Council Okays Purchase of 42 New Computers for Town Hall

Despite concerns of some members over approving funds outside the town budget process, the Town Council unanimously agreed to spend $25,200 to buy 42 new computers for Monroe Town Hall.

Jack Zamary, the technology director for the town and the school district, had warned that security updates for Windows XP will soon expire, making the town's older machines vulnerable to hackers.
 
Though the library has 54 older computers that also should be replaced, Zamary said town hall's computers are more urgent due to the sensitive information on them, including data for payroll, taxpayers and voters.

A plan is also in place to phase in computer upgrades every five years in a way that older ones are replaced at different times, rather than all at once.

Board of Finance Chairman Michael Manjos, who attended Monday night's council meeting, said the new computers will be paid for via a special appropriation that will need approvals from the Board of Finance and the Town Council.

Town Finance Dir. Carl Tomchik told the council there is about $200,000 in "revenue excess", not counting tax collections.

While expressing support for the need to replace the town hall computers, Town Council members Debra Dutches and Tony Unger both complained that the funds would be approved outside of the town's annual budget process.

"I am once again baffled by appropriations not included in the town budget," Dutches said. "This should require Town Meeting approval regardless of the dollar amount."

Manjos pointed out that there is a mechanism in place to approve the funds and that the Board of Finance and Town Council will be following the procedures.

Unger expressed his hope that the town sticks with the plan to replace old computers down the road.

In a public comment session before the vote, Steve Kirsch voiced his support of buying the computers outright rather than leasing and Lee Hossler said he believes the town would be better off spending the $86,000 to replace all of its old computers now, rather than breaking up the purchases in a "refresh cycle" to save money.

"I think you'll all be much happier down the road," Hossler said of upgrading everything.