Special Meeting
Town Council Retreat
Northwest Park – Tobacco Museum
January 11, 2003

Approved Minutes

Present: Mayor Donald Trinks, Deputy Mayor Timothy Curtis, Councilor Dom Albano, Councilor Paul Broxterman, Councilor Donald Jepsen, Councilor Jim Pacino, Councilor Wayne Mulligan, Councilor Alan Simon, Councilor Lenworth Walker

Staff: Town Manager Leon Churchill, Assistant Town Manager Peter Souza, Gregg Pavitt, Finance Director, Michael Meotti, Meeting Facilitator


1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 8:20 AM.

2. Discussion
Mike Meotti, Meeting Facilitator, reviewed the proposed agenda and outlined the first exercise which was designed to prioritize services.

The Council discussed the following possible strategies or approaches to prioritizing services:
 

a) Protect direct services
b) Look for duplication of services (with Board of Ed & on a regional basis)
c) Protect long-term investments and developments
d) Protect services which help the town maintain a competitive edge within the region
e) Examine local government’s role

Further discussion ensued regarding collaboration within the town and on a regional basis. The following items were discussed as possible candidates to examine concerning collaboration and consolidation within the town:

a) Fire district relationship
b) Start Smart Program and Family Resource Center
c) Pre-school programming
d) Board of Education and town services

1. Information Technology
2. Library services
3. Facility management
4. Custodial services
5. Purchasing
6. Human Resources
7. Benefits

It was suggested by the Town Council that delivering services on a regional basis be explored and that possible service areas could include 911 Dispatch, Public Health, and Purchasing.

Another suggestion was that perhaps the Joint Board of Ed/Town Council Committee could discuss the potential of having staff complete an analysis of possible services which can be consolidated.

Councilors also suggested that staff examine methods for increasing public input into the budget process.

3. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,



Peter Souza
Recording Secretary