m not convinced you’ll get a better price.” Selectman Joel Mudgett said that he had heard Meredith was happy with the company’s work. Patten voiced her opposition in not bidding, and Selectman Ed Charest said that he had a few reservations of his own. In the end, the selectmen voted 4-1 to approve hiring the company, with Patten dissenting.
Leave a comment