2007-04-03
JOINT CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
April 3, 2007,8:15 a.m.
Beverly City Hall
PRESENT: Timothy Flaherty, William Coughlin, Miranda Gooding, Paul Manzo,
Maria Decker
Kathy Griffin was also present.
Kathy Griffin submitted a summary of the published Barnstable Study of Consolidation
of Town Structure and Grounds Division and the School Department's Maintenance and
Grounds Division. This summary outlines the major concerns and considerations in
connection with the possible consolidation of town and school maintenance in the Town
of Barnstable. Ultimately, the report concluded that consolidation of the organizations
would not have a positive effect on maintenance. Major concerns were that consolidation
would lead to a dilution of staff resources, possibly lead to slower responses to school
concerns and would create significant pay differentials among staff. Moreover, the cost
savings would only be realized over the long term by way of reducing maintenance costs
through increased preventative maintenance. Kathy Griffin reported that the Town of
Barnstable currently maintains separate maintenance departments for the town and school
departments.
Paul Manzo discussed the School Department's work on a School Facilities Maintenance
Plan, and stated that in light of that plan, and given current staffing, it is his conclusion
that a consolidation of building maintenance functions will not improve services for
school building maintenance. Paul Manzo and Maria Decker then submitted a written
proposal to consolidate municipal and school buildings and grounds functions, dated
April 3, 2007. The proposal includes consolidating the grounds functions for the schools
and city within a newly combined municipal grounds department under the direction of
the Department of Public Services. Under this proposal, the municipal grounds
department would be responsible for snow removal and grounds and field maintenance
and repair. It is expected that current janitorial staff at the schools would continue to be
responsible for grass-cutting and snow removal from paths and walkways.
Members of the group discussed the proposal and identified the need to quantify the cost
savings to the School Department if these services were transferred out to a new
consolidated department. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Miranda Gooding
October 17,2007