Report: Madison Town, School Officials Should Study Consolidation

MADISON, CT - Consolidating some office functions in town and school government to save taxpayers money was one of the highlights of a consultant report discussed at the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting in Madison.

Human Resources Director, Debra Milardo, stated that after budget discussions last year, the town contracted Randy Frank Consultants, LLC to conduct a manpower study.

The study reviewed the staffing needs of four departments by interviewing department heads, soliciting comparable data from other towns and then analyzing all of the data provided.

Recommendations for increased staff were not sustained by the manpower study, however, the study gives a snapshot of where the town falls in comparison with neighboring and similarly-sized towns, Milardo said.

The only recommendation for increased manpower is for a full time support staff in one of the departments, she said. The board can now analyze this report and use the data provided to determine how the town moves forward with any of these departmental requests to increase manpower which may be brought forward during the budget process.

Selectman Bruce Wilson stated that there were several recommendations provided in the study, one recommendation being the consolidation of services between the town and Board of Education.

Wilson questioned how the to get the discussion started around consolidating HR services between the town and the Board of Education into one department.

Milardo stated that these discussions would need to be had at the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Board of Education level prior to any decision. She stated that cooperation between the Boards would seem necessary to move the idea forward.

Wilson stated that the First Selectman Tom Banisch should speak to the Superintendent Tom Scarice and determine what possible steps could be researched to bring about consolidation of services between the town and Board of Education in this respect.

Milardo also stated that she would research how comparable towns are set up for Human Resources services.

Selectman Al Goldberg stated that he also felt that conversations with neighboring towns regarding sharing specialized personnel would also be important for Madison to consider.

Banisch said he has spoken with Killingworth about sharing health services, with Clinton about sharing dispatch services and also with Guilford about sharing services as well.